“The hardest thing in the world to understand in the world is the income tax.” - Attributed to Albert Einstein (German-born physicist;  March 14th, 1879- April 18th, 1955).

Yes, it is that time again. We all need to file our taxes. However, if a genius - a Nobel Prize winner in Physics - like Albert Einstein allegedly found income tax confusing, many of the rest of us can relate. March 2nd was the deadline for your T4 slips to be sent or made available (T4 is a statement from an employer or an agency that provides income support: AISH, the Income Support Alberta, or the Canada Pension Plan).

Filing your income tax is important because it allows you to receive refunds, as well as government benefits: the GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit, and Canada Workers Benefit. Filing also allows you to avoid penalties. Even if a person has no income, they still need to file to receive these benefits, as well as calculate tuition credits and maintain their eligibility for social programs when applicable. For extensive information about taxes and benefits, visit the Canada.ca website. 

However, the process can be confusing (especially for me!). Thankfully, there are volunteers out there who can help file for low-income people. Here are some of the places where you can find tax help.

Boyle Street Community Services 
(780) 424-4106​
info@boylestreet.org 

e4c
tax.e4calberta.org
This organization will only be doing walk-ins as of April 1st. 

Voice of Albertans with Disabilities
780-488-9088
vad@vadsociety.ca 

Bissell Centre
taxes@bissellcentre.org
bissellcentre.org/programs/community/taxes/

Action For Healthy Communities
825-523-4444 
10578-113 Street NW (walk in to make an appointment)
a4hc.ca/tax-clinic

The deadline for filing is April 30th. 

I look forward to the spring season - and getting my taxes filed!

Ian Young is a columnist and Block Carrier with the paper. He lives in the area.