Parliamentary Secretary highlights efforts to help vulnerable Canadians access the benefits they are entitled to

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Canada Revenue Agency

Apr 03, 2018, 15:55 ET

BRAMPTON, ON, April 3, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to making tax filing easier for the most vulnerable Canadians, and is working to ensure that these individuals have access to the benefits and credits to which they are entitled, including the Canada child benefit. That is why the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is introducing concrete measures to reduce barriers to tax filing.

Today, Kamal Khera, Member of Parliament for Brampton West and Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of National Revenue, met with a number of community organizations that provide assistance to vulnerable individuals in Brampton. During the discussions, participants presented concrete solutions for the CRA to consider to make the services it offers fairer, more helpful and more accessible to more Canadians. The Parliamentary Secretary highlighted initiatives such as enhancements to the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), the simplification of the CRA's communications products and forms, and the launch of the File my Return automated telephone service. The Parliamentary Secretary also presented the findings of the first ethnographic study conducted by the CRA on the experiences of homeless and housing-insecure Canadians in filing taxes and accessing benefits.         

Ms. Khera took the time to recognize the hard work and dedication of the volunteers that complete thousands of tax returns for eligible individuals through CVITP clinics. This program is a great example of collaboration between the CRA and community-based organizations from coast to coast to coast. Budget 2018 proposes funding to double the size of the CVITP as well as provide additional year-round clinics to help even more Canadians access the benefits they are entitled to.

Quotes

"Filing a tax return opens the door to benefits that can make all the difference in the lives of those who need them the most. If you need help completing your tax return, volunteers with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program are working hard to help you. I want to thank all the dedicated people across Canada who are generously dedicating their time to help this tax filing season." 

-The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue

"The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program illustrates what can be accomplished when Canadians lend a helping hand to their neighbours. In Brampton alone, there are 35 organizations and over 250 volunteers participating in the CVITP. I want to thank all these volunteers for their hard work and for helping Canadians access all the credits and benefits they are entitled to, such as the Canada child benefit.  Thank you for showing us what community truly means."   

- Kamal Khera, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue

Quick Facts

  • Benefits like the Canada Child Benefit and the Canada Workers Benefit help those for whom a bit more money in their pockets could make a big difference.
  • The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program completes income tax returns for taxpayers with modest incomes and simple tax situations.
  • In Quebec, this program is called the Volunteer Program and is jointly administered by the CRA and Revenu Québec.
  • Last year, in Ontario, more than 5,770 volunteers from 905 organizations helped close to 228,000 individuals by completing their tax returns.
  • So far this year, in Ontario, more than 6,390 volunteers from over 1,000 organizations have helped more than 120,000 individuals in completing their tax returns.
  • In February 2018, the CRA launched a new service called File My Return. Over 950,000 eligible Canadians with a low or a fixed income that is unchanged year to year have been invited to file their return over the phone. They simply have to answer a few questions from an automated phone service and they don't have to do any complicated calculations.

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SOURCE Canada Revenue Agency

For further information: Jérémy Ghio, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of National Revenue, 613-995-2960; Media Relations, Canada Revenue Agency, 613-948-8366

Related Links

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/

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Canada Revenue Agency

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Government of Canada