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Scott Tax Center opening

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mary Gimler-Korthus
  • 375th Judge Advocate Office
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Team Scott Tax Center will be opened its doors to the base on Jan. 26. Located at 861 South Drive across the street from the Veterinary Clinic, they provide tax assistance to active duty personnel, Reservist, National Guard, family members, military retirees, and Federal civilian employees (not including non-appropriated fund employees or contractors).

Appointments will be accepted one week in advance via telephone at 256-9414. After the opening, appointments will only be accepted at 256-1040. Appointment hours are Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins are also accepted for 1040EZ filers on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Unit VITA representatives also are ready and willing to assist in the completion of taxes at other times for.

VITA representatives are only certified to do basic returns. They cannot do returns for: personal business with the exception of a home daycare business which services military family members, rental, and/or extensive stock portfolios. Additionally, VITA representatives are only able to complete Illinois and Missouri returns, although the Team Scott Tax Center does have the appropriate forms needed to assist servicemembers from other states complete their taxes.

There are also Unit Tax Advisors in each unit who can answer simple questions. Additionally, ww.irs.gov offers several free software packages, as long as people meet the income level criteria. Another useful site is www.militaryonesource.com, which offers a vast amount of knowledge and assistance to active duty military members.

Before appointments, ensure that you have all the following documents:

(1) Military/Retired/Civilian Employee ID card.
(2) Routing number of voided check.
(3) Social Security cards and birth date of all taxpayers and family members.
(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 of 2008 Stimulus Payment.
(8) Form 8332 for divorced/separated parents.
(9) Other documents, i.e.,- Records that help document the deductions claimed on your return.

These are needed 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, such as: bills, credit card and other receipts, invoices, mileage logs, cancelled, imaged or substitute checks or any other proof of payment.