Low income folks in Pictou County caught a break this tax season as community volunteers are helping them to file their returns for free.
Roughly 60 people turned up to the free clinic held at the Atlantic Superstore in New Glasgow Tuesday afternoon, offered by the Community Income Tax Volunteer Program, which is run in partnership with Revenue Canada.
“Everybody has to get their tax return done and they’re responsible for doing their own. We have a self-assessed tax system and you have to get it done to get benefits like HST, child tax benefit, those types of things,” said Allan Murray, volunteer co-ordinator for the local CITVP.
He added that people should bring information including their T4s and any receipts to claim refunds.
Typically, the CITVP serves roughly 2,500 low-income clients across Pictou County, including 1,000 people who sign up for appointments at the New Glasgow Library.
One such client was Gary MacLean, who spoke to The News as a tax volunteer prepared his return.
He appreciated being able to have his taxes completed for free, saying that it will allow people to receive their GST and other tax refunds owed to them.
“You have to fill your income tax regardless,” said MacLean.
According to the CRA’s website, the local CITVP is hosting further walk-in tax clinics at the Pictou Legion on March 5 from 1 to 4 p.m.
People can also file their taxes by making an appointment with the local CITVP program at the New Glasgow Library by calling the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library headquarters at 902 -755-6031. These will run every Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Westville library will also host a couple of the sessions.
The early March dates are now filling up but people can check availability online or by contacting the PARL headquarters.
Usually, clinics are offered over the March-April tax season, but can be done at any time of year, says the CRA.
The CITVP is available for low-income people living in communities all over Canada.
