Misawa Tax Center saves money

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Strohmeyer
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The adage, "Nothing is certain but Death and Taxes," may be true. However, at Misawa, the tax center is making life a lot easier by helping service members and families file their state and federal taxes electronically for free.

The center, located in Building 514, is staffed by 36 volunteers who are certified through the online Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program provided by the Internal Revenue Service.

"The training was overseen by myself and Angie Barber during a four-day workshop," said Susan Lunt, tax center coordinator. "We helped train the volunteers in many aspects of tax law, including issues specific to military members. We rely on our volunteers, active duty and spouses, to provide this service to the community."

In addition to active duty service members and reservists, the tax center is available to nearly all of team Misawa. Other eligible individuals include retired military personnel and their family members, Department of Defense civilians and their family members, and military contractors.

For a smooth and quick process, tax center customers should bring the required paperwork to their appointments.

"Customers should have their W-2s, 1099s, last year's state and federal income tax returns and social security cards for both taxpayer and dependents," said Ms. Lunt. "If child care fees were paid in 2009, bring in the provider's name, address, and identifying tax number, which is either the social security number or employer identification number."


Although the tax center helps with personal taxes, they can also assist small business owners, such as child care providers, prepare Schedule Cs, a tax form specific to small businesses. The tax center not only helps service members save money, but it also offers opportunities for service members and their families to learn about special tax laws that apply to them.

"Service members overseas automatically get an additional two-month extension until June 15 for filing taxes and paying taxes," said Ms. Lunt. "However, you will be charged interest from April 15 if you owe any taxes. In addition, deployed service members serving in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area are eligible for an extension of 180 days plus the amount of days the deployed member had left in which to file a return. There are no penalties or interest imposed for failure to file a return or pay taxes during such an extension."

"If you receive anything from the IRS you don't understand, contact the tax center or the legal office for help," said Ms. Lunt. "Also, members who want their spouses to file while they are deployed should get a special power of attorney or they can file before deploying, but this may mean missing out on opportunities to reduce taxable income."


The tax center operating hours are:
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (by appointment only)
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday (by appointment only)
10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, Walk-ins (1040EZ/A's only)
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The center will remain open until June 15. For further questions or to make an appointment, contact the tax center at 226-3948.