How to get help filing your income tax return in the GTA — for free

With tax season in full swing, volunteers across the Greater Toronto Area are available to help people with low or modest incomes file their income tax and benefit returns, potentially earning them money they could be entitled to.

During March and April, dozens of tax clinics across the region are offering filing services — free of charge — through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. The clinics are being held at various libraries, community organizations, seniors' centres, shelters, churches and political offices, with walk-in, drop-off, by appointment or virtual options available.

In 2021, 160,860 people filed returns this way in Ontario, with help from trained volunteers at 1,240 organizations across the province, according to the Canada Revenue Agency. 

"This has really been a great help to our communities," said Jyothi Venkatesh, who helps run the free tax clinic at North York Community House in northwest Toronto.

"We've been able to reach so many people who are low income, who are newcomers to Canada, [who] might have any kind of immigration status such as refugees or refugee claimants,or [permanent residency]."

Venkatesh said her organization helped more than 1,600 people file their taxes last year. After making an appointment, those looking for help can attend the clinic in-person or virtually with their relevant documents, and can usually file in one sitting, she said.

"One of the biggest benefits of filing tax returns is that you start getting government benefits," said Venkatesh. "So for a person in need, these government benefits, such as the GST credit or the Ontario Trillium Benefit, these are very, very helpful."

Around 10 to 12 per cent of Canadians don't file their taxes each year, most of whom are missing out on government benefits as a result. That's according to a 2020 paper published in the journal, Canadian Public Policy.

Jagdeep Kailey, who supervises the tax clinic at the Peel Multicultural Council in Mississauga, said beyond being necessary to qualify for government benefits, such as the Canada Child Benefit, filing taxes can also open the door to additional financial aid.

"If you have to seek any financial assistance from a financial institution or something, they want to see what is your level of income, whatever little that is," he said.

Eligibility for help from a free tax clinic is based on annual income. The maximum eligible income is $35,000 per year, with the threshold increasing for each additional member of a household. However, adjustments can be made based on local economic factors, according to CRA.

Tax filers must also have a "simple tax situation," meaning they don't earn income from self-employment, business, rental, interest, capital gains or bankruptcy.

Vijaya Kula, founder of the Frontline Community Centre in Scarborough, said the tax clinic her organization runs helps low income people avoid paying fees to private accountants they can't necessarily afford.

"Other places are quite expensive for the people to get it done, so that's why we do the services," said Kula.