Are you poor even before tax time? Pro & student beancounters will help

For the 45th year in a row, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario is organizing its annual Free CA Tax Clinics, which will be offered at various times and locations across the province. Chartered Accountants (CAs) will step up for the needy in their communities by preparing tax returns for those in low-income brackets until March 31, 2013.

In 1969, the Institute first launched the Free CA Tax Clinic program, which was designed to serve low-income people who need help preparing tax returns. The Free CA Tax Clinics help these people receive much-needed tax credits and refunds. Since the program was initiated, thousands of Ontarians have benefited from the volunteer tax-time help of the CAs. Today, the program is an ongoing partnership between over 200 community service groups that host the clinics and close to 1,800 volunteer Chartered Accountants and CA students who complete the returns free of charge.

Free CA Tax Clinics are now held across Ontario until the end of March. To qualify for this free tax return assistance, total household income must be less than $30,000 with dependents or less than $20,000 without dependents. For information on clinics in the Greater Toronto Area, call 416-962-1841 ext. 462 or visit the Institute website at: http://www.icao.on.ca/Public/FreeCATaxClinics/1007page1057.aspx.

“The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario has been co-ordinating this valuable program since 1969,” said Samantha Yu, Associate Director and Practice Advisor, Member Services at the Institute. “Our members find it gratifying to be able to give something back to the communities where they live and work.”

People who meet the requirements, and have booked appointments at a clinic, are asked to bring a copy of their last filed return, notice of assessment, social insurance number and all tax information slips. Tax returns will be completed on site at the clinic.