Base tax center opens Published Jan. 22, 2007 MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The base tax center and unit tax representatives opened their doors Jan. 22 to help people stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base prepare and file their federal and state income tax returns. The tax center, located in Bldg. 2607 in the EnvisionXPress building next to the base post office, offers free tax services to all active duty members, retirees and their immediate families. Meanwhile, more than 25 squadron volunteer income tax assistance, or VITA, representatives offer the same services from their respective work centers. Each tax representative volunteer received training over the past several weeks by the Internal Revenue Service and the Idaho Tax commission. "Volunteers who finished the seminar and passed an end-of-course exam are certified and have the ability to assist in the preparation of an individual's tax return," said Vicki Johnson, base VITA program coordinator. "Keep in mind that the tax center will only do simple tax returns," added Neal Kelly, who oversees the base tax center and unit tax representatives. "If you have business income, capital gains or other complex tax issues, we recommend you visit a tax professional." In 2006, tax volunteers here processed more than 970 federal and 930 state returns, saving people here more than $187,000 in tax preparation fees, Mr. Kelly said. "All the refunds are processed electronically and offered the option for direct deposit, which means the member will receive their refund much quicker than if they mailed it. That means fewer headaches," said Vicki Johnson, base VITA program coordinator. To avoid a long wait at the tax center, active duty members should try filing through their unit tax representative first, Mr. Kelly said. Others are encouraged to make an appointment at the tax center. To avoid delays preparing or filing returns, taxpayers should have the following information at hand for their appointment: - W-2s, 1099s and/or other forms substantiating income and expenses. Keep in mind that many of these forms do not come in the mail immediately after the end of the calendar year. In some cases, taxpayers may have to wait several months to get these forms before being ready to file a return. - Social Security cards for single and married filers and their children - Name, address and tax identification numbers for child care providers and receipts or statements indicating amounts paid for the year - Statements from educational institutions with amounts paid for education if claiming education credit - Cancelled bank check or deposit slip showing routing and account numbers for electronic filing Gunfighters returning from or preparing for a deployment don't need to rush to get their returns filed on time. "There is an automatic six-month extension for members of the military who are deployed," Mrs. Johnson said. "This is just one less thing they have to worry about while they are out protecting us." The tax center opens from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with walk-in service available on a first-come basis from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. these days. For more information, call the center at 828-4997. Squadron volunteer income tax assistance representatives: 389th Fighter Squadron -- 2nd Lt. Andrew Jones, 828-6389 366th Operations Support Squadron -- Staff Sgt. Jesus Reyes, 828-2854 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron -- Master Sgt. Ed Halley, 828-6755 and Tech. Sgt. David Irvine, 828-6703 366th Component Maintenance Squadron -- Staff Sgt. Myra Walker, 828-4135 and Staff Sgt. Yesinia Hiltbrunner, 828-2400 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron -- Tech. Sgt. Avery Boyer, 828-4483 and Senior Airman Benjamin Schuerman, 828-4288 366th Maintenance Operations Squadron -- Tech. Sgt. Melvin Green, 828-3133, Tech. Sgt. Patricia Roeder, 828-6974 and Senior Airman William Anthony, 828-6311 366th Civil Engineer Squadron - 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Ledoux, 828-3010 and Senior Airman Michael Blanch, 828-6252 366th Communications Squadron -- Tech. Sgt. Michael Bigelow, 828-1674, Tech. Sgt. Adam Schrage, 828-1999 and Staff Sgt. Mindy Custer, 828-6018 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron -- Fred Horn, 828-4179, Jodie Faircloth, 828-6737, Stanley Brown, 828-6116, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Fentress, 828-2886 and Airman Rachel Duenas, 828-6730 366th Mission Support Squadron -- Senior Airman Christopher Shumpert, 828-6677 366th Security Forces Squadron -- Master Sgt. Anthony Drewicz, 828-1544 266th Range Squadron -- Tech. Sgt. Nikese Swift, 828-4107