For vulnerable people and those with low incomes, barriers to filing taxes can mean a loss of social supports. That’s where free tax clinics come in. I spoke with leaders at two organizations about their tax-filing programs and with a representative from the CRA. [1/7]
For vulnerable people and those with low incomes, barriers to filing taxes can mean a loss of social supports. That’s where free tax clinics come in. I spoke with leaders at two organizations about their tax-filing programs and with a representative from the CRA. [1/7]
Ansley Dawson of @WoodGreenDotOrg says tax services "probably the most important aspect of the services that we provide." “What a lot of people don’t realize is taxes are the backbone and gatekeeper to many government poverty-reduction benefits and subsidy programs." [2/7]
@WoodGreenDotOrg According to @CanRevAgency stats, 2021 saw 1,240 community organizations host tax clinics in Ontario via the CRA’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Those resulted in more than $544 million worth of refunds, credits, and benefit entitlements. [3/7] canada.ca/en/revenue-age…
@WoodGreenDotOrg @CanRevAgency Those administering tax clinics say filing is complicated. That's why so many people hire others to do it. But for people with lower incomes, language barriers, or disabilities, it can be difficult to hire someone or use filing software. Education can be a barrier too. [4/7]
@WoodGreenDotOrg @CanRevAgency Non-filers miss out on benefits and supports they might otherwise get. The @ccpa recently reported that the federal government distributed about one-third of the projected total Canada Housing Benefit top-up before it shut down, reaching 44 per cent of eligible recipients. [5/7]
@WoodGreenDotOrg @CanRevAgency @ccpa According to a 2020 report in University of Toronto Journals, 10-12 per cent of Canadians do not file taxes and therefore miss out on benefits. @SPRCHamOnt's Kim Martin says that's serious and shows why tax clinics help. "These are effective poverty-reduction strategies.” [6/7]
@WoodGreenDotOrg @CanRevAgency @ccpa @SPRCHamOnt Dawson says these programs need more funding. "[Not] providing a proper solution and properly funding the work that is being done at the community service to meet these gaps is making these poverty-reduction supports inaccessible." More here: tvo.org/article/how-fr… [7/7]