|
By Iris Moreno, Volunteer Writer
 Governments provide funding to establish and sustain income support programs, inform people of its existence, and help navigate the application procedures. At the same time, many people living on low income are busy trying to survive and may find little time to research the available qualified subsidies and to fully understand the tax system. In the early 2000s, Alberta Employment and Immigration (AE&I) became concerned about lower-than-expected uptake rates (34 percent) for establishing Alberta Child Health Benefit (ACHB) (this program provides an annual $265.00).
In 2005, AE&I along with Vibrant Communities Edmonton’s developed the Make Tax Time Pay program (MTTP) as its first and flagship initiative under the family economic supports pillar of its strategy. This program communicates the message that filling in tax forms can have a positive outcome: more money into peoples’ pockets.1
MTTP is a volunteer-based program that provides low income individuals and families with free income tax preparation and information regarding applications for government benefits and subsidies including: Goods and Services Tax Credit (GST), Canada Child Tax Benefit, City of Edmonton Leisure Access Pass, Child care subsidies, Alberta Child Health Benefit, Alberta Adult Health Benefit, information on Registered Education Savings Plans grants and information on seniors benefits. This program operates out of community sites throughout Edmonton.2
In 2008, Vibrant Communities Edmonton (VCE) designed MTTP with a view to transfer its operations to a suitable partner organization once it proved its value to the community. After completing a leadership and operations review, it concluded that the time was right to find another home for the initiative - E4C, a charitable human services organization. In 2009 E4C was able to build on MTTP’s successes with no discernible problems or concerns. By 2010, E4C had 259 volunteers located at 22 program sites that operate every March and April. Tax returns were filed by 4,176 families and individuals who expected to claim more than $1.1 million in tax refunds and applied for more than 1,300 benefits and subsidies. MTTP is an effective response to the problem of inadequate time to navigate the tax system or strengthen financial literacy.
MTTP is associated with Canada Revenue Agency’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP).3 CVITP was introduced in 1971 to help individuals who were not able to complete their income tax and benefit returns on their own. It was intended to ensure all citizens had equal access to the tax system.
People with lower income must complete their income tax returns in order to receive government benefits and subsidies, which can decrease the costs associated with health care, child care and recreation activities for service users. Most of the MTTP clients are eligible for money back from the government, putting much needed dollars into the family budget.
- To complete a tax return, certain documents are needed for assessment.
- T4, or T4A slips – income, or pension statements
- T5007 slips – social assistance income statement
- T5 slips – investment/interest income statement
- T2202A slips – tuition, education, textbook amount
- Notice of assessment – 2009 tax year
- Piece of government issued identification
- RC62 slip - Universal Child Care Benefit
- Social Insurance Number for the client, spouse and children
- RRSP contribution slips
- Medical and dental expenses for you, your spouse and children
- Bus passes and bus pass receipts
- Child care receipts, name and address of licensed daycare
- Receipts for children’s fitness programs that include cardio activities such as dance, hockey, football, etc.
- Receipts for moving expenses (ONLY if you moved 40 km minimum to be closer to your new school or work)
- Receipts for charitable donations
- Bank account number for direct deposit of tax return
To complete benefits/subsidies applications:
- Alberta Personal Health Cards for you, your spouse and your children
- Photocopy of utility bill with your name and current address
- Photocopy of your landed immigrant papers
- Photocopy of last Notice of Assessment (2009 tax year)
For more information, contact:
Make Tax Time Pay
Phone: (780) 424-5408
Fax: (780) 424-1201
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
9321 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton AB T5H 3T7
------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
1 Make Tax Time Pay. E4C, March 2011. http://www.e4calberta.org/maketaxtimepay.html.
2 IBID.
3 Canada Revenue Agency. Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). Government of Canada, February 2011. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/menu-eng.html.
|
Thursday, 17 May 2012 
