YOKOSUKA, Japan - Yokosuka-based active duty service members, reservists, retirees, Department of Defense employees and their families will be able to take advantage of free tax preparation services thanks to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
The VITA Office will be open for business from Feb. 5 to June 1 at Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s Fleet and Family Support Center.
The program is staffed by a group of civilian, retiree, and active duty volunteers from the local community and is operated by Region Legal Service Office Japan.
“We operate the largest VITA service area of responsibility in the Navy,” said Capt. Robert F. Johnson, commanding officer of RLSO Japan. “We cover Diego Garcia and Guam, as well as the whole of Japan.”
Last tax season RLSO Japan and the VITA Program volunteers prepared more than 2,400 state and federal income tax returns that resulted in more than $3.2 million in refunds while saving those customers more than $470,000 in filing fees.
Volunteers are trained by a lead civilian volunteer, who is certified by the IRS, to provide training and instruction on tax preparation. Those volunteers then use their knowledge of the tax system to help clients who come to the VITA office seeking tax assistance.
Military and DoD members stationed overseas in Japan often face a different set of challenges and questions than people in the continental U.S. which can make tax preparation a confusing and often daunting task.
“We are here to answer questions,” said Cat Whatley, the VITA Center civilian volunteer coordinator. “If you are unsure about something you can call us or come in. If you have an issue that is beyond our scope, we can direct you to the IRS or the correct resources.”
Besides answering questions and providing resources, the VITA Center here is also a full service tax preparation program.
“In the continental U.S. VITA is all self service now,” said Lt. Vivienne Nguyen, officer in charge of VITA Center Japan. “Outside the continental U.S. we are the few and the proud out here. We are kind of the last of the Mohicans providing full tax preparation and really it’s a service. The beauty of the program is sailors helping sailors, so hopefully they will find us and utilize us.”
The VITA Tax Center is located on the third floor of the Fleet and Family Support Center in room 331. They are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call ahead for an appointment or questions at 243-6465.
| Date Taken: |
02.06.2013 |
| Date Posted: |
02.27.2013 01:50 |
| Story ID: |
102586 |
| Location: |
YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: |
176 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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