Taxes FAQs

  • General Questions

    Supported self-filing tax preparation is a program to assist people, who have simple tax situations and modest incomes, to prepare and file their own tax return. This is a free service for those who want to learn how to do their own taxes.  A tax expert will be on hand during the workshops to answer questions on how to file your tax return. 

    To be eligible to participate in one of our Supported Self-Filing Tax Workshops you must:

    • have a simple tax situation
    • be comfortable using a mouse and computer
    • have an email address that you know the password to and can access your email account
    • have a cell phone

    The Supported Self-Filing Tax Workshops are for the current tax year only. The free software used during the workshops can also be used by clients outside of the workshop to file their income tax returns from prior years. 

    Please scroll to the bottom of pickeringlibrary.ca/taxes to find a list of Tax Clinics in the Durham Region that may be able to help you file previous tax years. 

    A tax situation is considered simple if an individual has no income or if their income comes from:

    • Employment
    • Pension
    • Benefits such as Canada Pension Plan, Disability, Canada Child Benefit, Employment Insurance or Ontario Works
    • RRSP
    • Support payments
    • Scholarships, fellowships, bursaries or grants
    • Interest (under $1,000)

    A tax situation is not simple when an individual:

    • Is self-employed or has employment expenses
    • Has business or rental income and expenses
    • Has capital gains or losses
    • Files for bankruptcy
    • Is completing a tax return for a deceased person

    The Supported Self-Filing Tax Workshops are free. 

    Yes, you must register for one of the Supported Self-Filing Tax Workshops. You can register for one of the appointments online or by calling Pickering Public Library at 905-831-6265. 

    The Pickering Public Library does not have any programs through which library staff file taxes on behalf of clients. Pickering Public Library often hosts workshops and presentations to help you learn how to file your taxes on your own.

    The Supported Self-Filing Tax Workshops offered annually in March and April are self-filing workshops that will provide participants with a laptop and mouse to file their taxes using free tax filing software. You will need to have a basic comfort with using a computer in order to participate in the workshop.  Tax experts and staff will be present to assist you as you file online by yourself, however, they will not be filing taxes for you.  You are responsible for the information and final submission to CRA. 

    For more information about the Library's tax events visit https://pickeringlibrary.ca/taxes/