PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Presidio is again offering free income tax preparation assistance and free electronic filing to all ranks, family members and retirees through the Presidio Tax Center.
The Presidio Tax Center located in Cottage 358 on Buffalo Soldier Trail, is scheduled to open Jan. 28. Although the facility officially opens at 8 a.m., appointments and walk-ins will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Currently, the Presidio Tax Center phone number is currently 831-242-5084, but beginning Jan. 28 it will be 831-242-7365. Beginning Jan. 13, customers may sign up for appointments, which begin Jan. 28.
During the tax season, parking for tax-filing patrons will be available at the Presidio on Buffalo Soldier Trail.
Until tax centers close June 30, POM Unit Tax Advisors, known as UTAs, are available to help clients complete their federal and state returns and to answer questions. If POM service personnel have questions on tax issues, they will first be directed to contact their UTAs for tax assistance.
In many cases, tax preparation is perceived as so complicated and time consuming that many service members would rather not attempt it. Rather, they will pay another agency to prepare their taxes. Generally, there is no need to pay a tax preparer, as most tax filing is available through the UTA or tax center -- for free.
Another reason to take advantage of the tax center and UTAs is many service members who do prepare their own taxes are unaware of and fail to claim legitimate deductions and credits they are legally entitled to.
Again, while members of the military community might consider hiring a commercial tax preparer to get their taxes prepared in many cases, the Presidio of Monterey Tax Assistance Program offers free tax assistance to prepare and electronically file state and federal returns accurately and expeditiously.
The tax center staff asks that military, family members and retirees bring the following forms, as applicable, to file their tax returns. Also, remember all forms of income must be reported.
- Military ID cards and social security cards for family members. Yes, spouses will need to show a form of ID that lists their social security number.
- Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of tax refunds.
- Pay or income stubs received for 2013.
- Form W2, Wage and Tax Statement, showing wages.
- Form 1099-INT, Interest Income, showing interest earned from bank accounts.
- Form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions, showing dividend income.
- Form 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions, showing capital gains.
- Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, showing rental income received during the year.
Individuals who are deployed or otherwise unavailable during the tax season can have their spouse file their return during their absence as long as the spouse has a notarized power of attorney that specifies the ability to file taxes on their behalf.
Last tax season the Presidio of Monterey Tax Center prepared more than 1,900 federal and state income tax returns for service members and military retirees.
In 2013, Soldiers and family members saved more than $335,000 in tax preparation fees and received refunds of more than $2,300,000.
For more information about The Presidio of Monterey Legal Assistance Office and Tax Center visit their website at www.monterey.army.mil/Legal/legal_assistance.html.
To learn more about the people and facilities at the Presidio of Monterey visit the official web site of the Presidio of Monterey Garrison at www.monterey.army.mil.
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