Conservative estimates suggest there are over 1 million eligible people in Canada who do not file annually.  A significant number, perhaps the majority, are individuals living on very low incomes.  Because they do not file, they are missing out on important federal and provincial/territorial benefits.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) recently introduced an initiative to encourage low-income non-filers to file their income tax and benefit returns.  However, the success rate for this initiative is pitifully low.

This article suggests why the CRA should and how it could work with CVITP host organizations to significantly increase the number of low-income non-filers who decide to file returns.