Filing a tax return is one of the most important ways for Canadians to access income benefits. However, numerous barriers can make tax filing challenging, particularly for people living on low incomes. After engaging with 31 individuals, we discovered that there are disruptors and compounders that...

This article by Credit Canada answers many questions around tax filing. For instance, what happens if you don't file your taxes, or you don't pay any tax owing. It also addresses the benefits of filing your taxes.  Click on "Access this resource" to learn...

This CRA site has information on what Indigenous Peoples should know about the tax return they send to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and how that return can result in various benefit payments. There's also information on available tax filing...

Every year, scammers take advantage of income tax filing season to try to trick Canadians into divulging sensitive personal information that scammers can use to commit fraud or into sending money to pay off fictitious "debts". How to spot most tax season scams There are often red flags that the...

The Expanding Economic Opportunity Through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (EEOVITA) cohort has been working to identify and engage targeted, underserved populations most at risk for missing out on the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) benefit. This project, which began in January 2022 and concludes...

In this blog, John Stapleton breaks explains income security and personal tax systems in Canada in the simplest way...

Bridge to benefits: Implementing benefits access in social service has been created for organizations that are interested in starting, refining or expanding their work in access to benefits services. This includes benefits services such as helping to fill out applications, providing access to...

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has shared three tax credits seniors should know about: Age amount Disability amount (for yourself) Pension income amount You may also learn more about sharing tax credits and splitting pension income with your...

Searching for government benefits can feel like wading through a huge ocean of information. With so many benefits programs out there, it can be hard to know where to start.   This webinar will teach you how to help people seeking ways to boost their incomes and/or reduce their expenses by...

This infographic by community food centres Canada provides a helpful visual summary of tax benefits that can add to income or reduce the taxes Canadians pay when they file their tax return. The information is especially useful for people: Working or living on a low income;  Living with a...

Managing money is challenging. In the current economic environment, it has become even more difficult. For people living on a low-income, managing the day-to-day expenses, let alone life changes or emergencies, can be overwhelming.   Prosper Canada has created an online course that you can share...

There are many good reasons to keep up to date on your tax filing each year. You may file a tax return even if you don’t have any income. It could help you access certain refundable tax credits and other...

The CRA has compiled benefits and credits factsheets for: Students Persons with disabilities Modest income individuals Housing insecure individuals Adults 65 and older Women in shelters Indigenous peoples Newcomers These are available in English and...

The Canada workers benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit to help individuals and families who are working and earning a low income. The CWB has two parts: a basic amount and a disability supplement. You can claim the CWB when you file your income tax return. Learn more including eligibility...

The American Rescue Plan, one of the most significant policy responses to alleviate child poverty in decades, made fundamental changes in enhancing the Child Tax Credit (CTC). In response to the pandemic, the law expanded the CTC for tax year 2021 to ensure a minimum level of economic support to...

Last year, the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) helped to lift nearly four million children out of poverty and provided economic relief to millions of struggling households. However, many first-time and lapsed filers from underserved and vulnerable populations missed out on these critical benefits....

Filing your taxes might be one of the most important financial actions you’ll take each year. It can also feel confusing or stressful at times.  Find out more about how income tax works, including tax deductions and tax credits using the Ontario Securities Commission's interactive chart...

Maytree released the 2020 edition of the Welfare in Canada report. For each province and territory, this report provides data and analysis on the total welfare income that households receiving social assistance would have qualified for in 2020, including COVID-19 pandemic-related supports. Welfare...

The Canadian Disability Tax Credit (DTC) can help reduce the taxes you or someone who supports you owe. It also offers a lot of other great benefits. To apply for the DTC, your healthcare provider will need to fill out the Disability Tax Credit Certificate (form T2201). This tool is designed to...

Questions and answers released by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) about filing your taxes, including information on: Prior to filing your tax return changing your address getting someone else permission to access your tax information getting free tax help Filing your tax...

This brief explores three existing unmet needs that contribute to survivors’ inability to build wealth: money, tailored asset-building support, and safe and responsive banking and credit services. Within each identified need, specific issues facing survivors, strategic actions in response to...

Disability Alliance BC supports people in British Columbia with disabilities through direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications. Their website provides information on disability benefits including the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), CPP Disability, Registered...

The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) supports Parliament by providing economic and financial analysis for the purposes of raising the quality of parliamentary debate and promoting greater budget transparency and accountability. This report responds to a request from Senator Yuen Pau Woo to...

L’Explorateur d’allègements financiers : un outil pour connaître les mesures d’aide et d’allègement liées à la COVID-19 dont vos clients pourraient bénéficier En réponse à la pandémie de COVID-19 et en raison de la complexité des mesures d’aide et d’allègement offertes à...

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexities of the benefits and financial relief measures available to Canadians, we developed the Financial Relief Navigator (FRN), an online resource that helps vulnerable Canadians and those that work with them access critical emergency benefits and...