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Free Tax Clinic

Eligibility Review

Before preparing your return, we review eligibility to ensure:

  • Your income meets modest income guidelines
  • Your tax situation is simple, as defined by the CRA
  • This helps ensure accuracy and compliance with CVITP requirements.

CRA Community Volunteer Program

This free tax clinic operates under the CRA Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP).

All returns are prepared by trained volunteers following CRA rules and confidentiality standards.

Current & Prior Year Returns

Eligible individuals may receive help filing:

  • The current tax year
  • Prior year returns, when allowed under CVITP guidelines.
  • This may help recover missed refunds or benefits.

Benefits Access

Filing a tax return may allow eligible individuals to receive:

  • GST/HST Credit
  • Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
  • Climate Action Incentive
  • Other CRA-administered benefits
  • We help ensure your return supports benefit eligibility.

Welcome / DETAILS

Who Is Eligible

Free tax services are available to individuals with a modest income and a simple tax situation.

This may include:

  • Adults aged 65 years and older.
  • Individuals experiencing housing insecurity.
  • Indigenous Peoples.
  • Individuals with a modest income.
  • Newcomers to Canada.
  • Persons with disabilities.
  • Students and youth.

What Is a Modest Income

A modest income generally means that the total family income is at or below the CRA guideline, based on family size. Family size includes an individual or couple and their dependants.

Family sizeTotal family income
1 person$40,000
2 people$55,000
3 people$60,000
4 people$65,000
5 people$70,000
More than 5$70,000 + $5,000 per additional person
Income limits may be adjusted by the host organization based on the local community.

Simple Tax Situations

We can help file current and prior year tax returns for individuals with a simple tax situation.

A tax situation is generally considered simple if income comes from:

  • Employment.
  • Pension income.
  • Government benefits (CPP, OAS, EI, disability insurance, social assistance).
  • RRSP income.
  • Scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, or grants.
  • Interest income under $1,200.

Situations We Cannot Support

Under CVITP rules, volunteers cannot complete returns that include:

  • Self-employment income or employment expenses.
  • Business income or expenses.
  • Rental income or expenses.
  • Interest income over $1,200.
  • Capital gains or losses.
  • Bankruptcy in the tax year (or prior year not yet filed).
  • Deceased individuals’ returns.

Free tax services are available only to individuals who meet both income and simplicity criteria set by the CRA Community Volunteer Income Tax Program