Tax assistance available Feb. 1

  • Published
  • By Capt. Clinton Eubanks
  • 341st Space Wing Judge Advocate Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Benjamin Franklin wrote, "In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." That may or may not be true, but there is no doubt most of us have to file tax returns. For many, preparing taxes can be intimidating, stressful or otherwise unpleasant. Help is available via the Tax Assistance Program, a free service provided through the legal office. 

Last year, tax program volunteers filed more than 1,700 returns, saving Malmstrom personnel and families more than $140,000 in tax preparation and filing fees.

David Johnson is returning this year to oversee the day-to-day operations of the tax center which will be staffed mostly by Volunteer Income Tax Assistants. Forty-six volunteers from across Malmstrom will be serving as VITAs. They will all receive tax  preparation training from the Internal Revenue Service and be ready to assist customers come tax time. 

In order for the VITAs to prepare a tax return, the military member and their spouse will need to bring the following documents:
􀂄 Military ID or dependent ID
􀂄 Taxpayer's and dependents' Social Security Cards
􀂄 Copies of all W-2s, Forms 1098, Forms 1099
􀂄 Interest and Dividend Statements (Form 1099)
􀂄 Child Care Provider's dentification Number
􀂄 Taxpayer's banking information for refund deposit (preferably voided check or savings deposit slip) - Routing number and account number
􀂄 Estimated tax payments made
􀂄 Amounts of other income
􀂄 Other documents, if applicable:
􀂄 A copy of last year's Federal and State return, if possible
􀂄 Power of Attorney
􀂄 Documentation supporting a claim to a dependency exemption
􀂄 Divorce Decree
􀂄 Form 8332 (Release of Claim to Exemption for Children of Divorced or Separated Parents). 

All active-duty members, Guardsman, Reservists and their family members are  encouraged to take advantage of this free service. A word of caution: don't be tempted by the "instant refund" deals offered by some commercial tax preparation firms. These companies offer to give the refund instantly in exchange for a percentage of the refund. While getting the refund instantly sounds great, this is a bad financial decision because the percentage taken "off the top" is exorbitantly high. Moreover, taxpayers can get their refunds relatively quick by filing electronically and using direct deposit for refund checks. 

W-2's will be available Air Force-wide Jan. 22. The Malmstrom tax center will open Feb. 1. It will be located in building 770, room 24. VITAs will process Form 1040EZ and Form 1040A filers on a walkin basis. Walk-in hours are Monday to Friday, 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. For itemized returns, an appointment is necessary. The appointment line also opens Feb. 1 with the first appointments available Feb. 12. To make an appointment, call 731- 3157. 

This year, the 341st Medical Group, 341st Contracting and 341st Communications Squadrons will have "inhouse" tax centers of their own. Members of those units will need to contact their respective tax centers to schedule appointments. The point of contact for the 341st MDG tax center is Geoff Fallon at 731- 2584. The POC for 341st CONS and 341st CS tax center is Maj. Dale Gow at 721- 7736.