Tax season comes to U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach

ANSBACH, Germany -- The U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach (USAG Ansbach) Tax Center, located on the third floor in building 5817 on Katterbach Kaserne, officially kicked off the tax season with a grand opening of its tax center office Jan. 29.

Col. Benjamin C. Jones, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach commander was in attendance and cheerfully took part in the ceremonial ribbon cutting with tax center personnel, officially opening the tax center to eligible Ansbach community members.

"This is a benefit that community members should not overlook, it's a money saver and a time saver. The professionals at the tax center are experts at understanding military entitlements and the unique lifestyle of Soldiers and family members," said Jones. "I highly encourage all eligible community members -- including any authorized mobilized reservists in our community -- to take full advantage of this great, free service."

Each year the garrison tax center saves active duty service members, DoD civilians, military retirees and authorized family members thousands of dollars in tax-return preparation fees when filing their state and federal taxes.

Tax center appointments can be made by calling CIV 09802-83-2324 or DSN 467-2324 or by emailing usarmy.ansbach.jmtc.list.ansbach-legal-assistance@mail.mil. Appointments are available Monday-Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., Fridays 9:00 a.m. to noon. Thursday walk-ins are taken 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

The tax center is fully capable of filing returns electronically, or e-filing, which means client tax refunds can be directly deposited into bank accounts. Community members are highly encouraged to use this free service, which provides fast payment of tax refunds without the high cost of commercial tax preparer fees.

Last year the Ansbach Tax Center filed thousands of federal and state returns, saving service members over $230,000 in filing fees and returning over $1.5 million in refunds to military clients.

Prior to making an appointment, taxpayers must ensure they have all their tax information in hand, including a copy of their prior year's tax returns, if possible.

To receive assistance, clients must bring the following items to the tax center for their appointment:

•Social Security cards for filer, spouse (if applicable) and all dependents (if applicable)

•Completed IRS 13614-C Intake Form, available at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13614c.pdf

•All income documents, such as W2, SSA, 1099-R, MISC, DIV, or INT.

•ID cards for you & your spouse (no copies) or specific power of attorney to file taxes if the other spouse cannot be present.

•Social Security Cards for everyone listed on the return.

•Income from real property rental, and any expenses from rental.

•Mortgage Interest/Property Tax Statement.

•Education documents, such as 1098-T or E.

•Previous Year Returns.

•IRS form 2848 Power of Attorney, if spouse cannot be physically present.

•Power of Attorney, please note: If a tax filer uses a power of attorney, that power of attorney must state that it gives their attorney-in-fact "the power to file Form 1040 for tax year 2017."

Because the documents are vital to accurate tax preparation, customers who arrive for their scheduled appointments without all documents will have to reschedule their appointment, said Austen Swaim, Attorney-Advisor at the Ansbach Law Center and tax center program manager.

"Many service members who do prepare their own taxes often overlook legitimate deductions and credits that can save them hundreds of dollars." said Swaim.

"Tax preparation is often perceived as so complicated and time consuming that many service members procrastinate, then needlessly pay commercial organizations to prepare simple tax returns. Our goal is to help each individual Soldier get every benefit and deduction they are entitled to. That's the goal of every staff member in our office."

ABOUT THE USAG ANSBACH TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Unit tax advisors, known as UTAs, are available to help service members, family members and retirees in completing their federal and state returns and to answer questions. If Ansbach service personnel have questions on tax issues, they will first be directed to contact their UTA for tax assistance. All UTAs receive IRS instruction on tax preparation. The military community is highly encouraged to use this free service, which will provide fast payment of tax refunds without the high cost of commercial tax preparer fees. Each year the Ansbach Tax Center saves the Ansbach community hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax-return preparation fees while ensuring taxpayers receive every credit, deduction and exemption to which they are entitled. The tax center will remain in operation until June.

ABOUT THE U.S. ARMY COMMUNITY IN ANSBACH

The U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach (USAG Ansbach) Military Community is located in the Franconian region of Bavaria and is spread across six sites and nine kasernes dispersed around the city of Ansbach and the village of Illesheim: Barton Barracks, Bismarck Kaserne, Bleidorn Kaserne, Franken Kaserne, Katterbach Kaserne, Oberdachstetten Training Area, Shipton Kaserne, Storck Barracks, and Urlas Kaserne. Today, Ansbach is the home of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (12th CAB), the community's largest tenant unit. USAG Ansbach continues its vital mission of streamlining base support operations management, allowing tactical commanders to concentrate on their essential training and missions. The garrison takes pride in its support to more than 6,000 Soldiers, civilians, and family members, working and living within the USAG Ansbach area.

To learn more about the people and facilities of the U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach (USAG Ansbach) and the people they support in Ansbach, Katterbach and Illesheim, visit the community website at http://ansbach.army.mil

Related Links:

U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach Homepage

U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach Legal Assistance Office on Facebook

U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach on Facebook