How to participate
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Become a CVITP volunteer
- Before you register
- Understand your roles and requirements
- Know your responsibilities
- How to participate
How to participate
Volunteers must meet all the requirements for their role before they can be approved to participate in the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP).
If you are a resident of Quebec, please visit the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program to find out how you can help eligible individuals to file their returns.
Answer the questions below to determine:
- the role that best matches your skills and experience
- the requirements needed for the role you select
The requirements to volunteer depend on the role you choose. If you want to participate in more than one role, choose the one with the most requirements. The list below is ordered from the most to the least requirements.
- Tax Preparer – Filing electronically and using Auto-fill my return (AFR)
- Tax Preparer – Filing electronically
- Tax Preparer – Filing by paper
- Support Role – With access to taxpayer information
- Support Role – Without access to taxpayer information
Once you meet all the requirements for your role, you will receive a CVITP participation approval email.
Determine role and requirements
This information is provided in 2 formats.
The result is
Based on your response, you do not meet the requirements to register as a tax preparer – filing electronically. You may be able to participate in a support role.
To choose a new volunteer role, restart the questionnaire.
The result is
Based on your response, you do not meet the requirements to register as a tax preparer – filing electronically. You may be able to participate in a support role or a tax preparer role - filing by paper.
To choose a new volunteer role, restart the questionnaire.
The result is
Based on your response, you may not meet the requirements to register as a tax preparer – filing electronically. You may be able to participate in a support role or a tax preparer role - filing by paper.
To choose a new volunteer role, restart the questionnaire.
The result is
Based on your responses, you may register as a tax preparer – filing electronically and using AFR. You also have the option to file by paper. You must now:
- register for the CVITP
- obtain a representative identifier (RepID) using the Represent a Client portal
- apply for an EFILE number or renew your EFILE account (see important note below)
- obtain a valid police records check
Important
When applying for an EFILE number or renewing your EFILE account, you will be required to provide a representative identifier (RepID). If you do not have a RepID, you can obtain one by registering with Represent a Client.
If you do not intend to electronically transmit returns, please do not apply for an EFILE number or renew your EFILE account. Only those transmitting tax returns electronically should apply for or renew their EFILE account. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in your EFILE number being suspended.
The result is
Based on your responses, you may register as a tax preparer – filing electronically. You also have the option to file by paper. You must now:
- register for the CVITP
- obtain a representative identifier (RepID) using the Represent a Client portal
- apply for an EFILE number or renew your EFILE account (see important note below)
Important
When applying for an EFILE number or renewing your EFILE account, you will be required to provide a representative identifier (RepID). If you do not have a RepID, you can obtain one by registering with Represent a Client.
If you do not intend to electronically transmit returns, please do not apply for an EFILE number or renew your EFILE account. Only those transmitting tax returns electronically should apply for or renew their EFILE account. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in your EFILE number being suspended.
The result is
Based on your response you may register as a tax preparer – filing by paper.
Next steps:
- register for the CVITP
- obtain a valid police records check
The result is
Based on your response, you do not meet the requirements to register as a tax preparer. You may still be able to register in a support role.
To choose a new volunteer role, restart the questionnaire.
The result is
Based on your response, you may register in a support role with access to taxpayer information. You must now:
- register for the CVITP
- obtain a valid police records check
The result is
Based on your response, you may register in a support role without access to taxpayer information. You must now:
View full text
A volunteer can participate in any of the following 3 roles:
- Tax preparer: file returns by paper, electronically, or both
- Support role with access to taxpayer information: provide general assistance and access taxpayer’s personal information
- Support role without access to taxpayer information: provide general assistance but will not have access to taxpayer’s information
As a tax preparer
Tax preparers can file electronically using EFILE to transmit the return to the CRA, file by paper, or use both methods: paper and electronic. Electronic filers may also choose to use the CRA’s Auto-fill my return service.
If your role includes electronic filing: Option 1
Tax preparers filing electronically must meet all of the following:
- be 18 years of age or older
- have a valid Social Insurance Number
- meet the eligibility and screening criteria for EFILE
- obtain a valid police records check (only required if using CRA’s Auto-fill my return)
- meet registration requirements:
- register for the CVITP
- apply for a valid representative identifier (RepID) using the Represent a Client portal
- apply for an EFILE number or renew an existing EFILE account (see important note below) If you are applying for or renewing an EFILE number
- When applying for an EFILE number or renewing your EFILE account, you will be required to provide a representative identifier (RepID). If you do not have a RepID, you can obtain one by registering with Represent a Client.
- If you do not intend to electronically transmit returns, please do not apply for an EFILE number or renew your EFILE account. Only those transmitting tax returns electronically, should apply for or renew their EFILE account. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in your EFILE number being suspended.
If you do not meet the requirements listed above, you can still register in a supporting role.
If you will only be filing by paper: Option 2
Tax preparers filing by paper only must:
- be 18 years of age or older
- meet registration requirements:
- register for the CVITP
- obtain a valid police records check
If you are under 18 years old, you can still register in a supporting role.
In a support role with access to taxpayer information
Volunteers in this role can provide general assistance (greeting or administering appointments, calls, etc.) and access taxpayer’s personal information (screening and organizing tax documents for clients, interpreting information from one language to another between the client and the volunteer).
Volunteers in a support role with access to taxpayer information must:
- register for the CVITP
- provide a valid police records check to your organization
In a support role without access to taxpayer information
Volunteers in this role will provide general assistance (greeting or performing administrative tasks). However, volunteers in a support role will not handle or have access to taxpayer’s information
Volunteers in a support role without access to taxpayer information must:
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2025-10-27