Are You Eligible for the Income Tax Assistance Program?
You may be eligible to take advantage of the income tax assistance program, which is provided free of charge.
If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, a volunteer will help you complete your income tax returns and claim all the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to.
Modest income
Your total family income must not exceed the income limit for your situation (see the table below). Note that each community organization can set its own income limits. Check with the community organization to see if you are eligible for assistance.
The suggested income limits are shown below.
| Suggested income limits | |
|---|---|
| Person living alone | $35,000 |
| Couple | $45,000 |
| Each dependant | $2,500 |
| One adult with one child | $45,000 |
| Each additional dependant | $2,500 |
Simple tax situation
Generally speaking, your tax situation is considered simple if you do not have any income or if the source of your income is:
- employment;
- a pension;
- benefits such as those from the Québec Pension Plan, a disability insurance plan, employment insurance or social assistance, or those related to COVID-19;
- income or an annuity from a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP);
- support payments;
- a scholarship;
- income from interest (less than $1,000).
Your situation is not considered simple if:
- you are self-employed or have employment expenses (however, we consider your situation simple if your income is less than $1,000, you do not have employment expenses and you are not registered or required to register for the GST or QST);
- you have rental or business income and expenses;
- you own property outside Canada;
- you sold a residence;
- you have capital gains or losses;
- you declared bankruptcy; or
- you are completing the return of a deceased person.
Some community organizations may hold virtual income tax return preparation sessions. Their volunteers can complete tax returns for free:
- by video;
- by phone;
- by an adapted envelope system.
Participating community organizations throughout Québec hold income tax return preparation sessions where program volunteers complete eligible taxpayers' income tax returns for free. Organizations may choose to offer tax preparation services by appointment or on a walk-in basis, or may offer a drop off and pick up option.
Most income tax return preparation sessions are held during the day in March and April for income tax returns for the previous year. However, some organizations offer tax preparation services outside of this period.
To see the list of income tax return preparation sessions scheduled in Québec, click List of Income Tax Return Preparation Sessions.
To protect your personal information, make sure the community organization you turn to for help participates in the income tax assistance program. Program volunteers only need certain information that identifies you in order to file your income tax returns.
Required documents
Remember to bring your information slips and RL slips, your receipts, your notices of assessment for the previous year and any other relevant documents. Volunteers will need them to complete your federal and Québec income tax returns.
If you are missing an information slip or RL slip, you can get a copy online through:
- My Account for Individuals, for federal slips
- My Account for individuals, for Québec slips