Service members prepare to file taxes Published Feb. 5, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Beginning Feb. 10, qualifying service members, retirees and their dependents can schedule appointments through their unit tax advisor to receive free assistance in filing taxes by the April 15 deadline. Military personnel E-5 and below as well as retirees, or their dependents, with an annual gross income of less than $60,000 are eligible to participate in Goodfellow's tax assistance program. "The tax assistance program is offered annually to junior members... needing assistance in preparing their tax returns," said Staff Sgt. Bryan Fontana, 17th Training Wing Legal Office general law NCO in charge. "This provides the members easy access to file their taxes and allows them to become educated on the process." The UTA and service member can complete the entire filing process to include tax preparation, transmission and processing from any desktop computer. Members seeking free tax assistance and electronic filing when preparing federal income tax returns should go through their unit tax advisor. The UTA and service member can complete the entire filing process to include tax preparation, transmission and processing entirely from their office desktop computer. To find out who a UTA is, contact a first sergeant. Qualified retirees and service members who don't have a UTA can use the Goodfellow Base Tax Center located in the legal office conference room in building 430. The tax center is staffed by volunteer income tax representatives trained by the Internal Revenue Service. Individuals with an AGI of $57,000 who would prefer to file themselves can use the IRS Free File program. To access Free File, visit http://www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal-Taxes-for-Free. Another free tax filing service is through http://www.militaryonesource.mil/. Once on the website select Military OneSource Tax Service. Service members and their dependents are eligible to use the Military OneSource Tax Service. Before visiting a UTA or the tax center, make sure to bring the following items if applicable: · Military I.D. · All W-2 Forms · HUD-1 Forms · Proof of child care expenses · All 1099 INT and DIV Forms · Power of attorney if necessary · Form 1098, mortgage interest statement · Receipt for deductible expenses if itemizing deductions · Social Security card to include spouse and dependents · Proof of bank account if direct deposit is requested · Last year's tax return if available · Any other tax-related documents In addition to these items, first-year Airmen need to know if their parent is claiming them as a dependent. If a member is in a unit that does not have a UTA, or their UTA does not have an available appointment, the member is permitted to contact a UTA from another unit to set up an appointment. For any additional information and to make an appointment, call the legal office at 325-654-3203.
