NC students still have time to secure professional help with their tax returns, thanks to a student-led clinic on campus.
Running Tuesday morning until April 14, the NC Tax Clinic offers free filing services for students with simple tax situations and modest incomes. The initiative is a collaboration between third-year Business Administration – Accounting (Co-op) students who act as tax preparers for their capstone course, while Office Administration students manage the front-of-house operations, including scheduling and client intake.
“Our students have been doing an excellent job. The Accounting students are demonstrating a high level of professionalism and are gaining valuable hands-on experience, as each client presents a unique set of circumstances and, at times, challenges,” said Accounting Professor Kerri Simich, leading the initiative which is now in its second year. “The Office Administration students have also been instrumental in supporting the clinic, managing client intake, organization, and overall flow very effectively.”
For Mary Minhorst, a Business Administration – Accounting (Co-op) student and aspiring CPA, the clinic is a chance to demystify the process for her peers – including many students who are filing with the Canada Revenue Agency for the first time.
“I always loved the idea of my skills helping people, and the fact that I can even help people with something that most people struggle with is so uplifting,” said Minhorst.
She values the experience as well as the chance to help others.
“While you can get the knowledge to prepare tax returns in a classroom, it is a completely different ballgame when you are actually interacting with clients in a real-world setting; you need to know what to say and how to say it in order to get your thoughts across,” she said. “The tax clinic is giving me the communication and people skills that will allow me to help people even more in my future career as an accountant.”
Demand for the service is high. Simich noted that 90% of appointments are already filled, with remaining spots primarily available on the final clinic date of April 14.
“For those who have not booked, there may still be an opportunity to be seen in the event of a last-minute cancellation,” said Simich. “We encourage students to come prepared with all required tax documentation, as this increases the likelihood that we can assist them if space becomes available.”
Visit the NC Tax Clinic website here for information or to book an appointment.
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- NC Student Tax Clinic 2026
