A group of Burnaby students secured more than $1,800 in tax refunds for their peers during free income tax clinics last month.
The Grade 11 and 12 students are part of an accounting class at Burnaby Mountain Secondary School and volunteered to help fellow students with their personal income tax returns.
"I didn't even know that I could file my taxes being a high school student," said one happy "client" on a feedback form. "I ended up getting a really good refund and all I had to do was drop off my documents at the school's tax clinic. The students who prepared my return were very professional and responded to all of my questions and concerns."
Before the clinics, which ran every Tuesday and Thursday in April, the 10 student volunteers took in seminars about tax law and compliance and using Canada Revenue Agency tax filing software.
During the clinics, they worked in pairs conducting initial client interviews, setting up files in the software provided by CRA, corresponding with CRA and employers on questions, and explaining the results to each client.
In total, the volunteers e-filed 15 returns.
Along with getting a chance to check out a possible career, students who volunteered in the clinic also got a CRA certificate, volunteer hours toward graduation requirements and scholarship opportunities.
"Running the tax clinic has been a fantastic way to allow students the application of their learning," teacher Vanessa Welsh said of the initiative. "The process requires a lot of collaboration and handling of sensitive information. Students gain confidence in their accounting skills and get a glimpse into the work that Chartered Professional Accountants do."
It was Burnaby Mountain's second time putting on the clinics, which fall under the umbrella of a CRA program called the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP).
"Helping students earn their money back felt rewarding," said Grade 12 student Hugo Spence, who volunteered.
Grade 11 student Marty Xu said the clinics helped him narrow down the career he wants to pursue after graduation.
"Helping others with their taxes was an enriching experience, ultimately directing me toward a path of accounting and finance," he said.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on X/Twitter @CorNaylor
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