Volunteer roles

A person who volunteers with the CVITP can participate as a tax preparer, a coordinator, or in a support role.

Some community organizations may assign one role to each volunteer, while others may assign multiple roles to one person.

Most organizations are looking for tax preparers and coordinators.

Tax preparer

As a volunteer tax preparer, you will complete taxes for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation. Organizations offer in-person and/or virtual tax clinics so you may have the opportunity to volunteer at either.

You can file returns electronically using EFILE and CVITP tax preparation software, or on paper if you are 18 years or older. If you file electronically, you can also choose to use the CRA’s Auto-fill my return service.

The CRA offers training and support, but if you are filing returns electronically, you should be comfortable using a computer and have a basic understanding of how to do taxes.

Coordinator

As the primary contact with the CRA, you will communicate with and assist volunteers, organize and schedule tax clinics, prepare and/or file returns, review tax information, and distribute software activation keys.

Support roles

Volunteers in support roles provide general assistance and do not prepare or file tax returns. Depending on your support role, you may handle or have access to taxpayer information. Support roles include:

• Greeter: is the taxpayer’s first point of contact at in-person clinics
• Interpreter: facilitates communication between the taxpayer and volunteer by acting as a translator
• Screener: ensures taxpayers have the required paperwork and helps organize documents. Screeners may also help to ensure taxpayers meet program eligibility criteria
• Administrator: schedules appointments, makes follow-up calls, books space for tax clinics, and performs other administrative tasks

Volunteer responsibilities

As a CVITP volunteer, you must:

Affiliate with a CVITP community organization

Volunteers must participate through a CVITP community organization. You do not need to be a member of the organization; your connection with them can be solely as a volunteer for their CVITP free tax clinic. You can be affiliated with more than one organization. If assistance is required, the CRA’s coordinators can help match you with an organization after you register as a volunteer.

Meet requirements based on your role

CVITP volunteers must meet the requirements of their role before they can participate. If you are assuming more than one role, register for the role that has the highest level of requirements.

Be located in Canada

You must have your primary place of residence in Canada and must be physically present in Canada when preparing and submitting returns under CVITP.

Be 18 years of age or older to prepare and file tax returns

There is no age limit for volunteering with the CVITP, however you must be 18 years of age or older to prepare and file tax returns. Volunteers under 18 years old can participate in a supporting role.

Act professionally and respectfully

CVITP volunteers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. You are also expected to respect the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. You must respect all CVITP participants regardless of race, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, or religion.

Do required training

CVITP volunteers are required to complete training and follow the CVITP procedures outlined in the training.

Keep taxpayer information secure and confidential

It is critical to the program's success to ensure organizations and volunteers safeguard taxpayer information and understand their responsibilities in this respect.

Provide services free of charge

You cannot charge for your volunteer services and must decline any offers of monetary reward. Anyone charging a fee will be removed from the program and their CVITP EFILE account will be suspended. If you encounter a situation where fees are being charged, bring it to the attention of your CRA coordinator immediately.

Identify yourself as a volunteer

Always identify yourself as a CVITP volunteer. You must not present yourself as an employee or representative of the CRA or Revenu Québec, even if you are one.

Avoid a conflict of interest

Do not create a conflict of interest between your work as a volunteer and your private or business activities. Never promote your private or business activities to individuals you serve through the CVITP. If you have an EFILE number for professional use, you must get a separate EFILE number for the CVITP.

EFILE and the Auto-fill my return service

Depending on your volunteer role, you may need to apply for an EFILE number and/or a RepID (to use Auto-fill my return).

EFILE for electronic filers

EFILE is an automated service that permits those who complete tax returns on behalf of others to electronically transmit returns directly to the CRA using EFILE-certified tax software.

To electronically file returns as a CVITP volunteer you must apply for an EFILE number or renew your existing EFILE account. Submit your EFILE application or renewal early as it could take up to 30 business days to process.

• Ensure you complete your CVITP registration before registering for, or renewing, your EFILE number.
  
  

  New for EFILE registration

  Please be advised changes have been made to the EFILE registration/renewal forms to improve the systems’ safety and security. As a result of these changes, all EFILE registrations or renewals now require a RepID.

  1. If you already have a RepID, you must provide it when you register/renew your account.
  2. If you do not have a RepID, you can obtain one by registering with Represent a Client.
• Accountants and professional tax preparers must obtain a separate EFILE number for returns they prepare and electronically file under the CVITP.
• Volunteers should never share their EFILE number and password as it is personal and confidential.

To have your EFILE application processed, you must meet the screening requirements.

Auto-fill my return

Auto-fill my return is a secure online service that automatically fills in parts of a taxpayer’s federal income tax and benefit return. It uses information that the CRA has available at the time of filing. This service can be used by CVITP volunteers when completing returns for 2017 and onward.

The CRA encourages the use of Auto-fill my return as it reduces the margin for error and helps ensure accuracy. It also improves service to taxpayers who may not have copies of their slips.

If you intend to use Auto-fill my return you must:

• include your representative identification number (RepID) in your CVITP volunteer registration. If your CVITP registration was completed without it, you can still provide your RepID to your CRA coordinator at a later date.
• apply for a CVITP EFILE number or renew your existing EFILE account.
• provide your organization with a valid police records check.
• use the UFILE CVITP tax software.

Police records check

Depending on the role you choose, you may need a police records check.

These can be issued through any police service, including municipal and regional police forces, or through a private company that provides personal background checks. Typically, there is a cost associated with obtaining a records check. However, your organization may be able to provide you with a letter that will waive or reduce fees.

Once you get your police records check provide it to your community organization. The organization will confirm they have received it with the CRA coordinator.

For the CVITP, police records checks are valid as long as they’ve been issued within three years.