Major General William Graham Jr., I Corps deputy commanding general, spoke to 30 tax preparers and honored guests at the opening ceremony of the new Joint Base Lewis-McChord Tax Center Jan. 15. The tax center, now located in Bldg. 6230 on Pierce Avenue on JBLM Main, is scheduled to open on Jan. 28 at 8 a.m. and will provide free tax preparation for active-duty and retired service members, activated reserve and national guard members and their families.
Graham spoke to the service members and guests about the importance of the tax center to the JBLM community. Last year, the tax center saved JBLM members more than $900,000 in fees and helped obtain more than $8,000,000 in refunds.
This tax season will come with significant changes to the tax code that will affect many in the JBLM community. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act, which was passed in 2017, has radically changed the tax law.
Some significant changes are the increase in the standard deduction and family tax credits and the elimination of personal exemptions. These changes will make it less beneficial for a taxpayer to itemize deductions. The IRS VITA program certified tax preparers at the JBLM Tax Center are ready and able to guide taxpayers through this new tax code.
To use this service, personnel should bring or have available:
• valid military ID,
• social security cards for themselves, spouse and dependents and birth dates,
• wage and earning statements -- also known as W-2s,
• interest and dividend statements,
• Affordable Care Act statements -- Form 1095-A, B, C,
• a copy of last year's federal and state tax returns,
• direct deposit information -- checkbook routing and account numbers,
• total amount paid for day care and the day care provider's identification number,
• any other relevant information about income and expenses.
The JBLM Tax Center is in a new location on Pierce Avenue directly across from Gray Army Airfield. Parking is available behind the tax center and the administrative building -- Bldg. 6232.
The tax center hours of operation are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Tax Center will be closed on federal holidays but will be open for business on Army DONSAs and Air Force Family Days from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, call the JBLM Tax Center at 253-967-1040.
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