Air Force W-2s around corner, legal offices provide assistance Published Jan. 21, 2011 By Capt. Adam Olsen 501st Combat Support Wing Legal Office RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom -- The start of every new year means tax season is right around the corner. This year is no exception. DFAS is scheduled to distribute W-2 forms to servicemembers the week of 24 January. Throughout the 501st Combat Support Wing, local legal offices will open their tax centers in a matter of weeks. For individuals wishing to file their taxes on their own, the Internal Revenue Service has free tax forms and publications on a wide variety of topics available through various options. Military One Source also provides free access to tax software to help you file your federal and state tax returns. The software has even been customized for military members and their families. See www.militaryonesourece.com for more information. Last October, the IRS sent a postcard to individuals who filed paper returns last year and did not use a tax preparer or tax software. Only eight percent of individuals who filed tax returns last year received tax packages in the mail. The postcard information explained how to get tax forms for filing tax year 2010 returns. Taxpayers can access tax forms, instructions and publications on the IRS website 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at http://www.irs.gov. Taxpayers can call 1-800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 10:00 pm to request tax forms, instructions and publications by mail. Usually within 10 days taxpayers will receive their order by mail, although overseas mailing may take longer. Instead of requesting and using paper forms, the IRS encourages taxpayers to take advantage of IRS e-file. IRS offers an electronic Free File program on the IRS website for filers with an income of $58,000 or less. Traditional paper filers may consider the Free File Fillable Forms program available to all filers on the IRS website. Taxpayers can also use the IRS e-file program at nominal of low cost. IRS e-file is safe, secure, fast and easy. Taxpayers can receive their refunds in as few as 10 days by combining electronic filing with direct deposit. For more information on IRS e-file and Free File go to the IRS web site, at www.irs.gov. E-filing may also be accomplished by scheduling an appointment with your local tax preparation center hosted by your local legal office. To set up a time to file your taxes, or to ask any other tax questions, call or stop by your legal office to schedule an appointment. Contact information, hours of operation, and other legal assistance information can be found at http://www.501csw.usafe.af.mil/units/legal/index.asp.