Fairchild free tax assistance clinics are open Published Feb. 12, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Sam Fogleman 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance free clinics began at Fairchild Feb. 5, and are available to enlisted members ranked airman basic through technical sergeant, as well as lieutenants. The clinics are handled by representatives in each unit, and, in order to schedule an appointment, members should contact one of those unit representatives. A Fairchild All email containing the names of all the unit representatives was sent out last week and those eligible may also contact the Legal Office for the names of their unit representatives. Team Fairchild members who are assigned to the survival school may contact the legal office to seek an appointment with a civilian preparer. According to Capt. Alexis Webster, 92nd Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate legal assistance and preventive law chief, Air Force Guard and Reserve members are also eligible for the free tax assistance if they were active during tax year 2013 or are presently. "We are very happy to be able to provide this service to our junior enlisted, junior officers and their families," said Webster. "We know that tax refunds can be a big help financially for our younger service members." For all eligible members, the assistance granted by the tax representatives from each unit is not limited to the Feb. 5 to April 18 timeline. They can be contacted throughout the year for assistance with your tax needs. Additionally, those members currently serving in a combat zone receive an extension of the April 15 deadline. Specifically, members serving in a combat zone have an additional 180 days after their last day of service in the combat zone, plus the number of days that the member had left before the April 15 deadline when he or she entered the combat zone. "Taxes can be confusing and stressful, especially for our newer Airmen and their families," said Jim O'Connell, 92nd ARW historian and tax representative. "The VITA program is yet another example of members of Team Fairchild caring for each other by reaching out to help their teammates." For further information, please contact the Fairchild legal office at (509) 247-2838.