Holland College’s Accounting Technology program was recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency recently for more than 30 years of volunteer service in the Community Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (CVITP) program, which provides assistance with the preparation of their income tax returns through partnerships with community organizations.

The CVITP was introduced in 1971 as a partnership between what was then the Department of National Revenue and various community organizations. It was intended to ensure that all taxpayers had equal access to the tax system. Since then, hundreds of thousands of income tax returns have been prepared through the program.

“We are very proud of the relationship our program maintains with CRA,” said Tim McRoberts manager of the business programs at Holland College. ” The benefits enjoyed by learners, faculty, clients, and CRA staff relate directly to what our programs seek to accomplish. We look forward to having this relationship continue to prosper.”

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, agreed.

“The dedicated volunteers, like those from Holland College, make the program possible. Their efforts are instrumental in making sure that eligible taxpayers who have low income and simple tax situations have equal access to the tax system. We estimate that over the 30 years of partnership about 650 Holland College students have served as tax volunteers, and we could not be more appreciative. This is a great example of Canadians helping each other out, and it’s no wonder that so many volunteers come back year after year to be part of this fantastic program.”

In addition to the program at the Charlottetown campus, the community volunteer income tax program has spread to several other Holland College campuses. This year volunteers were also active in Tignish, Alberton, and Souris. The CRA specifically thanked retired Accounting Technology Greg Peters, who was integral in bringing the volunteer income tax program to the college, and Donald MacDonald, a current instructor who continues to promote this program to his students.

For more information about the CVITP, visit the Canada Revenue Agency website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca. 

In this picture: (L-R) Retired Accounting Technology instructor Greg Peters; student Vanessa McQuaid; Gayelene Cook-Angus, Director of Tax Services Office; student Doug Coffin; and Accounting Technology instructor Donald MacDonald at the recent presentation honouring Holland College students and staff for 30 years of community service through the Canada Revenue Agency’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Preparation program.