Taxing time: Center opens to help taxpayers save money

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
It's that time of year again when pencil use is at a feverish high and numbers on keyboards are beginning to fade as the 2007 tax season is set to start Jan. 17.

More than 60 volunteers are prepared to help make this year's tax season a painless experience for all Team Sheppard members.

Pat Moudy, a tax attorney at the Sheppard Law Center, said four or five volunteers will man the tax center throughout the day to complete federal and state income tax returns. Business has been steady over the past four years, he said, and he expects the same this year.

In 2006, Mr. Moudy said volunteers prepared more than 3,200 federal returns and another 1,300 state returns. The preparation of those 4,500 returns saved taxpayers $500,000 in filing fees that are charged through other means of filing taxes.

"A lot of people do it themselves," he said, noting the various types of tax filing computer programs available today. "The military can do it online for free."

Mr. Moudy said taxpayers who purchase the tax software end up going to the tax center to file a state return, something the software can't do.

Tax center volunteers are also able to help taxpayers with one of the newest refunds in this year's tax season. Mr. Moudy said each volunteer is familiar with the Federal Telephone Excise Tax refund. Refunds for the excise tax range from $30-60, depending on filing status and dependents.

The tax center is open for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Airmen-in-training and instructors only will be seen from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Appointments are not needed.

Mr. Moudy said any form that shows any type of income, such as W-2s, 1098s and 1099s, are needed to complete returns. Social Security numbers for each dependent claimed on the tax return are also needed.

For more information, call 676-1981.