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Help members of your community get benefits and credits by hosting a free tax clinic
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) wants your help! We’re looking for more organizations to host free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) and the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (ITAVP) in Quebec.
Free tax clinics make it easier for people with a modest income to access important benefits and credits that can help them with the rising cost of living. So far in 2023*, more than 3,400 community partners and 15,700 volunteers have helped more than 730,000 people complete their tax returns, free of charge.
Despite these remarkable efforts, there are still thousands of people across the country who don’t do their taxes each year, which means they are missing out on benefit and credit payments. That’s why we’re looking for more organizations to host free tax clinics, especially in communities where access to free tax help is limited.
With your support, we can reach even more Canadians this coming tax season.
Here’s what you need to know about hosting a free tax clinic:
Free tax clinics are a collaboration between non-profits, charities or community groups and the CRA. You can choose to host in-person or virtual clinics; where volunteers complete taxes by videoconference, by phone or through a drop-off clinic. If you’re interested in participating, the CRA will provide support to help your organization run a free tax clinic.
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Grant funding is available
To encourage more community organizations to participate in our free tax clinic programs and help even more people, the CRA has invested an additional $5.9M into the CVITP Grant. Organizations that host free tax clinics during the 2024 tax seasoncan apply for grant funding in Spring 2024.
To host a free tax clinic, go to canada.ca/taxes-volunteer
To host a free tax clinic in Quebec, visit become a participating community organization on RevenuQuébec.ca
Not able to host a clinic? Consider becoming a volunteer!
The CRA is also looking for new volunteers to help at free tax clinics. Volunteers can help in person or virtually; by videoconference, by phone, or through a drop-off clinic. It helps if you have a basic understanding of income tax, but every volunteer will have access to training, guidance and tax-filing software.
Not up for filing taxes? You can also volunteer to help with tasks like coordinating clinics, providing interpretation or helping clients get organized before they meet with the volunteer tax preparer.
No matter your role, you’ll play an important part in helping the people in your community. Once you sign up, a CVITP coordinator will contact you to help you find a participating organization. Most free tax clinics are held in March and April, although some community groups offer clinics all year long.
To become a volunteer, go to canada.ca/taxes-volunteer
To become a volunteer in Quebec, go to revenuquebec.ca/volunteers
Questions?
Contact a CRA coordinator for more information. Once you are approved as a community partner or volunteer, a CRA coordinator will support and guide you throughout the process.