Volunteers needed to ready for tax season

  • Published
  • By Derek Kaufman
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  If preparing to file the federal income tax return is one of the post-New Year's Day traditions you look forward to, then the Base Tax Center has a deal for you.

The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Tax Center opens for business Jan. 28 at Building 219, Area C, but volunteers are being sought now to become Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) representatives for the 2007 tax season.

The Tax Center will again offer free tax preparation assistance and electronic filing for active duty, and qualifying dependants, retirees, and reservists.

"Last year our volunteer tax representatives prepared over 3,000 electronically filed tax returns, saving military families an estimated more than $300,000 in preparation and filing fees," said Capt. Ken Eiler, chief of Legal Assistance at the Aeronautical Systems Center Law Office here.  "The VITA program is a great way to learn a new skill and help your fellow Airmen at the same time!"

The center also provides training for both first-time and experienced VITA representatives.  Unit VITA representatives can be Airmen, dependents, retirees, or DoD civilian employees.  First time VITA reps are required to attend training from Jan. 14-18.  Experienced volunteers need only attend training on Jan. 18.

Unit VITA representatives have two roles, Eiler said.  First, they directly assist members of their unit by providing "in house" tax preparation assistance.  Second, they assist the entire base by working a few shifts at the Tax Center between Jan. 28 and the federal filing deadline of April 15, 2008.  Overall, each unit VITA representative is expected to dedicate at least 50 hours to the program.

Those interested in volunteering should notify their supervisor and commander or director.  Also, please submit your name and organization to Captain Kent Eiler via e-mail at kent.eiler@wpafb.af.mil or call (937) 904-2190 for more information on VITA training.