Get your taxes done at a free tax clinic
Free tax clinics are hosted by community organizations through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). They are offered throughout Canada and are available to individuals who have a modest income and a simple tax situation.
On this page:
Steps for using a free tax clinic
Identify your province or territory
If you are a resident of Canada (other than Quebec)
Tax clinics are hosted through the CVITP in the provinces and territories listed below:
Applies to:
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Saskatchewan- Yukon
Continue to step 2 if you are a resident of Canada, other than Quebec.
If you are a resident of Quebec
Tax clinics in Quebec are hosted through the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (ITAVP)Do not continue to step 2 if you are a resident of Quebec.
Residents of Quebec should refer to: Are you eligible for the Income Tax Assistance Program
Determine if you are eligible
To be eligible to use the services of a free tax clinic, you must have both:
- a modest income
- a simple tax situation
Determine if you have a modest income
The following table provides a guideline to determine what is considered a modest income.
In general, a modest income means the total family income is less than or equal to the amount shown in the chart below, based on the size of the family.
Family size includes an individual, or a couple, and their dependants.
Community organizations can adjust the total family income for their clients based on the local economic environment, the population they serve, and their resources.
Suggested income levels Family size Total family income 1 person $40,000 2 people $55,000 3 people $60,00 4 people $65,000 5 people $70,00 More than 5 people $70,000, plus $5,000 for each additional person Determine if you have a simple tax situation
In general, a tax situation is simple if an individual has no income or if their income comes from these sources:
- employment
- pension
- benefits, such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, disability insurance, employment insurance, and social assistance
- registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs)
- scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, or grants
- interest (under $1,200)
Volunteers are not expected to answer complex tax questions. If a taxpayer needs information that is beyond the volunteer’s expertise, they can find more information on the website or contact the Canada Revenue Agency.
Some volunteers may complete prior-year tax returns; however, they will only complete tax returns they feel comfortable preparing based on the information the taxpayer gives them.
Complex tax situations are not supported
Volunteers will not complete a deceased taxpayer's return, or returns that have any of the following:
- self-employment income or employment expenses Exception 1
- business income and expenses
- rental income and expenses
- interest income over $1,200
- capital gains or losses
- bankruptcy in the tax year (or the year before, if that return has not yet been filed)
- foreign property (Form T1135)
- foreign income Exception 2
Get the documents you need
Volunteers will need to see all the relevant documents and receipts if you want them to prepare your taxes. These could include, but are not limited to, the following:
- valid government-issued photo identification
- social insurance number (SIN) or a valid temporary SIN
- tax information slips
Locating your slips
Tax information slips are prepared by your employer, payer, or administrator. You should have received most of your slips and receipts by the end of February. If you have not received them or have lost or misplaced a slip for the current year, start by checking your CRA account or contacting your employer or issuer for a copy. If you are unable to resolve this issue online, you can call the CRA general enquiries line at 1-800-959-8281.
Volunteers may be able to retrieve some of your tax slips through the CRA’s online Auto-fill my return feature, which allows volunteers to access tax slips that the CRA has available at the time of the request. Please note that not all volunteers have access to this online feature.
If you need a slip for an earlier year, you may be able to get a copy through your CRA Account or by visiting Skip the line to find answers to most of your tax-related questions.
You can also visit Service Canada to get electronic versions of your current and previous tax slips for old age security (OAS), employment insurance (EI), and the Canada pension plan (CPP).
- receipts
- previous Notice of Assessment (when possible)
Find a free tax clinic near you
There are 3 different types of free tax clinics offered by CVITP and ITAVP.
Note: Some organizations may operate tax clinics from their private residence. Please contact the clinic directly to confirm the location before visiting. If you are not comfortable attending a clinic in a private home, you are encouraged to choose another location or a virtual clinic.
- Walk-in
A clinic where your tax return is filed during advertised hours on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Drop-off
A clinic where your income tax documents are dropped off during advertised hours. Your tax return will be filed by a volunteer, and you will pick it up at a later time. You will have to prove your identity when you pick up your tax return and documents.
Please make sure that you drop off your documents at the advertised tax clinic’s location.
- By appointment
A clinic where an appointment is needed to file your tax return. Appointments can be in person or virtual.
- in person: a volunteer will do your tax return at a scheduled time.
- virtual: a volunteer within your province or territory will do your tax return at a scheduled time by videoconference or by phone.
- virtual – Northern communities: if you are a resident in a prescribed zone, a volunteer who may or may not be located within your province or territory will do your tax return at a scheduled time by videoconference or by phone.
Find a free tax clinic in your area: Tax clinic directory