JA answers tax issues

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Shane McCammon
  • Assistant Staff Judge Advocate
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Over the last several weeks, the legal office has been finalizing preparation for this year's tax program. Thanks to the base's assistance, we have now identified this year's volunteers and are readying them for their training in the third week of January and the start of the program Feb. 5.

Fortunately, this year we are able to leverage our volunteers by utilizing the resources available through the Airman and Family Readiness Center and MilitaryOneSource.com.

As many of you may already know, MilitaryOneSource.com is a DoD contracted Web site that offers military members and DoD civilians a free commercial tax program and free electronic filing through their site along with many other services. We're confident it will be an improvement from past years.

Tax extension for deployed troops
Because the IRS understands that there are more important things to worry about in a combat zone than W-2s and receipts, deploying Airmen and their spouses are entitled to an automatic tax-filing extension. Instead of having to meet this year's April 16 deadline, deploying Airmen and their spouses have 180 days from the last day they were in a combat zone to file their taxes. In addition to the 180 days, the extension includes the number of days left in the filing period when the deployed person entered the combat zone. So, if the Airmen entered the combat zone March 31, they would have 196 days from the return date to file taxes.

Commanders may notify the IRS of their Airmen's deployment. Deployers may also notify the IRS directly. E-mail the deployed member's name, Incirlik APO address, date of birth, and date of deployment to combatzone@irs.gov or call the IRS main helpline at 1-800-829-1040. If the IRS sends a notice regarding a collection or examination, return it to the IRS with the words "Combat Zone" and the deployment date in red at the top of the notice so the IRS will suspend the action. Write "Combat Zone" on the envelope also.

For a list of combat zones, go to www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108331,00.html. Unfortunately, Turkey does not qualify.

Tax prep available around the clock
Unlike in the past, this year's Tax Assistance Program aims to provide help 24/7 -- not only making tax filing more convenient for Airmen, but also reducing the impact on day-to-day unit operations. Instead of going to a traditional tax center, Airmen, their dependents, and DoD civilians can prepare and file their returns free of charge from any Internet-connected computer -- whether at home, the base library, or the AFRC. To prepare and file a tax return, simply log on to militaryonesource.com, go through the 30-second registration process, and click on the link to H&R Block TaxCut Basic software. The easy-to-use software guides users through a series of questions and, based on the responses, automatically generates a tax return, which is then electronically filed. As a result, military members now have convenient and free access to a no-fee commercial tax software program.

Because tax preparation can be intimidating, IRS-trained volunteers will be on hand at the AFRC starting 5 February to answer questions. They will be available at the following times: Monday through Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. For those who work irregular hours, volunteers will also be available on Tuesdays from 8 to 10 a.m. and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. In addition to the volunteers, H&R Block professionals will be available through MilitaryOneSource's toll-free phone number at 1-800-342-9647 to answer questions that may arise. There is no fee for talking with an H&R Block professional as long as the call is made through MilitaryOneSource. MilitaryOneSource's helpful and knowledgeable operators are available 24/7, and calling will not count against the monthly allotment of morale calls.

There are many benefits to this year's Tax Assistance Program. First, Airmen will learn how to prepare their own returns while also receiving guidance, if needed, from IRS-trained volunteers and tax pros. Second, our tax assistance volunteers will be better equipped to support you. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, this year's program is more convenient than in the past--instead of waiting for the Tax Center to open, Airmen and their family members can prepare their taxes whenever and wherever they want.

We are excited about the new program and look forward to providing this valuable service to Team Incirlik. If you have questions about this year's Tax Assistance Program, call Staff Sgt. Kassandra Tindal or 1st Lt. Shane McCammon at 676-6800.