Base tax center open for business Published Feb. 24, 2006 By Capt. Brian Green Legal Office GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- On Monday, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Center opened for business. Located behind Fast Eddie's in the Community Activity Center, the VITA Center helps Air Force members and their families file federal and state income tax returns. In 2005, the free service helped base personnel file 963 electronic and 252 paper tax returns, saving members approximately $167,091 in tax preparation fees and gaining them approximately $1.5 million in total refunds. VITA volunteers are certified through a rigorous training and testing program provided by the IRS. They take courses in person or online to ensure they have the knowledge and expertise necessary to file returns for a diverse array of financial circumstances. They serve for one four-hour block each week between the opening date and April 17, using TaxWise software to file the returns electronically. Initial hours for the VITA Center are 8 a.m to noon, Monday through Friday. Afternoon hours may added as more volunteers become certified. Walk-in appointments will be accepted for taxpayers filing a 1040EZ form. However, you must make an appointment to file more complex forms, such as a standard 1040. To schedule a tax-filing appointment, or for general questions, call Staff Sgt. Ryan Linton at 747-3473. TurboTax Available at no cost For those who like to do their own taxes, beginning January 16, 2006, TurboTax is being made available at no cost to servicemembers by the Department of Defense at the Military OneSource website at http://www.militaryonesource.com/. For more information and current updates, visit the Military OneSource website at http://www.militaryonesource. com/. To access your 2005 W2 online, visit myPay at https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx.