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Bridging the Gap: Income Tax Clinics for Seniors and Low Income Canadians

Discover how to become a tax preparation ninja, implement programs, recruit volunteers, or learn more about CVITP. Find out why it's important, eligibility criteria, registration process with the CRA, volunteer training tips, and success stories from participants who gained significant refunds. Explore the CVITP program, how it works, types of services offered, and how to get involved in hosting or volunteering. Get insights on eligibility, income sources, and tax situations to qualify for assistance. Learn about volunteer recruitment, training, partnerships, logistics, and the essential resources needed for successful tax clinics. Utilize available webinars, community connections, and training tools to enhance your tax preparation skills.

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Bridging the Gap: Income Tax Clinics for Seniors and Low Income Canadians

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  1. Bridging the Gap: Income Tax Clinics for Seniors and Low Income Canadians Cortney LeGros Coordinator: Outreach, Programs and Partnerships Huntsville Public Library

  2. “Only two things in life are certain…”

  3. Quick Poll I want to… • Learn how to be a tax preparation ninja • Implement the program at my institution • Get free coffee • Find out how to recruit and train volunteers • Other

  4. Today’s Topics • Why bother? • What is CVITP? • Eligibility • Registering with the CRA • Volunteers • Tips and Tricks

  5. Statistics

  6. “Without the knowledge of the volunteers, I wouldn’t have known to apply for my Trillium credit and would have missed getting $1400.” “I’m a single mom and was able to apply for extra money through the Disability Tax Credit. Volunteers knew what questions to ask so I could get all of the money for me and my kids.” “I had no idea how to calculate my Old Age Security Pension. Before getting my taxes done I was living on $9000 a year, now I get $19,000.” “This is the first time I have filed taxes in years. The volunteers made it easy I was able to claim $18,000 in refunds for the previous 10 years.” “The money I get back each year is so important to my family. Thanks for helping us get what we are entitled to.”

  7. How can we help? CVITP (Community Volunteer Income Tax Program)

  8. How it works • Eligible persons can get their tax returns done for free by volunteers • Hosted by organizations across Canada in partnership with CRA • 3 Types • Walk-in • Appointment • Drop-off and Pick-Up

  9. Eligibility • Often the most vulnerable in our community • Seniors • Low Income • New Canadians • Students • Modest income • Simple tax situation

  10. Modest Income *Slides available on OLA site/app, and www.cra.com

  11. Simple Tax Situation • Qualify if your income comes from the following sources: • Employment • Pension • Benefits (CPP, Disability, EI, Social Assistance) • RRSPs • Scholarships, fellowships, bursaries or grants • Interest (under $1000)

  12. NOT Simple Tax Situation • Generally do not qualify if you: • Are self employed or have employment expenses • Business or rental income and expenses • Have capital gains or losses • Filed for bankruptcy • Are completing a return for a deceased person

  13. Getting Started • Connect with the CRA • CVITP Coordinators • Personal registration • Organization registration • Volunteers • Recruit • Train • Think Partnerships • Advertising • Logistics

  14. Timeline

  15. Connect with the CRA • Contact a CVITP Coordinator

  16. Organization Registration • General information • Contact person and contact information • Location details

  17. Personal Registration • Step 1: • Register as a volunteer • Step 2: • Apply for an EFILE number • Notes: • Takes up to 30 days; start early! • Must be renewed every year

  18. Volunteer Recruitment • Seniors groups • CARP • Probus • Club 55 • Service groups • Rotary • Kiwanis • Social media • CRA also advertises and links people together

  19. Volunteers

  20. Volunteers

  21. Types of Volunteers • Tax preparation • Greeter • Resource person

  22. Volunteer Registration • Step 1: • Fill out the online form • Must already have a community organization in mind • Step 2: • Register for EFILE • Do this step early! Can take up to 6 weeks for approval sometimes • Step 3: • Pass security check (EFILE approval, OR criminal reference check) • Opens mid October, closes mid February

  23. Volunteer Training • Webinars provided by CRA • Volunteer Expectations and Responsibilities • Ufile • EFILE • Specialty topics including: Aboriginal Peoples, Dependants, Newcomers, Seniors, Disability, Medical, Students etc. • Year round help line • We do additional training with a tax accountant

  24. Think Partnerships! • Supplies • Laptops • Printers • Ink • Paper • Staplers • Pens/Pencils • Calculators • Tables/Chairs • Extension chords • Trolley for everything • Advertising and Training

  25. Advertising • Advertising • CRA provides some posters and promotional material • Any links with other programs in your community • Ontario Works • YMCA Employment Services • Social Assistance Providers • March of Dimes • Seniors centres or retirement residences

  26. Tips and Tricks • Clear communication and timeline with partners • Point person throughout the year in case people call back • CRA Helpline available all year • Clear communication of service with participants • Staff training • How to deal with phone calls and personal information

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