Lee Tax Center to open Jan. 28; ready to assist troops, families

Photo By Terrance Bell | Capt. Jaron Janson, a Staff Judge Advocate officer, is heading up this year's program at the Fort Lee Tax Assistance Center.  

UNITED STATES

01.15.2019

Story by Terrance Bell  

Fort Gregg-Adams

FORT LEE, Va. (Jan. 15, 2017) -- Fort Lee’s longstanding, no-cost service entity – the Tax Assistance Center – is scheduled to open its doors Jan. 28.

The TAC is located in building 5209, 910 20th Street, just off Shop Road and adjacent to the Army Women’s Museum. This marks the 31st year community members have benefited from the free tax preparation service staffed by military and civilian volunteers, including many veterans.

Capt. Jaron Janson, the officer in charge of this year’s program, said he’s enthusiastic about this tax season and again providing the popular service for active duty military members, retirees and their family members.

“I’m excited,” said the Judge Advocate General officer. “There’s a lot of changes (in the tax law) this year, so it’s going to be a little different. Many people will be pleasantly surprised they will get back a little more.”

Last tax season, the TAC prepared 2,696 returns and saved community members more than $303,000 in estimated preparation fees had those customers used a commercial service.

This year, the TAC has made some changes with a goal to better serve clients and increase its efficiency, said Janson. One is the addition of more preparers, which provides the capacity to serve more people.
“We have at least one or two more military staffers and probably two or three more volunteers,” he said.

In addition to an increased staff, Janson said the walk-in hours have been expanded.

“Last year, our walk-in hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays were in the afternoon,” he said. “This year, it will be all day.”

Janson said the change was made to alleviate overcrowding in the building’s confined spaces, an issue affecting last year’s operation.

“(Last year), it was jam-packed with people walking in,” he said. “The changes will mean a decrease in the appointments we schedule, and I think it will better accommodate people.”

Flyers have been distributed indicating walk-in hours are 1-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Janson said those specific times should be ignored. The facility’s regular hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday on normal duty days. The last clients will be seen at 4 p.m.

Would-be tax filers are reminded to bring with them all pertinent documents and information relating to their returns. These include: military, retiree or family member identification cards; Social Security cards for all family members; W2, W2G, Form 1099-R, 1099-INT, and other statements of income and interest; bank account and routing numbers; and a power of attorney if a spouse is not present.

Other documents needed include: prior year tax returns; home mortgage interest statement; tuition statements (Form 1098-T); student loan interest statements (Form 1098-E); healthcare statements (Form 1095-A, B and C) or exemption number; Veteran Affairs disability letter; and supporting documents relating to alimony payments and stocks or mutual fund sales.

The VA disability letter, said Janson, deserves special mention because many veterans are uninformed about its impact on taxes due to the Strickland Decision.

“Basically it dictates whatever percentage of disability you are (according to one’s disability letter) that is the percentage of your retirement income you do not have to claim on your taxes,” he said. “Most people don’t know that, and it’s a big deal.”

Another potentially big deal is the government shutdown (which may be resolved by the Traveller’s Jan. 17 publication date). Janson said to his knowledge it will not affect the TAC operation or return times.

“What the IRS has said on its website is the shutdown is not going to slow down the processing of returns,” he said. “So, per the IRS, it (the shutdown) should not affect how fast you get your return.”

Community members needing assistance from the agency, however, may run into obstacles, considering the IRS was staffed at only 12 percent during the first week of the shutdown, according to a Jan. 7 CBS News report.

“Those who have questions, issues or concerns about specific (tax) situations will have a more difficult time reaching anyone at the IRS,” he said.

The Internal Revenue Service opens its 2018 filing season on Jan. 28, said Janson. The tax filing deadline remains April 15.
For more information and to make appointments, call the TAC at 757-734-5732.

• Date Taken: 01.15.2019
• Date Posted: 01.15.2019 12:15
• Story ID: 307088
• Location: US