MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- April 15 is Tuesday, and those who haven’t finished filing their taxes may find it a relief to know there is a place on base dedicated to assisting them with their taxes.
The Quantico Tax Center, located on Roan Street in building 3095, provides a place where service members, their family members and military retirees can find a group of Marines who are trained to help them ease the tax preparation process.
“I’ve used the tax center for at least four, if not five, years,” said Barbara Barnes, spouse of deceased airman. “They figure out everything that’s going on, much more so than I could. I know they look at every single angle.”
Along with filing federal and state returns, the center also provides services such amending returns up to three previous years, and actually completing the return, if they were never filed.
“[We do] have the same capabilities as other tax centers,” said Chan. “The only thing we don’t do is refund anticipation loans, and we actually recommend that, even if you don’t come to the tax center here, that you don’t do a refund anticipation loan.”
The center can also request an individual taxpayer identification number if a spouse or dependent doesn’t have a social security number. They also can assist in helping figure out how to modify withholdings for future taxes.
“One of the biggest benefits of coming here is that we are specifically trained in military-related issues,” said Capt. Kaley Chan, senior legal assisttance attorney and officer-in-charge of tax center. “A lot of professional preparers, even the ones in the area, aren’t trained in military issues.”
Having someone capable of finding little things like how some military spouses may have special tax considerations or even be exempt from taxes in a certain state, is just one of the benefits of using the base tax center.
“Saving [customers] money is my favorite part of working here,” said Lance Cpl. Cassandra Avila, a tax preparer. “I have heard that a lot of Marines, who stay at the barracks, have paid to go to H&R Block. It’s easier to come here where there is no cost. The only negative point is that you may have to wait a little bit [to see a tax preparer], but it’s free.”
According to Chan, the free aspect of the service can be a substantial savings for many.
“The average return, depending on complexity, ranges anywhere from $150 to $700 dollars,” she said.
The center is open Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Tuesdays and Thursdays are our busiest days,” said Chan. “Mondays and Wednesdays are the slowest, so those are the best days to come. It’s on a first-come, first-served basis, and we do have a priority for E-1 to E-5 in uniform.”
For those aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, the center can be a valuable resource.
“I trust the people who do my tax returns here,” said Barnes. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else, really.”
Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil