Financial Inclusion Inventory: Income Tax Support

7.7.1 Overview and Summary

Tax Clinics are designed to help eligible individuals prepare and file their income tax returns so that they may benefit from the government programs and credits available to people on low-incomes. Tax returns are often required, or facilitate, applying for other income assistance programs. For example, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) are both determined annually when individuals file their return. As well, filing a return enables individuals to apply for refundable tax credits, such as the Child Tax Benefit, the Goods and Services Tax Credit and the Working Income Tax Benefit. Tax Clinics are free and are often run by volunteers. They offer individuals a free alternative to corporate tax preparation services that are usually accompanied by high fees.

There are numerous tax clinics available in Waterloo Region including community volunteer tax programs; volunteer chartered accountants; volunteer. All tax clinics are intended to support people with low income, students and may restrict their criteria to a specific geographic area. In this inventory we have utilized the recent Opportunities Waterloo Region (2011) “Increasing Access to Free Tax Clinics in Waterloo Region: Pilot Project” report as a key resource to compile our information.

Volunteers cannot help file income tax returns for:

Deceased individuals
Bankruptcies
Capital gains or losses
Employment expenses
Business or rental income and expenses

7.2 Programs

7.2.1 Community Volunteer Income Tax Programs

Program	Community Volunteer Income Tax Programs					Funded: Not Funded. Canada Revenue Agency funds volunteer training and community organizations facilitate administration.
Program Description	“The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is a CRA partnership with community organizations that host tax preparation clinics, where volunteers help to prepare returns for eligible individuals. Canada Revenue Agency provides training and software to volunteers of community organizations that host tax preparation clinics…Organizations in the Waterloo Region recruit their own volunteers and coordinate tax training through the CVIT program…Volunteers cannot help with income tax returns for deceased individuals; bankruptcies; capital gains or losses; employment expenses; or business/rental income and expenses.” These programs operate on a by-appointment or drop-in basis during tax season. Dates and times change are subject to change each year: contact the agency to find out current operating hours.
Eligibility	Individuals with an annual income of $25,000 or less. Married or common-law $35,000 or less. Single parent with one child $30,000 or less (add $2,000 per additional child). Interest income limited to under $1,000. Some agencies provide services only to individuals or families whose income is at or under the Low Income Cut Off (LICO). For more information on the LICO, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75f0002m/2011002/lico-sfr-eng.htm Some agencies provide services only to individuals and families residing in their catchment area, or to those who are already clients of the agency. Specifications are listed as applicable next to each location.
Languages	English
Locations – CAMBRIDGE
Name		Contact Info		Seek to Serve	Capacity to Serve		Eligibility
Langs Farm Association		1145 Concession Road Cambridge, ON N2C 2L9 Tammy Saunders (519) 653-1470 ext. 228		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	Appointment-only clinics run in March and April (typically 4 to 6 clinics depending on demand). Staffed by 4 volunteers. Can complete up to approximately 125 returns		Preston area residents
Preston Heights Community Centre		350 Linden Drive Cambridge, ON N3H 5N7 Sandy Roxborough, Centre Director (519) 650-2971		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	3 appointment-only clinics run on 3 different evenings from 6pm to 9pm each March. Can serve up to 25 people per session		Preston Heights neighbourhood residents
Region of Waterloo Employment Resource Centre		150 Main Street Cambridge, ON N1R 1W5 To book appointments: (519) 740-5700 ext. 7829 Contact Bob Thiesz, the Region’s Tax Clinic Program Coordinator, for other program information: (519) 883-2020		- vLow Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	One of 3 locations run by the Region of Waterloo; served 854 in 2011. Clinics run Mondays and Wednesdays (this location) from 9am to 3:30pm by appointment only during March and April
Salvation Army Community & Family Services		16 Shade Street Cambridge, ON N1R 4J5 Ask Receptionist for Major Roland Shea (519) 623-1221		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	Drop-off service runs from Feb. 27 to April 30, clients are called back when taxes are finished. Can complete 300 returns or more, as needed
YWCA Cambridge – Small Steps to Success		52 Ainslie Street South Cambridge, ON N1R 3K3 To book appointments: (519) 622-6550 ext. 115 For general program information: Amy Slack, Program Coordinator (519) 622-6550 ext. 104		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	Clinics run 3 days per week in March and April. Appointments available Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm – 4pm. Drop off services and help filing back taxes also available year round on a case-by-case basis. Completed approximately 100 returns in 2011, unlimited capacity annually.		Can serve individuals in need who do not meet the general income criteria, on a case-by-case basis
Locations – KITCHENER
Name		Contact Info		Seek to Serve	Capacity to Serve		Eligibility
Chandler Mowat Community Centre		222 Chandler Drive Kitchener, ON N2E 1G6 Jeremy Burke, Program Coordinator (519) 570-3610 jeremyb@houseoffriendship.org		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	3 to 5 appointment-only clinics per year during March and April (typically Mondays between 9am and 8pm). Staffed by 2-3 volunteers, can complete up to 100 returns		Chandler Mowat neighbourhood residents
Courtland Shelley Community Centre		1064G Courtland Avenue East Kitchener, ON N2C 1K6 Doreen West-Gemmell, Program Coordinator (519) 571-7953 doreenwg@houseoffriendship.org		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	Clinics run twice annually in March; can complete between 60 and 80 returns depending on varying number of participating volunteers		Courtland Shelley neighbourhood residents
Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre (KDCHC)		44 Francis Street Kitchener, ON N2G 2A2 Nicole Wazir, Community Health Worker (519) 745-4404 ext. 234 nwazir@kdchc.org		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	2 half-day clinics run annually in March and April; full-year program for back taxes also available; 30 returns completed in 2011		KDCHC clients and outreach clients; back taxes clients must be referred by a KDCHC outreach or community worker
Lutherwood		165 King Street East Kitchener, ON N2G 2K8 Or 41 Weber St. West Kitchener, ON N2H 3Z1 Denise Muill (519) 743-2460 ext. 2225		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	Full day drop-off, walk-in clinic from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm in March, April and early May		All Waterloo Region residents
Region of Waterloo Employment Resource Area		235 King Street East Kitchener, ON N2G 2K8 To book appointments: (519) 883-2101 ext. 5675 Contact Bob Thiesz, the Region’s Tax Clinic Program Coordinator, for other program information: (519) 883-2020		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	One of 3 locations run by the Region of Waterloo; served 854 in 2011. Clinics run Tuesdays and Thursdays (this location) from 9am to 3:30pm by appointment only during March and April
The Working Centre		58 Queen Street South Kitchener, ON N2G 1V6 Contact Susan Collison for more program information: (519) 743-1151 ext. 173 susanc@theworkingcentre.org Or contact the reception desk: (519) 743-1151 Program website: http://www.theworkingcentre.org/income-tax-clinics/344		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	Drop-off, drop-in, and by-appointment service available during March and April. Processes back taxes and current returns. Served 150 in 2011, and approximately 1000 in 2012. Services available year round on a case-by-case basis, contact agency for current capacity. Additional languages spoken: Punjabi, Hindi, Spanish, German, French, Urdu
Locations – WATERLOO
Name		Contact Info		Seek to Serve	Capacity to Serve		Eligibility
Erb Street West Neighbourhood Association		306 Erb Street West Waterloo, ON N2L 1W4 To book appointments: freetaxclinic@gmail.com Contact Linnea D’Silva, Family Outreach Worker, for other program information: (519) 880-9747		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	Clinics run one Saturday in March from 9am to 1pm at the First Baptist Church (address given). 3 years running the program with 10-11 volunteers per year. Served 140 in 2011, may run more clinics if need is there. Possibility of Hindi and Punjabi-speaking volunteers
Region of Waterloo Employment Resource Area		99 Regina Street South Waterloo, ON N2S 4G6 Program Co-ordinator To book appointments: (519) 883-2101 ext. 5602 Contact Bob Thiesz, the Region’s Tax Clinic Program Coordinator, for other program information: (519) 883-2020		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	One of 3 locations run by the Region of Waterloo; served 854 in 2011. Clinics run Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (this location) from 9am to 3:30pm by appointment only during March and April. Drop off services offered in 2012 through cheque pick-up window
Sunnydale Community Centre		508H Sunnydale Place Waterloo,ON N2L 4T1 Linda Kruger, Community Resource Coordinator (519) 883-0410		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	Appointment-only clinics run in March on 2 different evenings from 6pm to 9pm. Can complete approximately 70 returns in a tax season		Sunnydale neighbourhood residents
University of Waterloo Accounting and Finance Student Association		Multi-Purpose Room Student Life Centre University of Waterloo Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 taxclinic@uwafsa.ca		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	Drop-in tax clinics offered from 10am to 9pm on 3 consecutive days in March (usually Fri –Sun). No appointments necessary		University of Waterloo students and Kitchener-Waterloo community members
Laurier Accounting Association		Wilfrid Laurier University 75 University Ave Waterloo ON, N2L 3C5 taxclinic@laurieraccounting.com		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals	Drop-in clinics offered on 2 days in March from 10am to 4pm. No appointments necessary		Laurier students
Information Last Updated			April 2012

