It’s tax time, self-help tax center opens Feb. 5

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  • By USAFWC/JA
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada --  This year, the tax center has evolved into a self-help service center. What does that mean for Airmen assigned to Nellis and Creech?  They can use one of the kiosks located at the Tax Center to prepare and file their taxes online with limited assistance from an IRS-certified volunteer who will be able to answer basic tax questions.

The self-help concept promotes financial accountability and teaches Airmen how to prepare their own taxes - an important and enduring life skill. Taxes are submitted electronically and refunds are deposited directly into bank accounts. 

The Self-Help Tax Center will open Thursday, February 5th and remain open until April 15th, the last day income taxes can be filed without being assessed a penalty or additional interest. The Self-Help Tax Center is located at the Desert Oasis Lounge ballroom in building 324 and will function on a walk-in basis only.  Hours of operation will be posted later this month on the Nellis website, banner, and marquee.

Who is eligible? Active duty, guard, and reserve service members, as well as spouses and dependent children authorized in DEERS, will use http://www.militaryonesource.mil to complete their taxes. While retirees with an income of less than $60,000 may use the IRS free file program, they are encouraged to visit local tax preparation sites in order to receive personalized tax preparation services.  Visit http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers to find the IRS tax center nearest you or call 1 888-227-7669.

What will you need to complete your tax return at the Self-Help Tax Center?  Bring the following documents, as applicable: Social Security number and date of birth for you, your spouse and dependents; W-2 forms for you and your spouse; investment income forms such as the 1099-R; child care, education and adoption costs; alimony information; Social Security benefits; miscellaneous income; form 1098-E for student loan interest; charitable donations; uninsured medical and dental expenses; real estate taxes; receipts for other deductible expenses; and bank account information for any refund you may receive.

Be advised that tax center volunteers are not tax professionals. Volunteers are active duty, retirees, or civilians who have taken a short course in basic tax preparation.  Volunteers are not trained for nor will they be able to assist anyone outside of the scope of a simple tax return. If you have investments, rental properties, a personal business, limited partnerships, casualty or theft losses, or foreign investments, you are strongly encouraged to seek the advice and services of a tax professional.

If you are deploying to a combat zone, participating in a qualifying contingency operation, or have qualifying service outside a combat zone before April 15, 2015, the deadline for filing tax returns, paying taxes, filing claims for refund, or other actions taken by the IRS is automatically extended. Visit http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3.pdf for more information and to see if you qualify for an automatic extension.  Alternatively, if you don't want to wait to file, you can grant a power of attorney to someone so they can file your taxes on your behalf.