Tax2Go

As per the current Provincial Public Health Order (PHO), our volunteers will continue this season to assist clients in completing their annual returns through a drop-off & pick-up program. Under this method of operation, volunteer-client interactions will be minimal. Volunteers will “volunteer from home” (‘VFH’) and process all returns remotely before returning client(s) information slips and the completed tax return(s) to the original drop-off locations for subsequent pickup.

The program is open to the following groups:

  • Indigenous Peoples

  • Pensioners (or fix-income earners) – ex. seniors

  • Domestic Students (include: T4A for scholarships)

  • Social Assistance recipients

  • Individuals with modest income

  • Self-employment (contractor) and have no or few business expenses (ex. Food Delivery drivers)

  • Housing insecure (BC Housing)

  • Individuals with (dis)abilities

  • Youth (generally 16 and over)

  • Individuals who are not eligible to participate in the in-person sessions (i.e. not fully vaccinated)

Suggested Income Thresholds

Family Size/Total Family Income
1 person ~ less than $35,000
2 persons ~ less than $45,000
3 persons ~ less than $47,500
4 persons ~ less than $50,000
5 persons ~ less than $52,500
More than 5 persons ~ $52,500, plus $2,500 for each additional person(s)

Exceptions

Any clients that fall under the following conditions:

  • T5018, T4A Box 48, or rental income and (a lot of) related expenses

  • interest income over $1,000 (on a T5 slip)

  • capital gains or losses from self-direct trades or on T3 slip or T5008

  • foreign property (T1135) – (ex. foreign rental income, interest, dividends, etc.)

  • bankrupt individuals in the year of bankruptcy (or the year prior, if that return has not been filed)

  • deceased individuals

  • Newcomers (including International students) and refugees)

Please e-mail us at collingwooditc@gmail.com for further assessment if your situation is a bit more complicated or book an in-person appointment. Note: we may not be able to assist you due to limited resources and qualified volunteers through this option.

Deadlines

Clients can begin to drop off their packages between now and Sunday, May 1st, 2022 (CRA Deadline is Monday, May 2nd, 2022) to ensure that volunteers will be able to return your “take-home” packages prior to this year’s filing deadline, Any packages received after April 24th, 2022, we cannot guarantee that we can return it to you prior to the deadline. This is only relevant if you owe taxes as interest begins to accrue on May 3rd, 2022 and late filing charges will apply.

What to do next? 5 Steps

  1. Client(s) should complete the following “intake” form. You only need one if you are married or common-law as of December 31st, 2021, otherwise you will need a form for each taxpayer that will be filing this year. Please do not forget your dependent information (if you have any) as volunteers process the entire family as one file.

    - 2021 Intake Form (PDF, non-fillable version)
    - 2021 Intake Form (PDF, fillable version)
    - 2021 Client Checklist & Other Reminders

  2. Putting together your drop-off package. You will need to put the following in an 8” x 11” Envelope (“A Big One”):

    1. Client intake form (print from the link above)

    2. Put all of your pertinent tax information slips and receipts for the 2021 tax year

    3. Copy of your latest tax return (i.e. 2020 tax year), if applicable

    4. Copy of your latest notice of assessment/reassessment, if applicable

    5. Additional explanatory notes, if applicable

    6. Do not forget to bring a government-issued photo ID for verification

  3. Please call the drop-off site listed below prior to coming to drop-off due to ever-changing public health circumstances. Drop-offs will not be accepted outside these times. All drop-offs must be done in-person only and each person filing must bring a valid government-issued photo ID unless they are a legal representative for someone (bring a copy of the Power of Attorney (POA), Representation Agreement 7 (RA7), or Last Will & Testament) otherwise we are unable to assist you. In addition, all must abide by COVID-19 protocols when on-premise, clients must wear proper facial coverings; practice physical distance, and proper hand hygiene at all times.

    NOTE:
    HOLIDAY CLOSURE - GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 15th, 2022 & EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 18th 2022

    We are open SATURDAY, April 16th, 2022, and Sunday, April 17th, 2022 for drop-offs and pick-ups.

