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The traditional April 15 deadline for filing taxes falls on April 18 this year. Most active-duty personnel stationed overseas are granted an automatic extension making their tax returns due by June 15, but there is a caveat.
If a taxpayer owes money then the tax is due April 18, and interest will accrue if payment is delayed. If you are unsure whether you will owe, it’s a good idea to get your filing done early. The Ramstein Tax Center, located in the Ramstein Law Center, provides free tax assistance to qualifying active-duty service members, retirees and military dependents.
Unit tax advisors provide assistance in filing current-year tax returns for both federal and state governments. In a few cases, they may also be able to help amend prior years’ returns and provide additional tax and IRS-related services, in accordance with AFI 51-504, “Taxes.”
“As Air Force judge advocates, we provide community members with legal assistance,” said Capt. Ramiro Guerrero, 86th Airlift Wing Tax Center officer in charge. “One of the ways we can provide that assistance is through tax help.”
Unit tax advisors are certified through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to assist customers with tax preparation and questions. The VITA program prepares UTAs to address military-specific tax issues.
“Please keep in mind that the VITA-trained UTAs are not tax experts,” Guerrero said. “Complex returns should be drafted by tax professionals, the fee for which is often deductible in the following year.”
The Ramstein Tax Center is located inBldg. 2137, across from the South Side Fitness Center tennis courts, and is open for appointments throughout the week.
The 21st Theater Sustainment Command also has an active tax program with three tax centers in the KMC.
The Kaiserslautern Tax Assistance Center is located on Kleber Kaserne, Bldg. 3210, room 101, and can be reached at 0631-411-7688 or 483-7688. The Pulaski Tax Assistance Center is located on Pulaski Barracks, Bldg. 2886, and can be reached at 0631-3406-4300 or 493-4300. And new this year, the Landstuhl Tax Assistance Center is located at the Landstuhl Heliport, Bldg. 3386.
Taxpayers should bring their W-2s and other income documents, such as rents received, interest documents, financial transaction sales or exchanges documents and retirement payment forms, as well as social security cards for all persons listed on the return, bank account and routing number information and documents related to education expenses or child care expenses.
If in doubt, go ahead and bring it in. The UTA can help identify what is and what is not necessary. Bringing last year’s return can also help, so bring it if it’s available.
To set up an appointment, call 06371-47-1040 or 480-1040.
