Tax clinic funds via Sheehan

We have some good news to report from Sault Ste. Marie member of parliament Terry Sheehan relative to free tax clinics.

Following are excerpts from a press release received by Sault Business Matters from Sheehan’s office.

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MP Sheehan recognizes the value of free tax clinics that help Canadians do their taxes, so they can get the benefit and credits they are entitled to. The costs of running these clinics can be a challenge.

MP Sheehan is pleased that funding is being approved to support the United Way of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District.

“Local volunteers have been providing an extraordinary service for low-income constituents of the Riding of Sault Ste. Marie, who might otherwise lose access to important government supports,” he said.

 The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, has announced that the CRA will invest more than $10 million over three years in a new grant program to help Canadian organizations offset some of their costs.

Currently, community organizations that run tax clinics must cover the costs, which increase as the clinics help more and more Canadians complete their income tax and benefit returns. Expenses include such things as office stationery, printers, document shredders and many other incidental expenses to support their dedicated volunteers. Recognizing the challenges of COVID-19, related costs including personal protective equipment, sanitation supplies, and plexiglass dividers is also be covered under the grant program.

The CRA expects that the grant program will make the work for these free tax clinics a little easier and encourage more organizations to sign up. This will let them help more taxpayers to file their tax returns.

QUOTES

“It is difficult to exaggerate the value of completing thousands of tax returns each year, for our family members, friends, and neighbours, who would otherwise miss out on government benefits. Volunteers from Sault Ste. Marie and area pitch in to help, providing this vital service year round, and I deeply appreciate their hard work and commitment to this worthy cause.”

— Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour

“We are so thankful to the community organizations that continue to offer free tax clinics despite the challenges related to COVID-19 that we are facing this tax season. This grant stems from our People First approach to service and shows the CRA’s continuing support for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Participating organizations, whether they’ve been working with the CRA for years or are signing up the first time, should get ready to apply for the grant in May 2021.”

 — The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue

“United Way Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District has been offering free and confidential tax preparation for more than 50 years. In 2021 we had a team of 12 dedicated volunteer preparers who filed more than 2,300 tax returns for low-income earners. Our program starts March 1st of every year and through the ongoing support of our volunteers, we are able to offer this service year round.”

— Lori Huston, Manager Essential Services, United Way of Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District

QUICK FACTS

• In 2021, United Way Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District hosted tax clinics at six different locations to assist more than 400 senior citizens with their taxes. More than 2,300 tax returns were filed.
• During the 2019-2020 year, the volunteer tax program, overall, helped more than 18,970 volunteers and 3,810 community organizations filed over 467,500 tax returns for individuals across Canada and helped over 407,410 individuals. Since May 2020, an additional 180,000 tax returns have been filed through virtual tax clinics.
• Volunteer tax programs help people with modest incomes and a simple tax situation who are looking for support during tax season.
• Trained volunteers prepare income tax and benefit returns free of charge. For virtual clinics, this can be done by videoconference, by phone or through a document drop-off arrangement.
• The CRA is working with partner organizations to make sure these virtual clinics are safe and secure, and that private information is protected.