UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 172000Z NOV 15 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 268/15 MSGID/NAVADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/DNS/NOV// SUBJ/2016 VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE/ ELECTRONIC TAX FILING PROGRAM// REF/A/MSG/CNO/281431Z OCT 14// AMPN/REF A IS NAVADMIN 252/14// POC/MARX/LT/OJAG 16/JAG/TEL: (202) 685-4637/DSN: 325-4637// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN provides notice and information regarding the 2016 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/ Electronic Tax Filing (ELF) Program. This message supersedes reference (a). 2. The VITA/ELF Program is managed by Naval Legal Service Command to provide free electronic tax filing services for Sailors, Dependents, and Retirees with a focus on assisting Servicemembers E6 and below. Last year, fleet volunteers helped thousands of Servicemembers and Dependents avoid paying tax preparation fees. In fact, in Tax Year 2014, volunteers with the program saved Servicemembers and Dependents an estimated $884,000 in tax preparation fees and provided over 17 million dollars in expedited tax refunds. 3. This program reduces the effort and cost involved in preparing and filing federal and state tax returns. a. Volunteers assist Sailors and Dependents at no cost. b. Refunds are deposited an average of two weeks from the date of filing, reducing the lure of commercial refund anticipation loans which have high interest rates and fees. 4. Self-service tax preparation, using free tax filing software, is available to all Sailors, Dependents, and qualifying Retirees to file their tax returns at Continental United States and Outside Continental United States tax centers. Tax centers are staffed by IRS trained and certified volunteers to assist with tax filing. 5. Commands must ensure Sailors are aware of their personal responsibility to file tax returns and that free Navy services are available to them. 6. Tax assistance centers depend on local commands for personnel, equipment, and facilities. This program merits serious consideration in every command?s allocation of manpower and resources and is a particularly good use of talented Limited Duty Sailors. a. Commands are encouraged to identify those who are willing to work as full or part-time volunteers at tax centers. b. Volunteers require training in advance of assignment to a tax center. Volunteers will be advised of training sessions by tax center managers prior to execution of duties. Commands that can provide Sailors as VITA/ELF volunteers should contact their local Region Legal Service Office as soon as possible. Region Legal Service Office contact information can be accessed at the following web address: www.jag.navy.mil/legal_services/legal_services_locator_RLSO.htm. c. Commands interested in setting up their own program should contact LT Peter Marx at the office of the Judge Advocate General (Code 16) at (202) 685-4637 DSN: 325-4637 or peter.marx(at)navy.mil. 7. Released by Vice Admiral R. L. Thomas, Director, Navy Staff.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//