Run tax clinics in your community organization

Have you heard of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)?

Every year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) supports local community organizations and their volunteers as they help Canadians prepare and file tax returns across the country. It happens in community organizations just like yours through a program called the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP).

The CVITP enables community organizations to run free tax clinics in their local communities. The program has been around for over 40 years, and last year thousands of organizations and their volunteers helped file over a half a million income tax returns.

How does it work?

As a community organization, you register with the CRA, and the CRA provides coordinators, training, and reference material, as well as free tax preparation software, and where available computer equipment. Organizations recruit volunteers, and throughout the tax filing season they have the support and help of the CRA, including access to service agents via a dedicated 1-800 number.

What’s in it for my organization?

As a community partner with the CVITP, you will help members in your community maintain uninterrupted access to benefits and credits they are entitled to, such as the GST/HST credit and the Canada child tax benefit. By running a free tax clinic you’ll be lending a hand to Canadians with modest incomes and a simple tax situation.

How do you get started?

To run a tax clinic, go to www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer to register your organization. CRA coordinators are available to provide guidance to community organizations. CRA coordinators can arrange training sessions; provide tax preparation software, and promotional materials.