ANSBACH, Germany (Feb. 9, 2015) -- The Legal Assistance Office at U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach held a grand opening for the tax center at Katterbach Kaserne Tuesday.
The garrison has two tax centers, one at Katterbach on the third floor of Bldg. 5817, and one at Storck Barracks in Bldg. 6506.
Both centers already had their soft opening the week before, and by the grand opening they had saved 95 customers $17,569 in estimated preparation fees and helped get their community members $176,304 in rebates, according to Denise Meenan, chief of the Ansbach Legal Assistance Office.
Meenan spoke at the ceremony, as did Mitchell Jones, USAG Ansbach deputy garrison commander, and Capt. Kevin T. Summers Jr., acting judge advocate for 12th Combat Aviation Brigade and acting officer in charge and administrative law attorney for the Ansbach Law Center.
"We're able to provide a service at this installation at no cost that is second to none," said Summers. "What we're most concerned about is making sure people get a quality tax return prepared by somebody who is qualified."
The Internal Revenue Service trained and certified the staff of the tax centers.
There is not a downside to going to the tax centers and no better option, according to Jones.
"I encourage everyone here to share with your buddies, your friends and everyone, to use the tax office," said Jones. "There is no reason whatsoever to go anywhere else."
In 2014, the tax centers saved an estimated $264,000 in preparation fees and obtained more than $3.16 million in refunds for community members. Jones said the money saved and the refunds help community members and the garrison and host nation community.
"This money was put directly back in the pockets of the men and women who serve our country, their Family members and our extended military community," said Jones. "This is also money that goes back into our military community and into our partner communities in the Ansbach and Illesheim areas."
Following the speeches, Meenan and Jones cut a ceremonial ribbon and cut and served cake to the attendees.
Both tax centers are equipped to handle various tax issues, including foreign and real estate taxes. The tax centers will also prepare state tax returns.
To help speed the process, all filers should bring in all tax-related forms and information, such as W-2s, 1099s, interest statements, retirement statements, ID cards, social security cards for the entire Family and direct deposit information.
Taxes are prepared on a walk-in and appointment basis. No one will be turned away, but deploying Soldiers will always be given priority.
Filers who are using long forms or additional schedules or have more complicated tax issues are encouraged to make an appointment.
To learn more, call the Katterbach Tax Assistance Center at 09802-83-1040 or DSN 467-1040 or the Illesheim Tax Assistance Center at 09841-83-4511 or DSN 467-4511 or select "USAG Ansbach Tax Filing Assistance" in the "Related Links" section above.
Related Links:
USAG Ansbach official blog site
USAG Ansbach official home page
USAG Ansbach Tax Filing Assistance
USAG Ansbach Legal and Tax Assistance / Judge Advocate General
1040 is reason for season: Community tax centers ease pain of filing taxes
USAG Ansbach official Facebook page
USAG Ansbach official Flickr page
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