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Camp Pendleton’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance office, located on Mainside, Building 1687, is open year-round to assist returning combat troops with tax services. According to Internal Revenue Service Fact Sheet 2003-11, service members returning from a deployment, or serving away from their permanent duty station in a qualified hazardous duty area, are entitled to more time for filing their taxes.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Boothe

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Tax assistance extended for combat troops

6 May 2010 | Lance Cpl. Daniel Boothe Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines and sailors returning from a deployment, or service away from their permanent duty station in a qualified hazardous duty area, are entitled to more time for filing their taxes.

According to Internal Revenue Service Fact Sheet 2003-11, deadline extensions are automatic for filing tax returns, paying taxes, filing claims for refund and taking other actions related to federal income tax for U.S. Armed Forces personnel serving in a combat zone for at least 180 days after the last day of qualifing combat zone service, or the last day of any continuous qualified hospitalization for injury from service in a combat zone.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is a partnership between the IRS and the U.S. Armed Forces, and provides free individual income tax preperation for all military personnel and family eligible for legal assistance.

One of Camp Pendleton's VITA offices operates year-round to assist Marines and sailors who were deployed during tax season.

"If you are deployed, you have an automatic extension," said Capt. Ryan H. Heatherman, legal assistance attorney for the U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate and Office-in-Charge, VITA, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. " You don't need to file for an extension, but you should file soon after returning. We are open all year long for this purpose," he added.

Service members filing a joint return at VITA must be accompanied by their spouse or have a Power of Attorney, said Heatherman. Patrons will also need to bring social security cards for all family members, all W2 and income forms, IRS reported statements and bank account with routing number for those desiring direct deposit refunds.

According to VITA officials, Camp Pendleton offices filed 10,000 tax returns and secured over $14 million of returns for service members, their families, and retirees this tax season, saving the Camp Pendleton community $ 1 million of preperation fees.

"We take our responsibility to serve the base community very seriously and take great pride in our work," said Heatherman.

For additional information regarding tax preperations on base, visit the VITA Mainside office in Building 1687, call (760) 763-2518 or log onto www.pendleton.usmc.mil/base/legalassistance/vita/vita.asp.