Canada Revenue Agency helps citizens with returns
The department invests in volunteer organizations.
The Canada Revenue Agency sponsors special volunteer organizations that help citizens and permanent residents with their tax returns. Last year, 649,000 Canadians used these services, helping them collectively receive more than CA$ 1.75 billion in benefits, credits and refunds. These services were provided by 3,400 community organizations and 14,700 volunteers.
The success of the program and its extension was reported by the Minister of National Revenue, Marie-Claude Bibeau:
"I sincerely thank the volunteers and organizations who offer their time and resources to file the tax returns of tens of thousands of Canadians, allowing them to access the federal benefits to which they are entitled. Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, our government provides volunteers with training and equipment to carry out their mission. Extending the grant program allows us to help participating organizations in offsetting some of the expenses they incur to provide this service."
To continue this important work, the Canada Revenue Agency is awarding a CA$ 5.2 million grant to organizations that have already participated in core programs in 2023. The funding is just part of a three-year pilot project to help offset costs for volunteer tax organizations. Given these impressive results, Bibeau said the project will be extended for a fourth year with funding of up to CA$ 5.9 million.
Volunteers at free tax clinics complete tax returns for people with modest incomes and simple tax situations so they can access important benefits and credits that help make life more affordable. This is money that many people rely on to cover rent, pay for childcare or buy food for their families.
