The Canada Revenue Agency announced a three-year renewal of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program grant.
The CVITP grant provides eligible community organizations with financial support to help operate free tax clinics for people with modest incomes and simple tax situations.
CRA said the program marked its 55th anniversary in 2026. The renewal was tied to benefit and credit access, because many payments depend on filing an income tax and benefit return.
The scale of the program is significant. Last year, more than 3,580 organizations and 19,810 volunteers helped file more than 1 million returns through the CVITP and the Income Tax Assistance - Volunteer Program in Quebec.
CRA said that work helped individuals receive billions of dollars in benefits, credits, and refunds.
Free tax clinics are part of tax administration infrastructure. They help bridge the gap between eligibility on paper and actual payment delivery for people who may not file without assistance.
The renewed grant supports the filing system that allows lower-income taxpayers to access existing credits, refunds, and benefit programs.