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    File for effect, Tax Center opens

    File for effect, Tax Center opens

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Youtoy Martin | Spc. Austin Moret, a military police officer with 212th Military Police Company, gets...... read more read more

    CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

    02.08.2016

    Story by Sgt. Youtoy Martin 

    U.S. Army Central   

    CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The Area Support Group-Kuwait Tax Center opened its doors for tax preparation on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Feb. 8.

    The center is currently operating by appointment only, which are free of cost to service members, military retirees and family members holding ID cards located in Kuwait. As the deadline draws nearer, they will accept walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Service members of various military occupational specialties are working at the center and have been trained and certified to IRS standards for tax preparation. The facility is able to prepare most federal and state income tax returns, but is limited in some of the more advanced forms, said Capt. Matthew Kisil, the officer in charge of the Tax Center.

    The center aims to provide guidance while helping military, civilian employees and their Families with filing their personal taxes.

    “If someone has a lot of investments, there is a limit on how many we will process,” said Kisil, a Cleveland, native. “If someone has a lot of rental property, we point them in the right direction for either doing it themselves, using a commercial preparer, or an accountant if needed.”

    Service members, Department of Defense civilians and Red Cross personnel are granted an automatic extension to file federal tax returns up to 180 days from the date of leaving a combat zone. However, the Tax Center can facilitate the refund process while still in Kuwait.

    It’s a great convenience for service members to complete their taxes in theater, rather than waiting several months or a year, said Kisil.

    It’s better to receive that refund now, for investment purposes, rather than having the government holding on to it.

    “If it’s a junior Soldier who just has a W-2 and nothing else, it could be done in less than 30-minutes,” said Kisil. “More advanced return where somebody goes to school, they have a house, etc., could take longer. We are not trying to take up Soldier’s time, but we are trying to get them in and out while ensuring that they have an accurate [tax] return filed.”

    Pfc. Samuel Tyler is a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialist, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 682nd Engineer Battalion, who compares his college studies as a double finance major, with being a tax preparer. He is using his talents to help deployed individuals with their taxes.

    “It means a lot to me because it’s providing a service for people [who] can’t necessarily do it on their own,” said Tyler, a native of New Brighton, Minnesota.

    A steady stream of customers took advantage of the official opening and the convenience of the center.

    “One of my biggest issues is worrying about if I could get my taxes done while I am deployed,” said Spc. Austin Moret, a military police officer with 212th Military Police Company, a native of Murrieta, California. “So, this is extremely convenient and I am happy I was able to get the assistance.”

    Members from the Tax Center will be available at Camp Buehring on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, the Tax Center is located at the Legal Assistance Office building T-5817, diagonally across Patton Blvd. from the fire station. Call 318-430-5258 to schedule appointments.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.08.2016
    Date Posted: 02.10.2016 03:17
    Story ID: 188433
    Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW
    Hometown: CLEVELAND, OH, US
    Hometown: MURRIETA, CA, US
    Hometown: NEW BRIGHTON, MN, US

    Web Views: 291
    Downloads: 0

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