Home > Media Room > Media Releases > 2004 Media Releases

Ontario CAs to Prepare 10,000 Free Tax Returns

Toronto, Ontario, February 24, 2004 – For the 36th year, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario will offer over 650 Free CA Tax Clinics across the province, preparing tax returns for those in low-income brackets. The program is an ongoing partnership between over 200 community service groups that host the clinics, and 1,200 volunteer Chartered Accountants (CAs) and CA students who complete the returns free of charge.

Designed to serve low-income people who need help preparing tax returns, the Free CA Tax Clinics have recouped tax credits and helped ensure tax benefits have been received for thousands over the life of the program.

The Free CA Tax Clinics are open to those with total annual household incomes of up to $22,500 with dependents and $15,000 with no dependents. The Clinics will run across the province between February 23 and March 31, 2004. For more information on who qualifies, or to find out where the Clinics are being held, either within or outside the GTA, call 1-800-387-0735, ext. 462; or in Toronto, 416-962-1841, ext. 462; or refer to the ICAO Web site at www.icao.on.ca .

Ingrid Enhagen, the Institute’s Associate Director, Member Services, says, “For decades, this program has been very important to the Institute. Our CAs always take the time to help those in need even though it’s their busiest time of the year. Ontario Chartered Accountants believe strongly in giving back to the communities they live and work in.”

Those who meet the requirements, and have booked appointments, are asked to bring a copy of their last filed return, notice of assessment, social insurance number and all income and expense receipts. The volunteers will complete the tax return while they wait.

Now celebrating the 125th anniversary of Ontario’s CA profession, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario is the regulatory body of Ontario’s 31,000 CAs. Since 1879, the Institute has protected the public interest through the CA profession’s high standards of qualification and the enforcement of its rules of professional conduct.

- 30 -

For more information contact: