3rd annual Tax Center grand opening

Photo By Spc. Alicia Clark | Petty Officer 1st Class George E. Ray, tax preparer, Area Support Group- Kuwait Legal Assistance Office, prepares taxes for the first customer, Sgt. Omar Medrano, International and Operational Law non-commissioned officer, U.S. Army Central saff judge advocate. Medrano attended the grand opening and was able to have his taxes done immediately following.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

03.17.2009

Story by Pfc. Alicia Clark 

20th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Tax Center, located in the Area Support Group-Kuwait Legal Assistance Office in Zone 6, held its annual grand opening, Jan. 26.

The center offers free tax preparation services for eligible Department of Defense civilians and service members until April 16.

Those who wish to take advantage of this tax service are required to bring specific documents depending on their needs.

"Service members need to bring any form that shows income when they come to have their taxes prepared," said Mary Kay Marlowe, chief of client services at the center.

Patrons should also bring a form of identification, their social security card, if they have it, routing numbers for direct deposit, and anything that shows education fees if applicable, explained Sgt. 1st Class Sheilda Groce, non-commissioned officer in charge of legal assistance and the tax center.

If married and filing jointly, patrons should also bring their spouse's social security number as well as the Internal Revenue Service's power of attorney form 2848. If claiming a child, the child's social security number is needed.

"If someone is married, they should file jointly because you typically receive a larger refund," said Marlowe.

According to both Marlowe and Groce, DOD civilians and service members needing their taxes done are encouraged to make an appointment, as this is the only tax center in country and the preparers will be travelling to other camps in Kuwait.

"We require retirees who are now working as contractors to make an appointment to ensure that we have a preparer who is certified on an international level available to prepare their taxes," said Marlowe.

Being deployed automatically grants service members an extension to file their taxes 180 days from the date of leaving the combat zone without the accrual of interest or penalties. Extensions are also given to DOD civilians and Red Cross personnel. Contractors are not covered by the automatic 180-day extension; however, U.S. citizens overseas receive an automatic extension until June 15.

Even with the extensions, Marlowe recommended filing taxes before returning home; if for no other reason than the money from tax returns.

• Date Taken: 03.17.2009
• Date Posted: 03.17.2009 04:38
• Story ID: 31217
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW