Community offers free tax preparation assistance for qualifying members

  • Published
  • By Capt. Lance Smith
  • 47th FTW Staff Judge Advocate
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  It's tax time again, and although Laughlin Air Force Base is not participating in the Internal Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program this year, Laughlin tax payers who desire help preparing their federal taxes still have several other options.

The Del Rio Family Economic Success Coalition is offering free federal income tax preparation to individuals whose family income did not exceed $40,000 in 2006. This service runs from Jan. 16 through April 15 at the following locations:

Border Federal Credit Union 600 E. Gibbs 830-774-3503
Middle Rio Grande Workforce Ctr 1927 Bedell Ave 830-774-4741
Sul Ross State University 205 Wildcat 830-768-4085
John Rowland Community Center 440 W. Martin 830-774-6506
Val Verde Self-Help Center FM 2523, Bldg 97 Hamilton Lane 830-774-0892

The first three locations listed above will assist qualifying military members with military-specific tax issues, such as Combat Zone Tax Exclusion and automatic extensions, by appointment only. The remaining locations will see all military members on a walk-in basis. For more information on the Del Rio Family Economic Success Coalition Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, call Monique Vernon at 775-0872 or 734-7817.

In addition to the free service offered by the locations above, it is anticipated that several tax preparation software programs will be made available to military members free of charge. Military One source has already announced starting Jan. 15, H&R Block TaxCut Basic Online will be made available to service members for free. Others are expected to follow this trend, and as more information becomes available, it will be posted on Laughlin's website and the base bulletin.

For the most up-to-date tax information and to download IRS publications and forms, please see the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

As always, 47th Flying Training Wing Judge Advocate's legal assistance attorneys can assist members with basic tax questions, especially those issues related to military service. Legal assistance hours are 1-2 p.m. Tuesdays. and 8-9 a.m. Thursdays.