Self-Help Tax Center is up, running Published Feb. 13, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Chelsie DeVera U.S. Air Force Warfare Center Judge Advocate Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- What was formerly known as the Nellis AFB Tax Center has evolved into a self-help tax center where clients can complete their own taxes on computers provided at Building 324 in the Desert Oasis Lounge now through April 15. The new Nellis AFB Self-Help Tax Center is walk-in only and open Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon. "We really wanted to provide the same tax preparation services as we did historically for years and years at Nellis AFB but we just couldn't," said Col. Donna Marie Verchio, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center staff judge advocate. Juggling Air Force and USAFWC mission priorities along with manning a traditional tax center service members and retirees were used to became too difficult to support, resulting in the self-help concept. Services will still be available for those who need full-service tax preparation through outside organizations. "We had to adjust in order to align with Air Force priorities," Verchio said. "We will still provide a way for Airmen and retirees to file their taxes, but it will involve a more do-it-yourself approach. Thankfully, for anyone whose tax filing still requires the full-service tax preparation experience, we can direct them to local volunteer income tax assistance centers which are similar to what they are used to." Active duty, Guard and Reserve service members, as well as spouses and dependent children authorized in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS, will use http://www.militaryonesource.mil to complete their taxes at the tax center. This website also has instant chat tax help. "We are very happy to report our retirees may certainly use the computers at the tax center to access Internal Revenue Service free file programs if their income is less than $60,000," said Capt. Jessica Switzer, USAFWC assistant staff judge advocate. "However, anyone not familiar or experienced with computers is strongly encouraged to visit local tax preparation centers in order to receive the hands-on professional tax preparation services they are used to receiving." The major difference between the tax center and traditional full-service tax preparation is in the name. Trained volunteers are no longer preparing taxes; rather a few volunteers are present to assist tax filers in accessing one of the many free-file programs available to file your own taxes, which could ultimately encourage financial well-being. "The new tax center concept promotes financial readiness," said Hiroko Bush, Airmen and Family Readiness Center financial counselor. "Airmen are able to prepare their own tax return, which allows them to take a more active role in their personal finances, improve knowledge of the tax system in the U.S., and build upon future financial success." There are still free tax centers available anybody can use. To find a local center, call 1-800-906-9887 or 1-888-227-7669. For more information on the Nellis AFB Self-Help Tax Center, please contact the Legal Office at 702-652-5407, option 2.
