Saitsa's 2025 Free Tax Clinic Is Now Closed
Check back next year for the 2026 Free Tax Program
Saitsa's
Free Community Tax Program
Feeling overwhelmed by Tax Season? Saitsa is here to lighten the load. With our complimentary tax filing service, we're dedicated to simplifying the process for SAIT students AND members of the community.
Thanks to our partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), we guarantee a service you can trust.
Our team of trained student-volunteers is ready to tackle your tax filing, armed with the latest CRA guidelines.
When?
March 10 -
April 4 2025
Where?
Heritage Hall
AA105
Drop-In Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Not Just For Students
Think our tax service is only for students? Think again! Our doors are open to anyone meeting the CVITP’s eligibility criteria.
We're committed to extending our support far beyond the student community, ensuring everyone eligible can access professional tax help. It’s about community, inclusivity, and making tax season a breeze for all.
Saitsa Tax Program FAQs
Can I file my tax return with my spouse?
Yes, there are two ways your spouse can have their taxes filed with Saitsa:
- They need to come with you for the tax filing and must bring all their paperwork
- They may use the drop-off service, fill out all the forms necessary and have them dropped off.
When is the Tax Program available?
The Saitsa Tax program will run March 10, 2025 - April 11, 2025.
What do I need to file a tax return?
The basics typically include:
- A government issued ID
- A Social Insurance Number or Individual Tax Number (for those without a SIN)
- T4s from any employer that you worked for
- T2202 – proof of tuition fees paid; found through your MySAIT or by contacting the Office of the Registrar.
- T4A – scholarships or bursaries
- Additional Info
Where can I have my taxes done?
Option 1:
You can do them yourself online through a program like Turbo Tax or StudioTax
Option 2:
You can pay an organization such as H&R Block
Option 3:
You can access Saitsa’s 2025 Free Community Tax Program from March 10 - April 11, 2025.
Can I use the Saitsa Tax Program?
You are eligible to use the Saitsa Tax Program if you:
- have $35,000 maximum net income individually
- have $45,000 maximum net income if you’re married or common-law
- have $40,000 maximum net income if you’re a single parent
- do not have capital gains/losses
- are not self-employed
- do not have rental income
Do I need to book an appointment?
No, you do not need to book an appointment. You can just walk in during the hours that the tax program is open.
Where is the Tax Program being held?
Tax Program is being held in the first floor of Heritage Hall building, room AA105.
What are the Drop-In hours?
Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 4:00PM
General Tax FAQs
Tax Slips/Documents
What if I didn’t work and I don’t have a T4?
You should still file your taxes as you will have your T2202A for tuition credits. Not filing your return (even if you have no income) could possibly make you ineligible for certain tax credits and benefits.
I didn’t receive a T4 from my employer, can I still file my taxes?
You can find all your tax forms and tax information on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website. Create an account and you will be able to locate all the information with your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Individual Tax Number (ITN).
If you still cannot find your T4 on the CRA website, you must contact your employer to make arrangements for obtaining your T4 form before filing.
Please Note: The Tax Program only accepts physical copies of tax forms to be able to process a return.
Which tax forms are eligible and ineligible for the Tax Program?
Eligible Tax Slips
- T4 - Employment income
- T4A* - Pension, retirement annuity, other income (*We cannot process T4A's that include income for Fees for Services [Box 48])
- T4A - Scholarships, bursaries
- T4E - Employment insurance
- T2202 - Tuition, education credits
Ineligible Tax Slips (but not limited to):
- T4A with amount in [Box 48] - With income for Fees for Services [Box 48]
- T5 - Investment income
- T5007 - Statement of benefits
- T5008 - Securities transactions
- T5013 - Partnership income
- T5018 - Contract payments
- T2125 - Business or professional activities
- T2203 - Provincial and territorial taxes for multiple jurisdictions
- T3 - Trust income allocations
- T1204 - Government services contract payments
Additional Info
Where can I find my tuition tax form?
You can find your tuition tax forms on the MySait website under myStudent -> Student Tax Receipts (T2202 and T2202A).
Your tuition tax form can also be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.
Credits/Tuition
Will my tuition credits give me a refund?
Tuition credits are applied when you graduate and join the work force. Tuition credits normally only lower your tax owing for the year, and do not necessarily give you a bigger refund. The calculation for this credit is determined by the Canada Revenue Agency.
I paid tuition this year, does this affect my taxes?
Yes, including your eligible tuition payment found on form T2202 to your return will make you eligible for certain tax benefits and credits for the tax year.
Where can I find my tuition tax form?
You can find your tuition tax forms on the MySait website under myStudent -> Student Tax Receipts (T2202 and T2202A).
Your tuition tax form can also be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.
Can I claim my transit expenses if I have the U-Pass?
No, this was unfortunately eliminated effective June 2017
Can I claim my textbooks as an expense?
No, this was unfortunately eliminated effective June 2017
International + Complex Tax Situations
My tax situation is complex, and I have ineligible tax forms I need to report. Can I still file with the Tax Program?
Unfortunately, volunteers of the tax program are not accountants, and we are restricted to only processing simple tax returns. If you have a complex tax situation and/or have ineligible tax forms, you must contact a professional accountant or tax preparation company.
If I am filing with a spouse or common-law partner, can I file for the both of us?
For us to process the return, we will need both partners present at the clinic.
I was employed in a different country during the tax year. Do I need to file a Canadian tax return if I did not earn income in Canada?
You can still file your Canadian tax return even if you did not earn income from Canada. You must include your income earned outside of Canada during the tax year (converted to Canadian dollars) to your Canadian tax return. This applies if you were a resident of Canada during the tax year.
My spouse was not a resident of Canada during the tax year, but I was. Do I need to provide their information?
If your spouse was not a resident of Canada in the tax year, the spouse who is a resident can still file their own Canadian tax return, but the non-resident spouse’s global income (income from outside of Canada) is required to be added (converted to Canadian dollars) to the return.
Although the non-resident spouse won’t have to file a Canadian tax return, their information must be included in your return.
My dependents were living in another country during the tax year. Can I still add them to my return?
Yes, non-resident dependents can be included in your return.
I have finished filing my return. When and how will I get my refund?
Filed returns usually get processed by the CRA within 3 weeks. Once processed, you will receive a Notice of Assessment in the physical mailbox or email, depending on if you opted for email notifications when you filed your tax return. Your Notice of Assessment indicates that your taxes have been successfully filed and processed.
If any problem arises, the CRA will contact you directly. Please be aware of CRA scams. Make sure to double check you are talking with a legitimate agent of the CRA, and not a scammer. For more information, visit:
Your refund will be deposited to your bank account if you have set up direct deposit through your CRA account.
If you do not have direct deposit setup, your refund will be mailed to you in the mail through cheque.