Photo above: Tax preparers volunteering for Unison at Kerby Centre’s free tax clinic in Calgary 

Last spring, “Julia,” a 72-year-old woman living in Calgary, was feeling overwhelmed. It was the latest of several tax seasons when she hadn’t filed her income taxes. She knew it needed to be done, but she didn’t have any T-slips on hand and didn’t really know how to get started. The person nearest to her, her son, wasn’t sure how to proceed, either. Their financial situation was becoming increasingly difficult, and they couldn’t afford to hire a tax preparer to help them navigate the system. 

Julia was a client at Unison Market, a Calgary food bank that specifically serves seniors. During a visit, she found out there was a free tax clinic on-site. A clinic coordinator helped her to schedule an appointment with a volunteer tax preparer. The coordinator also helped Julia and her son get ready for that appointment by guiding them through the process of gathering the necessary documents. “She ensured they were supported every step of the way,” said Vineeta Kapoor, Manager of Seniors Supports & Volunteers at Unison, in a report to Food Banks Canada. 

Julia and her son were surprised to learn they were entitled to certain government benefits and had been missing out on them for years. “Not only did they receive their tax refunds, but Julia also became eligible for the GST credit and the Climate Action Incentive, also known as the carbon rebate,” reported Kapoor. 

Best of all, Julia received a large retroactive payment for a benefit she hadn’t been receiving. “It was a life-changing amount that brought immediate financial relief,” says Kapoor. “The support they received through the food bank and tax clinic … helped Julia and her son regain control over their finances … and gave them a renewed sense of hope and stability.” 

Educational and Empowering 

Julia was one of 4,240 people who participated in Unison’s free tax clinic and who were therefore able to access benefits such as the Guaranteed Income Supplement that is available to low-income seniors. Collectively, they received $49.5 million, an average of over $11,000 per client. 

“This service has been especially meaningful for seniors on fixed incomes who are struggling to keep up with rising living costs,” Kapoor says. “It has provided financial relief that enables them to pay for essentials like rent and utilities — ultimately reducing their reliance on the food bank. Clients have expressed deep gratitude for the support, noting how the service has eased their stress and brought peace of mind.” 

The clinic at Unison is part of the National Tax Clinic Program supported by Food Banks Canada and the professional services firm KPMG Canada. With funding, guidelines, and volunteer support from this program, eight food banks across the country hosted free tax clinics for people with modest incomes last tax season. Food Banks Canada also awarded smaller grants to support another 20 pre-existing tax clinics based out of food banks. 

Together, the 28 sites completed over 21,000 income-tax returns. These returns unlocked a total of over $113.8 million for families facing financial hardship. 

A lot of the beneficiaries found the experience educational and empowering, with 98% agreeing that they felt more comfortable and confident to file their taxes the next year. “Many learned about deductions and benefits they had not previously understood, and some were surprised to discover they could access their CRA accounts — something they thought was out of reach,” reported another participating food bank, UHC Hub of Opportunities in Windsor, Ontario. “Several clients told us, ‘Now I know how much I get back from filing my taxes, and I can plan better.’” 

One hundred and seven volunteer tax preparers, including those from KPMG, made these outcomes possible by contributing a total of over 11,000 hours. “The evening clinics, supported by KPMG volunteers, were particularly valuable for working clients who couldn’t attend during regular hours,” says Kapoor. 

A Systemic Solution 

Last October, the federal government announced that Canada will soon file taxes automatically for low-income households with simple tax situations. Once fully implemented, this measure will put money into the pockets of millions of people who are struggling financially. 

In the meantime, with automatic tax filing not set to begin until next year and not expected to scale up fully until a couple of years after that, the Tax Clinic Program is once again providing relief and empowerment to some of the families who need it the most in 2026. “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude,” says Kapoor. “It has a profound impact: by helping clients stabilize their finances, we are supporting long-term solutions to hunger in our community.”