Deadline nears for filing taxes            Chris Rasmussen      Leader Staff

Time is running out! Only 12 days remain before the deadline to file federal income taxes. And whether you are a new Soldier, spouse of a deployed warrior or a retiree, the Fort Jackson Tax Center is working hard to provide last-minute counseling and filing services. This year all tax returns must be postmarked by April 15. Last year, taxpayers were given a two-day extension because the 15th fell on a Saturday. New Soldiers and retirees are making up the majority of customers this year for the free tax-preparation service.  “We tend to do a lot of counseling for the elderly because in many cases no one has taken the time to show them how,” said Staff Sgt. Thaddeus Robinson, Tax Center noncommissioned officer in charge. The center also specializes in counseling young Soldiers who need help to file their returns. “Most of them are 17 or 18 and the Army is their first job,” Robinson said. “We show them the ins and outs.” Spouses of deployed Soldiers from Fort Jackson, who already face enough challenges, do not tend to have problems filing their returns. The vast majority are given powers of attorney before their Soldier is deployed, making it much easier to file their taxes, according to Capt. Ryan Dodd, Fort Jackson Tax Center officer in charge. “We rarely run into a spouse who comes in without a power of attorney,” Dodd said. “They are doing a great job in getting it before a Soldier is deployed overseas.” So far this tax season, the Fort Jackson Tax Center has prepared and filed more than 1,240 returns and helped more than 2,000 customers, Dodd said. The center has also helped its customers save $107,795 in preparation fees and obtain $1,776,000 in refunds. The center helped file 1,300 forms in 2007. Customers are asked to bring an ID and all of their documentation, including their 2006 returns and 2007 W2 forms.  To avoid a wait, customers are advised to go to the center early in the morning or call for an appointment. “I was surprised by how quick it was,” said Pvt. Kelly Biel-McNeil, Company C, 187th Ordnance Battalion, who has been filing taxes since she was 17. “We timed it, and it only took them five minutes.” The two most common services offered at the center are getting help filing for an extension and filling out power of attorney forms. Those who do not have all of the proper forms needed by the deadline, should file for an extension. The Fort Jackson Tax Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For an appointment, call 751-5829. Chris.Rasmussen@us.army.mil