Community Volunteer Tax Return Program 2025

NOTICE: We file taxes online using Skype. Please add cvitp@eclife.ca to your Skype after registration and confirm your booking. Ensure your microphone and camera are working on your device.

ECLife Newcomers Centre is a CRA CVITP clinic providing tax return assistance for newcomers and the public. Our team members are volunteers, including students and immigrants eager to contribute to the local community.

Program Duration

  • March 1, 2025, to April 30, 2025

After you submit your booking information, we will contact you to schedule an appointment with a volunteer to file your taxes.

How to Begin

  1. Eligibility and Required Documents
  2. SIN or ITN
    • To complete a tax return, you need a SIN (Social Insurance Number). If you are not a Canadian resident (e.g., an international student who cannot obtain a SIN), apply for an ITN (Individual Tax Number). You can obtain a SIN from Service Canada. Apply for an ITN here.
  3. Submit Your Tax Request(click and open the online web form)
    • After submitting your request, add cvitp@eclife.ca to your Skype to confirm your booking. Prepare the following documents:
      • SIN/ITN
      • Photo ID/Passport
      • Tax forms
      • Previous year's Notice of Assessment (NOA)
      • Bank cheque information (see example)
    • Ensure all tax-related documents are ready and be online on Skype 5 minutes before your appointment. Our volunteer will complete your tax return online and verify your ID over the webcam and microphone (Please test your equipment beforehand).
    • For any questions, please email cvitp@eclife.ca.

After Your Tax Return is Completed

Our volunteer will submit your tax report to the CRA using CRA-certified software. You will receive an email confirmation from the CRA, and we will email you a PDF of your 2024 tax return report. Keep this report for at least seven years. If the tax report cannot be submitted online, you may need to print and mail it to the CRA.

Follow-Up Service

Most follow-up requests occur after April 30th. The ECLife Community Volunteer Tax Return Program generally does not provide follow-up services. However, limited year-round volunteers or paid services may assist with follow-up requests.

Adjustment Service

Our program does not include free tax adjustment services for returns prepared by another tax preparer or tax clinic. However, if an error occurs on our end, we will adjust your taxes for free.

What if I am not eligible for CVITP?

We offer a limited paid tax return service if needed. For more details, please contact us after submitting your booking request.

What if I am not eligible to receive services from ECLife?

Many other organizations, including public libraries and schools, also provide CVITP services. You can also seek help from a professional tax preparer/clinic or accountant for a fee. Alternatively, you can purchase tax return software to complete your taxes on your own.