News Release: February 28, 2018
Low-Income Residents Can Boost Their Earnings by Accessing Their Tax Benefits
BRAMPTON, ON. (Feb. 28, 2018) – The Region of Peel’s annual File Your Taxes For Free. Get Your Benefits Now! campaign launches today. The campaign encourages low-income residents to use the Region’s free tax preparation services, or those offered by non-profit organizations across the region, to access all of the benefits they are eligible to receive by filing their taxes.
“We encourage Peel residents in low-income situations to participate and access government benefits and tax credits through attendance at the free tax preparation clinics,” said Janice Sheehy, Commissioner of Human Services. “Once you have your notice of assessment for tax, it is also much easier to apply for other benefits.”
Tax preparation assistance offered by the Region of Peel will be offered on Saturdays from March 3 to April 28, 2018. Services are for individuals with incomes up to $30,000 or families with incomes up to $47,500. The income threshold depends on the family size. Other community organizations across Peel are also hosting similar programs, and these are listed on the Canada Revenue Agency website.
Prosper Canada, a national charity dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for Canadians living in poverty, estimates that every year over $1 billion of income benefits and tax credits targeted to the needs of the most vulnerable people in Canada never make it into their pockets.
“Reducing poverty is a key part of the Region’s Strategic Plan to create a healthy, safe and connected community in Peel,” said Nancy Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services for the Region of Peel.
The Region of Peel’s Human Services Department partners with the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario, to offer this free tax preparation assistance. The program, which has been offered for 14 years, facilitated more than 2,500 returns in 2017.
Media Contacts:
Ann-Marie KoumettouCommunication Specialist
Region of Peel
289.541.8622
About Peel Region
In 2024, Peel Region marks its 50th anniversary. Peel Region works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe, and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 200,000 businesses in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Peel's services touch the lives of residents every day. For more information explore peelregion.ca and follow us on X @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.
On December 13, 2023, the Ontario government announced that Peel Region will not be dissolved, and that Bill 112 legislation will be updated to reflect service delivery in Peel. Services for residents and businesses will continue without interruption. For updates and more information, visit Peel's transition page.
