By Josh Clipperton
Death and taxes. For Canadians, one of these two certainties in life is just around the corner, and the Canada Revenue Agency is holding free tax clinics for low income earners.
Income tax returns are due by April 30 and the minimum rate to file a return at a private accounting firm is $50. For many low income earners in Centretown, this fee is costly.
The Canada Revenue Agency holds free tax clinics for low income earners, including those on social assistance, seniors and students.
One of these tax clinics, at the Bronson Centre, is open six days a week and staffed by trained volunteers from the neighbourhood.
“Even $50 is so important to a person on social assistance or with a low income,” says Gary Kerr, a volunteer giving up a Saturday afternoon to file tax returns.
Bill Chong co-ordinates these volunteer tax clinics for the Canada Revenue Agency in the Ottawa area. He underlines the importance of filing tax returns, especially for low income earners.
He says filing a tax return is crucial to determine a person’s status regarding child-care benefits, GST credit, subsidized housing and social assistance.
“Completing a tax return opens a lot of doors to other programs for people,” says Chong. “It’s a vital service.”
For some people, the small amount of money they save by filing their returns at a clinic like the one at the Bronson Centre can mean a big difference.
“You need to eat,” says Richard Meunier as he waits patiently in line for his number to be called.
The Bronson Centre tax clinic will process anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 returns before the end of April.
Lucien Carriere, of Liberty Tax Service, says the free clinics do not hurt his business.
He has no problem with the free service and sometimes sends people to the Bronson Centre if they cannot afford the private fees.
“It’s a good idea. Senior citizens don’t have much to live on,” says Carriere.
It seems that word of mouth is how most people hear about the tax clinic.
George Georges, like a lot of other college students, uses the service because he falls under the definition of a low-income earner. He heard about the service through a friend.
He could afford private fees, but having one less bill to pay is great.
“If the service wasn’t here, you have no other choice, you have to pay,” says Georges.
“It’s people from the neighbourhood helping others,” says Ray Sullivan, membership and communications co-ordinator for the non-profit Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation.
His organization is co-sponsoring one-day clinics at the Centretown Community Health Centre and the Somerset West Community Health Centre in March.
For Kerr, the satisfaction of helping others keeps him coming back to volunteer.
“I think it’s appreciated by the community,” he says as he sits at his laptop waiting to process the next return.
The Bronson Centre tax clinic is open Monday to Saturday until April 29.