Legal Office offers tax tips Published Jan. 24, 2017 27th Special Operations Wing Legal Office CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Air Force Tax Assistance Program has evolved over time to best meet mission requirements while addressing practical manning and budgetary realities. In 2016, unit tax representatives were discontinued and replaced with a new policy to benefit Air Commandos. In the past, a number of bases have offered one-on-one tax preparation services to Airmen on the basis of ample staff and support. Over the past several years, both the number of volunteers available and the demand for full-service tax assistance have decreased. This is related to the introduction of low-cost online tax assistance preparation programs. With Cannon Air Force Base’s self-service program, Airmen are still able to electronically file a return and receive assistance from a legal professional. This will enable them to learn how to prepare taxes on their own using the free, internet-based software, MilTax, which is found on the Military OneSource website: www.militaryonesource.mil. This will simultaneously assist Airmen while decreasing wait times. Not only is filing taxes free now, but Military OneSource tax services also offer free tax consultations by calling 1-800-342-9647. Military OneSource service provides the status of a return within 72 hours of filing and enables filing of both federal and state tax returns at the same time for up to three state tax forms. Additionally, to save time, the filing software allows users to access last year’s information for free. W-2s should be released between Jan. 21 and 25, 2017. Potential problems with a W-2 that require assistance from Defense Finance and Accounting Service could potentially take up to 24 days. To fix any corrections, go to the finance office located on the ground floor of Building 600, Suite 1119. Their customer service hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For any tax-specific legal assistance questions or if members would like an attorney or paralegal available during filing taxes, the Tax Center computers will be available Mondays and Fridays, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., throughout the tax season beginning Jan. 23, 2017. To set up an appointment, call 784-2211. Appointments outside Tax Center operating hours can be arranged based on availability.