JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND –
The Tax Center opens here Feb. 3, providing free tax preparation and e-filing of both federal and state income tax returns for active duty, Reserve, National Guard, retired military and their dependents.
The tax center will operate from Monday to April 15. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center is closed on holidays. It is located in the basement of building 2484, room 041, 1701 Kenly Ave.
Starting Monday through Feb. 14 the tax center will accept walk-ins. After Feb. 14 the tax center will be primarily appointment only. Tax filers can call the tax center at 210-671-8331/8475 to schedule appointments. Those filing basic 1040 EZ returns may be seen on a walk-in basis from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, throughout the tax-filing season.
Capt. Drew Cutler, 502nd Installation Support Group/Judge Advocate Corps, assistant staff judge advocate, said Air Force Basic Military Training trainees will have priority in order to minimize disruption to their training.
"We recommend that you call ahead to determine wait time for walk-ins," said Cutler, the center's officer in charge. "There is no limitation on rank or income. However, the tax center will not be able to prepare certain complex returns."
Cutler said the center will be staffed by 45 volunteers from organizations across JBSA-Lackland selected by their commanders. A number of volunteers who will be preparing returns have previous experience working at volunteer tax centers and they are trained to look for every deduction, credit and adjustment to minimize a taxpayer's tax liability.
"Our volunteers are eager to help their fellow Airmen and have been trained and certified to the advanced tax preparation level," said Cutler, who volunteered at the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Tax Center the past two years.
"It is a rewarding experience when you complete a return for someone who is in the middle of some financial difficulty and you find that they qualify for a credit that gives them a substantial refund."
Cutler said tax returns may only be completed with the payer(s) present. He added persons who are filing joint returns should bring their spouse or make arrangements for the spouse to stop by the center to sign the documents.
Before coming to the tax center, filers should have all relevant tax documents including last year's tax return, an official photo ID for each taxpayer, a Social Security card for each payer and dependent, and a cancelled check for direct deposit refunds.
Cutler said documents to look for, which may not be available until on or after the center opens, are W-2s, mortgage statements, interest statements, tuition statements, receipts for charitable contributions, education expenses and unreimbursed travel expenses.
"If you're not sure whether an expense is deductible or not, bring it in," he said. "Certain uniform expenses may be deductible. If you had a permanent change of station last year and didn't get reimbursed fully, bring in those receipts.
"Since tax preparation can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, it is recommended that child care arrangements be made," he added.
Cutler also offered some tips that might affect military members:
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. Forms can be downloaded at http://www.irs.gov.
For U.S. Armed Forces personnel serving in a combat zone, the Internal Revenue Service 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.
Members may apply for a deferral of taxes owed if they can show that their ability to pay taxes was adversely affected by their military service.
Members who prefer to self-prepare and e-file taxes may do so at http://www.militaryonesource.com.