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JBSA News
NEWS | Jan. 23, 2008

Taxman cometh: Randolph Tax Center helps base members prepare their taxes for free

By David DeKunder Wingspread staff writer

Starting in late January, Team Randolph servicemembers, retirees and dependents will be able to get expert tax advice for free.
 
Volunteers from the 12th Flying Training Wing Legal Office will provide free income tax preparation and filing beginning Jan. 28 at the tax center located in the west basement of the Taj Mahal, Bldg. 100. 

Active-duty personnel can make an appointment by contacting the tax center at 652-1040. Tuesday, retirees and their dependents will be allowed to make appointments with the Tax Center at the same number as active-duty personnel. The first time slots for retirees and their dependents will start Feb. 11. 

The tax center will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until April 15, the last day to file income taxes. 

Capt. Robert Green, 12th FTW Legal Office attorney in charge of tax preparation, said 50 trained volunteers will be available at different times to help base members file their taxes. 

"We can fully prepare their tax returns, provided they bring their W-2 forms, interest and dividend statements, education expenses and other relevant documents," he said. "The volunteers will e-file the income taxes through our office." 

Captain Green said base members who come to the tax center should have their taxes done and filed quickly within 30 minutes to an hour. 

"All of our volunteers, who are either active duty or retirees, have been trained and designated by the Internal Revenue Service to prepare tax returns," the captain said. "The training they receive covers special circumstances that may arise for military members." 

Base members can choose to have their income tax refunds put into direct deposit. Anyone who wants a direct deposit of their refund must have their account and bank routing number with them during their appointment. 

If base members want to get their taxes done quickly and on time, Captain Green said they should make an appointment with the tax center as soon as they can. 

"I encourage people to come in and do their tax returns as soon as possible," the captain said. "We want to make sure base members start the process early enough so they can have enough time to get their returns completed by April 15. We don't want anyone to wait until the last minute." 

Last year, tax center volunteers helped 1,500 Team Randolph members save more than $251,000 in preparation fees and obtain more than $2.24 million in tax refunds.
For more information about the tax center's services and to make an appointment, call 652-1040.

INFO BOX - Retiree Activities Office to offer free tax advice 

Starting in February, the Randolph Retiree Activities Office will offer free expert advice to military retirees who need help preparing or filing their income taxes. 

The retiree activities office is now accepting appointments for the tax preparation assistance, which will start on Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Chapel Center, Bldg. 103. 

Appointments will be held every Tuesday until April 15, the income tax filing deadline. 

To make an appointment or for more information on getting free tax preparation advice, retirees can call the retiree activities office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 652-6880.