Consolidated Tax Center now open

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall's Consolidated Tax Center is now open for business and celebrated with a grand opening ceremony Feb. 2.

This year marks the first tax season for the a consolidated tax center, which combines the Fort Myer and Henderson Hall tax centers into one convenient location for customers at Building 205 on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base.

Capt. Lynmarie Rivera, a legal assistance attorney and officer in charge for the tax center, welcomed guests and thanked her staffers and volunteers for all of the work it took to prepare the facility for the season.

"Today's tax center is the result of a lot of hard work from a lot of people," she said. "Many months of planning and preparation have led to today."

The tax center will provide cost-free federal and state income tax return preparation and e-filing for military personnel, their families and other eligible clients throughout the 2015 tax season. Tax center staffers will also help with itemized deductions and certain self-employment income and expenses.

Although the tax center has combined forces, the clientele will remain the same.

Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall Commanding Officer Col. Anthony S. Barnes said that the tax center's success would rely on the teamwork of its employees.

"If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together," he said. "That's essentially what we're doing here - we're going together. We're always better when we operate as a team. There will continue to be challenges, but nothing that you encounter is going to be insurmountable."

He told the tax center staff that he expected customers to walk away having received "world-class service."

"Just focus on the world-class service and I think everything else will sort itself out," he said.

Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington Commanding General Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan reminded those present that taxes help pay their federal salaries and that they were providing an important service to military personnel and their families.

During the 2014 tax season, the tax center filed more than 2,600 individual returns, saving service members, veterans and their families a total upwards of $320,000 in tax preparation fees, according to Buchanan.

"That's pretty phenomenal customer service," he said. "It's a great opportunity that we have to show what a joint base can and should be."

Located at 101 Bloxon Street on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, the tax center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The center will take walk-ins until 30 minutes before closing time.

Services are also provided in Spanish. To schedule an appointment, call 703-696-1040.