USAFA tax center now open Published Feb. 4, 2014 By Amber Baillie Academy Spirit staff writer U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Academy's Tax Center will open for business today, providing tax assistance for active-duty service members, their families, and cadets here through April 15. The center will be open for appointments between 8-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays to assist Airmen in filing their state and federal tax returns for 2013. "The Academy Tax Center is dedicated to helping Airmen with their taxes," said Capt. Heather Smilde, assistant staff judge advocate. "Given the fact that not all of the tax forms are finalized at this time, the tax center is asking Airmen who have complicated taxes, with multiple dependents or other multiple deductions, to wait until the middle of February to schedule appointments. It will prevent them from having to re-file and amend their tax returns." Service members eligible for the free service include all active-duty enlisted ranks and officer ranks up to Major. "Income eligible retirees will also be seen on a space available basis," Smilde said. "Due to staffing shortages, the tax center will only be able to process retiree's returns if their gross income does not exceed $60,000." If a military member or retirees does not fall within the tax center's scope, they're encouraged to visit their local Main Exchange for concessionaires providing free and discounted federal and state tax preparation services, or to use the free Military OneSource online tax preparation service at www.militaryonesourceeap.org, Smilde said. "We will have a tax day at the Prep School on March 5 and also plan to schedule a tax day for cadets," she said. The tax center is located at 8125 Park Drive. To make an appointment, call the Academy's legal office at 333-3920 or tax center at 333-3905.