It’s tax season! For many people, the idea of filing taxes can be stressful and intimidating. Gathering documents, learning about deductions, and doing it “right” makes it less than inspiring to start, let alone finish, and more like something that can be pushed off. 

And if your priority is finding a roof over your head and food to eat, then taxes aren’t even close to a top priority. But for low income individuals and families, filing taxes properly and on time is vital.

Why it matters

Up-to-date taxes is how individuals qualify for benefits and income assistance such as Canada Child Benefit (CCB), GST, the Climate Action Incentive, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), Canadian Pension Plan, Canadian Pension Plan Disability (CPPD), as well as Calgary’s Fair Entry programs, including the Calgary Transit Low-Income Bus Pass. 

For families who are struggling, CCB is what many parents use to buy food for their kids. For someone who is severely handicapped, AISH is often used to pay rent. For someone without a car, accessing the low-income transit pass can make the difference between being able to get a job or not. 

The importance of properly done taxes is why Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides Community Volunteer Income Tax Programs, including one at CUPS. Not only can the properly filed taxes help participants get access to government support programs, but they also might find other funds they didn’t realize were available. 

One CUPS client worked with our team to do 10 years of taxes and received a few thousand dollars back that was owed to them. That kind of money is life-changing for someone who is struggling. 

In Alberta, more than two thousand volunteers came together to help file 73,040 returns through 350 organizations such as CUPS, helping individuals access a combined sum of $178.5M in 2021 alone. 

Year round support

The CUPS Tax clinics are offered almost all year, primarily as a virtual service, to support those who need to file taxes to gain access to benefits and income assistance. The service is operated from March through to July and then again from September to November. 

To their appointment, CUPs clients need to bring: 

• The years of taxes that need completing (we can only go back 10 years, and we can only do simple taxes, not business or self-employment taxes).

• Valid ID (CUPS can help if this isn’t available).

• Any tax documents they have (we can help find documents).

• Contact information, such as a phone number (we can work around this).

To book an appointment at the CUPS Tax Clinic, email taxclinic@cupscalgary.com or ask your Care Coordinator to refer you.