Volunteers needed for tax assistance

Published Nov. 20, 2008
By Cammy Drebes
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Last year, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program saved the Tinker community more than $149,000 in preparation and electronic filing fees. As the income tax season approaches, plans are underway for the Internal Revenue Service's annual VITA training seminars for tax advisors.

Volunteer and command appointed tax advisors are the backbone of the Tax Assistance Program. A tax advisor must exercise sensitivity and care concerning confidentiality. Nominees must also have an inclination toward helping people. Additionally, the ideal nominee possesses an aptitude for numbers and the ability to interpret regulations and instructions related to tax matters. This volunteer opportunity is open to Team Tinker, as well as retirees and their authorized dependents.

Each tax advisor is required to attend the four-day Tax Law Jan. 5-8 Seminar.

Experienced tax preparers will have the option of receiving training through the Link and Learn training module on the IRS.gov website. Volunteers must have prior approval from the Tinker AFB Tax Program manager to use this method of training. Each tax advisor is also required to attend an E-file seminar Jan. 12-16 or Jan. 20-22.

Once trained, each tax advisor must provide at least 40 hours of tax assistance throughout the season at the Tax Assistance Office. Tax advisors have scheduling flexibility and are given the opportunity to choose those dates that are convenient. In fact, many tax advisors volunteer considerably more than the required forty hours during the tax season. Those interested in becoming a tax advisors may, with supervisor approval, submit name, office symbol, IRS training date availability, E-file training date availability, e-mail address, duty phone and fax number no later than Dec. 12 to Cammy Drebes, Tinker's VITA coordinator, at cammy.drebes@tinker.af.mil.

All nominees will be contacted by Dec. 19 with more specific details about VITA. If you have questions or need more information, call Ms. Drebes at 739-5811 or e-mail cammy.drebes@tinker.af.mil.