Tax deadline looming, but only around 60% of Canadians filed taxes

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“Payments such as the Canada Child Benefit Payments or GST credits are dependent on your taxes being filed, so if you’re late it could actually delay those payments as well,” Ko said.

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Beyond missing out on benefits, Ko added not filing your taxes can prove to be a serious roadblock when trying to make big purchases.

“To qualify for either housing or when you’re going to get a mortgage, for example, you have to show proof of income. And that is essentially your tax return, so if you’re not filing your taxes, then you can’t prove your income for the number of years they’re requesting for,” said Ko.

If you’re looking for ways to file your taxes easily, Ko strongly recommends NETFILE, the CRA’s online tax service. She says this fills your taxes out automatically, saving you the stress of worrying about whether or not you missed a line or potential benefit. NETFILE also has a list of certified online tax services, so even if you don’t use NETFILE you can refer to this list to see what services are verified and safe to use. While online tax services have become an incredibly convenient way for many to do their taxes easily, it’s not an option for everyone.

“Lots of (seniors) don’t even have an email address. They just decided long ago that they weren’t going to have anything to do with the Internet,” explained Lois Nelson, a volunteer tax helper with the Prince George Council of Seniors.

The Prince George Council of Seniors has been offering free tax services for decades, and since it’s all done on paper it’s been a huge help for many.

“People sort of breathed a sigh of relief when they’re finished giving the information and say, ‘well, that wasn’t so bad.’ And we’re getting lots of new people this year, so that’s a good sign, I think,” said Nelson.

If you’re a senior who needs help with taxes you can give the Council of Seniors a call and schedule an appointment. It’s appointments are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Nelson says you should call in advance as it can get pretty busy and you may not get help if you don’t have an appointment.

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