Marine Corps Logistics Base ALBANY Ga. -- Its been said two things in life are certain ... taxes and death.
Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany has provided free tax assistance to active-duty military, retirees and their family members for nearly 20 years.
The MCLB Albany Tax Center located in Building 3500, Room 10, will officially open Wednesday to provide patrons with tax advice and to prepare electronic filing of state and federal tax returns.
The center’s hours of operation will be 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, by appointment only.
The 2012 tax season begins Wednesday and continues until April 17.
To assist filers with what can sometimes seem to be a daunting task is a group of Marines known as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance representatives.
“Marines working in the Tax Center are volunteers and have been trained to prepare taxes,” Staff Sgt. Morgon W. Latimore, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Tax Center, said. “The Marines have undergone a one week tax preparation training course, which consists of learning how to prepare 1040, 1040A, 1049EZ and the Georgia Form 500, and other forms.”
Latimore is responsible for overseeing the center’s daily operations and ensuring taxes are prepared properly.
To help expedite the filing process, tax payers must bring the following:
* Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit (bring a voided check or deposit slip for both savings and checking accounts in case money is owed)
* Military and family member identification cards
* Spouse’s and children’s social security cards
* Date of birth for self and all family members
* Social security numbers or employer identification numbers for all day care providers, amounts paid and addresses
* If service member is overseas and spouse is filling for both, spouse must bring the power of attorney authorizing them to file and sign for service member.
* 2010 Tax Return (not mandatory)
* W-2s - All W-2 forms for spouse and self for 2011
* 1099-INT - All interest received statements for 2011
* 1099-MISC - Any miscellaneous income received, self-employment, rental property, etc. for 2011
* 1099-DIV - All dividends and gain from stock and mutual funds for 2011.
If filing married and jointly, both do not need to be present, but the Tax Center will require a power of attorney to properly execute the tax return.
If filing married and separately, bring spouse’s social security number and current name on social security card, and indicate whether spouse has already filed.
Upon arrival at the Tax Center, patrons must fill out an in-take and review sheet to provide the basic information needed to start the process.
“The data on the sheet is entered into a computer, along with the information from the W-2s used to file the tax return,” Pfc. Gary McDaniel, VITA representative, Tax Center, said. “The information is double-checked before anything is officially filed, and patrons will get a timeline of when they can expect their returns.”
Latimore said the service is free and can save tax payers up to $400 in service fees. He also recommends filing taxes early to save time waiting for the return.
“As the tax season progresses, there will be more returns being processed, and the turnaround time may increase,” he said. “Generally speaking, the Tax Center can get your income tax refund in approximately seven to 10 days.”
To schedule an appointment or obtain more information, call (229) 639-6186.