VITA assists Dover Airmen with tax preparation

  • Published
  • By Capt. Khela Von Linsowe
  • 436th AW Assistant Staff Judge Advocate
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  As income tax season approaches, Team Dover members should be aware of several alternatives for free assistance in preparing and filing their returns, either on paper or electronically.

Beginning Feb. 1, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance volunteers within units will begin assisting Airmen here with tax preparation and electronic filing.

Also, starting Feb. 6, the Base Legal Office will provide weekly tax preparation assistance for military retirees and family members.

For the more do-it-yourself minded Airman, Military One Source once again offers free online preparation options. Members may log onto www.militaryonesource.com and get information on how to file their taxes for free. The tax program is user friendly and allows Airmen to file their state taxes as well.

The VITA program is designed for volunteers to assist Airmen with filing returns as needed and answer any basic tax questions they may have. All VITA volunteers attend a week-long training course taught by the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, the VITA volunteers are required to pass a test which ensures they are qualified to file basic tax returns.

While volunteers are encouraged to provide as much assistance as possible, there are limitations on the services they may provide. Returns for individuals who have private businesses, rental properties and excessive capital gains and or losses will likely be beyond the expertise of the VITA volunteer, and may consider hiring a tax professional.

It is extremely important that the Social Security number of each person on the return be correct. Each year, hundreds of thousands of returns are delayed in processing or credit/deductions are disallowed because names and Social Security numbers do not match Social Security Administration records. To prevent processing delays in paper returns and rejected electronically-filed returns, volunteers check the accuracy of each Social Security number, as well as the spelling of the name associated with the number. For information or to schedule an appointment, call the legal office at 677-3300, or call Staff Sgt. Beshara Taher-Watts at 677-3310.

When filing your 2007 tax return it is recommended that you have the following items available:

- Social Security cards and birth dates for all household members.
- Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers.
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099).
- A copy of last year's Federal and State returns if available.
- Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit.