Minister Findlay showcases the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program at the Deltassist Family and Community Services Society
March 13, 2015 - North Delta, British Columbia – Canada Revenue Agency
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., met today with volunteers from the Deltassist Family and Community Services Society to promote the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). Minister Findlay also talked about key initiatives recently implemented, including an additional $1 million investment to strengthen the program this tax-filing season, and released the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) new Need a Hand video.
There are over 2,000 community organizations partnering with 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.
The CRA has supported community organizations providing volunteer assistance to eligible individuals during tax time for over 40 years. The additional $1 million investment made into the program was used to:
- Develop CVITP products in languages other than French and English to improve communications efforts in remote communities and increase the reach of the program to community organizations, volunteers and taxpayers;
- Increase use of technology by allowing organizations and volunteers to register online; and
- Provide better training and support for first-time community organizations wishing to host a clinic.
Free volunteer tax preparation clinics are typically offered to eligible individuals across Canada from February to the end of April. Information on CVITP clinic dates and locations can be found at www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer.
- The 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 500,000 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.
- Through online services, including the new MyCRA mobile app, individuals can securely access key parts of their tax information from their mobile device. MyCRA is one of many online services the CRA offers to help Canadians manage their taxes, alongside MyAccount, My Business Account, My Payment, and the Business Tax Reminders mobile app.
For more information about the CVITP or to find a participating community organization in your area, go to www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer. For information on MyCRA and other mobile apps, go to www.cra.gc.ca/mobileapps.
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Rebecca Rogers
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-995-2960
Philippe Brideau
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-941-6269
