Tax assistance for Airmen available starting Jan. 28

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  McChord's tax center will offer free assistance to Airmen, retirees and spouses of deployed Airmen starting Jan. 28. 

Located in Room 3007 in Bldg. 100, the center will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. All tax services at the center are through appointment only, and can be made by calling 982-6857. The center will also hold several walk-in 1040EZ tax help sessions in the coming months. Those dates will be announced soon, and service on those days will be first come, first served. 

The following documents and information are needed to complete a tax return: 

 Military I.D.
 All W-2, 1099INT, 1099R,
1099DIV and 1098 forms.
 Proof of a bank account if
direct deposit is desired.
 Receipts for deductible
expenses if itemizing deductions.
 Proof of childcare expenses.
 Amount of any advanced
child tax credit received.
 Social Security numbers
and dates of birth of your
spouse and/or dependents.
 Previous year's tax return
and any other tax-related
documents.

If Airmen bring all their documents and file for their refund to be deposited into their checking or savings account, they will usually get their refund in two weeks, said Capt. Bryan Hall, 62nd Airlift Wing legal office. 

Airmen who can't make it to a walk-in day are encouraged to visit their squadron's Volunteer Income Tax Assistant representative, Captain Hall said. 

Each VITA representative is IRS-trained and certified. Airmen interested in getting in touch with their squadron's VITA representative should contact their first sergeant. If the specified VITA is unable to assist, Airmen may contact a rep from another unit, Captain Hall said. 

Airmen who have multiple business entities to report on their taxes should seek help from a paid preparer, he said. Airmen looking to take advantage of walk-in services must be single or filing a joint return and have no more than two personal exemptions. 

Their taxable income must also be from wages, salaries, tips, unemployment, Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends and taxable interest of $1500 or less. 

The center is hosting walk-in days mainly to help young Airmen eager to file their tax
returns, said Patty DeCamp, 62nd Airlift Wing legal office tax reviewer.