The grant pilot project that helps organizations that offer free tax clinics has been extended for 2025. This funding will provide support for the upcoming tax season for organizations that have and will participate in the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) or the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (ITAVP) in Quebec, between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025.
The CVITP grant was initially a three-year pilot project that was extended to a fourth year in 2024, and this year in 2025 extended to a fifth year. Based on the number of returns filed, eligible tax clinics can apply to use this funding to support the costs of hosting a clinic. Eligible organizations will be qualified to receive $5 per federal tax return filed.
Although we are in a time of fiscal restraint, the government is committed to providing support for people to do their taxes. Tax season starts on February 24, 2025, and now is the time that people will begin to think about what they need to do to start filing.
Last tax season, more than 857,000 people in Canada were able to file their taxes for free through community tax clinics, thanks to a network of dedicated volunteers. These tax clinics helped people access more than $2.35 billion in refunds, and benefit and credit entitlements. This is money that they were entitled to and that they were able to access all because they filed their return.
Through the work of more than 3520 organizations and more than 18,000 volunteers who support them in communities throughout Canada, people were able to file more than 980,000 tax returns last year. With this help, some people were able to file taxes for more than one year potentially giving them access to a refund or benefit payments for past years.
The CRA encourages all eligible individuals to take advantage of these free tax-help clinics. To find a clinic near you, please visit canada.ca/taxes-help.
The CRA is looking for more community partners to lend a helping hand in their communities by hosting free tax clinics. Organizations will receive free training and laptops, when available, from the CRA. Interested organizations can learn more at canada.ca/taxes-volunteer.
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