Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will be hosting multiple seminars in Northern Sunrise County and Nampa to help taxpayers learn about benefits they are entitled to.
Seniors who are 65 years and over are welcome to participate in the CRA Presentation Seniors 65+ and Scams, with two separate seminars available to attend.
The first will be held at Café du Coin in St. Isidore on Jan. 28 from noon until 12:30 pm. The presentation will be held in conjunction with the Seniors’ Hot Lunch Program and will focus on scams and the benefits and credits for people over 65. Please phone (780) 624-8071 for information on the St. Isidore seminar.
“These seminars raise awareness about the benefits and credits available to seniors as well as the types of scams that exist, how they operate, and ways to identify them,” explains NSC/Nampa Family and Community Support Services director Amber Houle.
“Many seniors may not be aware of the benefits and credits associated with completing their taxes and the tactics used by fraudsters to scam seniors,” she adds.
The second of the senior information sessions will be held at the Marie Reine Cultural Centre from noon until 1:30 pm on Jan. 29. The event will be held during the Wheels to Meals Program for anyone over 65, please phone (780) 625-3287 for more information.
“These seminars are important to attend because they provide seniors with critical knowledge and tools to safeguard themselves against scams, which can have devastating financial and emotional consequences,” Houle notes.
“We are coordinating the same session in two different locations to ensure that the information is readily accessible to seniors across the county and village of Nampa.
“By hosting the two sessions in conjunction with the seniors Hot Lunch and Wheels to Meals program, we are guaranteed a captive audience as these programs are already well-attended,” she adds.
Interested attendees do not have to sign up for the information session and can just attend whichever they choose. However, if you would like to have lunch with the seminar, please ensure to call the FCSS office noted above to register your spot.
“Anyone aged 65 and older who is looking to learn more about the benefits and credits of completing their taxes and how to recognize and protect themselves from scams targeting their age group, especially those involving financial fraud, identity theft, or misleading offers should attend,” Houle says.
“Things discussed will include Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplements, GST/HST credits, Canada Child Benefits, pensions, superannuation, annuity payments, home accessibility tax credit, disability tax credit, Caregiver credit, eligible medical expenses, and How to set up a My CRA Account.”
CRA and FCSS will also be co-hosting a presentation on Benefits and Credits for All.
“The session will review all the credits and benefits available to those who complete their taxes annually,” explains Houle.
“They will discuss in further detail the CPP, OAS, CCB, GST credit, Canada Dental Benefit, Training credits, disability credits, caregiver credits, Carbon Rebate, and other items.”
The Benefits and Credits for All will be held on Jan. 28 from 7-8 p.m. at the St. Isidore Cultural Centre. This seminar is open to anyone over the age of 18. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
“This is a great opportunity to learn more about the available credits, deductions and benefits you may be missing out on, discover ways to reduce the amount of tax you owe and potentially increase your refund, and to determine eligibility for other government programs and support,” Houle says.
“Participants will also gain up-to-date information about changes to tax laws and programs that could impact you or your family and are able to ask questions directly to CRA representatives about their unique situation, benefits eligibility, or the tax process in general,” she adds.
Finally, the CRA will be hosting one-on-one support sessions on Jan. 28 from 1-4 p.m. at the St. Isidore Cultural Centre and on Jan. 29 from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Nampa FCSS office.
“Anyone who is looking for confidential, one-on-one support from the CRA should attend,” says Houle.
These sessions will require registration in order to have a one-on-one meeting with CRA. Please phone (780) 624-8071 for the St. Isidore session and (780) 322-3954 for the Nampa session.