Team Bliss volunteers empower Fort Bliss Tax Office mission

Spc. Nicolette M. Ahlvers of A Company, 72nd Brigade Support Battalion, 212th Fires Brigade.

Sgt. Barry St. Clair,
24th Press Camp Headquarters:

Tax season is here again. Some view taxes as an opportunity to fulfill their duty to the country. Others see it as a blessing, hoping for a refund, while many view it as an obligation that is due.

Fort Bliss, with support from the legal office, plans to assist servicemembers, retirees and family members with preparing tax forms. Soldiers from across the installation and retirees have volunteered for training to provide this personal service for free.

The selfless service of these volunteers is highlighted by Capt. Amber L. Wagner, an attorney with the installation legal office; Spc. Nicolette M. Ahlvers, a fuel supply specialist with A Company, 72nd Brigade Support Battalion, 212th Fires Brigade; and Larry Howey, a retired Soldier.

“Managing the organization of the volunteer’s training has been my focus for the past few weeks,” said Wagner. “None of the volunteers come from a legal background so we have to train them on tax law and the computer software they will be using.

“We also conduct training in administrative skills and interaction with the public,” Wagner added.

Wagner, a graduate of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn., and The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, is the sixth child from a family of eight.

“I became an attorney in order to help people,” she said. “Money is one of the most important things to people, so this service fits that goal.”

Ahlvers spent four years with the Navy aboard an LHD Wasp class amphibious assault ship in support of Marines Corps global operations as a logistics support clerk. She served as store keeper and ordered parts for the ship’s needs.

Her Army service includes two years with NATO for which she received the Joint Service Achievement Award, and a deployment to Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq.

Ahlvers will be serving the Fort Bliss Tax Office with public relations, reception and administrative filing.

Howey has volunteered with the Fort Bliss Tax Office for his 16th year since retiring from active Army service.

“It is my way of giving back to the community for the retirement and medical assistance I have received over the years,” said Howey. “Serving with the tax office keeps me involved with the troops.”

The volunteers received IRS training, computer training and practice, and study new tax laws.

To schedule an appointment for personal service in preparing your tax return, call 568-4999.