Before registering your organization

About free tax clinics

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is a longstanding partnership between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and community organizations and their volunteers. Participating organizations host free tax clinics where trained volunteers complete income tax and benefit returns for eligible individuals so they can receive, or continue to receive, the benefit and credit payments they are entitled to. The CVITP has existed since 1971 and continues to play an important role in supporting people with a modest income and a simple tax situation.

How free tax clinics help your community

Each year, CVITP organizations and volunteers help hundreds of thousands of people file their tax returns for free. Filing a tax return is required to access many federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal programs and services, some of which provide important financial support in the form of benefit and credit payments.

Some individuals may feel that doing their taxes is difficult or overwhelming. By hosting free tax clinics, organizations can ease that stress while helping connect community members with important financial support.

Types of organizations that participate

Organizations that host free tax clinics can include, but are not limited to:

• non-profits and charities
• municipalities and libraries
• community centres and community associations
• shelters and support centres
• family services associations
• settlement and multicultural organizations
• seniors’ support and recreation centres
• service clubs (for example, the Lions Club, and the Royal Canadian Legion)
• band offices
• post-secondary student groups or associations
• volunteer bureaus
• places of worship

These organizations typically already provide other services to the community and have infrastructure in place to support program delivery.

Types of free tax clinics and delivery options

Community organizations have flexibility in how they plan, schedule, and deliver free tax clinics. Organizations can choose to host clinics in person, virtually, or a combination of both. The length and frequency of clinics depend on each organization’s capacity and the needs of their community. Clinics may be offered year‑round or only during tax season. An organization may host tax clinics at one or several locations and offer different schedules at each clinic. Organizations may choose to offer full-service clinics, where they manage volunteers and tax preparation, or support clinics hosted by others by providing space or other resources.

Free tax clinics can be delivered:

• on a walk‑in basis
• by appointment
• by drop‑off and pick‑up
• virtually, which serves individuals:
  • within the same province or territory, or
  • in Northern communities located in prescribed zones

Factors to consider when choosing clinic options

When deciding how to deliver free tax clinics, organizations can consider:

• the space available
• the number of volunteers required
• the number of people in the community who may need support

Quebec organizations

If your organization is located in the province of Quebec, visit the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program to learn how your organization can participate.