On this page

• Installing the software
  • Download
  • Installation using a USB key
  • Activation key
  • Prior year
  • Minimum system requirements
• Software welcome screen
• Display size and other support functions
• EFILE-NetFile setup

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The UFile CVITP software is a customized version of the UFile software. The software was designed specifically for Income Tax Assistance - Volunteer Program (ITAVP) organizations and volunteers. It is with this software that you will prepare the federal and Quebec tax returns for individuals who are eligible for the income tax assistance program.

A new version of the software for the current tax year is made available each year, usually around mid-February. We encourage volunteers to use the downloadable version of the software to make updates easier. However, the software is also available on a USB key if you do not have Internet access to install it.

The UFile CVITP software version must be the same as the tax year of the tax returns you are preparing.

For technical support on downloading or installing the software, or concerning its compatibility with your computer refer to the UFile CVITP webpage. For any other questions about the software, call the confidential telephone lines reserved for volunteers. 

Installing the software

Download

Once your application to become a volunteer for the ITAVP has been approved, you will receive an email from your organization with an activation key and the instructions on how to download the software on to your computer.

The instructions will include a link to access the UFile CVITP webpage where you can download the current software and, if necessary, the software for prior tax years.

To install the software on your computer, you must:

• click on the hyperlink  included in the email you received
• choose the appropriate download option and follow the instructions

The UFile installation wizard will guide you through the process. The wizard will prompt you for information as it moves through the installation process. You will need to follow each of the instructions carefully and give the program time to perform each step.

Installation using a USB key

If you have chosen to install the software with a USB key, you will receive a letter in the mail containing a USB key to install the software for the current tax year and an activation key.  

As soon as you insert the USB key into the computer, the installer will run automatically. A wizard will guide you through the installation process.

Activation key

After the software is installed, you will be asked to activate it. You will need to enter the activation code, also called the activation key.

This 16-character code is located either in the email containing the hyperlink you used to download the software or in the letter that comes with the USB key.

After completing the activation, you must enter your personal information to register your copy of UFile CVITP and receive automatic software updates. The software will then be unlocked and ready to use.

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

It is important to always use the version of the software provided to you as part of the ITAVP. To determine if you are using the correct version, ensure that the logo displayed in the top right corner of the screen indicates CVITP.

If CVITP does not appear in the logo, complete the following steps:

1. Complete the activation of the software using the activation key provided to you by email from the organization you are affiliated with

2. Start UFile

3. Click on Settings (the gear icon above the logo)

4. Click on EFILE-NetFile setup

5. Select Volunteer with the CVITP in 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

CVITP should appear in the logo once these steps have been completed.

Prior year

If you are required to prepare tax returns for a previous year, you need a separate activation key for each tax year. You can obtain one from the organization you are affiliated with or from your ITAVP coordinators. They will send you an activation key and instructions to download the version of the software to your computer for the required tax year.

The version of the software for the required tax year can also be downloaded directly from the UFile CVITP webpage. However, you will have to wait for the email with the activation key before you can prepare the tax returns.

Minimum system requirements

To download the UFile CVITP software to your computer and ensure that it will function properly, you will need to meet the minimum system requirements.

The requirements are:

• A Windows® 10 or 11 operating system
• 250 MB of available hard disk space
• A video card and monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution at 256 colours (16-bit colour recommended)
• Internet access, which is required to use the electronic filing services, such as EFILE and NetFile Québec, and to get the latest software updates

Software home screen

Once you have downloaded and opened UFile, the software’s home screen will appear under the Start tab.

The five steps in preparing tax returns 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 file the tax returns electronically

Importante note

Note that you will not be able to access the Review, Tax Return, and EFILE tabs if all mandatory fields in the Interview tab have not been completed.

 

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

Make sure that the latest UFile CVITP updates have been installed before preparing tax returns. To ensure that your software is up to date, you must:

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

Once you’re ready to start preparing the tax returns, click on Start on a new tax file.

The software will automatically bring you to the Identification topic in the Interview tab.

Display size and other support functions

You can resize the software window using the zoom scaling option (-100%+) situated in the top-right of the screen. The default setting is 100%.

If you want to adjust the sizing of the main window, you can use the two chevrons to adjust the size of the left-side menu, and the Errors Warnings Information section at the bottom of the screen.

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

The search function allows you to find information about a specific topic. When you click on the magnifying glass, a search box will appear and you can enter the search topic.

The help menu provides information on entering data in the software, links to the most common topics, and an alphabetical index. To access the help menu, click on the question mark and select Open help. You can also access it by clicking on New Tutorial at the bottom of the screen.

UFile tip

There is another alternative to open the help menu. If you are unclear about what to enter into a field, click on the question mark beside that field. This will open a UFile help window, providing you with helpful tips and further information.

 

The settings menu allows you to check for updates, register the software, and complete the EFILE and NetFile Québec setup, among other things

 EFILE-NetFile setup

If you use the electronic filing services, you must configure the software when you use it for the first time.

• In the top-right corner, click on the settings icon, then on EFILE-NetFile setup.
• In the EFILE-NetFile setup window:
  • The option Volunteer with the CVITP for the question In what capacity are you preparing tax returns? should already be selected.
  • The option EFILE under Electronic filing method should also be selected.

  UFile tip

  If these options are not available on the screen, you are not using the CVITP version of UFile. To use the correct version of the software, follow the instructions presented in the Activation key sub‑section

   
  • Tick the NetFile Québec for professionals box in the Electronic filing method section. 
  • In the EFILE registration information section, enter the following information:
    • your EFILE number and password
    • your NetFile Québec number and access code
    • information on the organization for which you are filing tax returns electronically

  Tax tip

  Note that the EFILE number and the NetFile Québec number are the same. However, the EFILE password and the NetFile access code are different.

   
• Enter the CVITP Organization Identification Number (COIN) provided  to you by your affiliated organization in the COIN field.
  • If your organization has not yet provided you with a COIN, select No for the question Do you have a COIN? and leave the COIN field blank. Even though this field is mandatory, you will still be able to prepare and transmit tax returns.

  Important note

  If you enter an invalid COIN you will get an error message that will prevent you from saving your settings.

   

The COIN field is a mandatory field that will be used for statistical and reporting purposes for the CRA.

• In the Representative information section, enter 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 filed with the CRA.

 
• Click  Save.

If you prepare tax returns on a computer that is used by more than one volunteer, it is very important to erase your identification information in Part A of the EFILE-NetFile setup once you finish preparing tax returns.

• To erase this information, click Clear Part A, then Save.
• When you select Clear Part A, information about the organization will still remain in Part B. If you need to delete all information, including the organization information, click Clear All and Save.