In continuation of an ongoing partnership with The Mustard Seed, as well as various other nonprofits, H&R Block will be once again be supporting vulnerable community members file their taxes for free through their Returning Hope program. Through this program, 100’s of vulnerable Albertans can access free tax filing in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and Medicine Hat with H&R Block and The Mustard Seed.
In 2025, H&R Block returned $574, 524 to people experiencing homelessness and poverty through the Returning Hope program. 447 people filed 674 tax years last year, and this tax season, H&R Block is expecting a similar outcome.
Did you know that H&R Block can file up to 10 years of taxes?
Even if someone hasn’t received any income in a tax year, filing taxes is just as important for access to helpful government benefits, such as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (GST Tax Credit) and the Canada Child Benefit.
Mustard Seed advocates are aware of the challenges people experience when filing taxes and are equipped to support this process to make tax filing as easy as possible.
During the third week of March, H&R Block staff members work on site in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer Mustard Seed locations to assist clients with filing their taxes. These services are also offered through Mustard Seed advocates in Medicine Hat who meet with service participants throughout the month of March.
Every year, staff of The Mustard Seed look forward to seeing the impact on clients lives that results from the H&R Block tax clinics. A tax return for someone experiencing homelessness and poverty could make a huge difference, offering a chance at stability that they didn’t have before.
“For the first few years we did these clinics, many participants were filing multiple years. This year, however, most are filing just for last year, highlighting the ongoing success of Returning Hope. Through this partnership, the people we serve have caught up on their taxes and are now staying up to date on tax filing which means this service has contributed to life stability of those we serve. It really is an amazing thing to be a part of”, says Medicine Hat’s Health & Wellness Supervisor, Elizabeth Ast.
In addition to providing free tax filing, H&R Block Canada also donates $5000 to each site they file in totaling an amount of $20,000. These dollars go towards programming that supports Mustard Seed guests throughout the year.
Returning Hope, indeed.
Thank you, H&R Block!
