Tax assistance available for reservists Published Jan. 28, 2009 By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- With the tax season looming, there are a few avenues of assistance available for those 512th Airlift Wing members who are not in touch with their inner-accountant. Military One Source, which offers free tax software, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and the Dover Air Force Base's legal offices are all available to help Liberty Wing Airmen and their families prepare their tax returns. Military One Source, at https://www.militaryonesource.com, provides professional tax software, which guides users online through the required forms and documentation and asks tax-relevant questions in a very user-friendly fashion, said Master Sgt. Michelle Anderson, 712th Aircraft Maintenance squadron orderly room non-commissioned-officer-in-charge and the wing's VITA representative. Servicemembers will be able to complete a federal and state tax return, using an online interview process to walk them through the return process, electronically file a tax return, print and file a tax return, and check e-file status, according to Military One Source. Users are also able to transfer information from other tax software programs into the free program. The VITA program, managed by the 436th Airlift Wing Legal Office, will also offer basic income tax preparation and electronic filing at no cost to military members, retirees and their family members beginning Feb. 3. At Dover Air Force Base, there are 22 VITA representatives spread out among the wing's squadrons assisting those who need help with their taxes. These volunteers undertake a five-day course each year, instructed by the Internal Revenue Service, to learn the basics of filing income taxes. Each volunteer is required to complete and pass a test in order to be certified as a VITA representative. Airmen who would like to take advantage of this program may contact Sergeant Anderson directly at 677-6823. Sergeant Anderson has been a 512th AW VITA for the past four years and is able to sit down one-on-one with members and navigate them through their tax information. Another avenue for tax help is to contact the Dover AFB legal offices. "If members have questions about their taxes during a UTA [Unit Training Assembly], they can contact our office," said Lt. Col. Carmel-Ann Feliciani, 512th AW judge advocate. "However, we are encouraging members to use the free tax preparation service from Military One Source." If a member needs to prepare a return, the 512th AW legal office will do the intake and have the active-duty office prepare the return, said Colonel Feliciani. When filing, the following tax documents will be needed: · Social Security numbers for the reservist, their spouse and dependents · Child care, education and adoption costs · W-2 Forms for all employers for the reservist and their spouse. Reservists can download their W-2's at https://mypay.dfas.mil. · Investment income forms · Alimony information · Social Security benefits · Miscellaneous income · Form 1098-E for student loan interest · Form 1098 for home mortgage interest · Charitable donations · Medical and dental expenses · Real estate taxes The 2008 federal tax deadline is April 15, and the state tax deadline for Delaware is April 30. Extensions are sometimes given to deployed military members. For reservists who still have tax questions, Military One Source tax consultants are available 24/7 by phone at (800) 730-3802.