Tax Filing & Benefits

Filing your taxes is an opportunity to boost your income, even if you are not earning an income!

Learn more in this section about financial benefits and where you can go to get help with accessing those benefits and filing your taxes - at no cost.

Why should I file my taxes?
When can I file my taxes?
What do I need to file my taxes?
Where can I find a free tax clinic to help me file my taxes?

Why Should I File My Taxes?

1. Boost Your Income
   Whether you are a low-income earner or on social assistance, filing your tax return annually can unlock additional financial benefits and credits and improve your financial status.  Did you know you can back file up to 10 years and still access financial benefits? Even if you don’t have an income, you can get money back.
   
   Here's an example:

Single parent (Taxes Not filed):		(After Tax Filing and Accessing Benefits):
Two children ages 2 & 4 Renting in subsidized housing Employed part time		GST Refundable Credit $ 842.00 ($210.50 paid quarterly) Canada Child Benefits: $12,800.00 ($1,066.66 paid monthly) Working Income Tax Benefit: $ 1,844.00 (with refund OR part paid quarterly) Manitoba Child Benefit $ 840.00 ($35.00 paid monthly) MB Personal Tax Credit $ 266.00 (refund upon tax filing
___________________________________________ Annual employment income:  $15, 000.00 ___________________________________________		__________________________________________ Total Annual Income:  $31, 592.00 __________________________________________

2. Finding help with tax filing and accessing benefits is easy
   Financial benefits are always changing. There are many free tax filing services available through partnership with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program/CRA  trained volunteers- see listing below. Trained tax preparers can help you to file your taxes and help you to identify and access financial benefits that you may be eligible for.

3. It’s an opportunity to put the extra money to good use
   Tax refunds received after you file your taxes can be used to make big-ticket purchases, pay off existing debt or be used to establish savings and investments for yourself or your family!  For example, consider investing in a Registered Educational Savings Plan (RESP) to help access post-secondary education.

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When Can I File My Taxes?

Taxes should be filed by the end of April annually however you can file your taxes at anytime throughout the year. To help you with this, there are many free tax preparation services offered between February, March and April- see section below. A limited number of free tax services are also offered throughout the year. Private firms offer year round service, however typically there is a cost for service.

What Do I Need To File My Taxes?

To help complete your tax return, you should bring the following;

• All tax slips (T3, T4, other)
• Social Insurance Number
• Personal identification: photo ID is preferred
• Rent payment information
• Common law or married couples will need to come together

If you don’t have all the necessary documents, many tax services offered throughout the province can also help you get the documents you need.

Where Can I Find A Free Tax Clinic and Get Help To Access Benefits?

Free tax services are reserved for low-income individuals and couples who are not self-employed. Services provided are first-come, first-served and are offered by trained tax preparers through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVTIP) / Canada Revenue Agency. Tax refunds can be expected in as little as 7 to 10 days when using a free tax service.

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