The good news about tax time is the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program organized by the Canada Revenue Agency. Trained volunteers prepare both Canada and Quebec tax returns for persons with limited income, and various community groups organize the services.
The Centre d’action bénévole du Haut-Saint-François offers this service in French in Cookshire, East Angus, La Patrie, Scotstown, and Weedon, with a suggested donation of $5 to help cover expenses. (See the details elsewhere in these pages.) But I can tell you about two other clinics that are offered free, and will also fill out your tax returns in English.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
You are eligible to use the Community Volunteer Income Tax Service if you are:
– a single person with a maximum annual revenue of $25,000.
– a couple with a maximum revenue of $30,000, plus $2,000 for each dependant.
– a single parent with a child with a maximum revenue of $30,000 plus $2,000 for each additional dependant.
Also, your income from interest does not exceed $1,000, and you have a simple tax situation (your tax return does not include income from self-employment, bankruptcy, deceased persons, etc.).
PAPERS NEEDED
Bring along any slips you’ve received from the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec in the past months, and of course your notices of assessment from last year’s returns.
You will need your T4 and Relevé slips from your employer, or any other forms you received regarding income or tuition. Also, if you are a renter, you will need the RL-31 form from your landlord. House owners will need their property tax number which is on the municipal property tax bill.
Bring receipts for any payments you made for pills, dentist visits, glasses, or other health expenses. (Tip: Your pharmacy can give you a printout listing your pharmaceutical costs for the year.) These expenses may give you a tax credit.
Persons above age 70 should inquire about a refundable tax credit for expenses incurred to continue living independantly, either for purchasing, leasing or installing eligible equipment or fixtures or for stays in a functional rehabilitation transition unit.
Now then, where do you go? Here are two income tax clinics that offer services in English, and coincidentally do not request a payment or donation from users.
SAWYERVILLE SERVICE
The Sawyerville income tax assistance program features the same team of volunteers as in the past – Danielle Paré, Francine Bolduc and Suzanne Laperle. They’re experienced, and can file your returns either on paper or electronically, as you wish.
The only difference is that the clinic is now sponsored by a very local community organization, Loisirs Sawyerville.
The schedule is Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 1 to 4 p.m., and also on March 13 and 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. It’s at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street. Questions? Call Danielle at 819-889-2614.
LENNOXVILLE SERVICE
Coordinated by Evelina Smith at Literacy in Action, this income tax clinic also has an experienced team and can also file your returns either on paper or electronically, as you wish.
The schedule is March 6 to April 30, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from 1 to 4 p.m. The clinic is at the Literacy in Action office, 7 Conley St., Lennoxville. Note that it is not wheel-chair accessible (four steps outside; 15 inside). Questions? Call Evelina at 819-346-7009, option 2, or email incometax.lia@gmail.com.
PILGARLIC THE PLAY
Pilgarlic the new play, a fundraiser for the Eaton Corner Museum, is this Saturday at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, available at Black Cat Books, 168e Queen St., Lennoxville, or can be reserved by calling Elaine Lebourveau, 819-563-8700. Tickets are also available at the door, while they last.
ART ICI & NOW
Ici on étire le temps (here we stretch out time) is a fascinating show by Townships artists Céline Gendron, Françoise Euzénat, Ida Rivard, Marie-Claire Plante, and Yong Sook Kim-Lambert – a group rich with influences and experiences from far and wide. The show is at the Cookshire-Eaton Art Gallery, 25 Principale East, Cookshire, February 23 to May 20, and the vernissage is Saturday, February 23 at 4 p.m. The Gallery is open weekends, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MUSIC GALA
A gala of the best traditional songs with a group of regional musicians on Sunday, February 24, at 1 p.m. at the Guy-Veilleux Hall, 75 Castonguay, Cookshire. Tickets $5, at Chez Laro Depanneur, by phone 819-875-5681, or http://salleguyveilleux.com.
IRISH NIGHT
Irish Night, the Eaton Corner Museum fundraiser, is on Friday, March 8, at 7 p.m. at the Bulwer Community Center, 254 Jordan Hill Road. Musical performances, singalongs, skits and more. Admission: $8.
CHURCH SERVICES
Baptist. In Sawyerville, the Sunday worship service is at 9 a.m. in French, and 11 a.m. in English. Sunday school is at 10 a.m. in English and French. Info: 819-239-8818.
Anglican. Sunday worship services are at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Paul’s Church in Bury, and at 11 a.m. in Cookshire. On February 24, the Cookshire service is at the Trinity United Church (lower level), 190 Principale West. On March 3, it is in the theatre in the Manoir de l’Eau Vive, 210 Principale East. Ash Wednesday service is on March 6 at 5 p.m. at the St. George’s Anglican Church, 84 Queen St., Lennoxville. Info: 819-887-6802.
United. Sunday worship services are at 9:30 a.m. in Cookshire, and 11 a.m. in Sawyerville. On Monday, February 25, a service is at St. Paul’s Rest Home, Bury, at 3 p.m. The annual board meeting of the United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge is on Monday, February 28, at 10:15 a.m., at Trinity United Church in Cookshire. An Ash Wednesday service is planned for March 6, time to be determined, and the Sawyerville UCW plan to host a World Day of Prayer service, date to be determined. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
Messy Church. On Monday, February 25, at 5:30 p.m., a story, crafts, worship and home-cooked supper are at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 550 Main St., Bury. A joint United and Anglican intergenerational event, with a free-will offering. All are welcome. Info: Rev. Tami Spires, 819-452-3685.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email rawrites@yahoo.com by February 25 for publication March 6, and by March 11 for March 20.