For most people, tax season is not one of our favourite times of year. Despite efforts to make the process easier, filling out an income tax return can be a daunting task. For some of us, the decision to hand over our shoebox of receipts and paystubs to a professional is an easy one to make; but lower income individuals who cannot complete their tax returns may not be able to afford to pay an accountant.  The Canada Revenue Agency’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program was developed with those people in mind.

Qualified individuals can book an appointment to visit one of 10 sites across the Island, and in approximately 15 minutes, they will have their paperwork completed and filed. For about 20 years, first-year students from Holland College’s Accounting Technology program have been volunteering to work in the program.

Instructor Sandy Campbell said the students benefit from the program as much as their clients.

“In addition to gaining valuable experience filling out income tax forms, which some of the younger students have not done before, they gain experience interacting with the public,” he explained.

Campbell or one of the other Accounting Technology instructors is always on site with the students. A representative from Canada Revenue Agency is also available to the volunteers to answer any questions and to help with any problems that may arise when completing a tax return.

Kelly Judson, CVITP Coordinator in the Charlottetown Tax Services Office said the students are a valuable resource for the program.

"Over 7,500 returns were completed on PEI last year through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.  The Accounting Technology students are a big part of this program and dedicate their time each year to ensure Islanders receive their much-needed refunds and tax credits.   Many of these returns would not have been filed had it not been for this free service. Clients continue to express their appreciation for the volunteers that take their time and knowledge to assist others in a friendly and respectful way. Congratulations to the Accounting Technology program for their commitment to Islanders," she said.

For Accounting Technology student Louis Arsenault, the experience is invaluable.

“The experience was certainly enjoyable, and builds on the skills that we learned in the tax class of the Accounting Technology program,” he said.

In this picture: Holland College Accounting Technology student Louis Arsenault works with client Margaret MacLeod to complete her income tax return at a Community Volunteer Income Tax Program centre. Students from the Accounting Technology program volunteer for the CVITP program every tax season.