Free tax center opens for business

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  A free resource for Airmen and their families to get help filing their tax returns opened here Feb. 8.

Col. Chad Butts, the 39th Air Base Wing vice commander, cut the ribbon at a ceremony marking the opening of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance office that is available to all active-duty and retired military personnel, reservists, national guardsmen, civilian employees and their eligible dependents.

The VITA office is staffed by volunteers from around the base and is specifically designed to help members of Team Incirlik with their free income tax returns. The program is geared primarily toward electronic filing, which is the fastest and most secure method available, said Capt. Jamieson Greer, a 39th ABW Chief of Civil Law and tax center volunteer.

"All volunteers receive extensive classroom training and spend hours of individual training with the Internal Revenue Service manuals and on the computer with the IRS-approved tax program, Taxwise," said Staff Sgt. Joy Hollonquest, the 39th ABW general law NCO in charge and a tax center volunteer. "Volunteers need to pass several IRS certification tests before they can prepare returns."

The volunteers at the VITA office helped return more than $618,000 to members of Team Incirlik last year and helped them save roughly $55,000 in tax-preparation fees.

To better help in planning, taxpayers should bring the following items with them to the VITA office:

· A military identification card
· Social Security cards for themselves, spouses and all dependents
· All tax statements such as Forms W-2, 1099-R, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV and Social Security Form SSA-1099
· Expense information such as medical bills, home mortgage interest, real estate taxes, charitable contributions, child care expenses and student loan and un-reimbursed education expenses
· Information on rental property, applicable powers of attorney and a copy of the 2009 federal and state tax returns, if applicable.
· For a faster refund by direct deposit, bring a checkbook or proof of bank routing and account number

The VITA office is located in building 833 in Room 163. For more information on the VITA office or to schedule appointments, call 676-6800.