Tax center opens at Yokota Published Feb. 16, 2015 By Senior Airman Desiree Economides 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Those stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan, can start filing their taxes for free at the Yokota Tax Center beginning today. Yokota's tax center is a full-service tax center offering services to all Department of Defense employees, service members, retirees and spouses. "Yokota is one of the last bases to offer a full service tax center," said Capt. Matt Sloane, Tax Center officer in charge. With the ability to file taxes through online sources, someone may wonder why they should utilize the tax center. "Our volunteers are trained by the Internal Revenue Service to utilize Taxwise," Sloane said. "Returns are also reviewed by the tax center's NCOIC before it is submitted, which assists in correcting anything that may delay the return." Although customers should expect a one-hour appointment, to help in expediting your return, the tax center asks customers to bring the following to their appointment: - Last year's tax return - Military ID card(s) - W-2 form(s) - Interest income statement(s) "Our dedicated volunteers are looking forward to assisting our local military community in filing their tax returns," said Staff Sgt. James Gilchrist, Tax Center NCOIC. "We will do our best to provide our clients with the most accurate and expeditious service." Although all DoD employees and dependents can utilize the service, individuals whom own more than two rental properties must wait to utilize the services until the end of March, at the earliest. Since returns of this nature take more time to prepare this will allow for the tax center volunteers to assist people more quickly. The deadline for all retirees and spouses to submit tax returns is April 15. Active duty service members have until June 15, but the tax-center staff recommends individuals to complete their taxes by April 15. Those deployed can apply for an extension. "While you have the extension to file your return, if you owe taxes you will be liable for the interest on what you owe between April 15 and the date you pay your taxes; it is much better to file before April 15," Sloane said. The tax center is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday- Thursday. To schedule an appointment, call the tax center at 225-4926 or 225-4927. Widowed Japanese national spouses must schedule their appointments with a specific tax center volunteer.