Please be advised that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is conducting annual maintenance of its systems. As a result, our Tax AID team is temporarily unable to submit your tax file electronically. Electronic transmission services will re-open on Monday, February 22, 2021.
During the waiting time, we can prepare your tax return on paper in a limited capacity. However, processing times will be 6-8 weeks, while processing times for electronic filings are closer to 1-2 weeks.
Application deadline: 12:00 pm, February 3rd, 2021.
We are seeking a part-time tax advocate (contractor) to join our team. The successful candidate will conduct client intake for Tax AID DABC, prepare and submit income taxes for clients, and assist with increasing community awareness of the program across BC. The advocate will also work on other aspects of the program’s operations as needed including conducting workshops, assisting with program reports, and participating in team meetings/training.
DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. Our mission is to support people, with all disabilities, to live with dignity, independence and as equal and full participants in the community. DABC is looking for passionate and dedicated volunteers to support our Tax AID program during the peak tax season for people who are receiving disability benefits.
Position: Volunteer Tax Preparer
Numbers: 5
Schedule & Commitment
February 22-April 30, 2021 (10 weeks: M-F)
Minimum Commitment: Two shifts/week (morning shift 9:30 am-12:30 pm or afternoon shift 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm)
Location: Remote
Qualifications
Must have 1-2 years of experience with client tax filling (we are not accepting volunteers with no experience)
Good computer and technology skills; experience working with UFile is an asset.
Excellent attention to detail.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
A strong desire to help and serve our community of people with disabilities.
Pass Criminal Record Check
Be able to obtain an EFILE number (personal tax filings are current; no outstanding tax debt; not in bankruptcy)
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Skills
Understand the challenges experienced by low-income individuals with disabilities.
Be friendly, reliable, responsible, non-judgmental and non-discriminatory
Be flexible and willing to learn.
Must have basic computer skills: shared folder, Outlook, Excel.
Duties
Complete income tax returns in accordance with Revenue Canada guidelines
Report questions or concerns to the Income Tax Clinic supervisor
Benefits of Volunteering
Help individuals get or maintain uninterrupted access to benefits and credits;
Give back to the community;
Increase personal tax knowledge;
Gain new skills and improve existing ones;
Receive training, support, and reference materials including free tax software.
Training and Orientation
Orientation to Tax AID DABC programs, policies, and procedures.
Canada Revenue Agency online webinars.
Virtual supervision by Income Tax Clinic supervisor.
Volunteer Screening Process
Volunteer Application (or resume)
Interview
Police Records Check
Register with CVITP
Obtain an EFILE number through CRA
Application Deadline: February 5th, 2021 (by 12:00 pm)
If you are interested in applying, please submit a resume to Myung Lee, Program Manager for Tax AID, myung@disabilityalliancebc.org (Please indicate “Volunteer Tax Preparer” in the email subject line). No phone calls or faxes, please.
Have you done your 2019 tax? If no, it’s time to hurry up. If you were required to file a 2019 Canadian personal income tax return, but have not done so yet, you must file a 2019 return before applying for the benefit.
The BC government has introduced the new BC Recovery Benefit on December 8, 2020. The BC Recovery Benefit is a one-time, tax-free payment of up to $1,000 for eligible families and single parents and up to $500 for eligible individuals.
The amount you’re eligible for will be automatically calculated based on your income when you apply.
Benefit rates
Families and single parents
$1,000 for eligible families and single parents with a net income of up to $125,000
Reduced benefit amount for eligible families and single parents with a net income of up to $175,000
The benefit defines a family as an individual and their spouse or common-law partner, unless they are separated. Both people must be residents of B.C.
The benefit defines a single parent as an individual who is the principal caregiver to at least one child.
Individuals
$500 for eligible individuals with a net income of up to $62,500
Reduced benefit amount for eligible individuals with a net income of up to $87,500
What you need to apply
Net income from your 2019 tax return
You must provide your net income from your 2019 tax return. This number can be found on Line 23600 of your 2019 income tax return.
If you haven’t already filed your 2019 tax return, file to the Canada Revenue Agency as soon as possible.
