Supporting tax filers amidst COVID-19 - One step at a time

Social distancing has “pushed” more people to use online banking, order multitudes of items from their computer and even scan, pay and bag their own groceries. Self-service is a widely accepted way of providing more services with fewer resources. Though there are some drawbacks, it has also proven that with the right tools, and just a little help, people can perform many tasks for themselves.

Vulnerable Canadians often rely on one-on-one financial help services to tax file, access benefits, and to build their financial stability. Without these services, many may not be able to meet their basic needs if they’re unable to access income or may lose existing benefits by failing to tax file. Unfortunately, many services offered by community agencies have been, and continue to be, severely limited due to physical distancing measures. Responding to this need, Prosper Canada partnered with Intuit Canada, EBO (Ottawa) and WoodGreen Community Services (Toronto) in May of 2020 to pilot a virtual tax-filing model that allows low-and moderate-income individuals to learn to prepare their own taxes through their mobile devices and computers. 

According to Marc D’Orgeville, Budget Counsellor at EBO, “the value of this project is that it empowers people to do their taxes on their own. Once they try it, they realize this is not too complicated and they are willing to try again the following year. The fact that 100 per cent of clients are ready to try again next year is proof that the current process works.” 

The stats speak loudly, Ninety-nine per cent of tax filers who tried the self-file model at WoodGreen were, “very satisfied” with the service.  In their own words, “the service is more efficient time wise and cuts down commute and wait time. I saved two hours!” 

 

This will eventually make a big impact as taxpayers who learn to file on their own may not need to go to an in-person tax clinic in subsequent years, which means more availability for the people who will still need services from Canada Volunteer Income Tax Clinics (CVITP’s). 

In 2021, Intuit and Prosper Canada are working with more than six community organizations to continue empowering tax filers nationwide. 

A step-by-step Virtual Self-File Model in English and French showcases the journey that individuals have followed through this process.

To learn more about this initiative, watch the webinar hosted by Prosper Canada and joined by Guy Labelle, (Intuit/TurboTax), Ansley Dawson (Woodgreen Community Services, Toronto) and Marc D’Orgeville, (EBO, Ottawa).

 

If you are interested in adopting the Virtual Self Filing tax-filing model in your own agency using the TurboTax for Tax Clinics software, please contact Ana Fremont Program Delivery and Integration Manager.