How to set up the software and start a new file

On this page

• Installing the software
• UFile CVITP welcome screen
• EFILE-NetFile setup
• Screen sizing options and help functions

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Installing the software

UFile CVITP is customized exclusively for use by CVITP volunteers. When UFile CVITP becomes available for the current tax year, approved organizations and/or volunteers receive software installation instructions by either an email containing a hyperlink to download the software or a letter with a USB key.

If you chose to download the UFile CVITP software to prepare tax returns for the CVITP, the email you received from your organization or from your CVITP coordinator will include an activation key. If you chose to install the software with a USB key, your activation key will be included in the letter you received by mail.  

If you need to prepare a tax return for a prior year, you can download it from UFile CVITP. You will need to inform the contact person at your community organization, or your CRA coordinator, in order to obtain the separate activation key required for each year’s version of the UFile CVITP software.

Contact your CRA coordinator for assistance if you are unable to download the software from the UFile CVITP website.

UFile CVITP system requirements:

• Operating system: Windows® 10 or 11 is required for the proper operation of the UFile CVITP software
  • UFile CVITP software is not compatible with Macintosh (Apple) operating systems
• Hard disk space: 250mb available
• Display: Video card and monitor capable of 1024x768 resolution at 256 colours (16-bit colour recommended)
• Internet access is required to use EFILE and obtain the latest software updates

UFile CVITP software will display the following logo in the upper right corner of each screen:

Follow these steps if the UFile CVITP logo is not displayed:

1. Complete the activation
2. Start UFile
3. Click settings (above the logo)
4. Select EFILE-NetFile setup
5. Select Volunteer with the CVITP from the field In what capacity are you preparing tax returns?
6. Click Save, a pop-up window will appear indicating that UFile will restart to apply the new EFILE-NetFile settings
7. Click OK

The UFile CVITP logo should now appear in the upper right-hand corner.

UFile CVITP welcome screen

Once UFile CVITP has loaded, it will open to the welcome screen.

The five steps in preparing a tax return are shown as tabs at the top of the screen:

• Tab 1 – Start is where you create a file
• Tab 2 – Interview is where you start the interview process
• Tab 3 – Review is where you review the results of calculations
• Tab 4 – Tax Return is where you view tax returns, forms and schedules
• Tab 5 – EFILE is where you submit the tax returns electronically

You will be able to navigate to the Review, Tax Return or EFILE tabs only if you enter all required fields, marked with red asterisks (*), in the Interview tab.

You can get the latest updates and important changes or launch the tutorial by clicking the appropriate button at the bottom of the screen.

The latest UFile CVITP updates must be installed before you begin preparing income tax returns. To ensure that your software is up to date:

• click Get Latest Updates
• make sure the Check for updates automatically option is ticked and that your computer is connected to the Internet

To begin a new tax return, click Start on a new tax file.

The search feature (magnifying glass icon), help menu (question mark) and settings menu (gear icon) are located in the top-right corner.

The search feature allows you to find information about a specific topic. For example, if you type spousal amount into the search bar, a pop-up window opens listing all topics that include references to the spousal amount.

The help menu provides links to the most common topics, as well as an alphabetical index of all topics.

The settings menu allows you to Check for updates, Register the software and complete the EFILE-NetFile setup.

EFILE-NetFile setup

In order to submit electronically (EFILE) the tax returns, you must complete the EFILE-NetFile setup. The EFILE-NetFile setup becomes available during the installation process. You can also access it by clicking the settings menu (gear icon).

For more information on EFILE refer to the CRA electronic services section.

To complete the EFILE setup:

• open UFile CVITP 2024
• click settings, found at the top right corner, and select EFILE-NetFile setup
  • Volunteer with the CVITP will be preselected in the drop-down menu under the question In what capacity are you preparing tax returns?
  • EFILE has automatically been chosen as the electronic filing method

UFile tip

If Volunteer with the CVITP and EFILE are not the default options, you are not using the CVITP version of UFile. You need to go back and carefully follow the UFile CVITP Installing the software instructions.

 

complete both Part A and Part B of the EFILE registration information section and make sure the following fields, marked with red asterisks (*), are entered:

• your CRA EFILE number
• your CRA EFILE password
• your name and address
• the organization name and city
• the CVITP Organization Identification Number (COIN), if your organization provided you with their COIN:
  • Yes is ticked automatically for the question, Do you have a Coin?
  • if you do not have a COIN, tick No and proceed as normal
  • if you do not include a COIN, you will still be able to prepare and transmit tax returns

  Important note

  Although not entering a COIN still allows you to continue with preparing the tax return, be aware that entering an invalid COIN will generate an error message that will prevent your settings from saving.

   

complete the Representative information section by entering your RepID number in the Representative (individual) identification (RepID) number field

UFile tip

This field is optional. If provided, the RepID will be included with each tax return being submitted by the CRA.

 

click Save

If you are working on a computer that is used by other volunteers within the same community organization, you must open the EFILE-NetFile setup and ensure that your EFILE number, password and COIN (if available) are all entered correctly before you complete any tax returns.

Screen sizing options and help functions

If you want to resize the software window, a zoom scaling option is available on the top-right of the screen. The default setting is 100%.

The two chevrons located on the bottom and left of the screen (highlighted in the screenshot above) also allow you to adjust the sizing of the main window, the left-side menu, and the Errors, Warnings and Information at the bottom of the screen.

If you need guidance on what to enter into an entry field, click the question mark beside that field. This will open a UFile help window, providing you with further information and other helpful tips.