Community organizations are getting a financial boost so they can help people in our community get important benefits and credits like the Canada Child Benefit, the Climate Action Incentive or the new grocery rebate. Thousands of organizations across Canada can now apply for increased grant funding from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to help their volunteers run free tax clinics and put money in the pockets of more Canadians.

Free tax clinics ensure people with limited resources can complete their tax returns and get the benefits and credits that help make life more affordable. This is money many people rely on to cover rent, pay for childcare or buy food for their families. Clinics are hosted by non-profits, charities or community groups in collaboration with the CRA through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program or the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program in Quebec. 

In 2022, free tax clinics helped more than 186,000 people in Ontario receive more than $629 million, in benefits, credits and refunds.

To support them in this important work, the CRA is tripling the base amount of grant funding from $500 to $1,500 for organizations that file 50 or more tax returns. A new supplemental amount of $250 will also support organizations that operate in rural and remote communities.

Here’s the new formula:

Base amounts:

 Supplemental amounts:

Applications are open from May 25, 2023 until July 31, 2023. For more information, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit canada.ca/free-tax-clinics-grant.

Quotes

“Community organizations that run free tax clinics play a vital role in helping our neighbours get benefits and credits that help cover the cost of living. Grant funding for hosting free tax clinics helps these organizations focus on what they do best – providing support to those in need!”

Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre

Quick Facts

• In 2022, more than 3,400 community organizations and 14,700 volunteers helped more than 649,000 people across Canada complete their income tax and benefit returns through the CVITP and the ITAVP in Quebec.
• In 2021 the CRA committed more than 10 million dollars over three years towards a pilot offering grants to community organizations participating in the CVITP or the ITAVP in Quebec.
• In the first two years of the grant program, the CRA has awarded more than 2,000 funding agreements to eligible organizations across Canada, totalling more than $3.7 million in grant funding.
• This year, the CVITP Grant online application is open from May 25 to July 31 2023. Organizations are invited to apply annually.

Associated Links

Free tax clinics

Grant for hosting free tax clinics

Questions and answers about the grant

Free tax clinic statistics

Contacts

Eamonn Horan-Lunney, Chief of Staff

Office of Vance Badawey

905 613-995-0988

[phone]

[email protected]