Tax season is approaching and the Canada Revenue Agency is looking for volunteers to help people prepare to file.
Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, volunteers help prepare income tax and benefit returns for submission to the CRA. This season, the CRA is looking for more community organizations to host the clinics, as well as volunteers to work with them.
Through the tax clinics, people with modest means, as well as seniors, students, and newcomers to Canada, can get assistance in making sure they are prepared to file their taxes. The tax clinics are free for all those who qualify.
In Penticton, there are currently four tax clinics available, all of which take drop-offs for returns.
The clinics are located at:
- the Salvation Army 2469 South Main
- Penticton Seniors’ Centre at 2965 South Main
- Access Tax Office at 204-304 Martin Street
- St Saviour’s Anglican Church at 150 Orchard Avenue.
Times for the clinics can be found through searching Penticton at canada.ca/taxes-help.
“The program relies on the commitment of community organizations to host tax clinics, and their volunteers who, as members of the community, have volunteered their time and effort to help others,” said Elisabeth Martin, CRA CVITP co-ordinator, in a release. “Helping members of your community prepare and file their tax returns ensures these individuals receive the benefits and credits they’re entitled to without interruptions.”
READ MORE: CRA program to help poor file taxes yields noticeable bump in people helped
The CRA offers free training and tax preparation software to community organizations and their volunteers. For more information, you can call 1-888-805-6662, or visit canada.ca/taxes-volunteer.
Last year, approximately 2,480 volunteers and 500 community organizations in B.C. and Yukon helped 102,790 prepare their income tax and benefit returns.
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