Tax season can be a nerve-wracking period for Canadians, but it's particularly challenging for low-income residents who face barriers to filing their taxes. This year, the Community Volunteer Income Tax (CVIT) program based in Penticton, British Columbia, provides invaluable assistance to hundreds of local residents at no cost.
Beginning on March 3, 2025, this longstanding initiative is already thriving under the coordination of Shirley Pertty, who has dedicated 13 years to the program. The CVIT program, which operates four days each week during March and April, is staffed by numerous trained volunteers, overseen by personnel from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Historically, the program was part of the Penticton Women’s Centre but now operates independently with the support of local organizations, including the South Okanagan Community Foundation, which helps fund the facility for the two-month duration of service. "The program is offered out of the Access Tax Centre located at 246 Martin Street, right beside Pasta Factory,” said Pertty.
The eligibility criteria for the CVIT's free tax services are quite clear. Individuals earning $35,000 or less per year qualify, with graduated limits based on the number of dependents. For example, couples can earn up to $45,000, and families of three may have incomes of $47,500, with additional allowances for dependents.
While the service provides help to those on low incomes, it does not extend to families of recently deceased individuals, self-employed individuals, those facing bankruptcy, or complex returns involving capital gains, employment expenses, business or rental income, or sales of principal properties. "We just do simple, basic tax returns," volunteer Viv Mohoruk emphasized.
Despite its two-decade history, many residents are still unaware of the free tax assistance available to them, and it’s where word-of-mouth plays a pivotal role. Many clients come to know the service through referrals from others who have benefited. Pertty noted, "A lot of clients come in and spread the word. Once they realize they can get their taxes done for free, we continually see new people each year. The fact it’s free is, of course, huge.”
Statistics show the CVIT program has seen its client numbers fluctuate between 687 and 1,329 over the years, with recent figures indicating approximately 1,100 clients each year. The 2025 program is already off to a strong start, with over 160 residents receiving help within its first four days.
The program continues Monday through Thursday until the end of April, then it will operate twice weekly through May and resume one afternoon weekly for the remainder of the year, ensuring year-round support for those who need it most.
Currently, there are 11 dedicated volunteers and two program receptionists contributing to the success of the venture. Another volunteer, Lillian Hibbert, expressed how rewarding this work is by saying, “Most people are very thankful and happy we offer this service for them.”
Beyond basic tax services, the CVIT program also aids clients struggling to access necessary government documents for their returns. Pertty stated, “If people don’t have all their tax paperwork, we have someone who can guide them to the appropriate ministry office.”
The community spirit shines through the relationships built within the program, especially the bond with Service Canada staff who assist clients when needed. New volunteer Ankit Sachdeva shared his thoughts, saying, “I wanted to participate more in helping the community. Some people have hesitations about tax filing, thinking they need to pay someone for trustworthy service. But I can assure you, coming to us provides the same level of service as any private tax provider.”
By providing this free service, the CVIT program is not only easing the burden of tax season for low-income individuals but is also facilitating access to life-changing benefits. Clients often don’t realize the financial advantages of officially filing their taxes, such as access to the Canada Pension Plan, Guaranteed Income Supplement, and child tax credits.
Pertty emphasized the importance of these benefits, saying, “Last year and this year, there’s something special for many of our clients. That’s the B.C. renters benefit. Once they file their income tax and if they've been renting—not leasing from relatives—for six months or more, they are entitled to $400 back on their return. Almost all of our clients don’t pay taxes, so this benefit is automatically deposited right back to their bank accounts.”
This year, the program is well-prepped to make significant impacts, following impressive outcomes from 2024. Last year, volunteers filed 1,735 returns for 1,324 clients, resulting in over $18 million returned to the community through various benefits and rebates.
Looking forward, the CVIT program is committed to not only assisting clients with their tax filings but also ensuring they understand the full range of benefits available to them as low-income residents. The team encourages those who wish to utilize the free services to bring photo identification and any tax slips they possess.
Due to the generosity of donations which are the lifeblood of this service, the CVIT program continues to assist those who need it most. For those interested or wishing to contribute, they can donate or book appointments by calling 250-492-4253.