Free Tax Clinics In Calgary For Newcomers

Every newcomer in Canada has one thing in common other than craving for that favorite food your missing already the moment you left.

And that is filing an income tax return in Canada every year regardless of what province you’ve settled.

Don’t worry. In fact you might even look forward to this annual financial obligation once you find out that you can/may get a refund.

OK now I have your attention … without a doubt.

Focus your attention in filing income tax return first to find out if you can get a refund without spending.

How to File Income Tax Return

You have three choices to fulfil that tax filing obligation as a resident of Canada

1. File online the income tax return using free tax software.
2. Go to a free tax clinics in Calgary or anywhere near your area. You must meet the qualifications to avail this free service for newcomers.
3. Pay for income tax preparation. (if don’t qualify in option 2)

I was fortunate to learn how to file income tax return in Canada in my first year of working as a caregiver. Fast forward, I’m thinking of taking Canadian tax course online.

That’s just an option you might also want to consider later on.

For now, I would suggest you the option #2: free tax clinics if you are not comfortable dealing with software or you don’t a mentor to teach you how.

In the first few years, you might not need to pay for tax preparation (based on my experience). But it does have some advantages and so are the free tax income clinics.

Advantages of Tax Clinic

Like the many regrets I had, I wish I attended tax clinics in Calgary while simple tax preparation was still applicable in my situation.

If my nostalgia wasn’t enough to convince you then the following advantages (besides being free of charge) should make you decide to attend a tax clinic:

• Some tax clinic will show you how to compute and fill up the T1 General 2017 (Income and Benefit Return). Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from volunteers.
• In other cases, you can drop off tax-related documents (T4 tax slips, receipts etc). While I advocate learning how to prepare and file basic income tax return for some letting others do the job is the best option.

If you are like me who wants to read on paper, I was able to grab a copy of the General Income Tax and Benefit Package when I renewed the SIN card in one of the Service Canada offices in Calgary.

2017 Free Tax Clinics in Calgary

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) of Canada Revenue Agency is comprised of various community organizations.

Tax preparation clinics are found across Canada and not just in Calgary. The volunteers in the program prepare income tax and benefit returns for eligible individuals who have a modest income and simple tax situation.

#1: Newcomer Settlement Agencies in CVITP

Some of the organizations involved in the tax preparation clinics in Calgary are also members of the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA). These agencies support the newcomers in their integration into Canadian life.

I’ve been to several agencies and grateful to have met new friends and learn skills (which include creative writing). So once your done with the tax clinic, find out what other programs you are eligible to take especially when time is on your side.

Calgary Chinese Community Service Association
Location: 1406 Centre Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 2R9
Contact Person: David Tam
Phone Number: (403) 265-8446
Email: dtam@cccsa.ca
Clinic Dates:
March 4 to 26, 2017 (every Saturday and Sunday, 10:15 am to 3:00 pm)
April 1 to 9, 2017 (every Saturday and Sunday, 10:15 am to 2:00 pm)
Clinic Type: with appointment
Languages: Cantonese, English, and Mandarin
CCCSA website

Centre for Newcomers Tax Clinics
Location: #1010 999 36 Street NE Pacific Place Mall Calgary, AB T2A 7Z6
Contact Person: Elaine Mew
Phone Number: (403) 539-5854
Email: e.mew@centrefornewcomers.ca
Clinic Dates:
March 6 to May 1, 2017 (every Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm)
March 6 to May 1, 2017 (every Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm)
Clinic Type: With appointment
Languages: English
Click here for information about eligibility criteria etc.

Immigrant Services Calgary
Location: 1200, 910 7 Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 3N8
Contact Person: Reception
Phone Number: (403) 265-1120
Email: info@immigrantservocescalgary.ca
Clinic Dates: March 1, 2017 to May 1, 2017
Clinic Type: with appointment
Languages: Multilingual

#2: Other Organizations in CVITP

1000Voices Collaborative Tax Clinic
Location: #120, 7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE Calgary, AB T3J 0C9
Contact Person: Remy Acedera
Phone Number: (403) 930-3370
Email: racedera@aspenfamily.org
Clinic Dates:
March 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, and 31
April 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 20
Clinic Type: with appointment
Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi, Tagalog, and Urdu

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Calgary – Free Tax Clinic
Location: 4353 54 Avenue NE Calgary, AB T3J 4L3
Contact Person: Naveed Ahmad
Phone Number: (403) 909-5754
Email: gs.skyview@gmail.com
Clinic Dates: March 11, 2017 (every Saturday, 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and with appointment
Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu

