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Open in full screen mode For low-income people, affording the services of an accountant to file their tax returns can be quite a challenge. (Archive photo) Radio-Canada Feature being tested Log inCreate my account Speech synthesis, based on artificial intelligence, makes it possible to generate spoken text from written text. At the approach of the tax filing deadline, many organizations in Windsor-Essex are offering assistance to anyone wishing to complete their tax return. We helped more than 100 low-income people in 2021. We are currently at more than 150 people, says Emmanuel Tchoukou, general manager of the Diamond Multicultural Economic Cooperative Inc.
According to Emmanuel Tchoukou, no one should be afraid to declare their income.
We anticipate at least 300 people that we will help for the 2022 declaration.
A quote from Emmanuel Tchoukou, general manager of the Diamond Multicultural Economic Cooperative Inc.
His organization is not the only one to offer such free services in the region.
The Bhutanese Canadian Association (BCA) of Windsor-Essex says it has already filed 125 tax refund requests last year. She is on track to do more in 2023.
Krish Adhikari, one of the organization's managers, also benefited from it in 2010, when his family arrived in Quebec.
It was easier for our family to get help because we didn't speak English or French well at the time.
A quote from Krish Adhikari, one of the leaders of the Bhutanese Canadian Association
Mr. Adhikari also wants to give back to the community.
This association brings together members of the Bhutanese community of Windsor. It aims to help new arrivals, either in English or in Nepali.
Krish Adhikari, one of the leaders of the Bhutanese Canadian Association, is keen to help his compatriots of Bhutanese origin complete their tax returns.
People on low income also have the option of contacting the Unemployed Help Center in Windsor-Essex.
Right now, people can't afford to pay rent, groceries, electricity and, of course, tax services, says June Muir, executive director of the x27;organization.
According to Emmanuel Tchoukou, tax filing season is a good opportunity to educate people on how to present their requests.
We need to take the time to explain certain terms they are not used to, he says.
Some of them [the new arrivals] come with few supporting documents because they have not kept their files properly during the year.
A quote from Emmanuel Tchoukou, general manager, Diamond Multicultural Economic Cooperative Inc.
Donald Lassaline, accountant retired, is of the same opinion.
That's just enough time to explain to these people what a tax return looks like, he insists.
This retired accountant encourages low-income people to declare their income to benefit from available tax credits.
There is a GST rebate that can be worth $300 or $400 per year. […] There are also credits for someone who pays rent […], there is a reimbursement on the carbon tax […] it can go up to 1200 or 1500 $ in credits for a low-income person, he recalls.
For her part, June Muir noted an increase in the number of people who use its free tax clinics.
According to her, this exercise has a certain number of advantages.
C& #x27;is a great way to educate people about our tax system and how it works. It also helps them manage their money. It helps them learn about the tax benefits they can benefit from.
A quote from June Muir, executive director of the Unemployed Help Center in Windsor-Essex
They can benefit from many benefits once they file their tax return, which they don't realize until the time comes, says June Muir.
All tax clinics in Windsor-Essex are expected to increase their hours of operation until the deadline of May 1, 2023.
With information from CBC and Gabriel Nikundana