USAG Baumholder Tax Center assists Soldiers, spouses with income taxes

Photo By Spc. Jazz Burney | Soldiers with 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, casually talk while awaiting to file their taxes during the U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder Tax Center's opening day Jan. 27, 2011.  

BAUMHOLDER, BW, GERMANY

01.27.2011

Story by Sgt. Jazz Burney 

170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

BAUMHOLDER, Germany- Tax professionals with the U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder Tax Center assisted 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team soldiers and spouses with filing their federal and state income taxes during the center’s opening day Jan. 27.

The center’s staff of nine tax preparers is certified in federal and state tax filing. The staff is composed of civilian volunteers and soldiers were certified by using the Internal Revenue Service program Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. The program ensures that all Americans have access to tax preparation services, said Pamela J. Cater, a Topeka, Kan., native, now the Baumholder Legal Center chief of client services.

“Six of the workers here are soldiers who were selected from their unit’s rear detachment and completed a 40-hour training course provided by the IRS,” explained Sgt. Aaron B. Jones, a Pittsburgh, Pa., native, now a team leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 170th IBCT. “We are now certified to help soldiers and their families with filing their federal and state income taxes.”

The center is accepting soldiers and their family members on a first come, first serve, walk-in only basis until Feb. 10 when customers will be able to call and schedule an appointment.

Soldiers who are not married need to bring their identification card, all W-2 forms, documents showing any additional sources of income, their Social Security card, and personal checking account and routing number information to receive their tax return by direct deposit. Married soldiers and spouses need to bring a power of attorney, if their spouse is not present, and social security cards for all dependents.

“By visiting the IRS government website, soldiers and their spouses can generally get information about their refund 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of their electronic-filed return,” said Rachael M. Brower, a Grand Haven, Mich., native, now an electronic tax preparer with the tax center.

The tax center is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will remain open until June 15. The center will re-open early next year for soldiers who are deployed during this year's tax season. Soldiers may call the Tax Center at 314-485-1040 to schedule an appointment or for more information.

• Date Taken: 01.27.2011
• Date Posted: 01.31.2011 06:26
• Story ID: 64511
• Location: BAUMHOLDER, BW, DE