Base tax center offers free tax services Published Dec. 11, 2013 55th Wing Legal Office OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- April 15 may seem distant now; but the clock is ticking toward the 2014 tax deadline. The base tax center offers free tax services to active duty and retired military as well as their ID carrying 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 2013 tax season we filed nearly 4,400 individual federal and state returns, saving clients approximately $863,856.00 in tax preparation fees and placing $5.2 million back into the pockets of the military community through refunds. The volunteer income tax advisors at the base tax center 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 21 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. For the 2014 tax filing season we will be offering a drop off service for the EZ filers. Clients will fill out the intake sheet and have an initial interview so that all the documents needed to complete the return will be available to the preparer. Once the return is completed, within 2 days, the client will be called to come in and review the return and sign the return for e-filing. The tax center will open Jan 27. EZ filers can walk-in at any time during the tax season. The tax center is located in the Offutt Law Center, 711 Nelson Drive. To make an appointment with the base tax center, call 294-3759 beginning Jan. 6.