Tackling your taxes with a little help from Uncle Sam
Once again its time for taxes. But for those with access to a computer it is easier than ever to get your tax information. The government has made it easy to get your W2, 1099, LES and other pay data using their online service called "myPay".
The myPay service is an automated system that puts you in control of processing certain discretionary pay data items without using paper forms. You can also get your pay statements, tax forms and travel advice of payment using myPay.
If you aren't already setup with myPay, you can sign up online and get your PIN number. Using your PIN number you can login to the system and get access your W2s along with other pay data and tax forms.
The myPay system gives you access to all your financial information from one easy resource. You can get your latest LES (needed for loans, proof of employment etc.), W2s, 1099, tax information and more. The system lets you view, print and save your documents. You can access the system from any computer, any time of day, so you don't have to wait for someone to prepare your documents and mail or fax them to you.
If you want to learn more about myPay, Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) has prepared a briefing about the myPay service. You can view it online and download it as a PDF file. Click Here to view the briefing.
The Army, Navy, and Air Force Active Duty W-2 for 2004 is now available online. The following is the publishing schedule for other tax documents:
Retired 1099R: available online Dec. 13
Annuitant 1099R: available online Dec. 14
Air Force, Army, & Navy Reserve W2s: available online Dec. 27
Civilian W2s: available online Jan. 6
Marine Corps Active Duty and Reserves W2s: available online Jan. 10
NAF W-2s: available online Jan. 14
Air Force, Army, & Navy Active Duty W2s: available online Jan. 14
Once you have your W2 you should take a look the IRS web site. They have prepared a tax guide, the "2004 Armed Forces' Tax Guide. The guide will give you information on which forms you need, where to get the forms, how to fill them out, deductions, exceptions, combat pay and even extensions.
As you can see, the Government has made it easier than every to get your taxes done. The Government being a very large organization with people located all over the world has made as much information available online so that you can access it from anywhere, anytime.
