Tax center collects $1.6 million in refunds Published May 11, 2007 By Capt. Jennifer Sanchez 36th Wing Legal Office ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The Andersen Tax Center, a vital service to Team Andersen members, closed out another successful year on April 17. Each year, the tax center provides Airmen, dependents, and retirees in the Andersen Air Force Base community an avenue to obtain quality tax preparation services free of charge. In just a few short months, Stephanie Hansen, the tax center manager, and 21 volunteers prepared a total of 1,012 returns, helping Andersen team members collect $1,638,869 in refunds and saving them an estimated $74,305 in tax preparation fees. The indispensable service provided by the tax center ensured Team Andersen members could focus on the mission instead of fumbling over tax information. An awards ceremony for the tax center volunteers was held on April 27 in the Wing Headquarters Conference Room. Col. Joel Westa, 36th Wing vice commander, presented awards to the top five tax preparation volunteers and the top administrative volunteer. The top tax preparation volunteer for the year was Staff Sgt. Michael Pough from the 36th Munitions Squadron. Sergeant Pough prepared 95 Federal Income Tax Returns and 37 State Income Tax Returns. He logged 97 hours at the tax center, individually helping clients collect more than $233,800 in returns and saving them an estimated $9,845 in tax preparation fees. The other award winners were Staff Sgt. Landon Grinstead, 36th Maintenance Squadron; Senior Airman Mark Pernell, 36 MUNS; Staff Sgt. Lissette de Jesus, 36th Communications Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Rita Conley, 554th RED HORSE Squadron; and Airman 1st Class Emmanuel Cardenales, 36 MUNS. These award winners were just a part of the larger team that provided assistance to individuals who came into the tax center to get help with their tax returns. This year's tax center was a great success due to the collective efforts of all of our volunteers. The 36th Wing Legal Office sincerely thanks all the volunteers for their time and dedication. Thank you also to all the supervisors, first sergeants, and commanders who encouraged their Airmen to volunteer and make room in their squadrons' schedules. The work our volunteers did in the tax center was a credit and a benefit to the entire base community.