Free Tax Return Preparation- Tax Center to open Feb. 2, 2015

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt Dinesh D. Costlow
  • 82 TRW Tax Center
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Tax season will soon be upon us. The Sheppard Law Center has partnered with the IRS to administer the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, a limited service tax return preparation program for military members E-6 and below and O-3 and below, retirees who are no longer working, and family members of these individuals.

The Sheppard VITA tax center is scheduled to open Feb. 2, 2015.

WHAT TO BRING:To have tax returns prepared, taxpayers should bring the below items.
·   Photo identification
· Social security cards (or individual taxpayer identification numbers) for taxpayers and dependents
· Birth dates for taxpayers and dependents
· All W-2s, 1098-Ts, 1099s (1099-MISC, 1099-INT, etc.), and Unemployment or Social Security Benefits
· Copy of last year's federal and state returns if available
· Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
· Supporting documentation for common tax credits (e.g. proof of expenses for child and dependent care, student loan interest, charitable donations, mortgage payments, real estate taxes, etc.)

SERVICES PROVIDED: Our IRS-trained tax preparers can prepare and electronically file state and federal returns.

PROGRAM LIMITS:
· Tax preparers DO NOT prepare tax returns for casualty losses, depreciation, Schedules E or F, inventory, non-resident returns (residents of a foreign country), income from royalties, farms and ranch, non K-1 simple trusts, sole proprietorship or other business ventures, and rentals properties.
· Please note that both spouses must be present or the absent spouse must provide a power of attorney to file taxes electronically on a married filing jointly tax return.
· Tax preparers reserve the right to deem tax returns outside the scope of the VITA program.

LOCATION: The Sheppard Law Center at 317 F Ave (Bldg. 315). Unit Tax Advisors may file tax returns at alternate locations.

HOURS OF OPERATION: The Tax Center will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Feb. 2.  No appointments are necessary. Clients will be accepted on a WALK-IN basis. The tax center will also open from 4 p.m.to 6 p.m.  on Tuesdays for Airmen in Training and Military Training Leaders and Instructors.

VOLUNTEERS: Interested in volunteering? The legal office, in conjunction with the IRS, will provide free training to interested volunteers. Training will take place in building 558, room 103. Training for UTAs with previous experience will take place Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Training for UTAs with no previous experience will take place Jan. 27-30 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact 2nd Lt Dinesh D. Costlow at (940) 676-3528 or via email at dinesh.costlow@us.af.mil.