HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
March 13, 2015
Volume 39, number 10
Tax center saves big bucks Story and photo by Senior Airman Nicole Sikorski 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
W
ith W-2s and 1040s on many people’s minds, it is that time of year again — tax season. Taxes can be a daunting endeavor despite all of the resources available. To help alleviate that stress, more than 60 volunteers at the Ramstein Tax Center work through the months of February to June to save Airmen money. The tax center offers free filing of federal and state taxes for service members, retirees and dependents in the KMC, which saves them money and helps reduce the confusion of filing on their own. Volunteers saved active-duty military members at Ramstein more than $170,000 in extra fees in 2013, filed more than 1,200 tax returns and refunded them more than $2.5 million. “I enjoy volunteering to help with taxes,” said Senior Airman Ashley Cassell, 86th Airlift Wing judge advocate tax paralegal. “It was intimidating at first to think about dealing with taxes, but it is rewarding to help people learn what they are eligible to claim and making sure they are filing correctly.” Volunteers attend a 40-hour week-
Tax center volunteers file tax returns for customers March 6 on Ramstein. The tax center files federal and state taxes for active duty military, dependents and retirees free of charge.
long class before the tax season begins. In addition to the classroom portion, online training offers courses on subjects such as W-2s, stocks,
interest, rental properties and international returns. Tax center volunteers are required, at a minimum, to be certified on military tax returns. Volunteers help a wide variety of
customers at Ramstein, which include junior Airmen who are new to filing tax returns. See TAX, Page 2
USAFE-AFAFRICA recognizes 2014 Outstanding Airmen During the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa annual awards ceremony March 5 at Ramstein, Gen. Frank Gorenc, USAFE-AFAFRICA
commander, and Chief Master Sgt. James E. Davis, USAFE-AFAFRICA command chief, recognized the best Airmen in the command for 2014. The awards recognize Airmen for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements.
NEWS
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FEATURES
Tip of the Week
Gorenc took to the stage to congratulate all of the winners and nominees from this year’s competition. “Tonight is all about excellence,” Gorenc said. “We are acknowledging those winners here tonight, but what we’re not recognizing here tonight is the unbelievable talent these Airmen
USAFE Airman earns AF medical award, Page 6
competed against at the wing level to get here.” The general went on to explain that the Airmen who competed for this award are stewards of innovation. “Innovation is all about doing it See AIRMEN, Page 2
SCHOOLS
by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
Music career strikes perfect tone, Page 8
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss, Page 19