CVITP Frequently Asked Questions

CVITP FAQs

Where can I get the CVITP activation key needed for the UFile program?
Contact your CVITP regional coordinator for the CVITP activation key you need for the current tax year.
How many returns can I prepare with one CVITP activation key?
One (1) CVITP activation key provides the capability to prepare 999 returns for electronic filing (EFILE) or paper filing.
Can I use UFile to prepare returns for prior years?

You can use UFile for Windows back to tax year 2003. Links to download the previous years are present on the CVITP Home page.

Each year is a separate program which requires an Activation key for that year. Contact UFile Support via the Support Contact Form to obtain the Activation keys you need.

Note that UFile for years 2005 to 2003 runs only on a computer set up with Windows Internet Explorer 7.

Should you be unable to use UFile for Windows, you can use UFile ONLINE to prepare returns as far back as tax year 1999. If your client's income is above the free return threshold you will be required to pay the return before you could print it. In this situation contact UFile Support via the Support Contact Form.
Do I have to enter my EFILE setup data each time I open UFile CVITP or start a new client?

You enter your EFILE setup (in the EFILE menu) once after activating UFile with your activation key. UFile then remembers your settings, including your EFILE number and password.
Am I able to NETFILE tax returns for my clients?

CVITP volunteers are not allowed to NETFILE their clients' returns. They must use EFILE, either EFILE On-Line or EFILE On-Line Plus.
Am I able to EFILE my own personal tax returns?

CVITP volunteers are not allowed to EFILE their own personal tax returns. They must use the NETFILE method.

In order to use NETFILE with the UFile program, a volunteer needs to purchase the UFile consumer product at Best Buy, Future Shop or online at www.ufile.ca. A Standard activation key, which provides NETFILE capability, is associated with the UFile consumer product. All what is required is then to add the key to the already installed UFile CVITP program.
How do I add the Standard activation key to my UFile program?
To add the Standard activation key, open your UFile program. select Tools from the main menu and then select Add extra returns.

Click on " + Add new key". Enter your activation key, and then click OK. You must change your EFILE setup (in the EFILE menu) to NETFILE your personal returns. Select "Taxpayer preparing his/her own tax return" as "In what capacity are you preparing tax return?", then click OK.

Tax related questions

Do I really need to file a tax return?
According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Web site you must file a return for 2011 if any of the following situations apply:

* You have to pay tax for 2011.
* The CRA has sent you a request to file a return.
* You and your spouse or common-law partner elected to split pension income for 2011. For more information, see line 115 - Other pensions or superannuation, line 116 - Elected split-pension amount, line 129 - RRSP income and line 210 - Deduction for elected split-pension amount.
* You received Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) advance payments in 2011, and you want to apply for WITB advance payments for 2012.
* You disposed of capital property in 2011 (for example, if you sold real estate or shares) or you realized a taxable capital gain (for example, if a mutual fund or trust attributed amounts to you, or you are reporting a capital gains reserve you claimed on your 2010 return).
* You have to repay any of your Old Age Security or Employment Insurance benefits. For more information, see line 235 - Social benefits repayment.
* You have not repaid all amounts withdrawn from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) under the Home Buyers' Plan or the Lifelong Learning Plan. For more information, see Guide RC4135 - Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) or Guide RC4112 - Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP).
* You have to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). This can apply if, for 2011, the total of your net self-employment income and pensionable employment income is more than $3,500. See line 222 - Deduction for CPP or QPP contributions on self-employment and other earnings.

Even if none of these requirements apply, you may still want to file a return if any of the following situations apply:

* You want to claim a refund.
* You want to claim the WITB for 2011.
* You want to apply for the GST/HST credit (including any related provincial credit). For example, you may be eligible if you turn 19 before April 2013.
* You or your spouse or common-law partner want to begin or continue receiving Canada Child Tax Benefit payments.
* You have incurred a non-capital loss (see line 236 - Net Income) in 2011 that you want to be able to apply in other years.
* You want to carry forward or transfer the unused part of your tuition, education, and textbook amounts (see line 323 - Tuition, education and textbook amounts).
* You want to report income for which you could contribute to an RRSP in order to keep your RRSP deduction limit for future years up to date.
* You want to carry forward the unused investment tax credit on expenditures you incurred during the current year (see line 412 - Investment tax credit).
* You receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Allowance benefits under the Old Age Security Program. You can usually renew your benefit simply by filing your return by April 30. If you choose not to file a return, you will have to complete a renewal application form. This form is available from the Service Canada Web site.
If any of these scenarios apply to you or members of your family be sure to file a tax return.
May I claim the federal or provincial disability amount (line 5844) when also claiming fees for full-time care in a nursing home?

