Tax Assistance and Information for People with Disabilities

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:

·       Covid-19 campaign page

·       Filing and payment dates

·       Child and Family Benefit web page

·       Canada Child Benefit

·       GST/HST credit page“

To Tax AID Clients:

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.

Tax AID Program Team

Tax AID DABC is holding income tax consultations and on-site services at the City Centre Library in Surrey every Tuesday from Feb 25th – April 28th.

To register, please email taxaid@disabilityalliancebc.org or call 236-477-1717.

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.

Need help filing your income taxes? Tax AID DABC’s online booking system for our Vancouver office is up and running at this link: http://disabilityalliancebc.org/direct-service/file-income-taxes/tax-appointment/

Please reserve your spot in advance.

Appointments can also be made via our dedicated Tax AID DABC phone line: 236- 477-1717 & 1-877-940-7797 (Toll-free)

For services in Maple Ridge and Surrey, or with our partner locations across BC: https://atomic-temporary-91079414.wpcomstaging.com/contact-us-2/

Do you, or a member of your family, receive disability benefits? Do you need support in filing taxes? Sign up for a free, one-on-one, hour-long consultation on either March 21st (at the Strathcona VPL Branch) or April 4th (at the Carnegie Branch).

You can get help filing your outstanding taxes, discuss options for dealing with tax debt, and learn strategies for communicating with the Canada Revenue Agency.

To register, please contact Tax Aid DABC at 236.477.1717 or taxaid@disabilityalliancebc.org.

Link: https://bit.ly/2Ov5we9

This Thursday, September 19th our Tax AID Team begins new partnership with Maple Ridge Library (130-22470 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge).

We will be offering income tax consultation and on-site services for people receiving disability benefits (PWD, CPPD and Disability Tax Credit recipients whose income is less than $35,000/year) on the following dates: Thursdays, Sept 19, Oct 17 & Nov 21, 2019, from 10:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Tax AID specializes in filing taxes for clients who have multiple years to taxes to file.

For an appointment, please contact 236-477-1717 or email taxaid@disabilityalliancebc.org.

Are you a person with disabilities living in BC who would like to know more about how to do taxes on your own?
Then our Step-By-Step DIY Taxes webinar is for you! Please join us on July 16th for our next webinar.

This workshop is co-hosted by four organizations: including Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, Together Against Poverty Society, Active Support Against Poverty Society and Disability Alliance BC.

For more information and to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/step-by-step-taxes-diy-webinar-july-16-2019-registration-63595345390.

Disability Alliance BC (DABC)’s Tax AID DABC program and Community Living Society (CLS) formed a new partnership for the 2019 tax season.

CLS supports individuals with developmental disabilities or acquired brain injuries to live meaningful lives as full citizens.

The Tax AID program provided on-site tax filing services for CLS’s clients with disabilities, every Thursday from February 26 to April 25 at CLS’s headquarters in New Westminster.

Are you a person with disabilities living in BC who would like to know more about how to file taxes on your own?

Then please join us on March 13th for a free webinar co-hosted by the four organization that comprise the Tax AID team: Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, Together Against Poverty Society, Active Support Against Poverty Society and Disability Alliance BC.

Registration is required.

For more information and to register:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/step-by-step-taxes-diy-do-it-yourself-webinar-registration-56141549887?aff=ebapi

Are you a person with disabilities, or a family member supporting a person with disabilities? Would you like to know more about the tax credits and deductions available to people with disabilities?

This free workshop is for you! Please join us. Registration required.

With support from Canada Revenue Agency’s Liaison Officer Services Team, Disability Alliance BC’s Tax AID team offers an exciting workshop on March 4th!

During the seminar, the Outreach Officer will cover:

• Canada Caregiver Credit
• Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
• Medical Expenses
• Child Disability Benefit
• Attendant Care (as medical expenses) vs DTC
• Disability Support Deduction

For more info and to register: https://tinyurl.com/y2qhezyj