LANGLEY AFB, VA. –
If the idea of looking at W-2’s, 1040’s and bank statements doesn’t appeal to you, you’re not the only one. Many people who shudder at the thought of doing their own taxes are willing to pay a hefty sum for a certified public accountant to prepare, analyze and verify their financial documents to make sure that their taxes are paid properly.
But at Langley, there are people who do just that – for free!
From Jan. 16 to April 17, volunteers manned the Langley Tax Center providing free tax service for active-duty members, retirees, dependant spouses and active reservists.
Before tax season began, more than 100 active-duty members, retirees, dependant spouses and Department of Defense civilians volunteered to spend more than 43 hours in training so they could help others with their taxes.
These men and women worked either four- or eight-hour shifts each week and had to volunteer at least 40 hours over the course of the season.
Master Sgt. Suzanne Clemons, 1st Communications Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of network management, and Master Sgt. Benjamin Sawyer, Air Combat Command Terminal Instrument Procedures Cell superintendent, are volunteers and have been for several years.
This is Sergeant Sawyer’s fourth year working at the Langley tax center, and he spent two years as a volunteer at Dover AFB, Del., before that. As a young Airman, he went to H&R Block to have his taxes prepared.
“I paid $200 back in 1990, which is a lot of money. I thought, I can do this myself,” he said.
From that point, Sergeant Sawyer started attending tax classes on base in addition to pursuing a college degree. Today, he has a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in business administration.
He said he enjoys helping other people who don’t know how to do their taxes and saving them money.
“Why should they wind up paying $300 when I can do it for free?”
Sergeant Clemons is a seven-year tax center volunteer, serving four of those here at Langley. For her, the love of math and her dreams of one day being a CPA are reason enough to work at the tax center. But, Sergeant Clemons also enjoys being able to help others save money and teach them a thing or two about the tax filing process.
“If they owe, I give them tips on how they can better their return the next year and financial tips for the future. I wish someone had given me those tips when I was younger,” she said, adding that she is always trying to recruit other people to volunteer at the center as well.
Sergeant Clemons has filled at least 60 returns, Sergeant Sawyer at least 80, and together they have volunteered more than 140 hours at the tax center.
“We fit in wherever we are needed. We answer the phones, file the returns, help the other preparers and fix any returns that may have been rejected by the IRS,” Sergeant Clemons explained.
For many, spending that much time filing taxes might seem like torture, but Sergeant Clemons and Sergeant Sawyer both say the reward is seeing the reaction and appreciation of the people they help.
Sergeant Sawyer said he loves helping retirees and people on a fixed income. “They are really happy when they get a refund or don’t owe,” he explained, telling the story of one retiree who, after finding out he didn’t owe, went and bought the volunteers lunch.
Although he will be moving to Travis AFB, Calif., Sergeant Sawyer has had customers offer to mail their paperwork to his new base so he can help them next year with their taxes.
“When the same people come back year after year and request me – that is the best compliment,” he said, adding that he will continue to volunteer at his next assignment.
“The people really appreciate it. I don’t do it for the EPR bullet, but I enjoy helping other people,” Sergeant Clemons said. “I’ll be back next year.”
Editor’s note: Next week, The Flyer will salute all the center volunteers and provide an overview of their effort.