Volunteer income tax program assists Travis members Published Jan. 29, 2008 By Staff Judge Advocate 60th Air Mobility Wing Legal Office TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- This year's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will provide service to members of the Travis community through squadron-level representatives, and on a limited basis through the Tax Assistance Center located in the Base Legal Office. The Tax Center will be open for business Jan. 28 and continue through Feb. 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., for active duty enlisted members in the ranks of E-1 through E-4, and expanded to E-1 to E-7 the second week. The center will be opened on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Feb. 11 through March 28 for all ranks, and reopen Monday through Friday from March 31 to April 15. Appointments are available on a first come, first serve basis by e-mailing vita.taxcenter@travis.af.mil. Due to the limited spaces available, active duty members are encouraged to contact squadron VITA representatives for assistance, as many certified VITA preparers are able to do returns from their own duty station and during a time that is convenient for you. Contact individual squadron commander support staff for the name and phone number of each squadron's trained tax preparer. For those members that desire to prepare their own taxes, members may use www.militaryonesource.com, which provides access to free tax preparation software for members of the military. Retired military members may also use the VITA program, but will need to contact the Retiree Activities Office, 424-3904, to schedule a time to meet with a qualified VITA preparer. Our VITA representatives will not be able to complete tax returns if the required documents are not available. The following documents should be present for tax preparation: -- A copy of Social Security card for taxpayer, spouse and all dependents -- A voided check if you desire direct deposit of your return -- Form W-2 from each employer. Active duty members may obtain this form from www.maypay.dfas.mil -- Childcare/daycare expense information. You will also need the name, Social Security number and address of the childcare provider -- Form 1099-INT for interest received during the last tax year -- Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement -- 2006 Tax Return If you have any additional sources of income, such as rental property, sales of stocks or any other income source, supporting documentation must be provided to prepare an accurate return. The Travis Tax Center will also process tax returns electronically at no charge. This service is also available if you visit your squadron VITA representative. The Tax Center is not authorized to electronically transmit any state tax return for a state other than California, and assistance in preparing paper copies of taxes for other states will be at the discretion of the preparer. Additionally, VITA preparers are not trained nor qualified to complete tax returns involving home businesses or other complicated returns. Contact squadron VITA representatives or the Tax Center to see if tax filing needs can be accommodated through the Travis VITA Center.