With a team of volunteers trained and ready to help, the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau opened its doors yesterday to assist low-income families, the disabled, and elderly file their taxes.
“We didn’t receive our income tax packages from the CCRA [Canada Customs and Revenue Agency] yet, but people can bring in all their information to us now and we’ll get it ready,” said Vanessa Hebert, executive director of the local Volunteer Bureau.
“We’ll be keeping track of who brought theirs in first, so when we do send them off, they’ll be processed in that order,” she added.
Hebert said she’s expecting to get the forms from the CCRA by Friday.
She noted about 30 volunteers are in place this year, including seven first-timers who attended an all-day training workshop here Feb. 19 led by Lorna Ingal of the CCRA.
“It’s encouraging to have new volunteers,” Hebert said. “A lot of people who have volunteered with this have been doing it for quite a few years, and some may decide one year not do it.
“It’s good to know there will be replacements.”
Those who want help with their taxes, but can’t afford to get them done at a tax firm, can just bring the applicable forms and information to the Volunteer Bureau’s office (located in the old CN station).
Volunteers will process tax returns until April 30—the deadline to file taxes. Those wanting help can drop by the bureau Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
“I encourage anybody who is on a fixed income to let us help them,” said Hebert. “There’s a lot of people who use this service, so you won’t be the only one.”
The program is based on a net income of $28,000 or less, but the free service will be provided to those who exceed that amount in certain situations, Hebert noted, such as new Canadians who may make more than that but still not know how filing income tax works.
Hebert said the Volunteer Bureau also is interested in helping people help themselves so they don’t have to come back next year—or could even share their new skills with others in need of help.
The local Volunteer Bureau has been organizing this assistance for the past seven years. Herbert said the program handled about 450 tax returns last year—and hopes to see as many this time around.
The Volunteer Bureau does not get paid by the CCRA to provide this service, Hebert stressed.
If you have any questions, or want to make an appointment to learn how to do your own taxes, call Hebert or assistant co-ordinator Karen Haney at 274-9555.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
