Center offers free income tax assistance

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Hope Reales
  • 95th Communication Group
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Edwards Tax Center will open its doors Feb. 4 to assist people with yearly income-tax returns.

Income-tax assistance is available to all active-duty military, retired military, Air National Guard members, Reservists and family members.

The tax center is run by the legal office and managed by volunteers.

Volunteers from the Edwards community underwent tax training and are available to provide free, skilled tax assistance, said Capt. Ernest Calderon, an Air Force Flight Test Center Staff Judge Advocate assistant. The tax center can electronically file taxes to ensure rapid refunds.

Edwards tax center volunteers are certified for filing returns with the California Franchise Tax and the Internal Revenue Service. This is required for assisting and volunteering at tax centers.

The tax refunds people receive will go directly to their bank account -- about two to three weeks after filing.

People need to bring the following items to the tax center to have their returns prepared and filed:

-- Military identification card; 
--  Social security cards for the entire family;
-- W-2 forms from all employers; 
--  IRS Forms 1099 and 1098 or individual retirement account form; 
-- IRA basis of previous year; 
--  IRA contribution information; 
--  Itemized list for child care, charity, medical expenses, costs for professional books and moving expenses; 
--  Previous year's tax return; and 
--  A voided check or account with routing number.

The tax will remain open until April 15. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to noon, Mondays and Fridays, and noon to 5 p.m. every Wednesday. The tax center will open on Tuesdays for appointments only.

From Feb. 4 through 8, the tax center will be open to those eligible to file Form 1040EZ.
To file a 1040EZ, taxpayers must be either single or married filing jointly, Captain Calderon said. They must not be claiming any dependents and must have income consisting of only wages, tips, unemployment compensation, permanent fund dividends and interest income of less than $1,500.

To schedule an appointment for filing this year's tax returns or for any additional information, call the Edwards Tax Center at 275-3829.