Aug. 11, 2022
Seneca News
Researchers help enhance tax filing system for low-income residents
Project a collaboration between Seneca, City of Toronto, Prosper Canada
Many people need help filing their taxes each year, often turning to professionals or software for guidance. But for some low-income Canadians, getting the help they need is not so easy.
A recent Seneca applied research project has evaluated ways to make Canada’s tax filing system more accessible for vulnerable populations, such as those with disabilities, new immigrants, single adults and seniors.
“Our goal was to propose potential solutions responding to the unique needs of these groups,” said Dr. Varinder Gill, Professor and Co-ordinator, Honours Bachelor of Commerce – International Business Management degree program.
One of the project’s key recommendations is to increase awareness of tax benefits and the support available for those in need when filing their income tax — some of whom simply do not complete this process.
“If social service delivery organizations can collaborate to engage non-filers, then awareness can be increased about the benefits and services available,” said Dr. Gill, a PhD in economics.
Led by Dr. Gill, the project saw research assistants from the School of Human Resources & Global Business and School of Management & Entrepreneurship collaborate with the City of Toronto and Prosper Canada, a national charity dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for Canadians living in poverty.
The team worked with the city’s Employment & Social Services division to focus on Toronto’s low-income residents and investigate the challenges they faced, including those compounded by the pandemic.
The project was funded by Mitacs and Maytree and took nearly eight months to complete.
“I was quite excited to work on this project,” Dr. Gill said. “We are contributing to the community by working to improve the financial well-being of vulnerable populations.”
Initial findings have been used by Prosper Canada to develop a model for providing a more co-ordinated tax filing supports to low-income Torontonians.
As well, the output will help to inform City of Toronto policies in the future, including work related to the Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy.
“We collaborated with Seneca to undertake research on the challenges and barriers faced by low-income individuals when filing their income taxes,” said Paolo Staffieri, Manager Community and Labour Market at Toronto Employment and Social Services. “The research findings will support future program enhancements for Toronto residents receiving social assistance.”