Tax volunteers needed for 2009 tax season Published Dec. 9, 2008 By 509th Bomb Wing Legal Office WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Tax season is right around the corner and the Whiteman Tax Center is looking for volunteers to serve as unit tax advisors or to assist with the daily administrative tasks at the tax center. As this income tax season approaches, preparations are underway for the Internal Revenue Service's annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance training seminar for tax advisors. The VITA program provides a free tax filing service to the base community, but help is needed. Designed to assist active duty and retired military personnel and their dependents with meeting tax filing requirements, the program is comprised exclusively of volunteers. Last year, this program saved the military community more than $300,000 in tax preparation and electronic filing fees. Volunteers must be available Jan. 19 - April 15 to assist unit members and to volunteer at least four hours each week at the tax center. Volunteers are required to attend the five-day basic tax preparation seminar conducted by the IRS. This seminar takes place Jan. 12 - 16 at the Professional Development Center and will cover basic tax filing issues, as well as the Taxwise program. Every advisor must also successfully complete the final course examination. Individuals interested in volunteering must complete an application and turn it in to the legal office by Jan. 2. Applications may be obtained from unit first sergeants or the base legal office. Volunteers will be contacted with more details about the VITA program. For more information call 687-6809.