Volunteer Tax Return Preparer

VOLUNTEER TAX RETURN PREPARER

Community Income Tax Assistance Hub (CITAH)
Location: Virtual/Hybrid
Position Type: Volunteer | Seasonal
Program: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)

Make a Difference — One Tax Return at a Time!

The Community Income Tax Assistance Hub (CITAH) is looking for friendly, detail-oriented volunteers to help individuals and families in our community complete their income tax and benefit returns accurately, confidentially, and free of charge.

If you enjoy helping people, are comfortable with computers and numbers, and want to develop practical Canadian tax-preparation skills, this could be a great opportunity for you!

You do not need to be a tax expert or professional accountant. The CRA provides free training and support for CVITP volunteers.

What You’ll Do

As a Volunteer Income Tax Preparer, you will:

• Prepare Canadian income tax and benefit returns for eligible community members.
• Review tax slips and supporting documents.
• Use CRA-approved CVITP tax-preparation software and procedures.
• File returns electronically through EFILE and/or by paper, depending on your approved role.
• Explain basic tax information and benefits in clear, easy-to-understand language.
• Help taxpayers access the benefits and credits for which they may be eligible.
• Protect all taxpayer information and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ask for assistance when you are unsure about a tax situation.
• Refer tax situations outside the CVITP’s scope or your level of training to a CITAH coordinator.

CVITP tax preparers work with taxpayers who generally have modest incomes and simple tax situations. Volunteers are expected to prepare only returns they are qualified and comfortable handling.

Required Skills & Qualities

We’re looking for volunteers who are:

💻 Comfortable with computers

You should be comfortable using a computer and willing to learn tax-preparation software and electronic filing systems.

🔢 Comfortable with numbers

You don’t need advanced mathematics skills, but you should be comfortable working with numbers, tax slips and financial information.

🔎 Detail-oriented

Accuracy is important. You should be able to carefully review information, identify missing or inconsistent information, and double-check your work.

🗣️ A good communicator

You should be able to explain basic information clearly and patiently to people who may have little knowledge of the tax system.

🤝 Friendly and respectful

You will work with people from diverse backgrounds and should be comfortable providing service in a welcoming, non-judgmental manner.

🔐 Trustworthy and confidential

You will handle sensitive personal and financial information. A strong commitment to privacy, confidentiality and ethical conduct is essential.

🧠 Willing to ask questions

You don’t need to know everything. Good judgment includes recognizing when a tax situation is beyond your knowledge and asking a coordinator for assistance.

Previous tax-preparation, accounting or bookkeeping experience is an asset—but is not required. CRA training is available to volunteers.

CRA Eligibility Requirements

To volunteer as a Tax Preparer, you must meet the CRA’s requirements for the type of tax-preparation services you will provide.

All Tax Preparers (Remote, In-person or Hydrid)

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must register with the CRA Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) and be affiliated with CITAH as a participating community organization.
• Must receive CRA approval and complete the applicable CVITP training.
• Must meet applicable CRA screening requirements, including a police records check where required.
• Volunteers filing electronically must meet CRA EFILE requirements, including obtaining the appropriate Representative Identifier (RepID) and CVITP EFILE credentials.
• Volunteers using Auto-fill my return (AFR) must meet the additional CRA requirements for that service, including a valid police records check and use of designated CVITP tax software.
• Must keep all CRA credentials secure and never share them with another person.
• Must comply with all CVITP terms, conditions, privacy requirements and procedures.

CITAH will help successful volunteers understand and complete the CRA requirements applicable to their role.

Privacy & Professional Responsibilities

As a CITAH/CVITP volunteer, you will be entrusted with sensitive taxpayer information.

You must:

• Keep taxpayer information strictly confidential.
• Protect documents and electronic information from unauthorized access.
• Return original documents to taxpayers.
• Delete electronic documents containing taxpayer information as required by the CVITP.
• Provide tax-preparation services free of charge.
• Never accept payment or monetary rewards for CVITP services.
• Use CVITP software only for eligible CVITP taxpayers.
• Identify yourself as a CVITP volunteer—not as a CRA employee.
• Follow all CRA and CITAH policies and procedures.

Time Commitment

Seasonal / All Year / Flexible Volunteer Opportunity

The greatest need for tax preparers is during the annual tax season, generally from late February through early June.

CITAH will work with volunteers to establish schedules based on:

• Clinic dates and hours;
• Volunteer availability;
• Training and onboarding requirements; and
• Whether the volunteer works at an in-person or virtual clinic.

Volunteers may be able to participate in in-person and/or virtual tax clinics.

CRA recommends that volunteers register well in advance of tax season; volunteer registration is open year-round, with the CRA recommending registration between late October and early February.

What CITAH Provides

🎓 Training

Access to CRA’s free CVITP training and learning resources.

👥 Support

Orientation, guidance and support from CITAH coordinators and experienced volunteers.

💻 Experience

Practical experience with Canadian personal income tax preparation and CRA tax-filing processes.

❤️ Meaningful Community Service

The opportunity to help individuals and families access tax benefits and credits that can make a real difference in their lives.

Who We’re Looking For

This opportunity is ideal for:

• Students interested in accounting, business, finance or taxation;
• Retirees with accounting, bookkeeping or tax experience;
• Accounting or tax professionals who want to give back;
• People interested in developing Canadian tax-preparation experience;
• Community-minded individuals who enjoy helping others; and
• Anyone who is detail-oriented, reliable and willing to learn.

You don’t have to be a tax professional to make a difference.

Interested?

If you are interested in becoming a CITAH Volunteer Income Tax Preparer, we’d love to hear from you.

Join the CITAH team and help make free tax assistance more accessible to our community!

Volunteer positions are subject to CITAH onboarding requirements and applicable CRA Community Volunteer Income Tax Program eligibility, registration, screening and approval requirements.