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As the Army continues to transition on many levels, the focus on tax return preparation has changed from the full-service tax centers many Army installations have offered in the past, to online tax preparation services available to military members, as well as self-preparation products and services available to retirees, and civilian employees stationed overseas.
Historically, tax centers in USAREUR have been staffed by special duty Soldiers (borrowed military manpower). As the Army focuses more and more on maintaining combat readiness, the trade-offs inherent in tasking Soldiers to work outside of their military occupational specialties for extended periods of time are hard to justify in light of the widespread availability of tax preparation software. This is especially true following the recent simplification of many aspects of the Internal Revenue Code by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
As a result, the Army will not operate a full-service tax center in the Kaiserslautern Military Community during the upcoming 2020 tax filing season for 2019 tax returns. Taxpayers are reminded that filing a complete and accurate tax return is the responsibility of the taxpayer, and you are encouraged to take stock of your situation and decide the best path for you. Individuals eligible for Army Legal Assistance remain eligible for tax assistance, however, the tax assistance will not include preparation and filing of state and federal tax returns.
Taxpayers who feel they are able to self-prepare their return can use the following IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free. Taxpayers with income below 66,000 dollars who require commonly used forms can use this site to prepare and e-file their IRS and state tax return. The website says that state return preparation and e-file is free, but some fees may apply. Taxpayers with income over 66,000 dollars who know how to prepare a tax return can use the same website to prepare and submit their IRS return. The IRS does not offer a state tax return option for taxpayers with income over 66,000 dollars.
Active duty military members can use the free tax preparation and filing service offered by Military One Source at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/. Military One Source has tax consultants available to answer questions. Most active duty military members can use this state and federal tax filing resources without extensive tax knowledge.
TurboTax Military offers a free state and federal tax return preparation and filing service for active duty military E-1 through E-5 at their website: https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/military-edition.jsp. TaxSlayer offers free federal tax filing for active duty military (state returns may cost a fee) at their website: https://www.taxslayer.com/products/taxslayer-military.
There are multiple commercial options available for filing state and federal tax returns. Programs can be purchased for self-preparation, or taxpayers can pay commercial preparers to prepare and file their return. Taxpayers should assess their own abilities to self-prepare a return, the complexity of their tax situation, the cost associated with the purchase of tax preparation software or services, and their willingness to manage any complex situations. Taxpayers should contact their local Army Legal Assistance Office for more information about tax filing obligations, due dates, specific information about overseas tax situations.
