Use the free tax assistance available on some military installations, or the free tax software and tax consultants available through Military OneSource. More than 1,000 airmen could lose bonus pay in fiscal 2024 under the new budget proposal. VA officials said hiring and retention levels are at record highs, but workers groups say even more staff is needed to keep up. Cutting spending on the Air Force’s enduring wars reflects a shift “toward the pacing challenge" of China," Kristyn Jones said. Most of the fiscal 2024 funding request — $185.1 billion — would go toward the Air Force. Another $30 billion would head to the Space Force. The Air Force wants to speed up efforts to become a more modern force, with new aircraft and research into technology such as drone wingmen. Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 13, 2023. The big pay boost is part of a $842 billion Defense Department spending plan unveiled by the White House on Thursday. A proposed 2.2% increase in discretionary spending would be the lowest boost since 2016. The Pentagon has missed its Dec. 27 deadline by months. Load More