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Show OMES January 12, 2006 Hill tax center offers free services to filers along with peace of mind TAX CENTER INFORMATION The Tax Center will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m.4 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday is by appointment only. Appointments can be made during regular business hours by calling Ext. 7-8482. The center will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on the following Saturdays: Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Feb25, Mar. 11, Mar. 25, Apr. 8, and Apr. 15 and closed Sundays. The entrance to the center is on the west side of Bldg. 430, between the old Base Exchange and the commissary. As in years past, children will not be allowed in the tax preparation areas. The center will carry a limited supply of federal tax forms and some state forms, but all federal and state forms are available online at www.irs.gov. BY BETH YOUNG Hilltop Times staff As tax time approaches, Team Hill members do not have to face the W-2s, deductions and number crunching alone. The Hill Tax Center will open on Tuesday in Bldg. 430, the old Base Exchange. Services range from answering questions to entirely filing taxes, and is offered free of charge to those with an income of less than $100,000. The center is run by Ed and Beth McPhilomy and a staff of 15 to 20 qualified volunteers, all of whom have been trained, tested and certified in tax preparation. "They are expertly trained in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program," said 1st Lt. Jeff Phillips, legal assistance chief. "Each of them will be able to answer tax questions and assist filers in selecting the necessary forms and tax schedules." The McPhilomys, who are also volunteers, have been managing the Hill center for two years and have more than 20 years of experience with tax assistance at various other bases. Government computers may be used to file personal taxes Civilian employees and military members may use their government computers and the internet to prepare their individual income tax returns. Here are the rules: l.Tax return preparation on government computers must be done on non-duty time. 2. Tax software must not be installed on government computers. To prepare tax returns, users must access internet sites where tax return services are provided on line. Make sure the address line for the site shows a "HTTPS" prefix. The "S" in the symbol indicates the site is secure. 3. Most providers of tax return preparation services charge a fee which the individual must pay. The government will not pay any costs associated with tax return preparation on government computers. Tax service providers can be found by doing an internet search for tax return services. 4. Some providers offer free services. The IRS has a "Free File" site where several vendors who provide free tax return preparation services are listed: http://www.irs.gov/efile/ article/O,,id~l 18986.00.html "I believe everyone should be able to get a tax return done and done right," Mr. McPhilomy said. Those seeking tax assistance can either walk in starting Tuesday, or call for an appointment. Anyone filing taxes more complicated than a 1040EZ should make an appointment. "When you get into itemizing — mortgage, charity contributions, property taxes, medical deductions - taxes can get confusing," Mr. McPhilomy said. "If they come to us they can sleep at night knowing they didn't violate any laws. This is exactly what we are here for." Tax filers need to bring all the proper documents, including last year's tax returns, all W-2s, 1099s, banking information for direct deposit, any sale of stock information, children's Social Security cards, student loan interest information, as well as any IRA information. "If clients choose to e-file, and want to file jointly, both must be present to sign the return," Lieutenant Phillips said. "Another option is to 5. Government printers may be used to print copies of the tax returns and of other necessary documents resulting from the use of internet tax return preparation services. 6. The government bears no responsibility for the correctness of the tax returns, nor is it responsible for any expenses incurred by users. The government is merely making computers available for tax return preparation. If you have questions about this policies, contact the legal assistance office at 7776756 or 777-6626. TURBO TAX FREE TO MILITARY SERVICEMEMBERS Military OneSource has announced that TAirboTax will soon be available to service members for filing this year's return. Military OneSource will provide access to this great service at no cost to service members. Intuit, the provider of TurboTax, is currently working on updating their tax filing system with all the new rules and regulations for this tax-filing season. Once a specific date is set, it will be posted at www.miHtaryonesource.com. -: Photo by Beth Young Ed and Beth McPhilomy, who run the Hill Tax Center, prepare the old Base Exchange for all the 2005 Team Hill tax filers. stop by the legal office and obtain a special power of attorney for tax purposes. It's quick to do, and best of all, it's free." The center can file taxes electronically and the McPhilomys say that 1040EZ forms usually only take about 20 minutes and all others can be completed in under an hour. "We electronically transmit them directly to the IRS, the tax payer leaves with a hardcopy and their money's in the bank in 10 to 14 business days," Mr. McPhilomy said. Because of their years of experience, the McPhilomys are well-qualified to handle military members tax issues, such as different state taxes and the ever-changing tax laws. "The tax center offers peace of mind, knowing they have got it done properly," said Mrs. McPhilomy. "We hate to see these young people go out and get these rapid refund loans, because you are just giving someone money that is yours." "The importance of this service is for young Airmen and officers," Mr. McPhilomy said. "We don't want them to pay for a service they can get for free here." This year, because April 15 falls on a Saturday, filers have a little more time to file. The tax center will be open until Monday April 17. For questions or to schedule an appointment, call the center at 777-8482. Finance center distributes year-end pay, tax statements BY DONNA MILES American Forces Press Service WA SHINGTON (AFPN) - Service members, military retirees and annuitants and federal civilian employees paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can ^gci expect to receive their ijjK 2005 tax statements by **li mail soon, a DFAS official said. In fact, most retirees and annuitants already may have received theirs, with the last hard-copy mailings being complete by Dec. 31, the official confirmed. Mailing of active-duty Army, Navy and Air Force W-2 forms won't begin until Jan. 24, but service members can access their forms on the "myPay" Web site beginning Jan. 21. W-2 mailings for Reservists from the Army, Navy and Air Force began Jan. 4, but the forms were posted online Dec. 31. Active-duty and Reserve Marines were able to access their myPay accounts beginning Tuesday or can check lion people the finance agency serves now receive their pay and tax statements electronically through myPay, the official said. By doing so, customers get their statements quicker and more securely, said Pat Shine, director of DFAS1 Mil-*B itary and Civilian Pay Services. A state-of-the-art encryption technology incorporated into the myPay system, which users access through a personal identification number, safeguards personal information that's more vulnerable to theft when transmitted by mail, the official said. their mailboxes after today. Mailing for DOD civilians' DFAS clients who have W-2s also began Tuesday, never set up their myPay and the forms were posted accounts or have forgotten on myPay Monday. their PIN numbers can setup or get new ones through the An increasingly large percentage of the almost 6 mil- myPay Web site, he said. |