Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)

TIS28(E) Rev. 16

Lend a hand!

What is the CVITP?

The CVITP is a collaboration between community organizations and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Community organizations host free tax preparation clinics and arrange for volunteers to complete income tax and benefit returns for eligible individuals. The CRA provides coordinators to guide the organizations as they deliver the program, and offers training and tax software for the volunteers.

How can you help?

If you have a basic understanding of income tax, you can work with a community organization to complete returns for individuals who have a modest income and a simple tax situation. This helps these individuals maintain uninterrupted access to their benefit payments.

What do you get out of it?

As a CVITP volunteer, you will:

• give back to your community
• increase your tax knowledge
• gain new skills and improve existing ones
• do work that is valued and recognized

How can you become a volunteer?

To register to become a volunteer or to get more information about the CVITP, go to Community Volunteer Income Tax Program or call 1-800-959-8281.

In Quebec

In the province of Quebec, the program is known as the Volunteer Program. Volunteers complete both the federal and the provincial return.

Need a hand?

If you need help to prepare your income tax and benefit return, community organization volunteers may be able to complete your return for you!

Can the CVITP help you?

The CVITP helps eligible taxpayers who have a modest income and a simple tax situation.

Simple tax situation
In general, your tax situation is simple if you have no income or if your income comes from these sources:

• employment
• pension
• benefit or support payments
• RRSP
• scholarships or grants
• interest (under $1,000)

Returns not eligible for the CVITP

Volunteers do not complete returns for individuals who:

• are self–employed or have employment expenses
• have business or rental income and expenses
• have capital gains or losses
• file for bankruptcy
• are completing a tax return for a deceased person

How can you get help?

To find a free tax preparation clinic in your area or to get more information about the CVITP, go to Community Volunteer Income Tax Program or call 1-800-959-8281.