Salvation Army tax prep clinics offer assistance across the Maritimes

by Maritime
Categories: News Archive
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    For low-income individuals and families, the impact of not filing income tax forms – or filing incorrectly – can be crushing. By offering free income tax clinics, The Salvation Army continues to provide practical assistance to those who need it most.

    By law, all working Canadians must pay income tax through deductions from their salary. In cases where too much tax is paid, a tax refund is awarded to the individual. If not enough has been deducted, an individual is required to pay the difference. It sounds simple, but tax credits can be applied to lessen the amount of tax paid meaning more money in the tax-payers pocket.

    Without filing income tax, individuals do not qualify for GST credits, property tax credits or child tax benefits which can add up to more than $100 each month – a substantial amount, especially for those living on a low or fixed-income.

    Utilizing trained volunteers and run through Community Family Services, these clinics provide income tax assistance to eligible taxpayers who do not know how to prepare their income tax and benefit forms. In addition to completing the return, often team members also assist by offering advice, answering questions and on occasion, connecting clients with other programs and services in the community.

    Here in the Maritimes, income tax clinics are offered at five locations. Major Velma Preston, Community Ministries Director at Halifax Community Family Services, says these clinics are crucial for clients.

    “We provide this service to all of our residents here at the Centre of Hope, and take appointments for clients in the community,” says Major Preston. “For those with an income of $30,000 or less, we can remove the burden of paying to have their taxes filed.”

    WEB2During the clinics, clients may request training on how to properly fill out tax forms and in many centres, year-round assistance is available by appointment – for example, if a client is starting a new job and needs to fill out TD1 forms for payroll purposes.

    The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) 2013 income tax filing deadline is April 30, 2014.

    In Moncton, The Salvation Army Community Family Services (CFS) has partnered directly with the CRA to provide services.

    “We host the clinics at our Moncton CFS location, and the CRA arranges for trained volunteers to come and work alongside our staff to prepare the returns,” explains Natasha Burkett, Director of Community Services in Moncton, NB. “We provide the staff, space and materials while the CRA offers training and tax software for volunteers.”

    Moncton CFS also partners with the Society of Deaf and Hard of Hearing who are assigned space on particular clinic days to assist clients who have hearing impairments.

    “People rely on our income tax services and trust the knowledge and experience of our staff and volunteers,” says Burkett. “They know that they can receive this assistance in a safe environment and enjoy refreshments while they wait. We listen to their stories, we hear their needs and more often than not, we’re able to connect them to other programs and services of ours or others in the community that can help them in other practical ways.”

    To learn more about the tax preparation assistance programs at Salvation Army locations across the Maritimes, or to book an appointment, please use the appropriate contact below:

    Fredericton Community Church – 506-455-3243
    Halifax Centre of Hope – 902-422-2363
    Spryfield Family Resource Centre – 902-477-5393
    Saint John Hope Community Church – 506-634-1633
    Moncton Community Family Services – 506-389-9901