January 22, 2015 -- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s Tax Center will help prepare and file federal and state taxes for active-duty military, retirees and family members for free.
The Albany Tax Center is located at 814 Radford Blvd. in Building 3500, Room 314. Its hours of operation are Mondays through Fridays from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., by appointment only.
To schedule an appointment, call 229-639-6186.
“The Albany Tax Center is a free tax preparation service supervised by the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate,” Sgt. Danielle Valles, VITA site coordinator, Albany Tax Center, said.
Six Marines, known as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance representatives, will provide patrons with tax advice and prepare the 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ and the Georgia Form 500, and other forms, until the end of tax season — April 15 — she noted.
“We are assisting taxpayers now, but the returns will not be sent to the Internal Revenue Service until the first filing day, Jan. 21, when the IRS begins accepting filed tax returns,” she said. “All the returns will be electronically filed on the first filing day. They will be held until the Internal Revenue Service is ready.
“If there is a previous year tax return that needs to be amended, we will make those adjustments for the clients,” Valles added.
She recommended taxpayers file as soon as possible.
“Any of the Marines with basic returns should come as soon as possible and when the electronically file date hits, we’ll file those for them,” Valles said. “Once we electronically file, the tax refund should be received in approximately seven to ten days.
“The Albany Tax Center will be able to help redeployed service members filing both 2013 and 2014 tax returns,” she added. “If you still have to file your 2013 tax return, please try to come to the Tax Center as soon as you can so your extension does not expire. Also, please bring the necessary paperwork for both years’ returns.”
To help expedite the filing process, taxpayers must bring the following:
* Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit (Bring a voided check or deposit slip for both savings and checking accounts in case money is owed)
* Military and family member identification cards
* Spouse’s and children’s social security cards
* Date of birth for self and all family members
* Social security numbers or employer identification numbers for all day care providers, amounts paid and addresses
* If a service member is overseas and the spouse is filing for both, the spouse must bring a power of attorney authorizing him or her to file and sign for the service member.
* 2013 Tax Return (not mandatory)
* W-2s - All W-2 forms for spouse and self for 2013
* 1099-INT - All interest-received statements for 2013
* 1099-MISC - Any miscellaneous income received, self-employment, rental property, etc., for 2013
* 1099-DIV - All dividends and gain from stocks and mutual funds for 2013
* New car contract (not used/formerly owned)
“If filing married and jointly, both do not need to be present, but the Albany Tax Center will require a power of attorney to properly execute the tax return,” Valles said. “If filing married and separately, bring spouse’s social security number and current name on social security card, and indicate whether he or she has already filed.”
Those with filing questions may call Valles at 229-639-7114.