7.2.2 Institute of Chartered Accountants

Program		Institute of Chartered Accountants Tax Clinics		Funded: Not funded. Run by volunteers from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario and supported by community agencies.
Program Description		Free Chartered Accountant Tax Clinics operate in co-operation with a variety of agencies -- including food banks, charities, hospitals, senior centres and homes, community centres, social service agencies and libraries. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario offers additional support to these agencies by providing them with a honourarium based on the number of tax returns prepared.
Seek to Serve		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals
Capacity to Serve		These tax clinics operate from mid-February until the end of March. Dates and times change are subject to change each year: contact the agency to find out current operating hours.
Eligibility		Total household income must be below $30,000 with dependents or below $20,000 without dependents.
Languages		English
Locations
Name	Contact Info		Seek to Serve		Capacity to Serve	Eligibility
The Office of Gary Goodyear, M.P.	1425 Bishop Street North, Unit 3 Cambridge, ON N1R 6J9 (519) 624-7440		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals		Can complete up to 300 returns. Appointment-only clinics run 2 nights per week in March, from 6pm to 9pm. Each clinic staffed by 3 volunteer accountants. Completed 260 returns in 2012. One staff member available year-round by appointment to fill out taxes.	Cambridge residents
Mosaic Counselling and Family Services	1-887 Langs Drive Cambridge, ON N3H 5K4 (519) 743-6333		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals
Paulander Community Group	60 Paulander Drive Kitchener, ON N2M 5A5 (519) 741-1152		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals
KW Access-Ability	105 University Street East Waterloo, ON N2J 2W1 (519) 885-6770		- Low Wage Individuals - Lowest Income Individuals		Can complete up to 160 returns. Appointment-only clinics run 2 nights per week in March, from 6pm to 9pm. Each clinic staffed by 4 volunteer accountants.
Information Last Updated		March 2012

7.2.3 Certified General Accountants Association

Program	Certified General Accountants Association Tax Clinics	Funded: Not funded. Run by volunteers from the Certified General Accountants Association and supported by community agencies.
Program Description	Certified General Accountants Association (CGAs) in the Waterloo Region offer free tax services to low-income senior citizens. These tax clinics operate only during tax season. Dates and times change are subject to change each year: contact the agency to find out current operating hours. Booking begins one month in advance of the clinic.
Seek to Serve	-Low Wage Individuals -Lowest Income Individuals
Capacity to Serve	Appointment-only clinics are offered on one day in March at each location. Capacity to complete approximately 80 returns at each location.
Eligibility	Serving only senior citizens who receive Canada Pension (i.e. Canada Pension Benefits, Old Age Security and/or disability benefits). Individual $25,000 or less. Married or common-law $30,000 or less.
Locations	Kitchener Public Library 251 Fischer-Hallman Road Kitchener, ON N2M 4X8 (519) 743-0271 ext. 255 Rockway Centre 1405 King St. E. Kitchener, ON N2G 2N9 (519) 741-2507
Languages	English
Information Last Updated	April 2012