Legal Assistance

The Legal Office provides free legal assistance regarding personal civil legal matters to eligible beneficiaries, including active duty or retired military members and their dependents. Examples of personal civil legal matters include: adoption, dependent care, financial responsibility, domestic relations, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), veterans reemployment rights, landlord-tenant, and casualty affairs.

The highest priority is given to active duty personnel who need mobilization- or deployment-related legal assistance. Legal assistance attorneys can provide legal advice, conduct general review of documents, draft correspondence, and assist clients in preparing forms. Legal assistance attorneys cannot, however, represent clients in any court or administrative proceedings or draft or file legal documents with a court.

To qualify for Legal Assistance you must have a valid military identification card and fall into one of the following categories:

1. Active Duty military members and their dependents.

2. Reserve and Guard members who are on active duty and their dependents.

3. Retired military members and their dependents. If you are a retired reservist or guardsman or a dependent of one of them, you must be receiving retirement pay to be eligible for service. Please note that you must have a military ID card to be eligible.

4. Civilian employees of the Department of Defense and the military departments assigned outside the United States and its territories and dependents residing with them.

5. Select civilian contractor personnel who are assigned outside the United States and its territories and dependents residing with them. (Please note, some legal assistance will be limited). In addition to our normal customer service we offer the following weekly briefings:

Legal Assistance: No Walk-ins. By appointment only. Tuesday and Thursday 9-10 a.m.

Fill out the mandatory intake form. Bring the completed intake form to our office to schedule an appointment. Intake forms are also available at the front desk of the Legal Office. Alternatively, you may send the completed intake form to 18wg.jagenerallaw@us.af.mil and then call 634-3300 for an appointment.

 

Wills: No Walk-ins. By appointment only. Tuesday and Thursday 9-10 a.m.

Legal assistance attorneys can prepare wills and advance medical directives, including living wills and medical powers of attorney. If you are deploying, we will attempt to accommodate you outside of these hours. For those seeking wills, go to the Air Force Legal Assistance Website, https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil, complete the online worksheet, record the ticket number and call our office to schedule an appointment. When calling, please make sure to have your ticket number readily available.

Powers of Attorney & Notary Service Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

An appointment is mandatory for Housing & Real Estate notary package such as Selling, Purchasing and Refinancing. Please call us at DSN 634-3300/(098) 961-3300-3309 or stop by the legal office to make an appointment.

If you need a Power of Attorney (POA), please visit the Air Force Legal Assistance Website at https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil and complete a worksheet for faster service. Members can also use the website to access numerous legal information, legal worksheets for wills, and to provide feedback on their legal office experience.

Other Services In addition to our normal customer service we offer the following weekly briefings:
Reenlistment Brief: No longer available in-person. Article 137 Reenlistment Briefs are available in ADLS.
SOFA Brief: Wednesdays at 3 p.m. (Walk-ins OK)
 

Tax Center - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Tax Season FOR ALL RANKS! Free tax preparation by trained volunteers is offered at the Kadena Tax Center, Bldg. 753 on Fisher Ave (off Douglas Blvd, next to the Fire Station).

Tax Season Office Hours 0900 - 1500 (Monday-Thursday) (All services are by appt only):

Closed for lunch daily 1130-1300.

  • Closed every Friday (NO ACTIVE DUTY), Holidays and PACAF Family Days: 30 May 2023.

APPOINTMENTS OPEN TO ALL RANKS, Retirees, Civilians, Teachers and Widow(s)

Kadena Tax Center: 315-634-5013

Drop Off appointments: Simple tax returns only and ITIN applications (W-7) -No e-file for ITIN (Taxpayer will mail).  If married, both will sign or POA!

In-Person appointments for complex returns i.e. mortgage interest, investments (No Crypto), Capital Gains and Loss, *ITIN application, Rental Property (give us a call to discuss prior to appointment). No Self-Employment (Home-based Business), Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555, Excessive Investments, etc.If married, both will sign or provide POA.

March 6 - June 15 2023:

Mon-Tues 0900-1130 Drop Off Only

Walk-Ins Wednesday (8 Max) - Simple Returns Only

Thursday 1300-1500 - In-Person Appointments to include complex returns

Fridays: 1300-1500 - In-Person Appointments Retirees, Civillians, and Widow(s) Complex returns i.e. mortgage interest, investments (No Crypto), Capital Gains and Loss, *ITIN application, Rental Property limit 2 per household (give us a call to discuss prior to appointment) Self-Employment (Home-based Business), Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555, Excessive Investments, etc.) (Call for an Appointment 315-634-5013

Mon-Wed 1500 (Teachers Only for In-Person & Drop Off) Click on the link below

Drop-off Return and Teacher Tax Appointment link below

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094EABAD2BA4F58-20222

In-Person Tax Appointment (60 min): CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT- 634-5013

Drop-off Return – you will be interview to verify you have all necessary documents.  If so you will leave your tax documents (we will make a copy of your Social Security cards) with us and the return will be prepared & quality reviewed without you being present.  Once complete you will receive a call that the return is ready for pick-up.  You Please Note: your tax return is not e-filed until you and your spouse if married have reviewed and signed the complete tax return.

In-Person Tax Preparation – tax return is completed at the tax center with the taxpayer present

Bring in the following required documentation to complete your Tax Return:

- DOD/Military Identification card

- Social Security Card(s) for all Family Members

- Bank Routing and Account Number(s)

- Form W-2 (from all employers); 1099-R (from pensions and annuities)

- *1009 K-1 Uber, Lyft or any other 3rd party vendor

- Form 1099-INT (interest earned); 1099-DIV (dividends earned) *          

- Form 1099-B (Sale of stocks/mutual funds) *  No Crypto

- IRA contributions*

- Rental Property (includes total income, mortgage interest, taxes, insurance) *

- Child care cost/providers receipt*

- Form 1098-T and Education related expenses*

- Receipts from contributions to charity no credit only if itemized) *

- Foreign Employer’s information (name, address, amount earned) *

- Power of Attorney (if filing on behalf of your spouse) *

- Copy of your 2021 Federal and State Income Tax Return

* If applicable

 

Kadena Tax Center: 634-5013

 

Don't have time to wait?  We offer a drop off service.  Please see above for information on how to book your Drop-off Appointment.

Contact Information

Building 15
DSN: 634-3300

Do you have general questions regarding adoptions, marriage, or need a will or power of attorney? Before you visit the Kadena Law Center, visit the Air Force Legal Assistance website:

https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil

Do you need to file a claim? Visit the Air Force Claims Service Center website: https://claims.jag.af.mil/index.php?JA=930057

Have questions on the U.S. Consulate in Japan? Go to
http://japan.usembassy.gov/index.html

Claims

The Legal Office processes claims both for and against the Air Force arising out of incidents occurring at Kadena Air Base and at locations under its responsibility.

For Household Goods Claims
Please contact the carrier first. If you do not receive prompt service, please contact the Claims Service Center at https://claims.jag.af.mil/index.php?JA=930057

For Claims due to a vehicle accident or typhoon damage
Please contact your local legal office at 634-3300, or via cell phone 098-961-3300.

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