Tax Assistance Program starts Jan. 30

  • Published
  • By Capt. Stephen Braunlich
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Filing honest, accurate income taxes is an important duty of all Americans. While the process can be intimidating and confusing, free help will be available for all active-duty members, Guardsmen, Reservists, retirees and their dependents at the tax center operated by the Malmstrom Tax Assistance Program.

The tax center will operate in the Grizzly Bend and will be staffed by IRS-trained volunteers from every wing group. It will be open Mondays and Wednesdays from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., and Fridays from 8-11:30 a.m. starting Jan. 30. Tax returns will be prepared on a walk-in basis for individuals eligible to file 1040EZ and 1040A returns, which should use the standard deduction, include members with incomes below $100,000 and not involve the sale of property.

After Feb. 10, tax returns can be prepared by an appointment or walk-in basis. Appointments may be made by calling 731-2878 or by visiting http://341mwtax.lattiss.com/. Due to the complexity of itemized deductions, taxpayers seeking to itemize their deductions should make an appointment.

This year, the 341st Medical Group will use an in-house tax preparer, Geoff Fallon. Medical Group members should contact Fallon at 731-2584 to arrange their tax return appointments.

The Malmstrom TAP is run through the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and follows its regulations. Therefore, volunteers may not prepare returns that exceed the scope of the program or their competency; for example, those involving farm income, depreciation, inventory for home businesses or the alternative minimum tax. However, the TAP volunteers can assist most Airmen with these returns.

Before coming to have tax returns prepared, Team Malmstrom members (and their spouse if married) should have the following documents:
  • Social Security cards including those for all dependents' (copies are not accepted)
  • Proof of identity (military or dependent ID),
  • Copies of all W-2s, Form 1098s and Form 1099s
  • Interest and dividend statements (Form 1099 INT and Form 1099 DIV)
  • Estimated tax payments made
  • Amounts of other income
  • Either your prior tax year electronic filing pin or prior tax year AGI. (If you do not know either of these, you can obtain it over the phone from the IRS by calling 1-800-829-1040)
  • Other required documents, including:
  • Bank account routing number and account number for fast direct deposit of refunds (voided checks or savings deposit slips may be used)
  • A copy of last year's federal and state return, if possible
  • Power of attorney, if applicable
  • Documentation supporting a claim to a dependency exemption
  • Divorce decree or Form 8332 (Release of Claim to Exemption for Children of Divorced or Separated Parents)
  • Documents showing real estate or property taxes paid
  • Child care provider's name, address and identification number (EIN or SSN)