Last modified Wed., January 30, 2008 - 05:04 PM
Originally created Thursday, January 31, 2008

Free Tax Center Is Open

By Lt. Jessica Wilcox, RLSO

Volunteers around NS Mayport are ready to help Sailors and their families with free rax preparation services. Pictured from the left, Lt. Jessica Wilcox of Region Legal Service Office, Engineman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Joe Sherman of Harbor Ops, Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Carlos Quiroz of PSD, Seaman Apprentice Quintayla Drummond of NS Mayport, Ensign Megan Seavey of USS Taylor, Chief Electrician's Mate (SW) Chris Kimball of NS Mayport, Ensign Christie Kehoe of DESRON 14, Ensign Toni Gather of USS McInerney and Ensign Janelle Pollard of USS McInerney.

NS Mayport Voluntary Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) tax center is open to provide free basic tax preparation services by appointment only.

The center had a grand opening on Monday at its new location in base housing at 707A Everglades Court.

The VITA Tax Center hours of operation will be from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday.

VITA is the only free tax preparation service on base. Private tax preparers can charge $50-$100 or more per return and can result in Sailors paying high rates to get their refunds more quickly. VITA E-files almost all returns, ensuring fast refunds. VITA is run entirely by volunteers who have been certified by the IRS in basic tax preparation.

Who is eligible for free tax preparation through VITA?

All active-duty service members and their dependents

All retirees and their dependents

Reservists on active duty for more than 30 days

Reservists within 30 days of demobilization and reservists involved in pre-mobilization

What to bring to the tax center:

All 2007 W-2s and 1099s

Copies of Social Security cards for taxpayers and dependents

Taxpayer(s) military ID cards

Bank account numbers and routing numbers

Any other tax records including copies of 2006 tax returns if available

If you do not bring either a copy of your Social Security card or a previous year's tax return, they will not be able to prepare your return. You must also have this documentation for all dependants.

Due to late Congressional changes, the IRS will not be processing certain tax returns until Feb. 11, which will result in delayed payment to taxpayers. Please be advised that a late reimbursement check to those affected taxpayers is a delay with the IRS and not the fault of VITA services.

Couples wishing to file joint returns should come to the tax center together. If a spouse is unavailable, the spouse preparing the return will need to bring a Power of Attorney that specifically covers tax filing purposes, or an IRS Power of Attorney Form 2848 (available at www.irs.gov)

If you have a complex return please call ahead and make an appointment. All taxes are done by appointment or by walk-in, which is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

To get to the tax center take a right onto Moale Avenue. Then take first right onto Everglades. The VITA house is on the right.

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact the Tax Center directly at 249-3795.