Illinois CPA Society Offers Free Tax Preparation for Military Personnel and Their Families

Request help now as tax season gets underway

CHICAGO, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Under normal circumstances filing a tax return can be time consuming and confusing. But for military personnel and their families tax season only adds to the stress of trying to maintain a sense of normal life.  

To help them at least in a small way, the Illinois CPA Society is offering free preparation of personal federal and state income tax returns through its Military Service Tax Preparation Project, offered in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service. The project matches families with CPA volunteers throughout the state who can guide them through tax benefits, exclusions and extensions that are unique to members of the armed forces.

Who qualifies for free personal income tax return filing assistance?

Illinois residents who are claiming combat pay on their 2009 taxes qualify for assistance, that is residents who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces having served in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area within the 2009 tax calendar year, or who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in a contingency operation.

When and where is assistance available?

This is a year round service available throughout the State of Illinois, but it's best to request a volunteer CPA as early as possible in the tax season. A spouse or family member -- son, daughter or parents -- can request assistance for military personnel still overseas.

How does the program work?

Once basic information is provided to the Illinois CPA Society, military personnel and/or family members are matched with a CPA volunteer in their area. Contact information is shared so volunteer CPAs and individuals filing their taxes can make arrangements to work together to complete the tax returns.

Who do I contact for more information or to request assistance?

More information can be found in the Consumer Section of the Illinois CPA Society's website, www.icpas.org.

To ask questions or request assistance, contact Jill Wiles, Community Service Manager at 312-993-0407, extension 277 or via e-mail at [email protected].

The Military Service Tax Preparation Project is designed to help those who don't have a relationship with a CPA and who would otherwise have few resources for financial advice and information on IRS guidelines for military personnel. With the professional expertise of a CPA, the tax filing process can be less overwhelming, and military members and their families can benefit from their knowledge and experience.

About the Illinois CPA Society
The Illinois CPA Society, founded in 1903, is the fifth largest state CPA society in the nation, with more than 24,000 members. It is the premier professional organization that represents CPAs in Illinois. During its over 100 years of existence, the Society has advanced the highest ethical and financial standards of the profession, and has been a leader in educating the public on financial issues.

SOURCE Illinois CPA Society