Tax Clinics | Clarington Library, Museums & Archives

Get the tax help you need at a free tax clinic. Volunteers from the Al-Ikram Foundation will provide personal tax preparation assistance for low-income individuals and their dependants for the 2023 tax year.

For a list of other free tax clinics, please visit Revenue Canada: www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax-program.

Presented in partnership with the Al-Ikram Foundation.

The Tax Clinics are drop in; space is limited on a first come, first served basis.

Newcastle Library
- Wednesday, Mar 20, 10am-3pm
- Wednesday, Apr 17, 10am-3pm
Bowmanville Library
- Thursday, Mar 28, 10am-3pm
- Thursday, Apr 25, 10am-3pm

Please make note of the required documentation and eligibility requirements below.

Required Documentation

Please bring the following required documents with you:

One (1) piece of government issued identification (e.g. driver's license);
Social insurance number (SIN);
All T-slips;
Rent receipts / property tax slip;
Pre-calculated medical expense summary, which can be obtained from pharmacies if applicable;
Pre-calculated donation, summary if applicable.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be elegible, individuals must have a modest income and a simple tax situation. This may include: adults 65 years and older, housing-insecure individuals, Indigenous Peoples, modest-income individuals, newcomers, persons with disabilities, students and youth.

Please see the Revenue Canada for full elegibility requirements: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax-program/lend-a-hand-individuals/about.html.

Individuals/families not meeting these requirements will not be able to participate in the Tax Cinics.

Modest Income

In general, a modest income means the total family income is less than or equal to:

1 person: $35,000 total family income;
2 people: $45,000;
3 people: $47,500;
4 people: $50,000;
5 people: $52,500;
More than 5 people: $52,500, plus $2,500 for each additional person.

Family size includes an individual, or a couple, and their dependants.

Simple Tax Situation

In general, a tax situation is simple if an individual has no income or if their income comes from these sources:

Employment;
Pension;
Benefits, such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, disability insurance, employment insurance, and social assistance;
Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs);
Scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, or grants;
Interest (under $1,000).

This Tax Clinic does not provide support for complex tax situations, including self-employment income, employment expenses, business income and expenses, rental income and expenses, interest income over $1,000, capital gains or losses, bankruptcy, deceased person, foreign property, or foreign income.

Tax Benefit Information Sessions

Register now for one of these tax benefit information sessions! Both are online via Zoom with registration required.

Disability: Accessing Your Benefits

Wednesday, March 20, 11am-12pm
Register now!

Learn about the Disability Tax Credit and Registered Disability Savings Plan and how to access them!

After this session, participants will be able to:

Determine the eligibility criteria and requirements;
Compare which deductions are of greater benefit to taxpayers;
Understand the procedures to follow when changes in medical conditions occur; and
Identify tax implications of making withdrawals and contributions to an RDSP.

Presented in partnership with Chartered Professional Accountants.

From A Maze to Amazing: Understanding Ontario's Personal Income Tax, Credits and Benefits

Thursday, March 28, 7-8pm
Register now!

The Ministry of Finance will be on hand during this information session for anyone who finds the thought of filing a personal Income Tax and Benefit Return stressful, confusing, or overwhelming.

Participants will learn:

The importance of increasing your knowledge of the personal income tax system;
Why you should file a tax return even if you don’t owe tax;
How to complete and file a tax return;
Various tax credits and benefits you can claim;
How to adjust a tax return if you forgot to claim something; and
How to access helpful resources and stay up to date.

It pays to file your taxes as accurately as possible — so bring your curiosity and come learn with us. No accounting experience is necessary.

Presented in partnership with the Ministry of Finance.