FREE TAX CLINIC

A free tax clinic is a place where eligible people can get their tax returns done for free by volunteers. They are hosted by community organizations across Canada through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) and the Income Tax Assistance - Volunteer Program (ITAVP) in Quebec. 

Our dates are on March 24th, March 29th, April 21st, and April 26th. Click HERE to see our location.

Getting Started - Choose the option that works best for you!

In Person Appointment

Book a dedicated time slot during our advertised days with one of our volunteers. Enjoy personalized assistance without the wait! Allocate 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the return’s complexity. Limited Spots

Walk-in:

Simply walk in. Scheduled appointments will be served first. If the wait is too long, you can:

  • Drop off your documents with us and we will complete within 1-7 business days.
  • Book an appointment on our other advertised days. Allow 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on complexity and volume.

Drop-off:

Drop off your tax documents during our advertised hours, and we’ll take care of the rest! Once completed, we’ll notify you for pickup, processing typically takes 1-7 business days.

Prefer a digital option? Download the Techquila app, create a free account, and access your T1 online—ready to print from the comfort of your home. 

Virtual Appointment (Year-Round):

Download the Techquila app and create a free account for easy access anytime. Message us, upload files, manage tasks, and more—all at your convenience. Processing typically takes 1 to 7 business days, though delays may occur if documents are incomplete or missing.

Virtual (Northern Communities - Year Round):

Just like a Virtual Appointment, download the Techquila app, create a free account, and access year-round support designed for Northern communities. Processing typically takes 1 to 7 business days, with potential delays if documents are incomplete or missing.

A form of identification will be required to confirm your identity for any of these services

What you need to bring with you when you come to the clinic:

  • Tax information slips (unless you want us to use Auto-Fill)
  • Previous Notice of Assessment 

(If you do not have the slips or notice of assessment, we can access on the CRA website onsite.)

 

  • Any Receipts
  • Social Insurance Number
  • Government Issued Identification

Do you qualify?

If you are:

  • adults 65 years and older
  • housing-insecure individuals
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • modest-income individuals
  • newcomers
  • persons with disabilities
  • students and youth

 

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 $1,000)

 

The following table provides a guideline to determine what is considered a modest income. 

Income levels

Family size                               Total family income     

1 person                                             $35,000

2 people                                             $45,000

3 people                                             $47,500

4 people                                             $50,000 

5 people                                             $52,500 

More than 5 people                           $52,500, plus $2,500 for each additional person

The CVITP does not provide training or support for complex tax situations such as:

  • self-employment income or employment expenses * (see Exception 1)
  • business income and expenses
  • rental income and expenses
  • interest income over $1,000
  • capital gains or losses
  • bankruptcy in the tax year (or the year before, if that return has not yet been filed)
  • deceased person
  • foreign property (T1135)
  • foreign income ** (see Exception 2)

 

*Exception 1

Individuals who have a T4A slip, Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income, that shows self-employed or business in box 048 may be eligible to have their tax return completed through the CVITP if all of the following conditions are met:

  • the total income in box 048 is under $1,000
  • no expenses are claimed
  • the individual is not registered as a GST/HST registrant and is not required to be one

 

**Exception 2:

Individuals who receive U.S. Social Security benefits are eligible to have their tax return completed through the CVITP. Any other type of foreign income (including a foreign pension) would not be considered a simple tax situation.

 

 

 

*PLEASE NOTE: We are able to complete your taxes however, it would not be done through the CVITP, will be required to book an appointment and applicable fees will apply.

ALL ABOUT VOLUNTEERING

Join our mission to empower your community by helping tackle their taxes. Make a difference—one return at a time!

  • There are certain requirements for Volunteers:
  • CVITP volunteers must meet the requirement of their role before they can participate.
    • If you will have more than one role, register for the role that has the highest requirements.
  • Affiliate with a CVITP community organization.
    • Volunteers must participate through a CVITP community organization, like us. 
    • You do not need to be a member of the organization.
    • You can be affiliated with more than one organization.
    • CRA’s coordinators and/or Techquila can help match you with an organization after you register as a volunteer.
  • Be located in Canada.
    • Primary place of residence in Canada.
    • Must be physically present in Canada when preparing and submitting returns under CVITP.
  • Must be 18 years or older to prepare and file tax returns.
    • No age limit for volunteering with the CVITP.
    • Tax preparer must have EFILE and RepID.
  • Act professionally and respectfully.
    • Conduct yourself in a professional manner.
    • Expected to respect the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
    • Expected to respect all CVITP participants regardless of race, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, or religion.
  • Volunteers are required training.
    • CVITP volunteers are required to complete training.
    • Follow the CVITP procedures outlined in the training.
  • Keep taxpayer information secure and confidential.
    • Safeguard taxpayer information.
    • Be responsibile in this respect.
    • Depending on the information handles, a police record check may be needed.
  • Provide services free of charge.
    • Volunteers cannot charge for this volunteer service.
    • Volunteers must decline any offers of monetary reward.
    • Bring any monetary reward to the attention of your CRA coordinator immediately.
  • Identify yourself as a volunteer.
    • You must identify as a CVITP volunteer.
    • You must not present yourself as an employee or representative of the CRA or Revenu Québec.
  • 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 for the CVITP.

Volunteer registration is available year-round, but we recommend you register/renew starting the fourth week of October to be ready for tax season. Register early to prevent delays and ensure you don’t miss important information.

 

There are a couple roles that you can volunteer for:

Coordinator

  • You must register or renew your EFILE and RepID, this process can take up to 30 business days to process. You must have this before you can volunteer.
  • As the primary contact with the CRA, you will communicate with and assist volunteers, organize and schedule tax clinics, prepare and/or file returns, review tax information, and distribute software activation keys.

 

Support

  • You do not need to register for EFILE and RepID before you can volunteer.
  • Volunteers in support roles provide general assistance and do not prepare or file tax returns. Depending on your support role, you may handle or have access to taxpayer information. Support roles include:

    • Greeter: is the taxpayer’s first point of contact at in-person clinics

    • Screener: ensures taxpayers have the required paperwork and helps organize documents. Screeners may also help to ensure taxpayers meet program eligibility criteria

    • Administrator: schedules appointments, makes follow-up calls, books space for tax clinics, and performs other administrative tasks

 

Training consists of how to do taxes, using tax software, and determining their responsibilities. There are a couple ways to do the training.

  • Web-based training

  • In-Person Training

  • Virtual Training Sessions

 

Volunteers at virtual clinics may complete taxes by:

  • Videoconference

  • By phone

  • Drop-off clinic

  • In-Person

 

Before you register for any of these roles, you need to determine if you will access or handle taxpayer information. The CVITP registeration is free.

REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER

  • Please complete all requirements for the role(s) you register to volunteer in.
  • Returning volunteers will be required to enter their Volunteer Identification Number (VIN) when registering for the program.
  • The Volunteer Identification Number (VIN) is a unique and permanent, eight-digit identification number. It will remain the same for a volunteer year after year, even if there has been a break in program participation.
  • Any volunteer approved to participate in the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) will be assigned a VIN and retain it for the duration of their participation in the program.

You will not access or handle taxpayer information, click below.

You will access or handle taxpayer information, click below:

OBTAIN A VALID POLICE RECORD CHECK