Base volunteers offer free income tax preparation help

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shafiyquca Gause
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Legal Office

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - The Vance Air Force Base Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for tax year 2015 offers free federal and state income tax preparation for Team Vance members.

The free tax preparation service is available for active-duty, Department of Defense civilians, Reserve and National Guard members, military retirees and family members.

VITA volunteers will be available to start preparing taxes Jan. 27.

Steve Long will head up the program this year.

For best service, customers should come to their VITA appointment with 2014 tax returns; Social Security cards for the member, spouse and all dependents; military ID card; all W-2, 1099-R, 1099-MISC, 1099-INT and 1099-DIV forms; education expenses; child-care expenses; student-loan interest; individual retirement account contributions; and any other relevant documents.

In addition, customers should bring their bank routing and account numbers for the automatic deposit of refunds or payments of taxes due. If filing a joint return, both taxpayers need to be present to sign the Form 8879, "IRS e-file Signature Authorization," before the tax return can be e-filed.

W-2s and 1099-Rs should be available online through myPay not later than Jan. 31.

For more information or to make an appointment, call your unit VITA volunteer or contact the Legal Office at 213-7404.

VITA Unit volunteers:

71st Mission Support Group -- Steven Long -- 580-548-5637 or stevenlong1424@att.net.

Wing Staff Agency -- Andrew Shelton -- 213-6453.

71st Operations Group -- Frederick Pepe -- 213-7401.

71st Student Squadron -- Dawn Southwell -- 213-5203.

71st Medical Group – Tech. Sgt. Tonita Sealy -- 213-7419; Senior Airman Donald DeVito --  213-7900; and Senior Airman Brandi Bilaski – 213-6507.