LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The Lackland Tax Center will provide tax preparation services for both federal and state income tax returns starting Feb. 2.
Military retirees, Active duty, reserve and national guard members, and their dependents are eligible for the free service.
Eligible persons may schedule appointments starting Jan. 26 by calling 210-671-5812.
The tax office is located in Bldg. 1000 on Kenly Avenue, directly across from the security forces building.
Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8-12 a.m. and 1-3 p. m. The tax center will close Fridays. Appointments are required for everyone except basic trainees and technical school students who may be seen on a walk-in basis.
Servicemembers at Security Hill can get tax assistance at the Security Hill Tax Center, which is managed by the 67th Network Warfare Wing. Call 977-2291 for more information.
In addition to the tax center, most units and organizations will have at least one unit tax advisor ready to assist with income tax returns. Some UTAs will work out of their squadrons.
All UTAs will have completed a comprehensive training course and examination to become certified. They will also have reference materials and forms for processing returns.
Persons who prefer to prepare and file their own taxes may stop by the tax center beginning Feb. 2 to pick up the appropriate tax forms.
Look for additional information about the tax center in future editions of the Talespinner. In the meantime, here are some tips to prepare for the upcoming tax season.
For those deploying, it may be helpful to designate someone to represent you on a federal tax matter.
To do this, fill out and sign IRS Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, and provide it to the person you want to file your taxes. This IRS form does not require a notary.
Only certain people may be designated as your representative. Examples include, but are not limited to, immediate family members, attorneys, and certified public accountants.
Forms can be downloaded at www.irs.gov or picked up at the tax center in February.
For military members serving in a combat zone, the IRS automatically extends the deadline for filing tax returns, paying taxes, filing a claim for a refund, and taking other actions related to federal income tax.
The IRS also extends the deadline for members deployed overseas, away from their permanent duty station. The deployed location must support operations in a qualified hazardous duty area.
The deadline for filing returns, making payments or taking other actions with the IRS is extended for at least 180 days after the last day of the qualifying combat zone service, or the last day of any continuous qualified hospitalization for injury from service in the combat zone.
Members may qualify for a deferral of taxes owed if they can prove military service had a detrimental impact on their ability to pay taxes.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides this option. However, the deferral is not automatic. A taxpayer must apply for it.
The taxpayer must have received a notice of tax due or an installment agreement with the IRS before applying for the deferral. The deferral does not extend the deadline for filing tax returns.