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***image1***Tax time doesn’t necessarily have to be a taxing situation for servicemembers and civilians who are stationed overseas.
Income tax preparation can be accomplished stress-free for Soldiers, Airmen and all Department of Defense ID card holders if they stop by or schedule an appointment at one of the two 21st Theater Support Command tax centers or the Ramstein Tax Center.
And more important, the service – which could cost between $100 and $600 at a commercial income tax preparer – is free.
“There are some services that perhaps an H&R Block offers that we don’t,” explained Donald Davis, Kleber Kaserne Tax Office supervisor. “We don’t offer instant refunds. But we do prepare both federal and state taxes and we can file them electronically.”
But that’s not all they do.
“We save our people money,” Mr. Davis said. “Last year, we saved filers more than $200,000 in Kaiserlautern and $127,000 at our office in Landstuhl. That’s money that goes back into our community. They are likely to spend it at the post exchange.”
Mr. Davis said military tax centers are familiar with “specific issues” unique to Germany.
“We have a lot of tax situations that are different and many of them involve American servicemen who are married to local nationals,” he said.
Although the April 15 deadline is near, Americans overseas have until June 15 to file taxes, Mr. Davis said.
“The June 15 extension is just a filing extension – not an extension to pay,” Mr. Davis said, attempting to clarify a common misconception that taxpayers who owe money to the Internal Revenue Service have an additional two months to pay.
“Those who owe are going to have to face the situation now or later,” Mr. Davis said. “They can shell out the money now or later – with penalties. “If they don’t have the money, the IRS has a payment plan. So my advice is to do your taxes regardless of whether you have the money or not and work out a plan with the IRS.”
The Kleber (Bldg. 3210) and Landstuhl (Bldg. 3000, Room 211) tax centers are run by the staff judge advocate, 21st TSC and are open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Most of the tax preparation is handled on a walk-in basis, however appointments can be scheduled. Also the Ramstein Tax Center, located in the 435th Air Base Wing Law Center, Bldg. 2137, has walk-in service available 8 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Appointments must be made 12:30 to
3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. All filers are accepted 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays.
Tax filers are reminded to take the following items with them:
– ID card, and all W-2 forms, 1099 Forms, and 1098 Forms
– Social Security Number cards for spouses and family members
– Copies of last year’s federal and state returns (if available)
– Blank check or bank card bearing both the routing and account numbers of checking and savings accounts.
Also, if filing jointly, bring your spouse with you, or bring a general power of attorney, or a special power of attorney for filing tax returns.
If filing with a spouse, who has no Social Security Number, make sure you have your spouse’s Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
