Working with the Department of Defense, the Internal Revenue Service identifies taxpayers who are serving in a combat zone to suspend compliance actions, such as audits or enforced collections, until 180 days after the taxpayer has left the zone. Taxpayers, including civilian taxpayers working with U.S. Armed Forces, qualifying for such combat zone relief may also notify the IRS directly of their status through combatzone@irs.gov. They should provide their name, stateside address, date of birth, and the date of deployment to the combat zone. Taxpayers should also include any official document that indicates their area or military operation. Civilians usually provide a Letter of Authorization or a letter from their employer. However, letters from the military that state the taxpayer served in a tax-free zone or Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) area are acceptable. Do not include any Social Security numbers in an email. The taxpayer, taxpayer's spouse, or an authorized agent or representative may make this notification. The IRS cannot provide tax account information by email. Therefore, we will send responses to any questions about the taxpayer's account by regular mail to the address we have on record, within two business days. We may provide general answers to questions regarding the status of individual combat zone updates via email. More information Let Us Help You Publication 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide PDF — special tax situations of active members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad PDF — special tax rules for U.S. citizens and resident aliens who work abroad or who have income earned in foreign countries.