Harper Government partners with communities to offer support during tax time

News Release

Minister Findlay showcases the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

March 19, 2015 - Campbell River, British Columbia - Canada Revenue Agency

The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, met today with volunteers from the Campbell River Women’s Centre to promote the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) and the new tax relief measures available for Canadians and families during 2014 filing season.

There are over 2,000 community organizations partnering with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to lead CVITP clinics assisting taxpayers. The CVITP offers Canadians with a modest income and a simple tax situation help filing their income tax and benefit returns. By filing their return, taxpayers ensure they don’t miss out on a broad range of benefits and credits for which they may be eligible. CVITP clinics are offered across Canada from February to the end of April. Information on clinic dates and locations can be found at www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer.

The CRA has supported community organizations providing volunteer assistance to eligible individuals during tax time for over 40 years. Minister Findlay highlighted an additional $1 million investment to strengthen the program this tax-filing season, and released the CRA’s new Need a Hand video. The additional $1 million investment allowed:

new CVITP products in languages other than French and English to improve communications in remote communities and expand the program to new community organizations, volunteers and taxpayers;
organizations and volunteers to now register online; and
improved training and support for first-time community organizations hosting a clinic.

As part of the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to increasing economic growth and prosperity, new tax credits and services have been introduced to provide support for Canadian families with children under 18.

Increasing* the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) for children under the age of six. Parents will now receive up to $1,920 per child, per year.
Expanding* the UCCB to children aged six through 17. Parents will receive up to $720 per child, per year.
Introducing* the Family Tax Cut which will provide up to $2,000 in tax relief to eligible couples with children under 18.
Doubling the maximum claim per child under the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit from $500 to $1,000.
Increasing* the Child Care Expenses Deduction dollar limits by $1,000, effective for the 2015 tax year.
*Subject to Parliamentary approval.

Quick facts

The new CVITP Need a Hand video is available in six languages: English, French, Arabic, Cantonese, Punjabi, and Cree.
Over 16,000 CVITP volunteers help complete more than 600,000 individual income tax and benefit returns every year.
The CVITP is available free of charge to any taxpayer who has a modest income and a simple tax situation.
The CRA has implemented new security measures for the CVITP this filing season and next to strengthen the integrity of the program. These measures will support community organizations to further safeguard the personal information of taxpayers.

Quotes

"Our government proudly recognizes the contributions being made by community organizations in their efforts to help families, newcomers, students, seniors, and those of modest means to file their tax return and claim the credits and benefits they may be eligible for. We appreciate the work being done by over 2,000 organizations and their 16,000 volunteers to assist Canadians through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program this tax filing season."
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue

“Our Government is committed to providing support for hard-working families, and has taken number of steps to make life more affordable for those with children. With our new family credits and benefits, we are helping families make ends meet by making important priorities like child care and after-school sports more affordable."
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue

“I am proud of the great work being done by community associations on Vancouver Island through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. The Campbell River Women’s Centre has helped many women file their tax return and claim benefits and credits they may be eligible for, and the further improvements to the CVITP will give the Campbell River Women’s Centre more tools to assist Canadians for years to come.”
The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North

"Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), the Campbell River Women’s Centre has provided services to help women file their tax return and claim the benefits and credits they may be eligible for, like the proposed tax measures to help Canadian families. We are pleased that Minister Findlay has announced further improvements to the CVITP, which helps thousands of Canadians in our community and across the country."
Ellen Latta from the Campbell River Women’s Centre