Where to find free tax clinics near you in Ontario | News

Need help filing your tax return?

According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), a number of agencies and local organizations offer free tax clinics to help people with “ordinary income” and “ordinary tax situations” complete and file their tax returns.

Tax returns are prepared for free by trained volunteers at community organizations across Canada through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. They are held in various libraries, community organizations, senior centers, shelters, churches and political offices. Services are also available in different languages.

Ontario has 41 income and benefit programs that can only be accessed by filing income taxes. These include the following benefits:

• Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
• Working income tax benefits
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
• HST/GST credits
• Benefits of trillium

These benefits can increase annual income, but are only available if taxes are paid each year.

Those who qualify for the free tax clinics can book in-person or virtual visits and must have identification and bring tax slips and receipts.

Who is eligible?

Those eligible for assistance may include:

• Adults over 65 years of age
• Persons without housing
• Local peoples
• People with average income
• New arrivals
• Persons with disabilities
• Students and youth

What is average income?

According to the CRA, organizations may vary the gross family income based on the local economic environment, the population they serve, and their resources, but the qualifying gross income limits are:

• Single – $35,000 or less
• Two people – $45,000 (add $2,500 for each additional family member)

When is a tax situation simple?

The tax situation is considered simple if the individual has no income or his income comes from:

• Employment
• Pension
• Benefits such as Canada Pension Plan, Disability, Canada Child Benefit, Employment Insurance or Work Ontario
• RRSP
• Support payments
• Scholarships, scholarships, bursaries or grants
• Interest (less than $1,000)

Your income cannot be from self-employment, business, rental, interest, capital gains, or foreign sources. Individuals who declared bankruptcy during the tax year are also ineligible.

Different types of free tax clinics

• Walk-in: Clinic where your tax return will be completed during advertised hours on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment necessary.
• Dropoff: A clinic where your income tax documents are dropped off during advertised hours. A volunteer will complete your tax return and you will receive it later. You will need to verify your identity when you receive your tax return and documents.
• By appointment: a clinic where an appointment is required to file a tax return. Appointments can be in-person (a volunteer will prepare your tax return at a scheduled time) or virtual (a volunteer will prepare your tax return at a scheduled time via video conference or telephone).

Find a clinic

Check the CRA Directory for a complete list of government-approved, free tax clinics in your area.

This year, the deadline for submitting tax returns is April 30. The deadline for households where at least one earner is self-employed is June 15.