Tax center scheduled to open Feb. 10

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amber E. N. Jacobs
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR FORCE BASE, Japan --  The Kadena Air Base tax center is scheduled to open Feb. 10 and operate until Jun. 15.

The tax center, administered by the 18th Wing Legal Office and located in Bldg. 1460 here, is operated by more than 30 volunteer income tax assistance representatives who will provide free electronic tax filing to all Department of Defense ID card holders.

Although the concept of filing taxes can feel a bit overwhelming, the tax center makes it easier by providing volunteers who are certified and trained by the Internal Revenue Service to accurately file forms for the 2014 tax season.

"All tax returns go through a quality review process before they are sent in, and the quality reviews are conducted by experienced tax preparers," said Christi Murphy, 18th Wing Legal Office chief of community legal services and head of the tax center.

Tax filing is generally not a hard process, but it can be a bit confusing for people when it comes to understanding all of the different tax credits available.

"The people are trained so you know it's going to be done right, especially if you don't know all of the tax laws," said Tech. Sgt. Jorge Molina, 31st Rescue Squadron vehicle maintenance mechanic, who used the tax center last year.

The number one mistake people make when filing their own taxes is that they do not know all of the new tax credits for that year, Murphy explained. Because of that, tax payers end up missing out on a lot of money.

Instead, Murphy recommends Airmen take advantage of the free service on base rather than paying out of pocket to have an accounting service file the forms or buy tax software that can cost more than $80.

"One of the benefits of the center is that it is a free service that is offered to service members," Murphy said. "Last year the volunteers from the center filed more than 3,510 tax returns and helped Team Kadena taxpayers save an excess of $672,152.42 in tax preparation fees."

In addition to being a free service, the tax center also makes filing a return simple by providing taxpayers a walk-in service with the average appointment only lasting 30-45 minutes.

"Using the (Kadena) tax center was quick and easy," Molina said. "I'm definitely going to use it again, and I would recommend it to other people."

The center will be open from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during February, May and June, and Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during March and April, walk-in service only. Taxpayers with rental properties and family child care businesses will need to schedule an appointment.

Members will need to bring in the following required documentation to complete a tax return:
  • DOD/military identification card (except contractors)
  • Power of attorney (if electronic filing on behalf of your spouse)
  • Social security number(s)
  • Bank routing and account number(s)
  • Forms W-2 and 1099 (from all employers and financial institutions)
For more information, contact the tax center at 634-7418 or 098-961-7418 or Christi Murphy at 634-7825 or visit http://www.kadena.af.mil/kadenalegalservices/index.asp.