Free tax clinics for people with modest income and a simple tax situation. Find a tax clinic
Social insurance number
When you apply, we’ll need your social insurance number, individual tax number, or temporary tax number to verify your eligibility.
Driver’s licence number
If you have a B.C. driver’s licence, you must provide your driver’s licence number.
Direct deposit information
The benefit will only be issued by direct deposit. You must have an account with a Canadian financial institution to receive the benefit.
If you’re on income or disability assistance and don’t have a bank account, a modified application will be available in the new year to help you apply for and receive the benefit.
Get your direct deposit information from a personal cheque or from your financial institution.
If you haven’t yet filed your taxes, you can still file your 2019 income tax and benefit return!
The CRA extended the deadline to pay amounts owing to September 1, 2020. Penalties and interest will not be charged if you make your payment by September 1, 2020. This includes the late-filing penalty.
You will continue to receive important payments to help you through the COVID-19 crisis. But if the CRA has not assessed your 2019 return, information from your 2018 return will be used to calculate the benefit and credit payments sent to you until September 2020.
Canada’s Prime Minister announced on June 5 that there will be a new COVID-19 benefit for those who are certificate holders of the Disability Tax Credit.
This new benefit, announced during National AccessAbility Week, will support eligible Canadians with disabilities in dealing with extra expenses during the pandemic.
This support includes a special one-time, tax-free payment to individuals who are certificate holders of the Disability Tax Credit as of June 1, 2020, as follows:
$600 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate.
$300 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and who are eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension.
$100 for Canadians with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and who are eligible for the OAS pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
If you haven’t filed your 2019 income taxes yet, don’t panic! Your GST will be processed based on the 2018 tax year.
The CRA has provided the following info:
Due to the change in the tax deadline from April 30 to June 1, 2020, we expect many will need to take advantage of the extended deadline. Therefore, if the 2019 tax return is not assessed, and to allow time to calculate benefits and/or credits for the July to September 2020 payments, payment amounts will be based on information from 2018 tax returns.
If you receive an estimated benefit and/or credit payment based on your 2018 tax return(s), you’re still required to file your 2019 income tax return.
DABC has received the following information from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):
“Benefits payments for eligible Canadians to continue until Fall 2020
As announced by the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, on May 15, 2020, the CRA has extended benefit payments until the end of September for those who are unable to file their 2019 tax return on time. For individuals who already receive the Canada child benefit, the GST/HST credit, or both, their estimated payments will be based on the information from their 2018 tax return.
In addition, as noted in the Prime Minister’s News Release on May 12, 2020, this also applies to temporarily extending GIS and Allowance payments if seniors’ 2019 income information has not been assessed.
This will ensure that the most vulnerable population continues to receive their benefits when they need them the most.
If you are unable to file your clients’ 2019 return in time for it to be assessed by early September 2020, the estimated benefits and/or credits will stop in October 2020. Your client will then be advised to repay the estimated amounts that were issued to them starting in July 2020.
The CRA encourages Canadians to file their tax returns by June 1, 2020 or as soon as possible in order to receive the right amount of benefits based on their 2019 tax return, and in order to ensure continuity of benefits beyond September 2020.
Information about extended filing deadlines for benefit and credit recipients is available here:
Due to the COVID-19 virus, Disability Alliance BC will be closed until the end of the month. If your appointment is in March, we will still operate remote services in limited capacities through email or Zoho meeting. Please send your tax slips/photo ID via taxaid@disabilityalliancebc.org before your existing appointment. We will process your tax return and send you a tax summary before submitting it to CRA.
If you are new to Tax AID and do not have an existing appointment, please wait until April 1. We will be able to book new appointments at that time. During this challenging time, we will try to minimize disruptions, and we apologize for any inconvenience.
If you have an urgent tax situation, please send an email to Myung Lee, Tax AID Program Manager myung@disabilityalliancebc.org Thank you for your patience.
Disability Tax Credit services are also available Feb 25, March 24, April 7 and April 21. To register for DTC assistance, please call 604-872-1278 or email rdsp@disabilityalliancebc.org.
Tax Assistance and Information for People with Disabilities 