Ponoka FCSS will be offering tax clinics with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) in the coming months for low-income earners. The clinics will be offered on March 19th and 20th and April 1st and 29th free of charge.

For the 2018 tax year, the Ponoka FCSS assisted with 318 returns bringing back just over $1,900,000 back into the community. Ponoka FCSS Program Coordinator, Shelly Van Eaton said they’ve been able to catch people up on up to ten years of taxes.

“We have caught up many people with ten years of income tax returns and they’ll come in a very, very, very sad state. They can’t eat, they can’t get help from any benefits, they don’t get GST, they don’t get any of their old age pensions, anything like that. If they don’t keep up on their taxes everything gets cut off [including] AISH child-tax benefits, all that gets cut off,” said Van Eaton.

When it comes to tax season, low-income earners are often intimidated by the cost to get their taxes completed and the fear of owing money when they are already struggling to get by.

“If they can’t afford it one year and then if they get behind a year or two, then they’re afraid that they’re in trouble with the CRA—maybe they’ve had a bit of employment income or self-employment or different things like mental health [challenges],” explained Van Eaton.

Tax problems do not exist only with earners but also with the patients of the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury. When those patients are released, sometimes there is a bit of confusion regarding their taxes.

“We have a very unique population. We have people coming out of the hospital. Lots of times, if they’re in there for just a short period of time, they won’t know if they’re taxes are done or they’ll be trying to do them again when a social worker has already done them from the hospital or care facility,” added Van Eaton.

However, the Ponoka FCSS promises a judgment-free zone and will do what they can to help out low-income earners.

Overall, Van Eaton is very proud of the program and says that those who are often caught up and rectified of major tax issues are often the first ones to get their taxes done the following year.

Am I eligible?

People and families who belong in the below income ranges are eligible for the service at the Ponoka FCSS:

One person who earns under $35,000
Two people who earn under $45,000
Three people who earn under $47,500
Four people who earn under $50,000
Five people who earn under $52, 500
More than five people who earn under $52,500 plus $2,500 for each additional person

To be eligible, you must be a resident of the town or county of Ponoka, you cannot be self-employed, have filed for bankruptcy, have no business or rental income expenses, and have no capital gains or losses. Additionally, Ponoka FCSS will not be able to assist with the taxes for a deceased person.

“They need their insurance number, date of birth, and address. If they’re getting their own done but their spouse isn’t there, they still need the spouse’s social insurance number and an approximate income for their spouse—if they’re not getting them done together. If they have dependents, they need their dates of birth and social insurance numbers. If they’re missing slips, they can call income tax inquiries 1-800-959-8281 and their slips will be mailed to them within about 10 days,” explained Van Eaton.

In some cases, the Ponoka FCSS may be able to retrieve some files from the CRA through a new program called Represent a Client.

Although the Ponoka FCSS can only assist those who live in the town and county of Ponoka, similar services are being offered elsewhere such as the Lacombe FCSS and they are also willing to point people in the right direction with other available services.

To contact the Ponoka FCSS call: 403-783-4462

To contact Lacombe FCSS call: 403-782-6637

Please be aware that different programs may have different limitations in regard to their tax assistance.