Free Tax Clinics for Manitoba Seniors — CVITP and Where to Find Help

CVITP — Free Tax Filing for Eligible Manitobans

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) runs free tax clinics across Manitoba every year during tax season and, increasingly, year-round at some partner sites. Volunteers prepare and file your personal income tax return at no cost, including provincial credits like those claimed on Form MB479.

Who Qualifies

CVITP clinics serve individuals with modest income and straightforward tax situations. Income limits depend on household size, so check the current CRA clinic guidelines or ask the clinic whether you qualify. Seniors with simple pension income may be eligible.

Clinics may not handle self-employment income, rental properties, or complex estate situations. Ask a clinic whether it can handle your return or direct you to another option.

For a senior on CPP, OAS, and perhaps a workplace pension — the profile of most Manitoba seniors claiming property tax credits — CVITP handles the entire return including MB479.

Where to Find a Clinic

Community Financial Counselling Services (CFCS) — phone 204-989-1913 or toll-free 1-833-215-3359 — offers community tax-clinic services. Call to ask about current clinic locations and availability.

A & O: Support Services for Older Adults — phone 204-956-6440 or toll-free 1-888-333-3121 — provides advocacy and practical support for Manitoba seniors. They connect older adults with CVITP clinics and can help navigate the process if you're not sure where to start.

The CRA maintains a searchable clinic finder on canada.ca where you can look up locations by postal code. Clinics operate in Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Thompson, and smaller regional centres.

What to Bring

Documents commonly useful for a tax clinic include:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN) for yourself and your spouse
• All T-slips (T4A for pension, T4A(OAS), T4A(P) for CPP)
• Your property tax statement (needed for the Manitoba credits on MB479)
• Previous year's Notice of Assessment from the CRA
• Any medical expense receipts if you're claiming the medical credit

If you're claiming the Seniors School Tax Rebate or the Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit through your return, the volunteer needs to see your property tax bill to enter the correct school tax amount.

Limitations to Know

CVITP volunteers are trained but they're not accountants. High seasonal volume — especially in March and April — means waits can be long and slots fill quickly. Book early if your clinic takes appointments.

The clinics focus strictly on income tax returns. They won't review your property tax bill, explain why the HATC advance is missing, or help with municipal self-declaration forms. For that kind of bill-to-return navigation, our Manitoba Seniors Property Tax Credits Guide bridges the gap between what the tax bill says and what goes on your return.

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