BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The annual free tax center is now open at Barksdale and is available to all base residents including active duty, reservists and retirees.
“Our goal is to provide a simple service for military families without them having to pay to have their taxes filed,” said Senior Airman Fatimah Robins, 2nd Bomb Wing Judge Advocate general law paralegal. “It is essentially free tax help for military families.”
Members must bring required documentation, such as W-2s, to make the filing process smoother. For information on required documents costumers can view Publication 3676-B on irs.gov.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant program is an Internal Revenue Service initiative designed to support free tax preparation service. Without VITA, there would be no tax center on Barksdale. The program started more than 40 years ago and gradually became available on military installations. Barksdale initiated the tax center 35 years ago and is opens annually.
“People are definitely less stressed during the tax season knowing someone will help them with their taxes for free,” Robins said. “VITA preparers receive training through the Defense Department and the IRS on specific military situations like deployments or moving. Airmen have peace of mind knowing our guys are prepared to handle those types of situations.”
The tax center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays are walk-ins only, while Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 456-4765.