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Story and photos by Bryan Gatchell, USAG Ansbach Public Affairs
ANSBACH, Germany (Feb. 1, 2017) – The Tax Center at Katterbach Kaserne held its grand opening today with a ribbon-cutting, a cake-cutting, and a side of ice cream.
The tax center, collocated with the Ansbach Legal Assistance Office on the third floor of the Army Community Service building, is open now through April.
Col. Benjamin C. Jones, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Derek R. Cuvellier, USAG Ansbach command sergeant major, attended to the ceremonial aspects of the event.
“We are very fortunate to have this free service available for our military community,” said Jones. “This is one benefit that can save you a great deal of time and a great deal of money.”
After Jones spoke to the assembled crowd, he, Cuvellier, and Capt. Jennifer Sundook, the chief of Legal Assistance, cut the red ceremonial ribbon to the reception window. Cake and ice cream were then served.
“All our Soldiers have done 40 hours of training in tax law, are certified in basic tax, advanced tax, and military tax,” said Sundook. “All of the Ansbach Soldiers are in very capable hands.”
In 2016, the tax office prepared more than 1,400 federal and 600 state returns for Soldiers, Department of Defense civilians, retirees, and their families. The tax center saved $500,000 in tax preparation fees and gained community members $1.5 million in refunds.
“We hope to match or exceed that amount this year,” said Sundook.
Candyss White, tax assistance coordinator, talked about the volume of work the center expects and what that means for customers.
“For the first month we’re just going to do walk-ins and drop-offs because the volume is going to be really, really high,” said White. “The turnaround time for the drop off – if you drop it off to us today – five business days or less you’ll be coming back in to review the return and sign it so that we can e-file it.
“And then starting March 1, we’ll be taking appointments for people that have complicated tax situations,” she continued.
The tax center will remain in operation until April 21. Its service hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m.
To learn more about legal assistance at USAG Ansbach, visit www.ansbach.army.mil/Legal.html.
To learn how the Tax Center can help you, call them at 09802-83-2324 or DSN 467-2324 or visit them on the third floor of the ACS building at Katterbach Kaserne.
