Hamilton Financial Empowerment and Tax Help Program
FREE Tax Services
Participants are required to bring the following information (if applicable to you):
- Photo Identification
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Proof of Income (T4, T4A, T4A(P), T4(OAS), T4RIF, T4E, T5007 (OW, ODSP, WSIB), RC62 (Canada Child Benefit), T5 (Statement of Investment Income), T3 (Statement of Trust Income Allocations and Designations)
- Notice of Assessment from Last Year’s Taxes
- Receipts (i.e., Rent, Property Taxes, Child Care Expenses, Medical Expenses)
- Partner’s Information (even if they are not filing with you)
- Dependent’s Information
The following map provides an overview of the total benefits and refunds accessed by tax filers utilizing the Hamilton Financial Empowerment and Tax Help service for the fiscal year April 2024 to March 2025. The data can be displayed by either Wards or Ridings within Hamilton. When selecting a ward or riding, a popup will display detailed information about the number of tax filers who filed returns, the total refunds and benefits accessed, as well as a pie chart breaking down the various refunds and benefits accessed.
Who Do We
Work With?
In the Hamilton Financial Empowerment and Tax Help Program, we work with persons or families living on less than $35,000 annually (single) or less than $45,000 (couple/family). We prioritize services for:
- People receiving OW, ODSP, OAS, CPP, GIS
- Seniors (aged 55+)
- Families with children under the age of 18
- Newcomers to Canada, living in Hamilton
- People who are accessing shelters or are living unhoused
OUR UNIQUE ELEMENTS
There are some unique supports that we offer:
- Services are available in English, Arabic and Kurdish
- Taxes are filed all year round; most open clinics only operate during the weeks of the tax season
- Our program completes up to 10 years of prior tax filing
- All persons who do the filing are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)
HOW TO CONNECT WITH US
If you are an existing client of: The City of Hamilton (Housing), YWCA, Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, Native Women’s Centre, Ontario Native Women’s Association, Good Shepherd, Banyan, Mission Services, Wesley, Indwell, St. Matthew’s House, Thrive Group, The Wellington Place, Karis Disability Services, CBI Health, Community Living, Urban Core, Capability Support Services, The Hamilton Hub, St. Joseph’s Villa, Nisa Foundation, Salvation Army, Halam Park Co-op, Dundurn Place Care Centre, or St. Leonard’s Society, please contact your case worker to fill out an intake form.
Phone appointments will be available one day per week on a first-come, first-served basis. Please allow for up to three weeks for a response. To be put on the phone appointment waitlist, please email us at taxhelp@sprchamilton.ca or call us at 365-366-1767. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Our 2026 Funders
Funding for the Financial Empowerment and Tax Help program is provided by:
- United Way Halton and Hamilton
- City of Hamilton – City Enrichment Fund
- Hamilton Community Foundation
- The Moffat Family Fund of The Winnipeg Foundation
- Canada Revenue Agency – CVITP Grant
- YWCA – Dollars and Sense Project
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY
Find out what benefits you may be able to receive through the Government of Canada Benefits Finder. THIS DOES NOT COLLECT OR TRACK YOUR INFORMATION. Rather, it helps you learn more about possibilities for you and your family. The more questions you answer, the more customized your results will be.