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TIES Free Tax Clinics Take the Stress Out of Filing for Thousands of Calgarians

News

<photos of super tax clinics from Wednesday *** will insert then!>

Filing your taxes can be confusing and downright daunting.

That’s why TIES (The Immigrant Education Society) is once again stepping up to help low-to-moderate income Calgarians, and newcomers get the most out of their income tax returns.

This year, its free tax clinics are bigger and better than ever before.

“So far this tax season, we have already helped upwards of 1400 clients,” TIES Settlement & Financial Literacy Manager Noha El Tanahi said.

“Putting us well on track to meet our goal of filing approximately 2,000 returns.”

TIES started offering the free tax clinics in 2018 out of two buildings. The demand has grown and so have the locations. The not-for-profit now holds tax clinics at its Westwinds building, Calgary Housing Manchester, Camp Chestermere and Age Care.

The clinics see a variety of clients – from seniors to first-time tax filers. Many of whom simply can’t afford to pay to get their taxes done. TIES is proud to be there to help everyone.

“Building a reputation for reliability since 2018 has been a journey of dedication,” El Tanahi said. “Seeing that trust grow into a system that supports people when they need it most – is what I’m most proud of.”

“Our goal has always been to ensure that no one that needs our services is ever left behind – regardless of the challenges we face.”

Yuliia Kulyk arrived in Canada in 2023. Originally from Ukraine, this is the first time she has used the services at TIES.

“The (tax) system is quite new for us as Ukrainians, so we have to know how it can be done proper,” she said.

“Most of the Ukrainians who have come here – they’re planning to stay here. They’re planning to make some contributions to the communities where they’re currently living. They need to file all their taxes and keep all documents up to date.”

“No messing around. You have to do it right if you want to live here.”

Wanda Metz has been filing with TIES since 2020.

The senior keeps coming back due to what she calls, “excellent services, very friendly and nice staff helping me.”

“Since I’m not very good at technology, they’re helping me. These arethe exact services that I need.”

Volunteer Run

Those services are largely carried out by volunteers, who have been trained by the CVIPT-CRA (Community Volunteer Income Tax Program/Canada Revenue Agency) as well as by TIES Tax Clinic staff.

Nina Gonzalez is in her second year of being a tax clinic volunteer. As a newcomer herself, she remembers how hard it was to figure things out in Canada.

“I keep coming back because I think it’s just really fulfilling,” she said.

“When I come in and I know that I’ve helped people with something that is hard to navigate – that’s important to me.”

Gonzalez has plans to come back for year three!

Accessing the Clinics

<more clinic shots pls and thanks!>

During the tax season (March-April) the clinics operate daily. They are open for in-person services six days a week and virtually seven days – including evening shifts. The clinics are also open past the filing deadline, for two extra weeks in May.

El Tanahi encouraged Calgarians to access the free services. She pointed out the clinics are about much more than just "filling out forms and meeting deadlines."

"For many in our community, the tax system is a complex gateway to essential financial support. Our volunteers help participants navigate the system to secure that they aren't leaving money on the table."

Available benefits include:

‍Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
GST/HST Credit
Canada Carbon Rebate
Alberta Seniors Benefit

The clinic volunteers and staff offer help in many different languages including English, Arabic, French, Mandarin, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Nepali, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese.

This year’s clinic will run until May 15th and is made possible thanks to funding support from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) and the United Way of Canada.