For many, filing taxes can range from being either an annual nuisance to a piece of quick and easy life administration. For those we serve in the Downtown Eastside, filing taxes can be a lifeline that enables them to access housing, their pension, social assistance programs. Each year we process thousands of tax returns for individuals, families, seniors, and students who are low-income and many times, face barriers to completing their tax returns. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been returned to the pockets of those who need it thanks to this critical service.
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Tax Program
Location: Services can be accessed at 501 E Hastings Street.
Walk-in tax intakes are available:
Monday-Friday 9:00-11:00 am & 1:00-3:00 pm*
*Must have all hardcopies of income slips and photo IDs in hand. We can’t print out forms.
Please note that we don’t do taxes on stat holidays or income assistance days.
If you have questions about whether you qualify for the tax program, please contact: [email protected].
We can only process the last 10 years of returns. We follow regulations under the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) facilitated by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
The tax program is only available to those who are low-income families, seniors, and students. Individuals’ income must be under $50,000. The Tax clinic will not complete returns with the following issues.
- business or self-employment income
- employment expenses
- rental income and expenses
- interest income over $1,000
- capital gains or losses
- bankruptcy in the tax year or the year before
- deceased person’s returns
- foreign property (T1135)
- foreign income
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