This section highlights the legal supports available to newcomers across Alberta. Explore a variety of services that Legal Aid and Legal Guidance provides for newcomers in small and urban centres Alberta to help them navigate legal system. Familiarize yourself with the resources that can support clients and settlement workers during the tax season.

Refugee Claimants: Services and Provincial Challenges (Infographics): Refugee claimants are considered temporary residents and currently not eligible for most of the federal supports reserved for permanent resident newcomers. Newcomer serving agencies support refugee claimant clients on a case management basis by working directly with clients and referring them to a variety of local third-party resources. AAISA has created infographics in English and French that outline services available for refugee claimants in Alberta.


Ready Tours (Infographics): Ready Tours help prepare refugee claimants for their hearing with the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB-RPD). Newcomers and service providers can experience the atmosphere of the refugee hearing room, learn about he hearing process, and ask direct questions to Board Members of the IRB-RPD. AAISA has created infographics in English and French that provide a visual overview of Ready Tours process in Alberta.


Tax Time: This section highlights newcomer serving agencies and other community organizations that provide support to individuals in Alberta during the tax season through information sessions, free tax clinics, and translated documents. Canada Revenue Agency has created a directory of free tax clinics in Alberta. Navigate the search tool to find a clinic near you.

BROOKS

Brooks and County Immigration Services: Free tax clinic offered by appointment only, Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 04:30 pm, starting on March 14 through April 30.

CALGARY

Centre for Newcomers: Free virtual tax clinic starting on March 1 is offered every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Call 403-536-8244 or email taxclinic@centrefornewcomers.ca to make an appointment.

Divercities: Partnering with Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta, Diversecities’ tax clinic program completes personal tax returns for low-income individuals and families, starting on March 1 at 10:00 a.m. to April 20 at 3:00 p.m. Email taxclinic@diversecities.org or call 403-265-8446 to book an appointment.

Immigrant Services Calgary: Tax supports offered for individuals who fall within the low to modest income bracket and have a simple tax situation. CRA community tax volunteers offer help with filing taxes, in-person or online, for free. Services offered Monday – Wednesday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, on Thursday from 8:30 am – 7 pm, and on Friday from 8:30 am – 1:30 pm.

Trellis: This year Trellis is hosting Virtual and In Person tax clinics. Virtual Clinics will be conducted entirely online for those with access to technology. In Person Clinics will be hosted all over Calgary in locations and times that are accessible. A Trellis staff and/or volunteer will be there with the technology to support connect the residents with a tax preparer virtually. The resident will be at the Clinic in person and the tax preparer will be in a separate location. Any resident looking to access a Tax Clinic with Trellis should call 403-930-3370 or email taxclinics@aspenfamily.org to find out what would be the best type of clinic for them.

EDMONTON

Action for Healthy Communities: Free virtual tax clinic offers remote tax filing supports for individuals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Call 780-944-4687 to make an appointment.

GRANDE PRAIRIE

Grande Prairie Centre for Newcomers: As part of the CRA Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), GPCN hosts free tax clinics for newcomers who cannot afford to pay tax services. Call 780-538-4452 or email info@gpcn.ca to learn more.

LETHBRIDGE

Womanspace: This free tax service is available to all individuals and families who have a total income of $30,000/year for individuals and $40,000 for couples. Call 403-329-8338 or email office@womanspace.ca to make an appointment.

Online Workshops

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society is hosting “Income Tax Clinic” workshops, under the Community Support Services program. Virtual sessions are taking place on March 13 and 27, and on April 10. Visit their website to learn more.

Money Smart Program at The Immigrant Education Society offers financial coaching, one-on-one chat with the financial expert, educational workshops, and tax clinics. Learn more about the program and eligibility criteria here.


Legal Resources in Alberta Infographic: This infographic highlights the organizations that provide legal services and some of the eligibility criteria for accessing these resources.

Legal Resources in Alberta Small CentresRessources Juridiques dans les Centres Petits de l’Alberta

Legal Resources in Alberta Urban CentresRessources Juridiques dans les Centres Urbains de l’Alberta


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