Free income tax preparation

Low-income clients can have their income taxes prepared by volunteers free of charge, from March 1 to April 30.

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is sponsored by the Canada Revenue Agency and by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH).

Volunteers will complete simple tax returns for those meeting the income threshold: individuals, $35,000; family $45,000 for two, plus $2,500 for each additional dependent.  Couples are expected to provide complete tax information for both spouses. The program does not serve clients with employment expenses, self-employment income, rental property income, or capital gains.  Interest income must be less than $1,000.

There are two options: you can drop off the tax information and pick it up later, or you can phone to make an appointment at a “tax clinic” and have it done while you wait.

The clinics are at:

• Rockwood Centre, 5511 Shorncliffe Ave, Sechelt, Tuesdays 9am-3pm (604-229-2337)

• Sechelt Public Library, 5797 Cowrie St, Mondays noon-5pm (604-885-3260)

• Sechelt Home Care Office, 5630 Inlet Ave, Mondays 10am-3pm (604-741-0726)

• Gibsons Public Library, 470 South Fletcher Rd, Fridays noon-4:30pm (604-886-2130)

• Gibsons Calvary Baptist Church, 711 Park Rd, Thursdays 10am-3pm (604-886-2611)

• Madeira Park Community School, 5012 Gonzales Rd, Tuesdays 9am-noon (604-741-5132)

• Pender Harbour Health Centre, 5056 Francis Peninsula Rd, Wednesdays 9am-noon (604-741-5132)

You can drop off your tax information and pick up the completed form later, at three locations: Gibsons Public Library, 470 South Fletcher Rd, during library hours; Sechelt Home Care Office, 5630 Inlet Ave, 9-4 weekdays; and Sunshine Coast Community Resource Centre in Sechelt, Mon-Thurs. 10am-2pm at 5520 Trail Ave during March, then moving to #8 in Toredo Square during April.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Louis Legal at 604-886-1995.

Submitted