JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - The efforts of the Soldiers and volunteers who staffed the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Tax Center were lauded during an April 30 ceremony at Bldg. 205 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, commanding general of Joint Force Headquarters-Military District of Washington, noted the center filed 2,681 tax returns this year, the most prepared at the facility since 2004.
"When you look at this year's work, more than 2,600 returns [were filed and] saved more than $300,000 in tax return fees, you got $2.7 million back in refunds," said Buchanan. "Our country's built on the ability to collect taxes and it funds our salaries, frankly, so it's an important function that you do. But when we overpay, then people ought to get their money back and you helped them do that."
The facility provided cost-free federal and state income tax return preparation and e-filing for military personnel, their families and other eligible clients throughout the 2014 tax season. It was manned by nine active duty soldiers from JBM-HH and throughout the National Capital Region as well as seven civilian volunteers who received a week of IRS volunteer income tax assistance training at Fort Belvoir.
Receiving the Army Achievement Medal were: Staff Sgt. Emily Ross of The United States Army Band; Spc. John Russell of 12th Aviation Battalion; Sgt. Ryan Lambert, Spcs. Russell Gibson, Andrew Carlston and Derrick Allen, all of the 3rd Infantry Division (The Old Guard) and Pfc. Daniel Swarbrick of the 3rd Infantry Division (The Old Guard).
"You were able to pull this off because of your willingness to learn and make a difference," Buchanan told the group.
Officer-in-charge of the center Capt. Aaron Matthes and non-commissioned officer-in-charge Staff Sgt. David Loyal received Army Commendation Medals for their work.
"I can't say how many times a customer walked into my office and said this was an extremely professional tax center or one of the best tax centers they've been to throughout their time in the Army," said Matthes. "Fantastic job. Job well done."
Matthes also presented a plaque of appreciation to Loyal and to program coordinator Philip Jussel.
Social Sharing