Tax Centers open in USAG Bavaria

By Joint Multinational Training Command Office of the Staff Judge AdvocateFebruary 17, 2015

Tax Centers open
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- The 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command tax filing season begins on Feb. 3, and will run through the overseas filing deadline of June 15.

Last tax season the JMTC tax centers assisted 10,595 tax filers at no charge, saving them almost $1.4 million in preparation and filing fees, and generating almost $20 million in direct deposit refunds. This season our tax center professionals are prepared to meet and exceed those statistics.

Most returns can be prepared quickly and accurately with a little advanced preparation. Soldiers, civilian employees and retirees can download wage and tax statements, Form W-2, from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service at www.dfas.mil.

Most banks and investment companies will mail statements of interest and dividends, Form 1099, by the end of January. In addition to all W-2 and 1099 forms, filers need a social security number for each family member and routing and account numbers from your bank to allow for direct deposit of any refund due.

In order to claim a child on a tax return, the child needs a social security number. Overseas, this should be done in conjunction with the birth registration process through the passport office, or by calling the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, 069-90-555-1100.

Although taxpayers may file their taxes before the SSN is assigned, they may not claim that child on the tax return. After the number is assigned they may amend the return, but that is double work for the filer, the preparers, and the IRS. Plus, the government holds on to more of the taxpayers money until the return is amended and the proper refund is calculated.

Taxpayers with complicated returns should take extra time to ensure that their documents are in order and should always have a copy of their prior year tax return available for their tax preparer. A tax return is complicated when it includes capital gains, rental real estate income or loss, foreign earned income or foreign taxes paid, or multiple state income tax returns.

Taxpayers are required to report all income from sources to include those from outside the United States. This is true whether you reside in or outside the United States, and whether or not you receive a Form W-2 or 1099 from the foreign payer. This applies to earned income (salary, wages, tips) and to unearned income (interest, dividends, capital gains, pensions, rents and royalties). However, up to $99,200 of foreign earned income may be excludable income subject to U.S. taxation.

Those deploying or otherwise unavailable during the tax season, who would like their spouse to file a return in their absence, may fill out an IRS Form 2848, which can be downloaded from www.irs.gov. Absent filers may also prepare a power of attorney that specifically states that the person is authorized to file taxes on their behalf.

The JAG office operates the following six JMTC tax centers in Bavaria:

Ansbach/Katterbach

Katterbach Kaserne, Bldg. 5817, 3rd Floor (Law Center)

DSN 467-2324 or 467-1040, CIV 09802-83-2324

Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., last walk-in at 4 p.m.

Walk-ins, drop-offs, and scheduled appointments

ICE http://go.usa.gov/tDcw

Website: www.ansbach.army.mil/Legal.html

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ansbach.Legal.Assistance

Ansbach/Illesheim

Stork Barracks, Bldg. 6506 (Law Center)

DSN 467-4511, CIV 09841-83-4511

Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., last walk-in at 4 p.m.

Walk-ins, drop-offs, and scheduled appointments

Website: www.ansbach.army.mil/Legal.html

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ansbach.Legal.Assistance

Garmisch

Artillery Kaserne, Bldg. 203

DSN 440-3516, CIV 088217-50-3516

Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-4 p. m.

Closed daily for lunch (12:30 -1:30 p.m.),

By appointment or drop-off only

Tower Barracks

Tower Barracks, Bldg. 216

DSN 475-9258, CIV 09641-83-9258

Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Closed daily for lunch (noon-1 p.m.), last walk-in at 3:30 p.m.

Walk-ins, drop-offs, and scheduled appointments

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BavariaOSJA

Hohenfels

*NEW LOCATION

Bldg. 309 Warrior Way

DSN 466-2836, CIV 09472-83-2836

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 9 a.m.-4 p. m.

Wed 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (until 11 March)

Wed 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (from March18-June 30)

Closed daily for lunch (noon-1 p.m.)

By appointment or drop-offs only

Rose Barrcks

Rose Barracks, Bldg. 245 (Law Center)

DSN 476-2714, CIV 09662-83-2714

Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Closed daily for lunch (noon-1 p.m.), last walk-in at 3:30 p.m.

Walk-ins, drop-offs, and scheduled appointments

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BavariaOSJA

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