Tax center holds ribbon cutting ceremony, shows off renovations

Photo By Sgt. Mary Carmona | A ribbon cutting ceremony is held at the newly-renovated Base Tax Center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 11. The ceremony marks the completion of renovations to the tax center, which began almost two years ago.  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

06.11.2014

Story by Cpl. Mary Carmona 

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Service members and civilians from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune gathered at the Base Tax Center for a ribbon cutting ceremony, June 11.

The ceremony marks the completion of renovations to the tax center, which began almost two years ago.

“They started redoing this building to make it more efficient and to provide more office space, as we have started doing more and more tax returns every year,” said Staff Sgt. Johnathan Rose, tax center staff noncommissioned officer in charge.

Some of the primary changes to the building include: New waiting rooms, an improved reception area, new bathrooms and a new break room.

“It’s like night and day from before,” said James Stubbs, tax center director.

Stubbs said the tax center office spaces are now sound-proof, which provides greater security and confidentiality to patrons during tax return consultations.

To signify the completion of construction on the center, as well as to formally open the building to the public, a ribbon was cut in front of the tax center entrance.

Special guests, including Brig. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi, Camp Lejeune commanding general, Col. Brian Palmer, Legal Services Support Section officer in charge, Joel Roberts, construction manager, Lindy Southerland, engineering technician and Bill Droese, contractor, all participated in cutting the ribbon during the ceremony.

After the ribbon cutting, tax center Marines gave a tour of the newly-renovated building to the event attendees.

One of the goals of the ribbon cutting ceremony was to get the word out to service members that the tax center is financially a good option, Rose said.

“We want to get it out there to the Marines that this is a free service,” Rose said. “Why pay $200-500 somewhere else when you can come here for free?”

The tax center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. Wednesday consultations are by appointment only. During tax season, the center is open Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Although the tax season ends in April, the Base Tax Center remains open year-round to assist patrons who experienced problems with filing their tax returns the first time and need to file an amendment.

They also assist service members who return from deployment after the tax season.

For more information, contact 451-3030.

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• Date Taken: 06.11.2014
• Date Posted: 07.10.2014 15:08
• Story ID: 135757
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US