With a growing number of tax returns to complete at no cost for low income residents living in the Trail area and Beaver Valley — volunteers with the Community Volunteers Income Tax Program are hoping to bring a few more number-crunchers on board to help.
For context, five volunteers prepared 656 tax returns for Greater Trail people last year, the most ever.
“We think two more volunteers would be very helpful,” Ellen Vallie told the Trail Times. “A volunteer should definitely have previous experience with income tax preparation and have good computer skills.”
Anyone interested is asked to email Vallie’s group at cvitp.trail@gmail.com or call the Trail F.A.I.R. Society at 250.364.2326.
This free service is available to low-income individuals who meet certain criteria, such as annual income limits.
The Times asked Vallie if there is anything new this tax season.
She replied that the annual income maximums have increased: a single person can earn up to $40,000 (compared to $35,000 in previous years) to qualify for the free service; the two-person household limit is now $50,000 compared to $45,000 the last several years; and families greater than two persons are permitted $3,000 for each additional person compared to $2,500 in previous years.
Drop-off clinics for the 2023 season will run March 4 to April 30 from 9 to 11 a.m. at four locations.
On Mondays, the clinics will be held in the Waneta Mall, where Ricki’s used to be. The last interview day will be April 22, and the final pickup date, April 29.
Tuesdays, the clinics will be held in the Trail United Church. The last interview will be April 23, the final pick up date, April 30.
Wednesdays until April 17, volunteers will be at the Trail Legion, located on Columbia Avenue. Entrance is via the wooden ramp at the south end of the building. The last pickup date will be April 24.
The locale for Thursday is the Beaver Valley Senior Citizens Manor in Fruitvale, across from the fire hall. The last interview date is April 18 and the last pickup date, April 25.
Interviews are on a first-come basis, no appointments. Clients are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes before 11 a.m. closing time.
Bring all essential documents and receipts to the interview along with a piece of government photo ID.
If possible, bring a copy of the previous year’s return and/or the CRA Notice of Assessment for the previous year. Clients will be asked to fill out a questionnaire that will be used to complete the return.
The completed return must be picked up the following week. Any return not picked up within two weeks of application and filing will be shredded.
Those eligible to receive the GST credit, or other credits, must file a tax return by May 1 to ensure timely receipt of quarterly payments which commence at the beginning of July.
Lastly, for the protection of volunteers and other clients, anyone with a cold, flu or other transmittable infection is asked to wait until they’ve recovered before accessing the free service.
Persons with investment/interest income in excess of $1,000, capital gains/losses, partnership income, rental income, business or professional income, farming or fishing income, bankruptcy, or anyone with complex deductions may be deemed ineligible for this service. Also, the program is not able to prepare final returns for deceased persons. Other limitations may apply.
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