Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, community organizations host free tax clinics where volunteers file tax returns for eligible people. The Portage Learning and Literacy Centre offers the following ways of getting your taxes filed for free:
By appointment: Make an appointment to see a volunteer, and the volunteer will do your tax return during the appointment.
Drop-off and pick-up: Show up during regular office hours and drop off your documents at the front door. IMPORTANT: You must print out, complete and submit this form along with your tax documents:
Once you drop everything off, a volunteer will do your return, and you pick it up at a later time. You will have to prove your identity when you pick up your return and documents.
Are you eligible for this program? You may be eligible for help if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation. See below…
Modest Income
In general, a modest income means your total family income is less than the amount shown in the chart below, based on the size of your family.
| Family size | Total family income is under… |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $35,000 |
| 2 persons | $45,000 |
| 3 persons | $47,500 |
| 4 persons | $50,000 |
| 5 persons | $52,500 |
| More than 5 persons | $52,500 plus $2,500 for each additional person |
Simple Tax Situation
In general, your tax situation is simple if you have no income or if your income comes from any of these sources:
- employment
- pension
- benefits such as the Canada Pension Plan, disability insurance, employment insurance, and social assistance
- registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs)
- support payments
- scholarships, fellowships, bursaries or grants
- interest (under $1,000)
Your tax situation is not simple if you:
- are self-employed or have employment expenses
- have business or rental income and expenses
- have capital gains or losses
- filed for bankruptcy in the tax year (or the year before, if that return has not yet been filed)
- are completing a tax return for a deceased person