Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Virtual Tax Clinic 

It’s time to get empowered by taking control of your finances. Join our clinics to learn how to prepare your own 2024 personal tax return. We’ll teach you all you need to know, from understanding your taxes and the return process to how to prepare and click submit.

Each clinic has two parts with a break in between:

• Part one: Learn about and the important benefits and tax credits that you can receive now and in the future.

• Part two: We’ll guide you to prepare your own return using Wealthsimple. We recommend creating a Wealthsimple account in advance.

By the end of the clinic, you’ll be able to file your return to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on the spot!

Register for MyCRA Account

If you have already filed your taxes before, and do not already have an online CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) account, you can register now for your online CRA account to make it easier to prepare your return. You will need a copy of your previous year’s return to do this. Visit the CRA website and follow the instructions for My Account for Individuals.

Things to Note:

1. You are required to have a Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.) to file a tax return. If you have a spouse or common-law partner who has been living with you for more than 12 consecutive months, you will need their net income or have them join the sessions with you so you can prepare the returns together.

1. Work at Home Expenses: Prior to 2023, the CRA allowed a temporary method of $2 per day if you worked at home for at least 50% of the time. Post 2023, the CRA requires us to use a detailed method of preparing tax returns. Therefore, if you were a hybrid worker or totally remote worker, you must fill out a T777 – Statement of Employment Expenses. Learn more about Work At Home Expenses. The main expenditures include heat, utilities (electricity and water), internet, rent for space and office and supplies

1. Documents and information required for part two of the clinic (prepare in advance):

• T4 employment income slip

• T4A scholarships, bursaries

• T5 Investment Income

• Rent receipts for 2024 (e-transfers sufficient)

• Medical expenses: UHIP premium and out-of-pocket expenses

• Tuition T2202: Please consult with your parents (if you are a domestic student) regarding an optional transfer of unused tuition (up to $5,000)

• Moving expenses to Hamilton, Ontario, to attend McMaster (transportation, including flights, ground)

• Childcare expenses

• RRSP contribution

• Charitable donations

• Last year’s Notice of Assessment Form (NOA), if you have it

If you have never filed before, you can also prepare taxes for previous years. You will need to do those first.

Have questions? Email money@mcmaster.ca.

Visit our FAQ on taxes for more information.

Can’t make it to this clinic? Register for our other scheduled DIY Drop-In Tax Clinics on March 18, April 2 or April 22.

Mar
18th
12:30pm -1:30pm
Workshop
D.I.Y Tax Workshop – Part I
In-person
MUSC 311/313

Mar
18th
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Workshop
D.I.Y Tax Workshop – Part II
In-person
MUSC 311/313

Apr
2nd
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Workshop
D.I.Y Tax Workshop – Part I
In-person
MUSC 311/313

Apr
2nd
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Workshop
D.I.Y Tax Workshop – Part II
In-person
MUSC 311/313

Apr
22nd
1:30pm – 2:30pm
Webinar
D.I.Y Tax Workshop – Part I
Virtual https://mcmaster.zoom.us/j/92125946953

Apr
22nd
3:30pm-5:00pm
Webinar
D.I.Y Tax Workshop – Part II
Virtual: https://mcmaster.zoom.us/j/95717682076