Gustavson students help clients navigate tax season
More than 80% of clients received refunds after filing returns
By Jennifer Ivanov
Bachelor of Commerce students at Peter B. Gustavson School of Business are making a real difference beyond the classroom, preparing more than 150 free tax returns for community members through the school’s student-led tax clinic. This year, more than 80 per cent of clients received refunds—many worth several hundred dollars—providing unexpected financial relief during tax season.
“We had some very happy people at the tax clinic over the past couple of months,” says Courtney Haddock, a third-year BCom student who volunteered at the clinic. “Many weren’t expecting to get anything back, so it was a pleasant surprise for them and for the students helping them file.”
The Gustavson Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is an annual student-run initiative administered by the Experiential Learning team at Gustavson. The program provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in leadership, teamwork and community service while offering free support to individuals who need assistance completing basic tax returns.
Organizers say the program demonstrates the transformative potential of experiential learning by giving students meaningful opportunities to apply their classroom learning, while further strengthening the business acumen and community-minded leadership cultivated through the BCom program.
About 20 BCom students in years two through four volunteered their time at the on-campus clinics this year, providing a meaningful way for students to contribute to the community while developing practical skills.
Clients who are new to Canada, along with UVic students, made up the majority of those seeking tax help this year, with many filing a tax return for the first time.
Students worked in partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), using approved software to gain hands-on experience in customer service and project management while learning about the Canadian tax system and giving back to the community.
“I thought it was a nice way to help people, and it worked for me because it was an on-campus opportunity,” shares Haddock, who volunteered as a project manager on the team. “It’s a great experience to add to your résumé.”
She adds that the experience also highlights the importance of filing taxes on time, as many individuals may be eligible for refunds or benefits, such as the renter’s credit, without realizing it.
“It can be overwhelming to navigate the system, so they’re very grateful for the help we can provide,” Haddock says. “They come to the clinic because they aren’t sure what to do, and we’re able to support them.”
The clinic was open to anyone in the community, with about 10 students completing returns during each session. Clinics were held three times a week, and completed returns were filed directly with the CRA. To prepare, student volunteers completed training and tutorials provided by the CRA to ensure they understood both the filing process and the software.
“Most people were just happy to have their taxes done and filed, and I’d say the majority of people received refunds this year,” Haddock says. “When you’re a student, even $200 or $500 can make a big difference. It made our team happy to know we could help in that way.”
The clinic earned a 4.9-star rating from clients, with reviews praising the professionalism of the student volunteers and expressing appreciation for the service.
Since launching in 2016, the program has helped an estimated 500 people.