The Altus AFB Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is seeking volunteers who are interested in preparing tax returns for the upcoming season and learning valuable skills that can potentially save them thousands of dollars. Volunteers can be military or civilians who possess a valid military identification card.

VITA volunteers file tax returns for active duty service members, dependents, retirees, and their families. The program is run entirely by volunteers, but military members and civilian employees may prepare returns during duty hours to the extent the mission permits.

Members who volunteer will become Internal Revenue Service certified in tax preparation and spend two to five hours a week during the tax season – Feb. to April - preparing returns for others on base. Volunteers receive training that allows them to assist service members in filing accurate tax returns absolutely free of charge and gain the personnel satisfaction of giving back to fellow Airmen. The training also gives volunteers insight into how to file their own income tax returns, saving the volunteer the cost of professional tax preparation.

“The VITA program is an excellent way for military members to volunteer in the community while gaining vital skills in the preparation of federal and state income tax returns,” said Capt. Joe Ahlers, 97th Air Mobility Wing Office of the Staff Judge Advocate VITA program officer in charge.

Altus AFB will host a formal training session Jan. 31, 2013, to walk volunteers through the VITA process and introduce them to the Tax Center located in the base legal office. Volunteers, however, will need to have their IRS certifications complete prior to that day to participate in the program. The Tax Center will begin preparing returns for filers in early February.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact the base Legal Office at (580) 481-7294.