(Montreal) The Tax Assistance Service, led by Revenu Québec and the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA), is looking for volunteers and community organizations who would like to offer their assistance in completing provincial and federal income tax returns.
This year, demand is being felt in the Saguenay and Côte-Nord regions, particularly Saguenay, Sept-Îles and Alma, according to Karl-Philip Marchand Giguère, regional spokesman for the Revenue Agency from Canada.
Established in 1988, the program caters to Quebecers who have difficulty filing their income tax returns, have an easy tax situation and are unable to access professional services for a variety of reasons.
According to Mylène Gagnon, spokeswoman for Revenu Québec, the annual initiative allows Canadians to collect amounts owed to them that they would otherwise not have access to.
In the last tax season, users of the service received “more than 460 million in refunds, tax credits, and federal and state perks,” she said in an interview. In addition to helping the public, the program ensures that more tax returns are filed during tax season, which “benefits” taxpayers.
“It can be a great way — for retirees or students who are going to accounting or management school and need to gain experience — to help their community while investing their time,” added Mme Gagnon.
increase in subsidies
Also this year, to encourage organizations to participate in the initiative, the government grants offered were increased to $10 per declaration.
“For each return submitted by the service, the organization receives $5 from Revenu Québec and $5 from the CRA,” explained Mr. Marchand Giguère. We also have to highlight the amount of $500 offered by the Revenue Agency for ongoing expenses and the organization of the preparatory meetings.”
Additional funds will also be awarded to organizations serving indigenous communities or northern regions, according to a Revenu Québec press release released on Wednesday.
According to figures from Revenu Québec, more than 165,000 people used the tax assistance service last year, and more than 3,070 volunteers in 520 organizations prepared provincial and federal income tax returns.
This article was produced with financial support from the Meta Fellowships and The Canadian Press for News.
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