Québec, May 12, 2020. – The Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program resumes its activities by allowing participating community organizations to help their communities through free online and telephone tax clinics in the coming weeks. This program has been administered jointly by the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec since 1988.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of community organizations have had to cease or scale back their activities in the last few months.

However, under the temporary measures announced today, these organizations will once again be able to help people in their communities file their income tax returns. An easing of administrative regulations will allow volunteers to more easily get required authorizations from taxpayers and keep taxpayer information secure, all with minimal physical contact. Community organizations will, therefore, be able to help taxpayers file their income tax returns to meet their tax obligations and get the tax credits and refunds to which they are entitled.

Last year in Québec, over 3,700 volunteers working with 540 organizations helped over 165,000 low-income individuals with simple tax situations file their income tax returns.

For more information on the income tax assistance program or to learn how to become a volunteer, visit revenuquebec.ca/volunteers.

Quotations

“By filing a tax return, Canadians can get benefits and credits that can significantly improve their quality of life. I am reassured to see that tax clinics will now be able to provide virtual services to continue supporting vulnerable Canadians. I want to thank the community organizations and their volunteers for their work in helping others during this difficult time.”

– The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue

“The Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program has a major impact on the lives of thousands of low-income individuals in Québec. The measures announced today will make it possible to help taxpayers through online and telephone tax clinics.” (free translation)

– Eric Girard, Minister of Finance of Québec