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Volunteer income tax assistance available

  • Published
  • By 375th AMW Legal Office
  • 375th AMW
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Tax season is upon us and the Team Scott Tax Center will be opening its doors Feb. 1.
The Team Scott Tax Center is located at Bldg. 861 South Dr. across the street from the Veterinary Clinic.

Active duty personnel, Reservists, National Guard, family members, military retirees, and federal civilian employees (not including NAF employees or contractors) are eligible for tax assistance.

The Tax Center will begin accepting appointments Jan. 25. Appointments may be made up to one week in advance by calling 256-3542 before Feb. 1, and 256-1040 after Feb. 1. Appointments are available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a m. until 2 p.m. The Tax Center will also be accepting walk-ins for 1040EZ filers Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8-10 a.m.

The Tax Center's VITA representatives are certified to do basic tax returns. If you own a personal business (with the exception of a home daycare business which services military dependents); rental properties; and/or an extensive stock portfolio; our VITA representatives will not be able to assist you. Additionally, our VITA representatives are trained to assist filers in completing Illinois and Missouri tax returns only.

In addition to MilitaryOneSource.com, IRS.GOV offers several free software packages, as long as you meet the income level criteria. The Tax Center also has the appropriate forms needed for individuals to file taxes on their own.

Prior to appointments, gather all of the following documents and then bring them to the appointment:

(1) Military/retired/civilian employee ID card

(2) Routing number and bank account number for E-filing

(3) Social Security cards and birth dates of all taxpayers and dependents

(4) All W-2s, 1099 and investment income paperwork

(5) Last year's tax returns

(6) Powers of Attorney (if applicable)/Deployment Orders

(7) Amount, if any, of 2008 Stimulus Payment received

(8)Form 8332 for divorced/separated parents

(9) Other documents - Any records you keep that will help substantiate the deductions you'll claim on your return. You'll need this documentation should the IRS later select your return for examination. Normally, tax records should be kept for three years, but some documents, such as records relating to a home purchase or sale, stock transactions, IRA and business or rental property, should be kept longer. Generally speaking, however, you should keep and bring any and all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return.