Photo By Lance Cpl. Melissa Ugalde | U.S. Marine Cpl. Mae Preciado, right, a check in clerk with the Volunteer Income Tax...... read more read more
Subscribe
As the spread of COVID-19 continues throughout the United States, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Center on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton has implemented precautionary measures to ensure the safety of it’s Marines and customers.
“The precautions we’ve taken ensure that both our clients and Marines stay safe and healthy,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. Mae Preciado, a check in clerk with the VITA center.
The VITA Center on Camp Pendleton offers free tax services for active duty service members, dependents, veterans and Department of Defense employees. During normal tax seasons, the center is open from January to April. Due to the extension of the tax season, the tax center will now be open until June 1 to provide tax services.
However, due to Camp Pendleton entering into Health Protection Condition Charlie, and the importance of social distancing throughout the Marine Corps and the U.S., the tax center has limited interactions between its Marines and their customers.
“In order to reduce the time that is spent in each other's presence, we require clients to fill out their documentation outside of the facility,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Crystal Ledbetter, officer in charge of the VITA Tax Center. “The Marines working in the offices are spaced out dramatically. If they have to come into contact with others they are required to wear their face masks and gloves.”
Some additional measures implemented in the tax center are teleworking, and increased sanitation of the center before, during and after working hours, and condensed business hours. The center is now open between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The number of Marines working in the center has been reduced. The tax center approximately 3 Marines actively working in the office at a time while the rest telework from their individual living quarters.
The tax center has also implemented a drop off/pick up method where customers may drop off the documents needed and will be called back when their return has been completed. The tax center will need proper identification in order to start the process. Active duty service members will not need their social security card, however dependents and retirees will need to provide and leave their original social security card at the center.
“Our clients have been very flexible with the new changes and very understanding,” said Ledbetter. “We still want to meet our mission.”
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2020 22:12 |
| Story ID: | 368165 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 214 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, VITA Tax Center puts safety first, by LCpl Melissa Ugalde, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT