1. Bridging the Gap: Income Tax Clinics for Seniors and Low Income Canadians
Cortney LeGros
Coordinator: Outreach, Programs and Partnerships
Huntsville Public Library

2. “Only two things in life are certain…”
Only two things in life are certain. Death, and Taxes- Benjamin Franklin.

3. Quick Poll I want to… Learn how to be a tax preparation ninja
Implement the program at my institution
Get free coffee
Find out how to recruit and train volunteers
Other
What are people hoping to get from the session? I will try and tailor examples specifically to these outcomes.

4. Today’s Topics Why bother? What is CVITP? Eligibility
Registering with the CRA
Volunteers
Tips and Tricks

5. Statistics We are entering our 8th tax season. Numbers grow each year.
We’ve been adding more dates each year.
Now up to 13 clinics in March and April.

6. “Without the knowledge of the volunteers, I wouldn’t have known to apply for my Trillium credit and would have missed getting $1400.”
“I’m a single mom and was able to apply for extra money through the Disability Tax Credit. Volunteers knew what questions to ask so I could get all of the money for me and my kids.”
“This is the first time I have filed taxes in years. The volunteers made it easy I was able to claim $18,000 in refunds for the previous 10 years.”
“I had no idea how to calculate my Old Age Security Pension. Before getting my taxes done I was living on $9000 a year, now I get $19,000.”
“The money I get back each year is so important to my family. Thanks for helping us get what we are entitled to.”
Just a few testimonials from past participants.
The program is life changing for some individuals.

8. How can we help? CVITP (Community Volunteer Income Tax Program)
Outline of the website homepage.

9. How it works
Eligible persons can get their tax returns done for free by volunteers
Hosted by organizations across Canada in partnership with CRA
3 Types
Walk-in
Appointment
Drop-off and Pick-Up

10. Eligibility Often the most vulnerable in our community Seniors
Low Income
New Canadians
Students
Modest income
Simple tax situation

11. Modest Income Family Size Total Family Income 1 person $35,000
2 persons
$45,000
3 persons
$47,500
4 persons
$50,000
5 persons
$52,500
More than 5 persons
$52,500 plus $2,500 for each additional person
*Slides available on OLA site/app, and

12. Simple Tax Situation
Qualify if your income comes from the following sources:
Employment
Pension
Benefits (CPP, Disability, EI, Social Assistance)
RRSPs
Scholarships, fellowships, bursaries or grants
Interest (under $1000)

13. NOT Simple Tax Situation
Generally do not qualify if you:
Are self employed or have employment expenses
Business or rental income and expenses
Have capital gains or losses
Filed for bankruptcy
Are completing a return for a deceased person

14. Getting Started Connect with the CRA Volunteers Think Partnerships
CVITP Coordinators
Personal registration
Organization registration
Volunteers
Recruit
Train
Think Partnerships
Advertising
Logistics
Well now that you’ve drank the Kool-aid and I’ve convinced you that this is a must have program in your library, let’s chat about what you need and some advice from a seasoned veteran.

15. Timeline October-December Volunteer registrations
EFILE registrations and renewals
Request promotional material
January
Clinic information form complete and submit
Volunteer training begins
Volunteer lists updated
February-April
Ufile software keys issues
May
Certificates of appreciation mailed out
I register our organization usually in November. Start recruiting volunteers at the end of December or beginning of January depending on how many returning volunteers there are.

16. Connect with the CRA Contact a CVITP Coordinator
Visit to get information on your local coordinator.

18. Organization Registration
General information
Contact person and contact information
Location details
It’s easy to register your organization. You don’t need any details on the clinic at this point such as dates or times. You only need the location, and contact person.

19. Personal Registration
Step 1:
Register as a volunteer
Step 2:
Apply for an EFILE number
Notes:
Takes up to 30 days; start early!
Must be renewed every year
This is the part that can be a little long or confusing. You must first register as a volunteer and choose your organization as your affliation. Your CVITP coordinator will contact you and confirm this information with you. After that, you can then apply for an EFILE number. It is important to note the security and privacy information that is required to apply for this step- CRA will run a background check! NOTE: Each year, you will need to renew this process and it takes just as long each year.

20. Volunteer Recruitment
Seniors groups
CARP
Probus
Club 55
Service groups
Rotary
Kiwanis
Social media
CRA also advertises and links people together
You know your local community best! We have a District volunteer website that we can advertise on, our own website, newspaper and direct marketing are always great. We’ve approached local service groups in the past. If all else fails, when you register your organization there is a question that will ask if you are accepting new volunteers. If you click yes, the CRA will help connect you with interested people.

21. Volunteers

22. Volunteers
There are a lot of resources available on the site to help with volunteers from what they do, to how to register.

23. Types of Volunteers Tax preparation Greeter Resource person
Not all volunteers need to do taxes. You may wish to have a greeter, as well as someone who is available for questions only. We have all 3 types at our clinic.

24. Volunteer Registration
Step 1:
Fill out the online form
Must already have a community organization in mind
Step 2:
Register for EFILE
Do this step early! Can take up to 6 weeks for approval sometimes
Step 3:
Pass security check (EFILE approval, OR criminal reference check)
Opens mid October, closes mid February
Same process for your volunteers as it was for your personal registration.

25. Volunteer Training Webinars provided by CRA Year round help line
Volunteer Expectations and Responsibilities
Ufile
EFILE
Specialty topics including: Aboriginal Peoples, Dependants, Newcomers, Seniors, Disability, Medical, Students etc.
Year round help line
We do additional training with a tax accountant
One full day of in house training. Webinars are live, but recordings are available on the CRA site for volunteers to watch at home. While CRA says training is optional, We make certain training opportunities mandatory for volunteers.

26. Think Partnerships! Supplies Advertising and Training Laptops Printers
Paper
Staplers
Pens/Pencils
Calculators
Tables/Chairs
Extension chords
Trolley for everything
Advertising and Training

27. Advertising Advertising
CRA provides some posters and promotional material
Any links with other programs in your community
Ontario Works
YMCA Employment Services
Social Assistance Providers
March of Dimes
Seniors centres or retirement residences

28. Tips and Tricks Clear communication and timeline with partners
Point person throughout the year in case people call back
CRA Helpline available all year
Clear communication of service with participants
Staff training
How to deal with phone calls and personal information
We have had people get audited and call us in July to see if they can talk to the volunteer who did their return. This really is not possible, so you need to be able to direct them to the CRA directly, or the helpline. If you are clear about the service with them at this time, they should have the number when they leave their appointment and be ready to deal with any issues that may arise.

29. Afraid to Ask Andy- Parks and Rec