The same rule should apply on federal line 316 and provincial line 5844. That is: the disability tax credit cannot be claimed if you are claiming fees for full-time care in a nursing home.

To ensure the Disability Credit is not claimed where fees for full-time care in a nursing home are, visit to the Disability section and change option "Claim disability amount" to "Do not claim disability amount" to the question "Are you eligible for the disability amount on line 316".
How do I enter medical expenses in UFile?
To enter your medical expenses in UFile, proceed as follows:
1. In the UFile interview, click Medical and disability.
2. In the QuikClik navigator on the left, click Medical expenses.
3. Enter your medical expenses.
To add to the list of medical expenses, use the "+" symbol at the right to display additional fields.
Why must I enter income information for an ex-spouse?
The amount of net income entered for an ex-spouse is required by the CRA, and is used to calculate the spousal amount or common-law partner amount on line 303 of your return (if applicable). If no amount is entered the return cannot be electronically filed.
What if I do not know the amount of the ex-spouse's income for the year?
If you do not know the amount of income and wish to file the return electronically, you will have to estimate an amount that reflects what you do know. Do not enter an income amount for a spouse that is too low; otherwise you may be claiming amounts to which you are not entitled. This could result in delays, interest charges and penalties.
I have no federal tax to pay but I owe provincial tax. UFile is carrying forward the donations. How can I have UFile apply the donations to the provincial tax calculation?

For provinces other than Quebec, UFile's MaxBack Refund Analyzer uses just enough of the available donations to reduce the federal tax liability to zero. Unused donations are carried forward to the next year. In some cases, you may want to force the program to claim more of the available donations, in order to reduce the provincial tax liability to zero as well.
Select Donations/political contributions > Sharing donations between spouses and Optimization of donations, then select Claim specified amount. Enter the amount of donations to claim on this return. This amount must be less than the total amount of available donations entered on pages such as Donations/political contributions > Canadian charitable donations.
How do I claim the 2011 Ontario energy and property tax credit on Form ON479 in UFile?
Effective in 2011 the Ontario energy and property tax credit is no longer shown on the ON479 form. The credit is now paid as one of the components of the Ontario Trillium Benefit.

You must fill out the application, for 2012, for the Ontario Trillium Benefit, as follows:
- In the QuikClik navigator on the left, click Ontario tax and credits.
1. On the right, click ON-BEN – Application for 2012 Ontario Trillium Benefit
Answer the questions according to your situation.
2. Then enter the data pertaining to your principal residence.

In the case of a couple this information and the other Ontario credits information should be entered in the Family Head*.

If the spouse wants to claim the credits:
- in the Family Head's section Ontario tax and credits,
- click Assigning Ontario credits to one spouse or the other,
- select Give all to spouse at line Who should receive the Ontario credits?

* Except if on December 31, 2011 the spouse was 64 years of age or older AND the Family Head under 64 years of age. In such cases, instead of in the Family Head, enter information in the spouse's section Ontario tax and credits.
How do I indicate in the program that I’m a dependent senior for purposes of the calculation of the tax credit for home-support for seniors (Quebec Schedule J)?
Under the family head’s Interview tab, in the QuikClik navigator, click on the Senior home support gateway and select your situation amongst the list. You will then have the opportunity to answer (Yes or No) to the following questions:

- Is the individual regarded as a dependant senior?
- Is the taxpayer’s spouse (if applicable) regarded as a dependent senior?

However, if your dwelling type for the year is one of the following:

- Lived in own house
- Lived in a rented apartment
- Lived in a condominium
these questions are not available and should be.

As a workaround, click on the Senior home support gateway and follow these steps:

1) Select your relevant dwelling type for the year (e.g. Lived in own house), enter your information and click Next;
2) Select “Lived in a senior’s residence”;
3) Answer (Yes or No) to the following questions:
a. Is the individual regarded as a dependant senior?
b. Is the taxpayer’s spouse (if applicable) regarded as a dependent senior?

Note that if this information is not entered in your file, the limit on the amount of eligible expenses will be $15,600, for a maximum tax credit of $4,680 per year (30% of $15,600), whereas for a dependent senior, the limit on the amount of eligible expenses is $21,600, for a maximum tax credit of $6,480 per year (30% of $21,600).

We regret that we are not able to offer telephone support to CVITP volunteers this tax season.

Do you have a support question? Please contact your coordinator for information regarding when you will receive your copy of UFile, program updates and training.
Please use our Contact form and clearly indicate that you are a CVITP volunteer. You may also use the Support Assistant in UFile under Help.

Your UFile software and activation key are provided under exclusive contract with the Canada Revenue Agency. They may not be shared under any circumstances without the expressed written permission of Dr Tax Software Inc. and the CRA.

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