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VITA office opens Feb. 3

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  • By Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Office

Completing and filing tax forms can be painless, simple and free for those who visit the Tinker Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Office.

The VITA program, organized by the base legal office, will be open from Feb. 3 through April 15.

The VITA office is located in Bldg. 1. The entry is Door 3 on the west side of the building and there will be signs guiding visitors to the office. The office is open from 7:30 to 11 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (excluding federal holidays). Appointments can be scheduled by calling 739-7754.    

The VITA program provides tax preparation and electronic filing services for active duty military members, their dependents, and retirees by appointment.  However, the VITA program is limited to those who meet the following requirements: must have had minimum essential health care coverage for the entire tax year, an adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less, E-6 or below, O-3 or below, and reservists on Title 10 orders.

1040-EZ filers will be served on a walk-in basis; however, filers with an appointment will have priority over walk-ins. If e-filing a joint return, both the taxpayer and the spouse will need to come into the tax office to sign the e-file documents unless the filer has a power of attorney that specifically references taxes which can be obtained at the legal office. 

The tax office can prepare Oklahoma state returns in addition to the following federal forms: 1040-EZ, 1040A, Earned Income Credit, Form 8863 (Education Credits), Form 8812 (Additional Child Tax Credit), and Form 1040 with Schedule A, itemized deductions. 

The tax office will be unable to prepare Schedule D for those individuals with stock sales and Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ for those taxpayers with business income or with Forms 1099MISC. Additionally, taxpayers with home businesses (such as Pampered Chef, Tupperware, etc.) and taxpayers who own rental property will need to seek help from other providers.

To receive prompt and immediate service, all taxpayers must bring the following items with them: military ID, Social Security cards and birth dates of taxpayers and dependents, W-2s, 1099s, investment income paperwork, powers of attorney (if applicable), names, addresses and EIN or SSN of day care providers (if applicable), and last year's income tax return.  Some taxpayers may also have to bring additional items. 

Due to changes in tax forms, taxpayers claiming educational expenses will need to bring 1099-T with them to have their returns completed.  Taxpayers claiming an education credit for undergraduate school should also bring proof of the amount paid for books. Taxpayers wishing to direct deposit their refund should bring a voided check with them to their appointments. Noncustodial parents claiming a child as a dependent will need to bring a signed Form 8332 or a divorce decree giving them the exemption for that dependent for divorces prior to 2009. Taxpayers who own their own homes should also bring the amount of real estate tax that they paid during 2014.