Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

  • Published
  • By 45th Space Wing Staff Judge Advocate
The Patrick Air Force Base Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides free income tax return preparation for all Active Duty, Reserve and Retired Military and civilian personnel of the PAFB community. The PAFB VITA Program is sponsored by the PAFB Legal Office and Project Emeritus. The volunteers who provide this service are Tax Counselors who have completed the training and certification testing required by the Internal Revenue Service.

Thirty volunteers served more than 1,400 clients in last year's PAFB VITA Program.

"Our office can prepare and process electronic returns (E-files), amended returns, returns for prior years and state returns," said Don Winterich, VITA Program manager. "I encourage our clients to make an appointment as soon as they have obtained all their information so that we can manage our work load and minimize their wait time."

These Tax Assistance services will be provided at the Shark Center, which is located adjacent to the Chapel in the South Patrick Housing complex (Pelican Coast). The Shark Center is on Harrier Ave. and can be accessed from South Patrick Drive or SR A1A via Shearwater Parkway (the fourth traffic signal south of Pineda Causeway). The Shark Center is just north of the Chapel and the entrance to the VITA office is on the south side of the Shark Center. (GPS address: 815 Harrier Ave. Satellite Beach, FL 32937.)

To aid in preparing your return, the VITA Tax Counselor will need the following documents: Picture I.D.; Social Security cards (or Military I.D. with social security number) for tax payer, spouse and all dependents listed on the tax return; Income statements for wages, interest, dividends, pensions, social security, and other forms documenting income received (W-2s, and 1099s); if available, expense statements to itemize deductions; a copy of last year's Tax Return; and the account number and routing number if Direct Deposit of refunds (or to debit payment of any taxes due) is desired.

Beginning Feb. 3, the Tax Return Preparation Assistance service will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. It is recommended you setup an appointment to meet with a Tax Counselor. Appointments can be made by calling 494-4718, please leave your name and phone number on the answering machine and a representative will return your call.