Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

  • Published
  • By Travis Air Force Base Tax Assistance Center
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As the tax filing season opens, there are many options open to servicemembers and their families for assistance in tax preparation.

Options include online help at www.militaryonesource.com or www.irs.gov; your duty station though a unit Volunteer Income Tax Assistance representative; and at the Travis Tax Assistance Center by appointment.

For those members who 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, or the IRS has a "Free File" program accessible through their Web site, www.irs.gov. Additionally, those who need to file a California tax return, may be able to e-file their return for free. Certain requirements must be met and may be found at www.ftb.ca.gov/online/calfile/qualifications.shtml.

This year's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program will provide service to members of Team Travis through squadron-level representatives and on a limited basis through the Tax Assistance Center located in the base Legal Office, Bldg. 383, first floor.

VITA preparers are not trained or qualified to complete tax returns involving self employment, home businesses (with the exception of on-base daycare), rental properties or capital gains. Our VITA representatives will not be able to complete your tax returns if you do not have the required documents with you. Some of the most common documents that you should have on hand are:

--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 name, SSN, and address of the Childcare provider

--Form 1099-INT for interest received during the last tax year

--Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement

--2008 Tax Return

The Tax Assistance Center opens for business Feb.1 and will run through April 14, 2010 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Assistance is by appointment only. Appointments will be scheduled based on grade. See schedule below to find out when you may email to schedule an appointment:

-- Jan. 28 to Feb. 12: E-1 through E-4

-- Feb.15 to 26: E-1 through E-5

-- March 1 to 5: E-1 through E-6 and O-1

-- March 8 to 12: E-1 through E-6 and O-1 through O-2

-- March 15 to 19: E-1 through E-7 and O-1 through O-2

-- March 22 to 26: E-1 through E-7 and O-1 through O-3

--March 29 - to April 15: All ranks (any remaining appointments available)

Appointments are available on a first come, first-serve basis by e-mailing vita.taxcenter@travis.af.mil. Due to the limited spaces available at the Tax Assistance Center, we are encouraging active-duty members to personally contact their squadron VITA representative for assistance. Most of our certified VITA preparers are able to do returns from their own duty station and during a time that is convenient for you. Contact your first sergeant for the name and phone number of your trained tax preparer. Retired military members also have the benefit of the VITA program, but will need to contact the Retiree Activities Office, 424-3904, to schedule a time to meet with one of their qualified VITA preparers.

This year we are also offering a drop off service for E-1 through E-4 with very simple tax returns. Drop off service is available at the Base Legal Office for these Airmen who have only have one W-2, no real property and are using the standard deduction. To drop off documents for preparation, the Airman must meet with a paralegal who will review the documents and verify eligibility. No documents will be accepted for drop off without first being reviewed by a paralegal. Dropped off packages will be completed in three duty days, when the Airman must return to review and sign the tax return. Drop off hours are:

--E-1 to E-4 (1 W-2, no property, standard deduction)
Feb. 1 to April 10: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon

Once you have had your 2009 taxes prepared, we will gladly process your return electronically at no charge to you. This service is available through your squadron VITA representative, as well as the Tax Assistance Center. Be advised, we are 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.

This tax season filing can be a smooth process through the many options open to servicemembers and their families here at Travis.