Tax filing deadline draws near

  • Published
  • By Airman Jack Sanders
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  When will we do the taxes? That seems to be the question most people find themselves asking around this time.

Taxes can be stressful, or even annoying when there are other things people can be doing with their time. To some people it's just another check on their to-do list. Well, don't fret. There is a way out. The Elmendorf Tax Center provides free assistance with income tax filing for active-duty, guard, reserve, family members and Department of Defense retirees for free. 

"April 15th is the tax deadline," said Tech. Sgt. Joel Ketchum, the NCO in charge of the Tax Center. The tax center is located in the People Center building on the bottom floor.

Appointments are available 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8 -11 a.m. Fridays. The Tax Center doesn't take walk-ins so, people must call and set up an appointment.

Ketchum said he urges everyone to stop by, and let the center staff see what they can do. "People should definitely come to us," he said. "All of our volunteers are qualified."  The center is run by a number of volunteers who've gone through extensive training courses. 

"We see a wide range of people; everyone knows the tax center is free," said Ketchum. The center has already completed dozens of cases this year. 

To set up an appointment with the tax center, call 552-3832 during business hours. The center will handle all federal tax forms and some state tax forms. "It really depends on the experience of the volunteer. Most of the preparers will try to help," said Ketchum. "If the volunteer is not comfortable in doing them, then we won't." 

Before heading into the appointment at the center, people should first check to make sure they have everything they need. What individuals should bring really depends on the person's financial situation. 

Airmen who are deployed and are not going to be able to make it home in the tax window can breathe easier. All deployed military members who miss the April 15 deadline are allowed to file for an extension. The extension can give them an extra six months upon their return to file their taxes. 

Although the tax center closes April 15, returning Airmen can request tax assistance from the 3rd Wing Legal Office. 

The center is here to help, said Ketchum, but people now have less than a mouth to file. 

"I'm glad I came today," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Lordier, a maintainer with the 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron. Lordier finished his taxes, and can now check it off his to-do list.