Program provides free clinics, tax help for those with moderate incomes and simple returns
Woodstock and Hartland area residents with low or moderate incomes can access in-person tax clinics and drop-off locations as volunteers with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) to work for the 2024 tax season.
Jocelyn Keirstead, one of five volunteers offering their tax knowledge to the program, said eligible clients could access the free program to file taxes and potentially access government rebates and grants.
She explained that CVITP dates back to 1971 as a long-standing partnership between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and community organizations.
Keirstead said clients can access the service of volunteers through free in-person clinics, by phone or by leaving their tax information at drop-off locations in Woodstock and Hartland.
Eligibility criteria include adults 65 years and older, housing-insecure individuals, Indigenous Peoples, modest-income individuals, newcomers, persons with disabilities and students.
Modest-income families include individuals earning $35,000 annually, two earning a combined $45,000, three with $47,500 household income, four earning $50,000 annually or five or more earning $52,500, with an additional $2,500 annually for each additional person above five.
The CVITP defines simple income as anyone who generates income from employment, pensions, RRSPs, scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, grants or interest under $1,000.
Keirstead said clients can access volunteers at in-person clinics at two locations in Woodstock. The volunteers will host clinics on March 14, 25 and April 11 at St. James United Church and St. Gertrude’s Church Hall on March 7, 21 and April 18.
She added clients can drop tax information at the L. P. Fisher Public Library for volunteers to complete and return.
Keirstead added that volunteers can complete returns by phone if clients call Jocelyn at 506-323-0343, Cathy at 902-514-7407, Terrance at 506-328-5162, Dorothy at 506-276-4604, or Diane at 506-328-7379.
She added that the Dr. Walter Chestnut Library in Hartland will also host in-person clinics and serve as a drop-off location.
