Information Orillia is once again helping vulnerable local people with their taxes so they can access "vital" government support programs.
Now in its seventh year, the Information Orillia tax preparation clinic is expected to help about 1,000 people in the community this tax season.
Dawn Therrien, Information Orillia's operations manager, says the service is "vital" for clients who might not otherwise be able to afford to have their taxes done.
“We are just really committed to allowing our clients to access government supports and programs that are available to them,” Therrien explained. “You cannot access those supports without filing your taxes.”
The tax preparation clinic has resulted in almost $1.6 million in refunds and rebates coming back into the community this year, she said.
“A lot of our clients depend on that for their food because housing is so expensive,” Therrien said. “They need access to these other programs so they can do the basics of life.”
The tax preparation clinic is more critical than ever due to soaring inflation and rising housing costs, Therrien says. For people with an income of $10,000 or less, Information Orillia will do their taxes for $5. The average client makes $17,500, which results in a $10 charge for tax services.
“It’s geared for what is affordable,” she said. “We are a registered charity, and if someone can’t afford it, we still do their taxes. No one is ever turned away.”
Anne Wilson, the manager of the tax clinic, has 50 years of bookkeeping and accounting experience.
“Anne has a team of at least 10 volunteers who come and help with various stages of intake and actual input,” Therrien explained. “We couldn’t afford to have an income tax manager, but Anne is here and volunteers full time for three months of the year and then two days a week for the rest of the year to support people year-round.”
Therrien says people are relieved when they receive their tax returns from the government.
“For some, it’s a relief to know what money they will have coming in,” she said. “We also have people coming in who haven’t filed taxes for several years. They come in stressed out and worried. When they leave you can see the weight lifted off their shoulders.”
Therrien encourages people to call and book an appointment (705-326-7743) or drop-in, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their office which is inside the Orillia Public Library in downtown Orillia.
