CAs holding free tax clinics for Hamilton residents

Feb. 14 - Apr. 6

Hamilton, Ontario (February 10, 2006) - Volunteer Hamilton Chartered Accountants are holding a series of Free CA Tax Clinics for Hamilton residents with low incomes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from February 14 to April 6. As part of their commitment to the Hamilton community, volunteer Chartered Accountants from the local offices of Deloitte & Touche LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopersPricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are helping people by doing their taxes free of charge.

To qualify for this free tax return assistance, total household income must be below $22,500 with dependents or below $15,000 without dependents. It is very important for people with low incomes to file a tax return so they are eligible to receive money from such things as the GST Tax Credit, Ontario Sales Tax Credit and the Rental and Property Tax Credit, as well as Child Tax Benefits.

Each year since 1969, Free CA Tax Clinics are held across Ontario during tax season. Hundreds of volunteer Chartered Accountants and their associates help thousands of low-income people by preparing their income tax returns.

These Free CA Tax Clinics operate in co-operation with a variety of agencies - including food banks, charities, hospitals, senior centres and homes, community centres, social service agencies and libraries. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario offers additional support to these agencies by providing them with a donation based on the number of tax returns prepared. This helps the agencies carry out their valuable work.

Reporters are invited to attend the Free CA Tax Clinics. Interviews with participating Chartered Accountants are available on request but should be arranged before attending a clinic to avoid inconveniencing clinic clients.

WHAT:      Free CA Tax Clinics
WHEN:      Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. from February 14 to April 6
WHO:        Chartered Accountants help prepare tax returns for low-income people
WHERE:    St. Matthews House, 414 Barton Street East, Hamilton

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About the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario:
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario is the qualifying and regulatory body of Ontario's 31,000 CAs and 3,500 CA students. 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. The Institute website is: www.icao.on.ca

For more information please contact:

Perry Jensen
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario
416-969-4271
1-800-387-0735 ext. 271
pjensen@icao.on.ca