Alexandra Centre Society
Location: 922 9 SE Lower Level Office Site Calgary, AB
Clinic Dates: March 1 to April 27, 2017 (every Monday to Thursday)
10:00 am to 11:30 am
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Clinic Type: Drop off (leave and pick it up later)
Languages: English

Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizen’s Association
Location: 111 Riverfront Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 4Y8
Contact Person: Celia Li
Phone Number: (403) 269-6122 ext. 237
Email: celia.li@cceca.ca
Clinic Dates:
March 1 to April 13, 2017 (every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday; 9:30 am to 4:00 pm)
April 17 to 30, 2017 (every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday; 9:30 am to 4:00 pm)
Clinic Type: With appointment
Languages: Cantonese, English, and Mandarin

Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre Society
Location: 1 Dernot Baldwin Way SE Calgary, AB
Contact Person: Celia Li
Clinic Dates:
March 11 and 19, 2017 (10:00 am to 2:00 pm)
April 8 and 23, 2017 (10:00 am to 2:00 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and without appointment
Languages: English

Calgary Vietnamese Women’s Association – Tax Clinic
Location: 2020 33 Street SE Calgary, AB T2B 0P7
Contact Person: Rose Hong Le
Phone Number: (403) 690-7269
Email: cavwataxclinic@gmail.com
Clinic Dates: March 5 to April 23, 2017 (every Sunday, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and with appointment
Languages: English and Vietnamese

Canada World Community Development Corporation CWCDC
Location: 200-1982 Kensington Road Calgary, AB T2N 3R5
Contact Person: Jorge Aya
Phone Number: (587) 333-5084
Email: jayamontano@cwcdc.org
Clinic Dates: Year-round (every Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Clinic Type: with appointment
Languages: English, French, and Spanish

Desire Financial Solutions
Location: #700, 1816 Crowchild Trail NW Calgary, AB T2M 3Y7
Contact Person: Guirlene Joseph
Phone Number: (403) 264-8383
Email: service@desirefinancialsolutions.com
Clinic Dates: Year-round
Clinic Type: with appointment
Languages: English

First Lutheran Church at Nicholls Family Library
Location: 1421 33 Street SW Calgary, AB
Contact Person: Nicole Nielsen
Phone Number: (403) 463-0018
Email: nicole@makingfaithmatter.ca
Clinic Dates:
April 1, 2017 (10:30 am to 3:30 pm)
April 5, 2017 (6:00 pm to 8:00 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and without appointment
Languages: English

First Lutheran Church at the Bowness Library
Location: 6532 Bowness Rural Route Number0 NW Calgary, AB
Contact Person: Nicole Nielsen
Phone Number: (403) 463-0018
Email: nicole@makingfaithmatter.ca
Clinic Dates:
March 11, 2017 (10:30 am to 3:30 pm)
March 12, 2017 (12:30 pm to 3:30 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and without appointment
Languages: English

First Lutheran Church at the Central Library
Location: 616 Macleod Trail Rural Route Number0 SE Calgary, AB
Contact Person: Nicole Nielsen
Phone Number: (403) 463-0018
Email: nicole@makingfaithmatter.ca
Clinic Dates:
April 8, 2017 (10:30 am to 3:30 pm)
April 9, 2017 (12:30 pm to 3:30 pm)
April 22, 2017 (10:30 am to 3:30 pm)
April 23, 2017 (12:30 pm to 3:30 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and without appointment
Languages: English

First Lutheran Church at the Quarry Park Library
Location: 108 Quarry Park Road SE Calgary, AB
Contact Person: Nicole Nielsen
Phone Number: (403) 463-0018
Email: nicole@makingfaithmatter.ca
Clinic Dates: March 19, 2017 (12:30 pm to 3:30 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and without appointment
Languages: English

First Lutheran Church at the Saddletown Library
Location: 7556 Falconridge Boulevard SE Calgary, AB
Contact Person: Nicole Nielsen
Phone Number: (403) 463-0018
Email: nicole@makingfaithmatter.ca
Clinic Dates: April 29, 2017 (10:30 am to 3:30 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and without appointment
Languages: English

First Lutheran Church at the Village Square Library
Location: 2623 56 Street NE Calgary, AB
Contact Person: Nicole Nielsen
Phone Number: (403) 463-0018
Email: nicole@makingfaithmatter.ca
Clinic Dates:
March 25, 2017 (9:30 am to 2:30 pm)
March 26, 2017 (12:30 pm to 3:30 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and without appointment
Languages: English

Holy Spirit Parish
Location: 10827 24 Street SW Calgary, AB T2W 2Z2
Contact Person: Vilma Garcia
Phone Number: (587) 331-9436
Email: nicole@makingfaithmatter.ca
Clinic Dates:
March 11 and 25, 2017 (2:00 am to 5:00 pm)
April 1 and 8, 2017 (2:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and without appointment
Languages: English and Spanish

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Hall
Location: 604 1 Street SE Calgary, AB T2G 5H8
Contact Person: Angelal Mitchell
Phone Number: (403) 247-2619
Clinic Dates: April 1, 2017 (9:00 am to 12:30 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and without appointment
Languages: English

Sunrise Community Link Resource Centre
Location: 3303 17 Avenue SE Calgary, AB T3A 5X5
Contact Person: Marilyn Martin
Phone Number: (403) 204-8287
Email: marilynm@sunriselink.org
Clinic Dates:
March 31, 2017 (10:00 am to 6:00 pm)
April 24 to 26, 2017 (12:00 pm to 8:00 pm)
Clinic Type: with appointment
Languages: English

The SHARP Foundation
Location: 5717 2 Street SW, Suite A023 Calgary, AB T2H 0A1
Contact Person: Gerry Hart
Phone Number: (403) 272-2912
Email: g.hart@thesharpfoundation.com
Clinic Dates:
March 11 and 25, 2017 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
April 8 and 22, 2017 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and without appointment
Languages: English

The Salvation Army Family Resource Centre
Location: 1731 29 Street SW Calgary, AB T3C 1M6
Contact Person: Reception
Phone Number: (403) 930-2700
Email: cssinfo@salvationarmycalgary.org
Clinic Dates: Year-round (every Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Clinic Type: walk-ins and with appointment
Languages: English

More Free Tax Clinics for Qualified Individuals

It’s nice to know that the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) of Canada Revenue Agency has 17 organizations to help newcomers in tax preparation, and yet assistance keeps coming with the following organizations in Calgary for qualified individuals.

Check the websites for the eligibility requirements.

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) – Newcomer Settlement Agency
Location: 5th Floor  1111-11Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0G5
Phone Number: (403) 262-2006, (403) 264-4850
Email: contact@ccisab.ca
Clinic Dates: Call the CCIS for the schedule or if you attend one of the agency’s programs (ESL, LINC, etc.) you’ll get an email about events including the Free Income Tax Clinic
Clinic Type: with appointment
What to Bring (Optional): Laptops, notepads, and income tax package available at all Canadian Post Offices
CCIS website

Calgary Immigrant Educational Society (CIES) – Newcomer Settlement Agency
Location: 1723 – 4oth St. SE, Calgary, AB T2A 7Y3 (Forest Lawn)
Phone Number: (403) 235-3666
Email: info@immigrant-education.ca
Clinic Dates: March 4 to April 30, 2017 (Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Clinic Type: with appointment
CIES website

Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) – Newcomer Settlement Agency
Location: First Street Plaza, #200, 138 – 4th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB
Phone Number: (403) 263-4414
Email: reception@ciwa-online.com
CIWA website

Women’s Centre
Location: 39, 4 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 3R6
Phone Number: (403) 264-1155
Email: info@womenscentrecalgary.org
Clinic Dates: March 4 to April 30, 2017 (Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Client Type: low-income women
Women’s Centre website

Bow Valley College
Location: 345 6 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 4V1 (downtown Calgary)
Phone Number: (403) 410-1400
Clinic Dates: March 27 to 30, 2017
Client Type: Bow Valley College learners
Bow Valley College website

University of Calgary – Student’s Union
Location: 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
Tax Clinic Location: East Clubs Area (near Jugo Juice)
Phone Number: (403) 220-5110
Clinic Dates: February 27 (Monday) to April 7, 2017 (Friday)
Client Type: low-income individuals
Student’s Union website

That’s quite an extensive list. I’m surprised to discover the organizations helping the newcomers in Canada in terms of income tax filing.

I may have missed other tax clinics; feel free to share if you know any tax-related event or resource.

How will you file the income tax return? Share your experience of attending tax clinic, paying for tax preparation service, or doing it on your own.

Resource: CRA: Tax Preparation Clinics – Calgary, AB