City partners with local agencies to connect residents to free tax filing ahead of May 1st deadline
HAMILTON, ON - April 24, 2017 - The media and general public are invited to attend an additional free tax filing clinic aimed at connecting eligible residents to untapped government benefits before this year’s tax filing deadline.
On March 30, the City of Hamilton, United Way Burlington & Greater Hamilton, the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction and the Social Planning and Research Council hosted a tax filing clinic, completing free tax returns for approximately 25 eligible residents. Everyone was connected to the GST/HST tax credit, some for the first time, which means between $70 and $106.75 in additional quarterly income. Many participants also qualified for the monthly Ontario Trillium benefit, which is up to $946 per year if you pay rent or property tax and up to $1,078 per year if you're a senior.
Free tax filing clinic
Tomorrow night’s tax filing clinic provides another opportunity for individuals with income below $30,000 or families with income below $40,000 to complete their tax returns for free. For residents who are unable to attend, more information on free tax clinics in Hamilton available year round is available at: www.hamiltontaxhelp.ca
Date: Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Time: 4 to 8 pm
Location: Hamilton Public Library - Central Library
Other activities for participants:
- Youth from Hamilton’s Xperience Annex will be on hand to file their taxes and share their success stories after filing.
- Free Recreation Passes for the first 50 attendees
- Service Canada will generate Social Insurance Numbers for individuals with correct documents, help provide access to My Service Canada accounts, and print the required documentation such as T4’s from pension and EI payments, etc.
- The Hamilton Public Library will provide free books for children and youth as part of the First Book Canada program.
Additional resources
Each year, many face barriers to tax filing. According to tax filer data in 2011, more than 7,000 families did not file their taxes. This represents up to 13,000 children whose families did not receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) and other financial supports. Filing an annual tax return can mean a substantial boost in additional income for those living at or below the poverty line.
Watch resident stories of tax filing: Laura’s story | Gord’s story