CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Tax season is upon us! The Internal Revenue Service is expected to begin accepting 2017 tax returns on Jan. 29, 2018, and will accept returns through April 17, 2018.
Here at Cannon, there is a self-service program to help electronically file tax returns and receive assistance from a legal professional. It is the hope of the Legal Office that in doing so, Air Commandos will also learn how to prepare taxes on their own using the free, internet-based software called MilTax.
MilTax can be found on the Military OneSource website: www.militaryonesource.mil. This will enable the Legal Office to better assist Airmen and decrease wait times. Not only do Commandos have the ability to file their taxes for free, Military OneSource tax services offer free tax consultations by calling 1-800-342-9647.
The Military OneSource service allows the returnee to get the status of their return within 72 hours of filing. There is also the option to file both federal and state tax returns at the same time with the limit state tax forms being three. Additionally, to save time, returnees who did not use the program last year will still be able to use the filing software to access last year’s information for free.
Many refunds will be delayed several weeks this year because of new laws and increased safeguards against identity theft and fraud. For those claiming the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax credit, a refundable tax credit for parents, you won’t see your money until after Feb. 27, 2018, even for an early filer. However, the IRS has issued numerous statements reminding taxpayers that most refunds will be issued within the normal timeframe - less than 21 days - after being accepted for processing by the IRS. After applying, a returnee can check on the status of a refund by going to www.irs.gov/refunds, downloading the free IRS2Go application to your smart phone or calling the automated refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954.
W-2s are planned to be released Jan. 20, 2018. The Legal Office recommends to look at one’s W-2 early even if they don’t plan on filing until later. If there is a problem that requires assistance from Defense Finance and Accounting Service, it could potentially take up to 24 days before corrections are made to the incorrect W-2. To fix any corrections to a W-2, go to the finance office located on the ground floor of Building 600, in Suite 1119. Their customer service hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mon-Fri.
If you have any tax specific legal assistance questions or would like to have an attorney or paralegal available for you while you file your taxes, the Tax Center computers will be available on Friday afternoons from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. throughout the tax season beginning on Feb. 2. To set up an appointment call 575-784-2211. Appointments outside of the Tax Center operating hours can be arranged subject to the availability of the Tax Center attorney and paralegal.