Tax center a success near close of tax season

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine Windish
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  To date, Aviano Air Base's tax center helped customers file for nearly $2 million worth of returns this year, without costing customers a cent in preparation services.

Team Aviano members are reminded that the tax deadline is April 18.

"Filing your taxes on time is important because it will help you avoid or minimize the failure-to-file penalty, having a substitute return filed by the IRS, or the possibility of an audit," said Senior Airman Maria Williams, income tax advisor. "It is also important for military members to avoid becoming delinquent in filing your taxes, because not filing could affect your security clearance."

The volunteer tax center has so far saved its customers more than $100,000 in tax preparation fees, plus helped customers put more than $1,620,000 in refunds back into their pockets.

Sixteen volunteer income tax advisors served 897 servicemembers, retirees and family members so far during tax season. Volunteers went through more than 20 hours of Internal Revenue Service training each and provided more than 250 free manning hours each to the volunteer tax center.

"The tax center is a huge benefit to military members and their families," said Airman Williams. "We are more familiar with specific state and military benefits. We are better able to get our customers the refunds they've earned, while saving them money."