For the fifth year, the Valley Regional Library will offer a free Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) to residents in the R.M. of Morris, including the Town of Morris.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) sponsors the program, which sees community organizations host free tax clinics where volunteers complete tax returns for people with modest incomes and simple tax situations.
“To say the program has been a benefit to many in our community is an understatement,” says Claudia Schmidt, a Valley Regional Library board member and director of the program. “Since its inception five years ago, more and more people use this free service.”
After consulting some local tax preparing services, the Valley Regional Library identified a need to help individuals file their income tax returns.
Even if a person makes no money, has a low income, or lives on Employment and Income Assistance, they should file a tax return every year. Failing to file returns could mean an individual is missing out on additional income and benefit programs that could improve their household’s financial situation.
But many tax filers may not be able to afford the cost of a professional tax preparer.. They may use the services of a company that will give them their refund immediately in exchange for taking a ‘cash back’ fee that is calculated as a portion of their refund.
“Many of our clients have not filed tax returns for years,” Schmidt noted. “They are pleasantly surprised that they can file returns for missed years and claim benefits they weren’t even aware of receiving.”
The CVITP guidelines suggest the program be available to single individuals with incomes of $35,000 or less, single parents with one child and incomes of $45,000 (plus $2,500 for each additional dependant), and couples making a household income of $45,000, plus $2,500 for each additional dependent.
The service can file tax returns for both the current year and back ten years. No receipts? No problem—workers can retrieve tax receipts for the client that are on file at the CRA.
The volunteers are currently working on the schedule for this year’s clinic, which will be by appointment only. It will run Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon and Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. March 1 to April 30 at the Morris library.
“We are more than happy to offer this free tax service to our area and like to thank the volunteers who keep the program running,” says Schmidt.
If you wish to take advantage of this program, call 204-746-2136 for more information or to book an appointment.
To better serve clients in the area, a tax clinic is also being offered in St. Jean. Volunteers will be available at the Bibliothèque Montcalm Library on Wednesdays from 3:30-8 p.m. March 1 to April 30. Contact the library to book an appointment.
