JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
With the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Military Tax Assistance Center opening Jan. 28, it is important to understand who the MTAC serves and the scope of the services provided. The MTAC is located in building 133, 2405 Dragon Valley Road.
First, the MTAC serves all active duty military members, military retirees and their dependents.
Unless you are otherwise authorized services as an active duty military member, retired military or their family members, the MTAC cannot prepare returns for civilian personnel, military contractors and the general civilian population.
The center also does not provide services for Reservists and Guardsmen, unless they are on Title 10 orders for 30 days or more or just came off of extended active duty. The MTAC does not provide services for “gray-area” retired reservists. If a retired reservist or guard is receiving retirement pay, they are eligible for services.
If you are not sure if you authorized to have your taxes completed at the MTAC, a good rule of thumb is if you can obtain medical treatment from Brooke Army Medical Center, then you are eligible to utilize MTAC services. If you are not sure, contact the MTAC at 210-295-1040 to clarify your authorization.
Second, if you are authorized to have your taxes completed at the MTAC, then the next question is what type of services does it provide?
The tax center can prepare most personal income tax returns and the staff is certified by the IRS to complete advance and military tax returns. The MTAC can complete tax returns covering wages, interest, dividend, capital gains with basis, residential rental real estate, IRA distributions, pension, unemployment, and social security incomes and also complete Schedule C-EZ business income returns for Child Development Center daycare providers.
The MTAC can also complete tax returns that require Schedule A itemized deductions and education, residential energy, dependent care, retirement savings, child tax, additional child tax and earned income credits.
The staff at the tax center is specifically trained to prepare tax returns for military members with combat zone excluded pay and other military unique tax situations.
There are certain services that are outside the scope of the MTAC. For example, the tax center does not provide tax services for day traders, capital gains without basis, people with three or more rental properties, sale of rental property, returns requiring K-1s beyond interest and royalties, farm income, foreign tax credits greater than $600 and other returns deemed outside the scope by the MTAC director.
For more information, call 210-295-1040. The staff of the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military Tax Assistance Center looks forward to providing those eligible with outstanding personal income tax preparation services in the weeks and months ahead.
One more thing, and it’s important. We operate under the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program. As such, we have to operate under rules for that program. Those rules state that taxpayers must bring in Social Security cards (the actual card, not just the number) for themselves and everyone that will be listed on the tax return. That includes spouses and children and anyone else you might claim as a dependent. Additionally, we can only prepare taxes for a married couples filing joint if both are present or one has a valid power of attorney. Please remember this, as we do not want to have to turn anyone away.
Appointments can made beginning Jan. 21 at 210-295-1040. However, the first appointment will not be until the tax center opens Jan 28.