Why Canada’s Poverty Rates Suddenly Look Worse (see link below) 
Council Has Too Much Faith in Automatic Filing, Undervalues PCBMI (see link below) 
Will Automatic Tax Filing Live Up To Its Promise? (see link below) 
CRA Lowballs Its Target For The CVITP In 2025 (see link below) 
Should The CRA Change Its Income Criteria For Eligible Clients? (see link below) 
How Does The CRA Deal With Money Owed by Clients? (see link below) 
Examining the Failure of the CRA’s 5 Year Pilot Project (see link below) 
What Happened During the 2025 Peak Return Filing Season? (see link below)
Why the CVITP Matters
Every year, hundreds of thousands of low‑income Canadians rely on volunteers to help them file their taxes — and unlock the benefits they need to make ends meet. Filing a tax return is the gateway to many poverty‑reducing benefits in Canada. Without it, families can lose access to thousands of dollars in supports.
Why Filing Matters
- Filing a tax return automatically triggers payment of many income‑tested benefits, such as the Canada Child Benefit, the GST/HST credit, and the Canada Workers Benefit.
- The CRA’s Notice of Assessment, produced after filing, is also required to apply for many other federal and provincial or territorial benefits such as the Canada Disability Benefit and the Canada Dental Care Plan.
- For low‑income Canadians, filing is not just about taxes — it is about access to essential income supports.
The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), run by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), is the cornerstone of free tax filing assistance. It is the CRA’s main tool to help low‑income Canadians file their returns and access the benefits they are entitled to.
The Focus
This website provides independent, evidence‑based analysis of the CVITP and its role in poverty reduction. I highlight both successes and limitations, drawing on research as well as feedback from CVITP volunteers and clinic coordinators.
I examine where the program delivers real impact — and where structural changes are needed to ensure it reaches those most in need. The critiques are constructive, offering practical suggestions for improvement.
Regular Features
I track and analyze developments that matter most to the CVITP community and the people it serves:
Program Performance:
- Monitoring how the CVITP is evolving and how well it reaches vulnerable Canadians
- Commentary on the CRA’s support for the program
Policy Developments:
- Updates on CRA efforts to reach long-term non-filers and its linkages with the CVITP
- Analysis of federal moves toward automatic tax filing and its linkages with the CVITP
- Annual changes to the tax system that affect low-income Canadians
Volunteer & Community Support:
- Advice for CVITP volunteers and the community organizations that host CVITP clinics
- Insights from the front lines of delivery
Provincial & Territorial Perspectives:
Commentary on how the CVITP operates across Canada’s provinces and territories
What’s New
Check the Blog page to see the latest news and commentary. Here are the most recent articles:
- Why Canada’s Poverty Rates Suddenly Look Worse
- Council Has Too Much Faith in Automatic Filing, Undervalues CVITP
- Will Automatic Tax Filing Live Up To Its Promise?
- CRA Lowballs Its Target For The CVITP In 2025
- Should The CRA Change Its Income Criteria For Eligible Clients?
- How Does The CRA Deal With Money Owed by Clients?
- Examining the Failure of the CRA’s 5 Year Pilot Project
- What Happened During the 2025 Peak Return Filing Season?
Commitment
This site is independent of the CRA. The goal is to strengthen accountability, improve outcomes, and ensure that Canada’s tax‑delivered benefits reach the people who need them most.
Explore the analysis, share your experiences, and join the conversation on how to strengthen Canada’s most important free tax filing program.