Hurlburt Field Tax Center prepares to spread post-holiday cheer Published Dec. 18, 2006 By Judge Advocate office 1st SOW HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- When the bells are jingling, the chestnuts are roasting, and Jack Frost starts nipping at your nose, it can only mean one thing--that income tax season is right around the corner. While most cherish tax time about as much as a stocking full of coal, some of us at Hurlburt Field really enjoy the tax assistance program and offer it to you as our holiday gift. The Hurlburt Field Legal Office will again be providing free tax help, to include electronic filing for active duty members and their families, civilians, and other members of Team Hurlburt. Beginning in January, the Tax Center staff will review your return, check it twice, and aid you in tax filing, whether you have been naughty or nice. The Tax Center, now located in the LRS building, Bldg 90710, will open on Jan. 22., focusing on all 1040-EZ clients on a walk-in basis up through Jan. 26. Who can file a 1040-EZ? You can file a 1040-EZ if your only income is from a single job (i.e. active military) and/or you don't have a savings account that earned interest during the year. Additionally, to qualify for 1040-EZ filing you must not have children. Beginning Jan. 29 through April 16, the Tax Center will open its doors to the rest of the Hurlburt Field community and file tax returns for all clients by appointment basis only. The Tax Center will begin taking calls from clients wishing to set up their appointment on Jan. 22. The Tax Center hours will be 8 a.m - 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday. At this time of year, most kids bring their wish list and a smile to Santa. There are a few more substantial documents that the volunteer income tax assistants will need in order to prepare your taxes, however. Some of the most common are: · A copy of Social Security cards for taxpayer, spouse, and all dependents. · Bank account information if you desire direct deposit of your return. · Form W-2 from each employer. Active duty members may obtain this from www.mypay.dfas.mil · Childcare/ Daycare expense information. You will also need name, Social Security number and address of the Childcare provider. If you have any additional sources of income, such as rental property, sales of stocks or any other income source, supporting documentation must be provided to prepare an accurate return. While Staff Sgt. Claus may be able to make his intercontinental journey in one evening, it may take slightly longer to get your tax refund into your wallet or purse. One way to decrease the waiting time is to take advantage of the Tax Center's free electronic filing program. By simply bringing your bank account information to the Tax Center when you file, you can choose any checking account, regardless of location, to have your return deposited into. While it may be tough to wait for that electronic gift that Uncle Sam is leaving under the tree, you can rest assured that the VITAs can track the status of your income tax filing with the mere click of a button. As you prepare to hang the stockings and wrap the gifts, don't forget to contact your Hurlburt Field Tax Center. They stand ready and waiting to help you with all of your income tax questions and concerns. They may not be able to grant every Christmas wish, but the VITAs can take some of the worries of tax season off of your mind and allow you to focus on what is really important this time of year--all of the after Christmas sales. For additional information, call Leigh Dedrick, Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Nelson or Capt. Michael Boyer at 884-7821. Beginning Jan. 22, call the Tax Center at 884-7542.