    Location #1:
    Collingwood Neighbourhood House (‘Main’) - Free underground parking off Euclid Ave.
    5288 Joyce Street (phone: (604) 435-0323)
    Mondays to Fridays - 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Saturdays & Sundays - 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Location#2:
    Collingwood Neighbourhood House (‘Annex’) - Free underground parking off Ormidale St.
    3690 Vanness Ave. (Enter from the rear entrance - off Ormidale St.) phone: (604) 428-9142)
    Mondays to Fridays - 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Saturdays 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Note: Please drop and pick up the 1st-floor reception desk (no drop-offs or pick-ups between 12 Noon to 1 PM (lunch break)

  4. After your file has been completed, volunteers will attempt to file your return electronically, if possible. They will attempt to contact you in regards to any missing information they may need, your tax results when the file is completed and when you can expect to come and pick up your package(s). If volunteers cannot reach you, someone from your drop-off site will contact you to debrief and advise you.

    (Optional) The client has the option to prepay postage for a self-addressed envelope (8.5” x 11” inches) per individual or couple return. The envelope can be the same one as the drop-off package. Once the client(s) return(s) has been completed and they have been thoroughly debriefed, the envelope containing a copy of the client’s return plus slips will be mailed back to the client. The client saves a return trip back to pick up his or her documents. Cost: $2.00 per return or couple (husband and wife or common-law) per envelope. Multiple years’ worth of returns will require multiple envelopes. If clients are interested in this option, please inform the front desk attendant at drop-off and prepay for the postage and provide the necessary self-addressed envelopes. We do not sell envelopes. This can save a client a return trip to pick up.

    Processing times: expected to be between one to two weeks.

  5. To pick up your take-home package(s), you will need to return to the original drop-off site to pickup. All pick-ups must be done in-person only and you must bring a valid government-issued photo ID unless you are a legal representative for someone (bring a copy of the Power of Attorney (POA), Representation Agreement 7 (RA7), or Last Will & Testament) otherwise we are unable to assist you. If you intend to pick them up separately from your spouse or common-law partner or other family members, please create separate drop-off packages but keep them together when you drop them off.

    • Please do not forget to sign all of the taxpayer authorization agreements within your take-home package, and retain all for six years as per Canada Revenue Agency policy. Do not mail any of the authorization agreements to the CRA.

    • If you need to set up direct deposit, please proceed to your financial institution and they will complete this free of charge

    • If you owe any taxes this year, you have until Monday, May 2nd, 2022 to pay or to work out an installment plan with the Canada Revenue Agency to avoid late filing charges. You can call them to arrange installment plans. You can click here for more payment options and information.

Clinic Document Retention Policy

The income tax clinic does not retain any client tax information after the current tax season (May 2nd, 2022). All taxpayer information will be purged from volunteer computers at the end of the season and any client take-home packages left behind will be destroyed as per Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (‘CVITP’) policy.

A copy of the client’s return along with any submitted slips and receipts will be included in the client's “take-home” package. As per the CRA, the client needs to retain all the slips, receipts, and income tax returns for six years after filing the return.

Donations

Service is free of charge. Donations are always appreciated. The income tax program is volunteer coordinated and operated. We do not receive funding from the Canada Revenue Agency or the Collingwood Neighbourhood House. All of our operating costs are covered by the generosity of our clients (‘you’). So, thank you for the privilege. All monetary donations are greatly appreciated but not necessary. If you would like to donate, please put any monetary donations into a sealed envelope, marked “For My Income Tax Clinic with love” and give it to the Frontdesk attendant at your designated drop-off/pickup location.




Disclaimer: Any tax information herein provided by our volunteers and/or the Renfrew-Collingwood Volunteer Income Tax Service is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute as legal, tax, or any professional advice.  The information is provided "as is", and for "informational referral purposes only", and any person(s) relying on this information shall do so at his or her own risk.  Renfrew-Collingwood Volunteer Income Tax Service disclaims any responsibility or liability and shall not be held liable for any damages.  We accept no responsibility for any loss or damages suffered by any person as a result of actions taken based on this communication or otherwise.  Renfrew-Collingwood Volunteer Income Tax Service is neither a representative nor affiliated with the Canada Revenue Agency.