Tax office provides support to Team Mildenhall

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The new year is upon us and with it comes a potentially stressful time -- tax season.

Fortunately, the 100th Air Refueling Wing Tax Center, located in building 424 on RAF Mildenhall, is open Feb. 2 through June 15, and offers assistance for most base personnel.

"The goal of the tax center is to provide tax assistance and preparation at no cost for Team Mildenhall's Airmen and families, focusing on junior Airmen, using trained tax volunteers from across the base," said Lt. Col. Seth Deam, 100th ARW Staff Judge Advocate.

To ensure the tax center offers quality assistance, the Internal Revenue Service and the 100th ARW Legal Office will provide training to Team Mildenhall volunteers. 

"Our volunteer income tax assistance representatives are the backbone of our service," said Staff Sgt. William Hawkes, 100th ARW NCO in charge of general and civil law. "We are actively looking for Airmen, retirees, and civilians to assist with the tax center, as the more VITA representatives we have, the better service we may provide to Mildenhall Airmen and their families."

Services provided by the tax center are free and open to all Department of Defense ID holders with an annual income of $54,000 or less. The program is unable to assist with complex tax returns, which includes individuals with business income, multiple and first year rental properties, and self-employed taxpayers. There are two ways to utilize the services of the tax center. Members can use the self-service option, which allows them to prepare their own returns by using free online tax preparation sites at the tax center. They have the opportunity to get answers to tax questions from the tax center staff and volunteers while doing so. Or, for individuals not taking advantage of the self-service option and are otherwise authorized legal assistance benefits, a limited drop-off assisted preparation/filing service is available. No initial appointment is necessary.

As U.S. citizens residing overseas, Team Mildenhall's Airmen and families are allowed an automatic two-month extension to file their return and pay any amount due without requesting an extension. For a 2016 calendar year return, the automatic two-month extension ends on June 15, 2016.

Deployed service members have a 180-day extension plus any days they had left to file for that year before he or she deployed. The clock begins the day the member returns from deployment or, if injured while deployed, the last day of continuous hospitalization for their injuries. As long as they file during the extension period no penalties or interest will be charged.

During the first two weeks in February, tax center services will be limited to senior airman and below with simple returns (no itemized deductions).

Team Mildenhall members are reminded to bring all applicable tax-related information to their appointments, including:

· Forms W-2, 1095, 1099, 1098 and interest/dividends on checking/savings, regardless of the amount

· Copies of social security cards, individual taxpayer identification number or other proof of social security number or ITIN from the Social Security Administration for the taxpayer, spouse and all dependents

· Proof of identity must be a DoD ID card for active duty members, dependents, DoD civilians and retired military members

· Bank details for direct deposit

For more information, contact the 100th ARW Legal Office at DSN 238-1978/2028, or commercial at 01638 541978/2028.