Liberty Warriors save millions thanks to Tax Center Published April 15, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Chris Stagner 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The tax season is something that causes stress for many Americans every year, but as the April 15, deadline hits us this year, almost 1,000 Liberty Warriors found that load lightened by volunteers at the Tax Center. "We had 17 volunteers, and each of them worked hard to ensure our Liberty Wing partners had as little as possible to worry about when it came to their taxes," said Senior Airman Owen Seivright, 48th Fighter Wing Legal Office Tax Center paralegal. They did that by investing personal time to the amount of 1,504 hours, and those hours paid off for Airmen here. "We were able to help people get returns totaling more than $2.2 million," said Airman Seivright. "More important than that, though, are the preparation fees we saved them. The savings for Airmen who let us help them with their taxes totaled almost $200,000." Even though the deadline for most Americans to file their taxes ends today, that's not the case for the Airmen on RAF Lakenheath. The IRS now automatically extends the file deadline to June 15 for service members stationed overseas. "I think it really helps us manage our stress levels when it comes to our taxes since it's sometimes hard for us to do things that are so easily done when we're in the states like get forms from banks and route things through the mail," said Airman Seivright. "The one thing I want to point out about this program, though, is it does not affect the interest owed on back taxes. "If you wait until the extension to file your taxes and find out in June that you owe the IRS $1,000, your interest rate still starts accruing April 15," he said. "So while it's nice to not have to worry about it, I wouldn't wait to file if you think there's the possibility you might owe." The Tax Center is open by appointment to help people during the extension. To make an appointment, e-mail 48fw.jatax@lakenheath.af.mil.