Tax assistance available for military Published March 4, 2009 By 92nd Air Refueling Wing Legal Office FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 2008 tax filing season is here, and we are ready to assist you. The base has various squadron tax representatives, trained by the Internal Revenue Service under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program - see list below. Members eligible to use the base tax program include active duty members (any armed service) and their dependents, retirees and retiree dependents. The goal of the base tax program is to assist members with their returns by providing a complete tax preparation service and electronic filing of both federal and state returns free of charge. A paid tax preparer would charge approximately $150 for a basic federal and state return to be prepared and electronically filed. Again, the base's tax program is completely free and staffed by members trained by the IRS. However, those members with more complex returns will be referred to a paid professional tax preparer. Here's how the program works: 1) find the squadron tax representative for your unit, and 2) call the tax representative directly and schedule an appointment with them. Like any tax professional that you would visit, you are still required to provide the required IRS documents to your tax appointment like W2s and interest statements. Other unique documents that you may have to provide include powers-of-attorney, custody documents for children and divorce decrees. Please call your tax representative for further assistance and clarification. For any other questions or to find out who your tax representative is, please call the base legal office at 247-2838.