COCHRANE— With the deadline for the 2020 tax season quickly approaching, Cochrane Family and Community Support Services is once again offering its Volunteer Tax Program to those in need.
This year, the program will be a little different due to COVID-19. In keeping with physical distancing measures, the service will be performed online and over the phone.
People who make use of the service are asked to submit all required documents electronically and conduct meetings with the volunteers over the phone.
The Volunteer Tax Program is a partnership between Cochrane Family and Community Support Services and the Canada Revenue Agency. The program has been rolled out in municipalities across the country to help low-income families file taxes.
Tracy Tilma, administrative assistant with Family and Community Support Services and the coordinator of the Volunteer Tax Program said there are many barriers, including financial ones, families and individuals face during tax time.
There are many benefits individuals, seniors and families can take advantage of, including housing supports for certain demographics of seniors, Child Tax Benefits and more, she said.
“In order to access their supports, even if it’s just getting GST, you have to file your taxes,” Tilma said. “It could be a barrier for some of these people, and some of them might not even know what they were missing.”
The volunteers of the program receive training through the Canada Revenue Agency. Many of them have been a part of the program for many years.
“Honestly, they’re the most amazing volunteers. They file hundreds and hundreds of tax returns. Last year we hit over 500,” she said. “They’re amazing. I can’t speak to all of the tax clinics that this program offers all over Canada, but we really lucked out on our volunteers."
The criteria for families and individuals to be eligible for the program is based on their financial situation and might differ depending on their circumstances, number of children, income and other factors. The program is for simple tax filings— Not self-employed individuals or small businesses.
“A lot of people think it’s a seniors tax program, but it really is about low-income, whether they be seniors, or youth or adults,” Tilma said. “When I say simple, we’re basically dealing with T4’s, or T4A’s or T4E’s. All of those fit those categories and they [the volunteers] are familiar with any of those types of T-slips. It’s more when people have business income, and write offs, and expenses or self-employment, then that kind of gets into another area where they might want to have somebody who has a background in tax advice.”
She noted those who have Canada Emergency Response Benefit or employment insurance claims are also welcome in the program.
The deadline to file taxes in 2021 is April 30.
To find out more about eligibility requirements and what you need to get started, call Cochrane Family and Community Support Services at 403-851-2250.
