GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- As wage and earning statements will soon be available for Soldiers and civilian employees online at www.mypay.dfas.mil and financial companies begin mailing reports of interest, dividends and capital gains, the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command's tax center personnel are gearing up to provide free tax-preparation and e-filing services throughout Bavaria.
Last tax season, tax centers in Bavaria processed 10,220 tax returns, saving more than $1.5 million in commercial preparation and filing fees, and generating over $19 million in refunds.
In January, the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, will train and certify tax filers. The tax centers in Tower Barracks, Hohenfels and Rose Barracks, along with Ansbach and Schweinfurt, expected to open for business beginning Feb. 3.
The filing deadline for tax year 2013 is April 15, 2014; however, overseas filers receive an automatic filing extension until June 16, 2014, though the extension to file is not an extension to pay.
In other words, if you owe money to the IRS, you should file your tax return and pay any balance due by April 15; but if you are entitled to a refund from the IRS, you should file by June 16.
Soldiers deployed to a combat zone are entitled to an extension of at least 180 days and likely longer. Whether you use the tax center services or not, it is best to file taxes as soon as your income documentation is in order.
Military ID cardholders, including Soldiers, DoD civilians and retirees who wish to use the free tax-preparation and e-filing services should have all of their income documents, including prior year tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, mortgage statements, and receipts, along with social security cards, and bank account and routing numbers ready when they meet with the preparers.
This is especially true for taxpayers with complicated returns, such as capital gains, rental real estate income or loss, foreign earned income or foreign taxes paid, or multiple state income tax returns.
For more information, contact your servicing legal assistance office or tax center. Note: Most tax centers will open Feb. 3. Community members should call legal assistance prior to that date.
Tower Barracks, Bldg. 216, First Floor: Legal Assistance DSN 475-7114, CIV 09641-83-7114; Tax Center DSN 475-9258, CIV 09641-83-9258
Rose Barracks, Bldg. 245, First Floor: Legal Assistance DSN 476-2289, CIV 09662-83-2289; Tax Center DSN 476-2714, CIV 09662-83-2714
Hohenfels, Bldg. 313: Legal Assistance DSN 520-5565, CIV 09472-83-5565; Tax Center DSN 466-2836, CIV 09472-83-2836
Garmisch, Artillery Kaserne, Bldg. 203: Tax Center DSN 440-3516, CIV 088217-3516
Ansbach (Illeshiem), Stork Barracks, Bldg. 6506: Legal Assistance 467-4576, CIV 09841-83-4576; Tax Center DSN 467-4511, CIV 09841-83-4511
Ansbach (Katterbach), Katterbach Kaserne, Bldg. 5817: Legal Assistance DSN 467-2103, CIV 09802-83-2103; Tax Center DSN 467-2324, CIV 09802-83-2324
Bamberg, Warner Barracks, Bldgs. 7089, #415 and #417: Legal Assistance and Tax Center DSN 469-7609, CIV 0951-300-7609
Schweinfurt, Conn Barracks Annex, Bldg. 7: Legal Assistance DSN 353-8384, CIV 09721-96-8384; Tax Center DSN 353-8286, CIV 09721-96-8286.
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