Base tax center offers free tax services Published Dec. 21, 2011 55th Wing Legal Office OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- April 17 may seem distant now; but the clock is ticking toward the 2011 tax deadline. You have two extra days this year to file your 2011 taxes because April 15, 2012 falls on a Sunday and April 16, 2012 is the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of Columbia. The base tax center offers free tax services to active duty and retired military as well as their family members. Tax assistance is also provided to National Guard and reserve personnel on active-duty orders or members who have been released from active duty or ordered to active duty for more than 30 days issued under mobilization authority. For the 2010 tax season we filed nearly 4,500 individual federal and state returns, saving clients approximately $466,251 in tax preparation fees and placing $6.4 million back into the pockets of the military community through refunds. The volunteer income tax advisors at the base tax center in the staff judge advocate's office are trained volunteers who assist with e-filing taxes accurately. Using the e-file method, taxes are filed online, saving time. The Internal Revenue Service then verifies the return was received and the taxpayer has their refund within seven to 10 days. As the tax deadline looms, there may be a surge of people who are trying to meet the deadline. Even though time slots may fill, the tax center will try not to turn anyone away. The tax center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for appointments and from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for walk-ins. The walk-in slots are available for clients who can use the EZ filing method, generally clients who only have wages and interest. The tax center is open Jan 24 - 27 for EZ filers, with appointments beginning Jan. 30. EZ filers can walk-in at any time during the tax season. The tax center is located in the basement of the Offutt Law Center, 711 Nelson Drive. To make an appointment with the base tax center, call 294-3759 after Jan.3.