RAF Mildenhall Tax Assistance Program looking for volunteers

  • Published
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Legal Office
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  As 2009 begins to wind down, the RAF Mildenhall Tax Assistance Program is beginning to gear up for the income tax season in 2010.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, Program, which runs from the end of January through June 15 yearly, helps Team Mildenhall file, on average, more than $2.5 million in federal refunds and saves them more than $180,000 in tax preparation fees every year.

The program is open to Mildenhall members and dependents who would like assistance with their personal income taxes. Trained volunteers assist members in completing and filing their returns electronically.

A professional tax representative will oversee the volunteers and be on hand to deal with the more complex tax issues that arise. Members should note that if they have returns involving significant buying or selling of stocks or bonds, or other high value transactions, they need to be referred to a tax professional specializing in those areas of expertise.

Historically, the Mildenhall VITA Program has been successful every year, but its continued success depends on the help of the Mildenhall Community. The key to the program's success is the dedicated staff of volunteers who give their time to assist our community with their tax preparation.

Each year, the VITA program seeks a minimum of two volunteers from every squadron at RAF Mildenhall. Those individuals will be trained and certified in tax preparation by the IRS in mid-January.

The volunteers will then be available at least three hours per week to assist our Air Force members with their taxes. The volunteers will serve as the initial point of contact for tax help within their squadrons and will be primarily responsible for helping out their fellow squadron members with their taxes.

Those interested in volunteering should let their supervisors know, as squadrons will soon begin accepting volunteers. Those names will be submitted to the tax office POC by Thanksgiving, and details on the training program and schedule will go out to volunteers shortly thereafter.

No prior knowledge of tax or accounting is required, and Airmen of any grade, as well as civilians, are encouraged to volunteer and help out their fellow Airmen. This is an excellent volunteer opportunity with the chance to make a real difference to Team Mildenhall. 

Finally, the VITA Program is also looking for a temporary hire to work as a tax contact representative. Applicants should have some accounting or finance training and be able to work from Dec. 1 through June 30, 2010. Any interested persons are encouraged to contact Tech. Sgt. Palaruan at 01638 54 2028 for details.