Know your responsibilities

In order to participate with the program, you must:

Register with the CVITP

Those who wish to participate as volunteers in CVITP activities must register as a volunteer and accept the program terms and conditions of use. If you are a returning volunteer, you will need to enter your Volunteer Identification Number (VIN) when registering for the program.

Be affiliated with a CVITP community organization

To participate in the program, you must be affiliated with a participating organization. If you need help finding an organization to affiliate with, a CVITP officer can assist in making connections; however, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are affiliated.

Meet requirements based on your role

CVITP volunteers must meet the requirements of their role before they can participate. Once you have met all the necessary requirements, you will receive a CVITP participation approval email.

Be 18 years of age or older to prepare and file tax returns

There is no age limit for volunteering with the CVITP; however, you must be 18 years of age or older to prepare and file tax returns. Volunteers under 18 years old can participate in a supporting role only.

Once you become a volunteer

You are expected to:

Comply with the CVITP program terms and conditions of use as outlined on the registration form

Program terms

As per the program terms, volunteers must:

• be physically located within Canada when preparing and submitting returns under the CVITP
• offer my services free of charge and decline any monetary reward that may be offered to me
• never use the CVITP tax software for monetary gain or any other form of remuneration
• use the CVITP tax software only to prepare returns for taxpayers eligible for the CVITP
• transmit each return to the CRA immediately upon completion, when possible
• meet the CVITP requirements applicable to my volunteer role
• meet the responsibilities of volunteers as outlined by the program

Conditions of use

As per the conditions of use, volunteers must:

• never copy the CVITP tax software or allow copies of it to be made
• protect the taxpayer's privacy by never using or divulging any information provided by the taxpayer for any purpose other than preparing their income tax and benefit return
• have each taxpayer sign form TIS60, Community Volunteer Income Tax Program - Taxpayer Authorization, and return it to the taxpayer once completed
• delete all saved electronic copies of the taxpayer's return and any other electronic documents, no later than 48 hours after its transmission to and acceptance by the CRA
• return all documents containing personal information (e.g., completed returns, tax slips) to the taxpayers or to the organization(s) to which I am affiliated
• allow CVITP officers to share my contact information and registration approval with my affiliated community organization(s), or with other CVITP community organizations in my area if I require assistance to become affiliated

Complete CVITP training

CVITP volunteers are strongly encouraged to complete training every year and be familiar with the up-to-date CVITP procedures and guidelines outlined in the training.

Keep taxpayer information secure and confidential

It is critical to the program's success to ensure organizations and volunteers safeguard taxpayer information and understand their responsibilities in this respect, as outlined in the training. 

Volunteers are required to:

• return all copies and original documents back to the taxpayer
• delete all electronic documents containing taxpayer information.

Provide services free of charge

You cannot charge for your volunteer services and must decline any offers of monetary reward. Anyone charging a fee will be removed from the program and their CVITP EFILE account will be suspended. If you encounter a situation where fees are being charged, bring it to the attention of your CVITP officer immediately.

Identify yourself as a volunteer

Always identify yourself as a CVITP volunteer. You must not present yourself as an employee or a representative of the CRA or Revenu Québec, even if you are one.

Avoid a conflict of interest

• Do not create a conflict of interest between your work as a volunteer and your private or business activities.
• Never promote your private or business activities to individuals you serve through the CVITP.
• If you have an EFILE number for professional use, you must get a separate EFILE number as a volunteer for the CVITP.

Act professionally and respectfully

CVITP volunteers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. You are also expected to respect the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. You must respect all individuals involved with the CVITP, including both those accessing services and the volunteers providing them, regardless of race, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, or religion.

Protect your EFILE credentials

• Do not share your EFILE number or password.
• Do not use someone else’s EFILE number to file returns.

Important

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) appreciates the work that organizations and volunteers do in  providing an important service to modest income Canadians. The CRA also prioritizes integrity, professionalism, respect, and collaboration, while also taking our responsibility to protect taxpayer information seriously.

CVITP volunteers must comply with the program terms and conditions of use, fulfil their responsibilities, and immediately inform CVITP officers if they are unable to do so.

The CRA reserves the right to suspend any volunteer that violates the program terms, conditions of use, does not meet their responsibilities, or is involved in any disreputable conduct that would reflect adversely on the program.