12 - Sunday, May 15, 1994 - North Shore News

INQUIRING REPORTER

GIVE SINGLE parents a break — a tax break, On May 30,
North Vancouver resident brenda Schaff is going to court to
challenge # federal tax law that requires single parents to
pay incorne tax on child-support payments. A similar cas¢
was heard in the Federal Court of Appeal cartier this month
when Quebec resident Susan Thibaudeau charged that the
tax is unconstitutional because it discriminates against single
parents. She won: the court declared it “uafair” that child
support payments are taxed as income for custodial parents
and are a tax deduction for non-custodial parents. Indeed,

why should one parent shoulder the burden of paying taxes
on the money spent to raise a child or children who are the
product of two parents? The Crown may still appeal the
decision, but in the meantime single parents are urged to file
a “notice of objection” within 90 days of receiving their 1993
Revenue Caniuda tax assessment, If the ruling is upheld,
there could be more than $300 million in tax refunds ayail-
able to single parent families, many of whom are living in
poverty. Assuming that it’s the children who will ultimately
benefit, it’s legislation that makes sense.

Should single parents pay taxes on money received for child support?

Kevin Halloran

North Vancouver

No, A married couple basi-
cally gets child support that
the mother doesn’t hive to
pay taxes on when the
father is supporting the

smeen Adibhai
North Vancouver ;
No. Eve never been a moth-
er, but I've heard a lot about
this issue on the CBC, !
support the mothers and
feel that they shouldn't

Jean McLean

Burnaby

Well, | think it very much
depends on what income
bracket you're in. | think
that should have a fot to do
with it.

Russ HNngworth

North Vancouver

Absolutely not, § don't
think it’s fair when one gels
tux break and the other
one has to pay tax. [should
be even, Either tax both

Mary Esury

North Vancouver

Yes, absolutely, EF do
believe they should pay tax
because it's money coming
into the household, And I

have to pay taxes on child
support -—— it’s totally
unfair,

family. To my mind, it’s no
different whether the couple
is separated or not.

SURVEY TEAM
THE NORTH Shore News survey team telephoned 445
North and West Vancouver residents to find out whether you
think single parents should have to pay income tax on the

money they receive for child support. The following is a
compete breakdown of survey results:

ESIG NER
STYLE GLASSES
PURCHASED.
Single Vision Complete

with Plastic Lenses

"00

To Powers + 6.00 with a 2.00
cylinder. Extras excluded.

S4

Plastic Regular Monostep or
Kryptok Bifocals Complete

"To Powers + 6.00 with 2 a 2.00 cylinder.
Extras excluded.

also think that eg payer
parents equally or don't (ax should be able to deduct
cither, but fairness is the

key thing.

Horseshoe Bay
Dundarave/Ambleside

British Properties
Norgate/Pemberton Heights
Capilano/Delbrook Highlands
Lower Lonsdale

Central and Upper Lonsdale
Lynn Valley

Blucridge/Deep Cove

TOTAL seseaeaeasseccnacaeaeesenaessennovasen 10.3% 61.8%
GLY cess or

fT

ee se

=

a
nas. asad =

waa

ectie

7.8%

Paes
Sobek

ONLY | § f
169%. ON

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