TFEC actively engages with policymakers, government agencies, and legislators to ensure tax laws and benefit programs genuinely serve the people who need them most.
"A fair tax system is the foundation of a fair society. When vulnerable Canadians cannot access the benefits they're owed, it is not just an administrative failure—it is an equity issue." — Sandra Lee, Executive Director, Tax-Filer Empowerment Canada
Our advocacy work spans federal budget consultations, CRA service improvement initiatives, and systemic reforms to make the tax-benefit system more accessible. We bring the experiences of real Canadians directly to the tables where decisions are made.
These are the key issues we are currently championing on behalf of Canadian taxpayers.
We advocate for automatic tax filing for low-income individuals who repeatedly file the same simple return. Millions of Canadians miss out on critical benefits simply because they don't file—an automatic system would change that.
We push for increased government funding for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) and improved training resources to expand the reach of free tax-filing services across Canada.
We work with the CRA to simplify forms, improve online tools, and ensure correspondence is written in accessible, plain language—especially for seniors, newcomers, and people with low literacy.
We advocate for outreach programs that ensure seniors, Indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities are aware of—and able to claim—benefits like the GIS, Canada Child Benefit, and Disability Tax Credit.
Not all Canadians have equal internet access. We champion policies that preserve in-person tax support services and ensure e-filing is never the only option for those who cannot access digital tools.
We push for CRA materials and CVITP clinic resources to be available in more languages, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Canada's immigrant communities.
Tax-Filer Empowerment Canada established with a mandate to advocate for equitable tax-filing access across Canada.
TFEC submits its first pre-budget brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, calling for automatic filing for seniors.
Signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canada Revenue Agency to improve plain-language tax guides and expand CVITP outreach.
Following years of TFEC advocacy, the government announced a pilot program for automatic tax filing for low-income seniors on fixed incomes.
TFEC secures funding to translate 14 core tax guides into 8 additional languages, reaching over 300,000 new Canadians.
Download our latest policy documents and parliamentary submissions.
Submitted to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance — October 2024
Download PDFSubmitted to the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson — March 2024
Download PDFPublished by TFEC Research Division — January 2024
Download ReportSubmitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada — September 2023
Download PDFWe work alongside a broad coalition of organizations united by a commitment to tax equity.
Join our advocacy network and help us build a fairer tax system for all Canadians.
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