 The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA program, is in place to ensure you get the support you need to follow correctly and on time. Lieutenant Audrey Koucher, a VITA program manager, explained how sailors who use the program can save money. Sailors using a tax assistance center will save money. On average, the commercial tax preparation programs charge about $170 per return. And with the Navy Tax Assistance Centers, there's no charge. And the sailors also know they're going to get an error-free return because they're getting their returns prepared with IRS-trained and certified volunteers. Or with the self-assistance program, they're able to file their taxes on their own and have the IRS volunteers on hand to assist and provide support as needed. To find your nearest VITA center, visit jag.navy.mil. From the Defense Media Activity, I'm Petty Officer Ashley Hedrick.