The Redstone community got another big tax refund this year.
Friday brought the closing ceremony for the Redstone Tax Assistance Center, a free service helping servicemembers on active duty, military retirees and their dependents prepare and file federal and state tax returns each year.
This year the center prepared 3,879 federal and state returns, producing $1,942,857 in total federal refunds. These included 1,991 federal returns and 1,888 state returns. The value of its services -- fees that would have been charged by a paid preparer -- amounted to $514,151.
Last year the center and its mostly-volunteer staff prepared 3,955 tax returns -- the most prepared in more than 10 years -- and provided a value to the Redstone community of more than $3.7 million on a budget of $3,000. It is considered the largest and most efficient military Tax Assistance Center in the Southern region. The IRS has designated Redstone's TAC as a "model tax center for all military installations to follow."
Redstone senior commander Maj. Gen. Jim Rogers presented certificates and coins to the nine volunteers and five workers.
"I appreciate all you're doing," Rogers said. "Thank you very much."
Col. David Crawford, the staff judge advocate, also cited three volunteers -- Emily Hsi, Diane Welch and Min Wallace -- for their outstanding support throughout the tax year and for going above and beyond.
Crawford presented the Army Achievement Medal to the center's officer in charge, Capt. John "Caleb" Smith, for his service from Jan. 9 through April 30. The medal was awarded by Garrison commander Col. John Hamilton.
"Volunteers, you made me look sharper to my bosses than I probably am," Smith quipped. "Your checks will be in the mail."
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