Programs and Services – Victoria Office
TAPS Victoria provides legal advocacy services to those located in Greater Victoria, Western Communities, Sooke, and Southern Gulf Islands. We are currently providing the following services:
Legal Advocacy
INCOME ASSISTANCE
Our Income Assistance Legal Advocacy Project provides information and legal help regarding the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR). Commonly provided services include help with file reviews, reconsiderations of Ministry decisions, and appeals to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal (EAAT).
RESIDENTIAL TENANCY
Our Tenant Legal Advocacy Project provides support for tenants who are experiencing issues that fall under the jurisdiction of the Residential Tenancy Branch. Commonly provided services include help with eviction notices, help resolving conflicts with landlords, and providing legal information and advice about tenancy rights and responsibilities.
PWD Application Help
Our Volunteer Disability Advocacy Project (VDAP), helps folks navigate the lengthy application process for the provincial disability designation, Persons with Disabilities (PWD). TAPS-trained volunteer advocates work directly with applicants to complete the application, help them communicate with medical professionals, and review the completed application prior to submission.
Income Tax Filing
As a member of the CRA's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), TAPS tax volunteers offer free income tax preparation services for folks in Greater Victoria who earn a modest income and have a simple tax situation (see below on whether you qualify).
To access tax services you do not need an appointment or to call first, just drop by our Victoria office, located at 828 View Street, to complete a tax package during the following hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm.
Please note we are closed to walk-ins during lunch from 12-1 pm and all day on Wednesdays, and will not be able to assist you during those times.
To qualify you must have a single or family income in the following range:
You must also have a simple tax situation. In general, a tax situation is simple if an individual has no income, or if their income comes from these sources:
employment
pension
benefits, such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, disability insurance, employment insurance, and social assistance
registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs)
scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, or grants
interest (under $1,200)
Please note we are not able to file taxes for someone who has passed away, has business income and expenses, or who has foreign income.
How it Works:
When you come in to the TAPS office you will be asked to fill out a tax package, which gives us your personal information and any details about your situation and income that we will need to know before filing. As part of the package you will be able to fill out forms which authorizes TAPS to use “auto-fill” to obtain your T4 and T5 slips directly from the CRA. Once your tax package is completed it will be picked up by one of our Tax Volunteers, who will then file your taxes and print out a copy of your tax return for you to pick up from the TAPS office along with any documents you provided us in your tax package. During the busy season it typically takes 4-6 weeks for us to file your taxes and have your package ready for pick-up.
IMPORTANT: After your taxes are filed the CRA will send your Notice of Assessment and any refund or cheques directly to you! TAPS does not, and will not, receive cheques at our office.
If you have direct deposit with CRA it will be deposited in your account. If you do not they will be mailed to the address you listed on your tax package.
Public Legal Education
TAPS also provides public legal education on topics related to our work for interested community groups and organizations, empowering and enabling them to better advocate for themselves. If you’re interested in having TAPS speak to your group or organization, please contact our front desk (250-361-3521) for more information.
Things we cannot help with:
Finding housing or applying for housing subsidies
Applications for Income Assistance, Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) or Hardship Assistance
Applications for or issues relating to federal disability or income support programs (CPP-D, OAS, GIS) including Employment Insurance (EI)
Criminal, civil, or family law issues