KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- It is now 2019, and with the New Year comes tax season. Tax season is generally February through April 15th, but it’s never too early to plan. Here is some pertinent information 8th Fighter Wing Airmen should know about filing and paying taxes from the Wolf Pack:
1. While service members in the United States must file their taxes by April 17, Wolf Pack Airmen get a two-month extension to June 15 due to their overseas duty status. However, this extension is only for the tax return. Taxes due must still be paid by the normal deadline in April.
2. The 8th Fighter Wing Judge Advocate’s Office will provide legal assistance relating to income tax issues year round. They will also make computers available for those who want to use an online service and are available answer questions as they fill out their forms, but will not operate a full one-on-one tax center. Service members can call DSN 782-4283 to inquire about more information.
3. The 51st Fighter Wing Judge Advocate’s Office at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, will have a full tax center which will be open from Feb. 19 until the end of tax season. Services will be available by appointment only every Tuesday and Thursday for pay grades E-1 through E-4, and O-1 and O-2. Service members can call DSN 784-4131 to inquire about more information or to schedule an appointment.
4. Service members are encouraged to utilize Military OneSource online. This website provides 24/7 support for military personnel, spouses, family members and survivors, offering a wide range of individualized consultations, coaching and non-medical counseling for many aspects of military life, including taxes. Visit militaryonesource.mil for more information.
5. The IRS website, IRS.gov, is another online source that offers a wide variety of information that service members may find useful; such as refund statuses, tax records, free services for filing taxes, making payments, and special rules and deadlines that may apply for combat zone service or service outside the U.S.
The Airman & Family Readiness Center encourages Airmen to develop a plan and responsibly spend their refund.
“There are many financial plans for gaining individual financial capability, the most simple one being B.S.I.R., which stands for Budget, Savings, Investing, and Retirement,” said Brian Bentz, Airman & Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant. “Monitor your income and expenses, and outline your surplus and deficit. Establish a plan for your emergency and goal savings, and invest for tomorrow. Plan for your future.”
Using financial tactics for daily spending and incidentals, creating and sticking to a plan, and seeking financial assistance whenever possible can help Airmen decide how to best use their tax return, as well as develop other financial plans, Bentz said.
“The majority of Airmen with a family who have been in service for four years or more live paycheck to paycheck with little savings, acquiring debt quoting ‘the more money you make, the more money you spend,’” Bentz said. “Financial education is not taken seriously among service members, and financially uneducated service members end up in debt. Plan for tomorrow (meaning 40 years from now), and not for today.”
Ensuring you file your taxes correctly and learning how to budget your returns is important, because as the old saying goes: “Nothing is certain, except death and taxes.”