MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- For nearly 20 years, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany has provided free tax assistance to Marines, family members and retirees.
The MCLB Albany Tax Center located in Building 3500, Room 516, will officially open Friday to provide authorized patrons with tax advice and to prepare electronic filing of state and federal tax returns.
Officials with the Internal Revenue Service presented a plaque to Col. Terry V. Williams, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, Jan. 11, for providing Volunteer Income Tax Assistance the past 20 years.
“We presented the plaque to the commanding officer of the base in appreciation for more than 20 years of providing free income tax preparation to Marines and their families,” said Joanne Butler, senior tax consultant, IRS. “We work with military installations all over the United States and overseas to provide this service.”
VITA representatives undergo one week of training, which consists of learning how to prepare 1040, 1040A, 1049EZ and the Georgia Form 500, as well as other related schedules.
“I am responsible for overseeing how many people are served in the tax center and ensuring they are being served properly,” said Capt. Charles Reiter, officer-in-charge, Tax Center. “We will file taxes electronically, unless there is a reason the individual needs to file by mail, but we will assist with that process, too.”
According to Reiter and a copy of printed materials, individuals who wish to file their taxes through VITA need to bring military and dependent identification cards, social security cards for all dependents, W-2 wage and tax statements, bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit, power of attorney forms, if applicable, and all other necessary tax documentation.
The Tax Center is scheduled to operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (229) 639-6186.