Joint Base Balad provides free services during tax season

BALAD, IRAQ

01.28.2009

Story by Pfc. Amanda Tucker 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

By Amanda Tucker
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – With tax season fast approaching, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) are working together to provide free tax filing and assistance at the Joint Base Balad Tax Center.

However, the Soldiers and Airmen in these units are not the only ones who can offer their assistance to the base. The tax center welcomes volunteers to become trained and certified with the internal revenue service link-n-learn web based, self-paced tax program.

The volunteer income tax assistants will provide free tax assistance to service members, Department of Defense civilians and retired service members. Service members can contact the JBB tax center for their unit VITA representative. A list with the types of tax return forms are as follows:

• 1040 EZ
• 1040 A with schedule 1,2,3, & EIC
• 1040 with schedule A, B, EIC & R
• Form 1040-V
• Form 1040-ES
• Form 2441 (Child and Dependent Care Credit)
• Form 8863 (Education Credits)
• Form 8812 (Additional Child Tax Credit)

Computer terminals will be available for self-service tax filing at the JBB tax center. The military one source website, www.militaryonesource.com, also provides a free do-it-yourself program for those not wishing to go to the JBB tax center.

Anyone who has questions about their taxes can contact the JBB tax center for assistance.

A signed IRS form 2848 is one of the most essential forms a service member needs for filling out a joint return, said Tech Sgt. Jerol D. Boyce, the paralegal non-commissioned officer in charge for the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing legal office. This form gives the service member rights to file taxes with their spouse's information without a power of attorney. A more detailed list of required documents for filling out taxes are as follows:

• Completed Form 13614-C, Intake/Interview and Quality Review Sheet (pages 1-2 only; available on the internet or at the legal office).
• A copy of last year's tax return, if available.
• A copy of Social Security cards for taxpayer, spouse, and all dependents, if available.
• A voided check or documentation of bank account and routing numbers if you desire direct deposit of your return. (Direct deposit Info from My-Pay will work.)
• Form W-2 from each employer. Active duty members may obtain this from www.mypay.dfas.mil.
• Childcare/Daycare expense information. You will also need the name, SSN and address of the childcare provider.
• If you have any additional sources of income, interest/dividends, sales of stock, or any other income source, supporting documentation must be provided to prepare an accurate return.

Even though JBB has this service, all deployed service members are entitled to a tax extension. Those service members redeploying from combat zone, have 180 days to file their taxes. However, this extension does not exempt anyone from accruing interest, which starts after April 15.

"If you owe, do everything in your power to file your taxes while you are deployed," advised Maj. Deon M. Green, the 3d ESC command judge advocate, and Milwaukee, Wisc., native. "You want to avoid the interest payments. Tax interest is some of the highest interest you can have."

The JBB tax center is slated to be open, Feb. 2 through Apr. 30; and the scheduled operating hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Saturdays, the center will be open, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., for service members working night shifts.

Points of contacts are Pfc. Jaclyn Mims at 433-2836 or [e-mail] or Tech. Sgt. Jerol Boyce at 443-6004 or [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 01.28.2009
• Date Posted: 01.28.2009 03:50
• Story ID: 29359
• Location: BALAD, IQ