iMortgage!i ae geo 2 LAURENTIAN BANK OF CANADA ES 2p” * Certain conditions apply. Applicatte on a closed term of five (5) years. Offer valid on qualified mortgage foans requested as of April 1st and disbursed before December 31, 2000. i 00 Wést-Pender Stre Laghani + 691-8801. David Sotvedt- # Mike Thompson * 69478812.” - Tax filing system Is a moveable feast From pag used to stash his receipts in, and a vow of sifence would be imposed on all family members. Brow furrowed, adding machine clicking away, he would sweaz through the complicated government forms while my mother fussed about, shoo- ing us away if we got within ten feet of him. By Sunday night he would emerge from the din- ing room with the complet- ed forms, and life would slowly return to normal. It's not so different nowadays. When [ was mar- ried my husband did the taxes for the family. For a whole month before we had to file 1 could feel his stress level increase. He was irrita- ble and distant and I could barely get a laugh out of the guy until our tax returns were completed and mailed. GORDON SMITH’S NORTH SHORE an exhibition of drawings, paintings and prints Artists For Kids Gallery 810 West 21st Street North Vancouver, BC April 10 - May 13, 2000 www.artists4kids.com 604.903.3798 -viewing hours © 3:00-6:00 weekdays * 12:00-4:00 weekends ¢ admission by donation Oh well, as least I didn't have to do my own taxes. Not that [ make enough money so that my tax return is all that complicated (yet .. Pm stil hoping). And Ive learned that if Pm orga- nized and I save all my receipts, filing my return will be simple. But ] suppose I should probably be using the ancient shoebox method my dad used instead of my own filing system, because despite my diligence, by the time April rolls around, I forget where I've saved ail those confounded bits and pieces of paper. And boy, that’s almost as stressful as actually having to pay tax. It’s happened again this year. First husband is doing my taxes (nice guy), and he called me on the weekend to ask me a few questions. “Where’s vou tax info Shannon?” he started. “Don’t vou have i?” I answered, feeling my heart skip a beat. Surely I gave it to him. “I don’t think so,” he answered. I could hear him shuffling papers in the back- ground. I'm feeling quite anxious now, because although | remember seeing some tax stuff, I can*t, in fact, remember what I did with tt. I start my Easter hunt, making a mad dash through the house to find the all- important forms. Come up with a bundle of charitable receipts from 1995 that I have clothes pegged togeth- eron a shelf in my laundry room, and a notice to pay a library fine from two years ago in my gym bag. ’'m sure I started a Tax File, but there’s no sign of it, or any- thing from 1999. T know I saved some parking stubs in a baggie in my car. Search the car franti- cally, find no parking stubs but happily discover the lid to the lip-gloss that Pve been missing underneath the passenger seat, and a piece of stale liquorice in the ash- - tray that tastes surprisingly geod. I call him back. “John,” I say, feigning confidence. “I'm sure I gave you my stuff. I had it orga- nized in a file. You must have taken it.” I'm silently praying that this is so. “Oh, yeah, | found it,” he says, and I am immedi- ately relieved. He’s sorry, but he’s just not feeling all that great, he explains. He’s got stomach cramps, he’s feeling bloated, and he’s very emotional. Poor fellow, he’s been holed up at his new place in a mess of files for weeks trying to sort through his own tax return, and he’s on the verge of tears, I can tell. Tax time is tough for everyone. Of course, there are some good things about tax time. Like, some people actually get money back. I’ve got a kid who's getting a refund and he’s unusually cheerful. Actually volunteered to replenish a six-pack of beer he borrowed without asking a few weeks ago. And I had no trouble at all-getting a tee time last weekend. But the best thing of all is that I don’t have to worry about filing a tax return for another year, which gives me plenty of time to go out and get myself a decent shoebox (excellent excuse for new shoes). Hey, I feel better already. —shannonn@relusx.net import Repairs 1124 West 15th Street, North Van Ph. 988-7671 Fx. 983-0315 20 years in the same location "h PARTICIPATE YODAY FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW. The 9th Annual Relay for a Friend is the ultimate . community event. It's a family activity that anyone can participate in, from the very youngest to the most senior. Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 3, 2000 Coquitiam Town Centre Stadium ¢ 10am-10pm A dtviasom of North West Life puepsg cong tng = Pick up your registration form at any lower maintand IGA Plus, Blockbuster Video, Starbucks, VanCity Savings or The Running Room. Final Registration yy mmitnees Comte AD TAN DET April 28th SEABOARD LIFE