LRAFB kicks off tax season

  • Published
  • By 19th Airlift Wing Legal Office
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Tax season is upon us and there are many free tax assistance sources available for Team Little Rock Airmen.

Military OneSource provides free access to secure online tax preparation software, in addition to free financial counseling and free tax consultations.  All active-duty, National Guard, and reserve service members (regardless of activation status), their families, and survivors have access to this service, which is designed to be user-friendly and simple.  It can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection, with no need for a Controlled Access Card reader.  For those without computers, the base library has several computers designated solely for Military OneSource tax preparation, complete with privacy screens to ensure all information stays confidential. 

Nervous about filing your own taxes?  Not only can you call the Military OneSource number for tax help, but your access to H&R Block's software allows you to contact their tax specialists.  There is online chat support available 24/7 during tax season, or you can call them Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.  -  midnight and Saturday-Sunday from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m..  For more information, or to sign up for this service, visit http://militaryonesource.mil/Taxes.

The IRS itself offers free federal filing to all taxpayers, regardless of military status, whose income falls below $62,000.  Although this is mainly for your federal taxes only, state returns are available, and some of those are free as well.  Those who are eligible for the IRS's free filing may visit https://www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal-Taxes-for-Free to get started.

There are also a number of private companies that offer free online tax preparation, along with phone and chat support, for military members or, at the very least, a military discount on their software.  Do your research!

For those who still are not comfortable using the free, do-it-yourself software, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance  program or Tax Counseling for the Elderly program may be of assistance to you.  VITA sites offer free tax preparation to any taxpayer, regardless of military status, whose income falls under $54,000 (whether filing joint or single).  Remember that "income" only refers to your taxable income (i.e., your base pay), not your BAH or BAS, so this service will be open to nearly all enlisted members and some company grade officers.  Tax Counseling for the Elderly is a partnership between the IRS and the AARP which provides free tax preparation and consultation services for low- to moderate-income filers, with a target clientele aged 60 and above.  For more information on the VITA and TCE programs, and for a VITA/TCE site locator, you can visit https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers.

The base Tax Center opens its doors March 1 in the base legal office (located on the second floor of the 19 AW Headquarters, Bldg. 1250) and will be open through April 18, which is the filing deadline.  Services will be available to all active-duty enlisted personnel with less than 2 years of service. The Airmen who fit eligibility requirements will be able to drop off their documents during business hours, and they will return later for an appointment with one of the Tax Center volunteers to have their returns prepared and filed.

Tax Center volunteers are certified to do only basic tax returns. The Tax Center volunteers will not be able to assist if you own a personal business (with the exception of a home daycare business which services military dependents), rental properties, or an extensive stock portfolio.

The following required documents must be brought to a tax center appointment:

(1) Military ID card;
(2) Routing number and bank account number for E-filing;
(3) Social Security cards and birth dates of all taxpayers and dependents;
(4) All W-2s, 1099, 1095, and investment income paperwork;
(5) Previous year's tax returns;
(6) Powers of attorney if necessary and deployment orders;
(7) Form 8332 for divorced or separated parents; and
(8) Other documents - Any records you keep that will help substantiate the deductions you'll claim on your return. You'll need this documentation should the IRS later select your return for examination. Normally, tax records should be kept for three years, but some documents, such as records relating to a home purchase or sale, stock transactions, IRA and business or rental property, should be kept longer.

Many tax documents can be found at https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx such as the new IRS Form 1095. For 2015, taxpayers are required to prove that they have obtained the minimum essential coverage, TRICARE qualifies for this coverage. Military members' proof of coverage is the Department of Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form 1095: Employer Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage.  Each member of our Air Force team will need to have the IRS Form 1095 to file their taxes in 2016.

The base Finance office cannot provide any tax assistance.