Free on-line tax preparation now available Published Jan. 28, 2010 By Capt. Jeffery Waddell 39th Air Base Wing, Legal Office INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Now that W-2s are available on the myPay Website Incirlik personnel can begin filing their taxes. Once again, all Incirlik personnel can file their taxes online for free by using the Department of Defense's Military OneSource family support program. "Instead of going to a traditional tax center, Airmen can prepare and file their returns free of charge from their home computer," said Staff Sergeant Joy Hollonquest, 39th Air Base Wing paralegal. According to Sergeant Hollonquest, filing taxes through Military OneSource is a fast and simple process. "All you need to do is log on to www.militaryonesource.com, register, and click on the link to H&R Block's Tax Cut Basic software," she said. "This software guides the user through a series of questions, and based on the responses, automatically generates a tax return, which is then electronically filed." "You can also save your progress while using the program and return to finish it later," said Sergeant Hollonquest. "Filers who use Military OneSource's online system can expect to receive their refund in about 10 days." Tax-filing assistance is also available through the Internal Revenue Service's electronic filing program. To help Airmen file their returns, the Incirlik Tax Center is prepared to provide assistance to all active-duty service members, their dependents, and Department of Defense civilians. The Tax Center will open for business Feb. 1 at the Airman and Family Readiness Center where IRS-certified volunteers will be on hand to help individuals complete their returns. The Tax Center hours are 5-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays, and 8-10 a.m. Wednesdays. Help is also available at the Legal Office or by contacting an H&R Block professional by calling Military OneSource's toll-free phone number: 1-800-342-9647. "Calls to the Military OneSource toll-free number will not count against an individual's monthly allotment of morale calls," said Sergeant Hollonquest. For individuals with particularly complicated returns, help is available through the Legal Office on an appointment basis. Incirlik's Legal Office is also available to answer all general tax-related questions. Tax tips: 1. When preparing to file your return, make sure you have gathered all of your W-2s, 1099s and any other tax-related document you have received since Jan. 1. You should also find a copy of last year's return as it will help you in filing your taxes this year. If you want to take advantage of the Tax Center, please fill out the IRS form 13614-C. 2. When claiming a credit or expense, make sure you have some sort of receipt or proof so that if you are audited you can show it to the IRS. The last thing you want is to have the IRS send you a letter six months down the road saying you owe money to the government. 3. To claim a childcare credit for a Turkish nanny, you will need to put in the name and address of the nanny. In the SSN/EIN block you will enter "LAFCP" (which means Living Abroad Foreign Care Provider). This will also requires you to file a physical copy of your return. Basically, if prepare your return online, you will need to print it out and mail it in. 4. For purposes of Earned Income Credit, you are residing within the U.S. if you are here in Turkey due to your military service. So, if you qualify for Earned Income Credit you will be asked if you have lived in the U.S. for more than six months in 2009. If you were in Incirlik or another overseas location for most of 2009, and you were on active-duty or activated, you are considered to have lived in the U.S. during that time. Select "yes" when asked in order to receive full credit. 5. Baggers at the Commissary are independent contractors who work under a license agreement with the Commissary. Baggers should report their tips as "other income." In order to report it, they need to have kept careful track of the tips they have received throughout the year. 6. Some online tax return preparation sites require you to electronically sign your return. This may require either your 2008 Adjusted Gross Income or the pin you created when e-filing the 2008 return. If you do not have this information, you may need to print out the return at the end and mail it in. The IRS can provide the information if you have lost or forgotten it, by calling 1-800-829-1040. 7. Print out your return at the end and keep a copy for your records even if e-filing. 8. Don't forget to file your state tax return if your state has a state income tax. Even though you are stationed overseas, you may still need to pay state taxes. Each state is different, but if you have questions contact the Incirlik's Legal Office for assistance. 9. Incirlik does not count as a tax exempt area despite the confusing language in Publication 3. 10. If you need an ITIN for your Turkish spouse or qualifying dependent and don't have one before you file, you may apply for one at the same time you file your return. You need to mail it in to a special address. Please see your legal office for assistance. 11. An automatic two-month extension is available for U.S. Citizens living overseas, but documentation will have to be provided and you will have to pay interest on any tax that you may owe. As always, the Legal Office is here to help. If you have any questions or are concerned about filing your taxes or to schedule an appointment, contact the Legal Office at 676-6800 for assistance.