MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Camp Pendleton’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be opening Jan. 18 to provide servicemembers with free tax advice and preparation.
The tax assistance program is available for active duty, reservists, retirees and their dependants for both federal and state income taxes until April 18.
The employees of VITA are trained in both state and federal tax return preparation to assist clients in finding all possible deductions and credits.
“This is a service offered to the Marines on Camp Pendleton for free,” said Capt. Robert Anderson, officer-in-charge of VITA. “The tax preparers are certified to organize taxes by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS also offers training and other support for professional service that a Marine would have to pay for out in town.”
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program not only handles federal and state tax returns, but it also assists in itemization, rental property income, social security income and investment income.
“Last year I filed my taxes off base,” said Lance Cpl. Alex Dorifourt, mail clerk, Headquarters Support Battalion, MCB Camp Pendleton. “It not only took up a lot of my time, but the cost was very substantial.” “This year I’m going through the VITA office because it’s free and convenient.”
Those who wish to file through VITA need to bring their tax information and their family member’s Social Security cards, a photo identification card, W-2 wage and tax statements, bank account with routing numbers, power of attorney forms and all other income information.
There are no appointments to make since it’s on a first come, first serve basis and there are numerous offices Marines can go to for help, according to Anderson.
The Assistance program is located on Mainside is scheduled to operate Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Offices located at Abbey Reinke and San Onofre are scheduled to operate Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information about VITA, contact the Mainside office at 760-763-2518 or log onto http://www.cpp.usmc.mil/base/legalassistance/vita/vita.asp