In a show of appreciation to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families for their dedicated service, the Illinois CPA Society is once again partnering with the Internal Revenue Service to offer the Military Service Tax Preparation Project. The program, now in its sixth year, provides free personal income tax return filing assistance to members of the U.S. Armed forces who have recently returned or are still serving in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area.

Preparing to file your taxes can be stressful enough under ordinary circumstances. But for military personnel and their families already coping with high levels of anxiety, the expertise of program volunteers can help alleviate at least one concern. Military personnel and/or their families are matched with CPA volunteers in their area who help make sure they take full advantage of tax benefits, exclusions, and filing and payment extensions available to them.

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. To qualify for free tax preparation assistance, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Be an Illinois resident; and
• Be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces having served in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area (either currently or in the last six months);
• Be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in a contingency operation.

Family members – spouse, son, daughter or parents – can request assistance on behalf of military personnel. For more information about the Military Service Tax Preparation Project or to arrange for assistance from a volunteer CPA, visit the Illinois CPA Society's Web site, or contact Jill Wiles, Community Service Manager, at 312-993-0407, extension 277 or via e-mail at wilesj@icpas.org.