Accounting firm offers financial support for students
By: John Pangilinan
Filing taxes as a new student can be hectic, especially for international students who have to file taxes for the first time to ensure accuracy and receive the maximum tax refund.
Supinder Kaur, a 29-year-old, international student taking an Occupational Health and Safety Certificate at the RRC Polytech Notre Dame campus, filed her taxes for the first time last month.
“Being new in Canada, I had to know what the processes are and step-by-step criteria so I know what’s happening,” Kaur said. “I was at the library when I saw a banner that helps students file their taxes.”
Randy Neufeld and his wife Debbie Neufeld started RDK Chartered Accounting LTD. They have been helping RRC Polytech staff and students get their taxes done conveniently on the Notre Dame campus.
“We started our accounting service in the NDC library hallway about 25 years ago,” Debbie Neufeld said.
“We do continue serving a number of students once they graduate, start working, or open businesses of their own. We have clients who have been with us since the very beginning of our services at RRC.”
The accounting service is currently only at the Notre Dame campus, it was once at the Exchange District campus as well but there was not enough interest to keep a staff in place.
Kaur, who arrived last August 2023 from India, is working as a part-time tutor while she pursues her one-year studies.
“Finding someone to help with my taxes is super complicated because I was trying to find the right sources to go to,” said Kaur.
“My friends referred me to other agencies offering accounting services, but some of them were very expensive I couldn’t afford it.”
According to RDK Chartered Accounting LTD., the number of students using their service is consistent with the overturn of graduates, and new students coming in, with newcomers being most of their clients filing for the first time.
“It is convenient to have an accounting service at the campus to help with my taxes,” Kaur said.
RDK Chartered Accounting LTD. operates at the Notre Dame campus for basic returns from February 27 until April 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. However, the accounting firm operates year-round.
As tax season comes to an end with a deadline on April 30, for students filing their income tax returns for the first time, having an accounting service readily available on campus comes in handy.
