KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE -- With the tax season approaching, here is a list of available resources for filing taxes at Keesler:
Military OneSource – MilTax
MilTax is a suite of free tax services for the military community, including personalized support from tax consultants, easy-to-use tax preparation and e-filing software, and helpful information on filing your tax return in the military. MilTax services are designed to address the realities of military life – including deployments, combat and training pay, housing and rentals, and multistate filings – and to increase your chances of getting a tax refund.
IRS Free File
IRS Free File Software allows you to prepare and file your federal individual income tax return for free using tax-preparation-and-filing software. If your income is below $73,000, you can file your taxes with free software and find Free State return options. Free File Fillable Forms is a program available for taxpayers whose 2021 income is greater than $73,000, allowing them to use electronic federal tax forms to fill out and file online for free. This is different than the free software for lower income individuals. Free File software opens in January 2021.
TaxSlayer
Tax Slayer has a military offer that allows active-duty military to e-file a federal return for free. (State return is additional.)
TurboTax
TurboTax offers discounts on its software for enlisted military. All enlisted active-duty military and reservists can file their 2021 federal and state taxes for free with the TurboTax Military discount. The offer excludes TurboTax Live products.
If you're a USAA member, enlisted members can use TurboTax Online and file taxes for free, and officers can save up to $20. All USAA members can save up to $20 when filing their federal tax returns with TurboTax.
The Volunteer Individual Tax Assistance Program
Through a partnership with the Jackson County Civic Action Group, free tax assistance will be available on base for a third year. The Volunteer Individual Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an IRS sponsored program that allows military, civilians, and retirees the ability to electronically file their 2021 taxes for free. The national program is sponsored through the IRS with the Jackson County Civic Action Group managing the program along the three coastal counties in MS.
Keesler will have one site to work with clients interested in getting tax assistance. Last year they completed 682 returns with 11 volunteers. Manning the site will be all volunteers who have years of experience (some with as much as 26 years) assisting individuals in tax filing. The hours of operation and location will be determined soon. Since it is managed by volunteers, a flyer will be sent out with the hours volunteers will be available. There is no appointment since it is a first come first serve process. There will be a number to call for those individuals who are traveling on base to ensure that the volunteer is working on a particular day. Program coordinators ask that the clients have patience as the hours are determined by the ability of volunteers to assist with the program. Be on the lookout for detailed information as we get closer to the 2021 filing season in January 2022.
*These resources are provided for informational purposes only. No federal endorsement of any on resource or service is intended*