The Canada Revenue Agency recognizes the value of free tax clinics that help Canadians do their taxes so they can get the benefit and credits they are entitled to, while knowing the costs of running these clinics can be a challenge for organizations who want to participate.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is making it easier for individuals, especially from at-risk populations, to access these important benefits and credits by enhancing the funding available to Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) clinics. CVITP clinics are at the heart of the CRA’s efforts to ensure that Canadians can access the benefits and credits to which they are entitled.

Temiskaming Shores CVITP will benefit from this enhanced funding by receiving $4,550 to run their tax clinic in 2023. 

“The work this community organization does is so important to many of the constituents in Nipissing-Timiskaming,” says the Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming.

“The enhancements to the CVITP Grant will allow this organization to spend less time on paperwork and more time helping those in need.”

Kim Allen is with the Temiskaming Shores CVITP, and she says, “The CVITP Grant is greatly appreciated, especially for our small group of volunteers. It will enable us to continue to serve our community and reduce the financial cost to us as individuals.”

She says they will start advertising for their clinics next month with more information for residents in the Temiskaming Shores area.

Before this funding, community organizations that run tax clinics covered the costs, which increased as the clinics helped more and more Canadians complete their income tax and benefit returns. Expenses include such things as office stationery, printers, document shredders and many other incidental expenses to support their dedicated volunteers. Recognizing the challenges of COVID-19, related costs including personal protective equipment, sanitation supplies, and plexiglass dividers will also be covered under the grant program.