Free tax services for Airmen, retirees, families

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Hada
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Base officials opened a tax center in the Rushmore Center Jan. 26, to help Airmen, retirees and their families prepare their 2014 tax forms free of charge.

People can file their taxes with the help of the center's 38 volunteers who have been trained, tested and certified through programs provided by the Internal Revenue Service to assist with electronically filing taxes.

"A lot of new Airmen are afraid of taxes because they don't know how to do them," said Master Sgt. William Brewer, 28th Maintenance Squadron assistant avionics flight chief. "We're here to provide aid to anyone on base that would like help filling out their tax return."

Brewer said the important items that people should bring with them to scheduled appointments include a military ID card, social security cards and birth dates for themselves, their dependents, as well as a voided check to verify account information.

"It is a quick and easy process," said Senior Airman Bradley Weeks, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician, and volunteer. "If you have all your documents, your appointment should only take roughly 30 minutes."

Weeks added that filing taxes on base is beneficial because it could reduce the errors some make doing their taxes alone.

Customers should also have a copy of their 2014 tax return if available, 2014 W-2 or anything that shows a source of income from the last year, and proof of foreign status if applying for an individual taxpayer ID number.

Individuals who had minimum coverage for the entire year only have to check a box on their tax return form indicating full-year coverage and self-attest to confirm. In the event that they did not have a full-year coverage, there are several exemptions that they can discuss with a tax preparer at the EAFB Tax Center.

The tax center is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The center will remain open until April 15.

"The tax center provides a great service to the Airmen and families of Ellsworth," Brewer said. "I highly encourage Airmen to stop by and make an appointment."

For more information or to set up an appointment or even volunteer at the tax center, call the Unit Tax Center at (605) 385-8298.