Tax Clinic

What We Want to Achieve

The goal of theFEI.ca Tax Clinic is to provide free, accessible tax preparation services for underserved community members. By helping individuals file their taxes accurately and on time, the program aims to maximize refunds, increase access to government benefits, and improve overall financial stability.

How We’re Doing It – Detailed Plans

  • Volunteer Recruitment: Train volunteers with expertise in tax preparation to ensure high-quality service delivery.
  • Community Outreach: Promote the tax clinic through partnerships with local organizations, social media campaigns, and community newsletters.
  • Appointment Scheduling: Operate on an appointment-based system (for virtual clients) to ensure smooth service delivery, with provisions for walk-ins where capacity allows.
  • Service Delivery: Assist participants in filing taxes in person at designated community centers or virtually for those unable to attend in person.
  • Education Component: Provide participants with resources and one-on-one guidance on financial management, empowering them to make informed financial decisions in the future.
  • Post-Clinic Feedback: Collect feedback to improve services and identify additional areas of need.

Frequency and Length of the Activity

  • Frequency: Operates annually during tax season (February to May), with additional sessions offered outside of tax season for follow-ups an virtual cases.
  • Duration: Sessions are scheduled in time slots of 45 mins to 1 hour per participant, depending on the complexity of their tax filing.

Any Fees Charged?

  • The Tax Clinic is entirely free of charge, ensuring financial accessibility for all participants.

Beneficiaries and Selection Process

  • Beneficiaries:
    • Low-income individuals and families, youth, seniors and underrepresented community members, particularly from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
  • Selection Process:
    • Open to the public
    • Participants register through an online form available on thefei.ca or by contacting the organization directly.

Involvement of Employees and Volunteers

  • Employees:
    • Program coordinators manage scheduling, oversee logistics, and ensure compliance with CRA requirements.
    • Staff volunteer members provide administrative support and assist with participant inquiries.
  • Volunteers:
    • CRA-certified volunteers prepare tax returns and guide participants through the process.
    • Volunteers also assist with outreach, setup, and resource distribution.

Other Logistics (Transportation, Facilities, etc.)

  • Venue:
    • Held at accessible community centers and virtually via secure platforms to accommodate a wider range of participants. We have used the Africa Center as a base for three years now and the Orange Hub in Edmonton. In Calgary, we have been based at the Calgary Full Gospel Church.
  • Transportation: Participants are responsible for their transportation; however, virtual options are provided to ensure accessibility.

How You Maintain Direction and Control Over Activities and Resources

  • Oversight: Managed by a program lead, who ensures compliance with CRA’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) guidelines.
  • Quality Control: Regular training sessions and check-ins for volunteers to maintain accuracy and professionalism.
  • Resource Allocation: Monitor resource use (facilities, supplies, etc.) to ensure efficient operations.