With the April 30 deadline to file your income taxes coming up, a team of volunteers at the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau is assisting low-income families, the disabled, and the elderly file their returns.
“It’s been very busy,” executive director Denise Audette said. “It’s been very successful this year—all of our volunteers are taking a big part in it.
“Everything’s going very smoothly.” she added. “People are picking up their tax returns in a prompt manner, so it’s going very well.”
Audette noted about 170 returns already have come in to be processed—with many more expected in coming weeks.
“We’re keeping up with it,” she said, stressing the tax help will be offered only until April 30.
As in previous years, the free help is aimed at those in a lower income bracket, noted Audette. Those with a net income of $25,000 or less ($30,000 or less for families) are eligible.
However, assistance will not be provided to those filing tax returns for the deceased or bankrupt, or those filing employment expenses, rental income, capital gains, foreign investments, giving or receiving support payments, or anything else that would be considered a “complex return,” she stressed.
Those who want help with their taxes just can bring the applicable forms and information to the Volunteer Bureau’s office (located in the old CN station) on Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Audette said it’s important that those who do seek help must come prepared and bring all the necessary information with them. Even if the Volunteer Bureau has helped them file their taxes in the past, it will not have that information on file.
Audette said two dozen volunteers are in place this year to fill out the returns, noting they attended a refresher course offered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on how to do so in early March.
If you have any questions, call Audette at 274-9555.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
