Overview
Gain practical expertise in GST/HST, QST, and other Canadian indirect taxes
Explore the fundamental principles and management of Canadian Goods and Services Tax (GST), Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), Quebec Sales Tax (QST), and Retail Sales Taxes across Canada.
This professional development program is designed for individuals responsible for administering indirect taxes within their organizations, as well as financial services professionals such as accountants and bookkeepers who want to offer clients deeper insights into tax risks and obligations.
- Stand-alone microcredential course topics
- Complete all three virtual (live/synchronous) microcredentials to earn a Certificate of Completion
- Fully virtual to fit your life
Information Box Group
Program highlights Learn More
- Fully virtual program to fit your life
- Courses taught by tax professionals
- Open enrolment
Canadian Indirect Taxes program features:
- Virtual courses allow you to continue working a full-time job while attaining in-demand knowledge and skills
- Learn from industry professionals
- Gain knowledge and skills to confidently work in organizations and with clients
What you'll learn Learn More
- Theory underlying various forms of transactional taxes that apply in Canada
- The Excise Tax Act as a tool for tax compliance
- Compliance risks associated with indirect taxes
Through our Canadian Indirect Taxes program, you’ll learn to:
- Understand the theory underlying various forms of transactional taxes that apply in Canada
- Understand the structure of and how to utilize the Excise Tax Act as a tool for tax compliance
- Be able to identify and evaluate compliance risks associated with indirect taxes for their organizations and/or clients
- Develop strategies for minimizing tax exposure in connection to various forms of indirect taxes
Program Overview

Virtual Classroom

Approx. 3-4 hours per week, per course

Microcredential: 10 weeks
Certificate of Completion: 8+ months
Learn More About Our Canadian Indirect Taxes Program
This professional development program is geared towards:
- Professionals responsible for the administration of indirect taxes within their own organizations
- Practitioners in the financial services industry (e.g., accountants and bookkeepers) who wish to be able to provide their clients with deeper insights into their risks and obligations
- Professionals looking to gain new knowledge and skills for future application
Gaining an understanding of Canadian Indirect Taxes expands your existing opportunities within Finance and Accounting, including:
- Specializing in an underserved discipline within the field of Tax at professional services firms
- Enhancing the skill set required to complete tax compliance tasks in both the private and public sectors
- Learning to effectively manage sales tax audits from the Federal and Provincial taxing authorities
- Developing strategies to minimize the expense and exposure associated with Indirect Taxes in Canada
What our recent graduates say
Adam
Business Administration graduate
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
It is important to understand the interconnectedness of these and other issues so that the implications of our everyday household and business decisions are understood in the right context.
Sustainability seems to be a buzz word these days. I hear it mentioned on the news, in advertisements, in general conversations, and in other unexpected facets of life. I would argue that the concept of Sustainability is vital in today’s world and to our future happiness. As a Global community we are dealing with big social and environmental issues. It is important to understand the interconnectedness of these and other issues so that the implications of our everyday household and business decisions are understood in the right context. What we do and don’t do matters.
Enrolling in the McMaster Continuing Education Sustainability program has been a wonderful way to develop an understanding of the practices of Sustainability, and what we can do to support real change. I encourage everyone to look into this program and to join the conversations being held all around you. Even if you don’t decide to take this program, look into the UN Sustainable Development Goals to start understanding the interconnectedness of things and how we as individuals and businesses can make a difference.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas in a future class!
Daniel
Sustainability graduate
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate
I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
It is important to understand the interconnectedness of these and other issues so that the implications of our everyday household and business decisions are understood in the right context.
Sustainability seems to be a buzz word these days. I hear it mentioned on the news, in advertisements, in general conversations, and in other unexpected facets of life. I would argue that the concept of Sustainability is vital in today’s world and to our future happiness. As a Global community we are dealing with big social and environmental issues. It is important to understand the interconnectedness of these and other issues so that the implications of our everyday household and business decisions are understood in the right context. What we do and don’t do matters.
Enrolling in the McMaster Continuing Education Sustainability program has been a wonderful way to develop an understanding of the practices of Sustainability, and what we can do to support real change. I encourage everyone to look into this program and to join the conversations being held all around you. Even if you don’t decide to take this program, look into the UN Sustainable Development Goals to start understanding the interconnectedness of things and how we as individuals and businesses can make a difference.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas in a future class!
Daniel
Sustainability graduate
Other programs you may be interested in
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Certificate in Canadian Indirect Taxes
Canadian Indirect Taxes program

Earn a certificate of completion and receive a microcredential highlighting the skills you’ve gained
Explore the requirements below and register today!
Information Box Group
Certificate of Completion in Canadian Indirect Taxes Learn More
Earn your Certificate of Completion in Canadian Indirect Taxes by completing all three required courses listed below.
Through your Certificate of Completion in Canadian Indirect Taxes, you’ll learn to:
- Understand the theory underlying various forms of transactional taxes that apply in Canada
- Understand the structure of and how to utilize the Excise Tax Act as a tool for tax compliance
- Be able to identify and evaluate compliance risks associated with indirect taxes for their organizations and/or clients
- Develop strategies for minimizing tax exposure in connection with various forms of indirect taxes
Courses (complete all 3)
Upon successfully completing an online course in this program, you will receive a microcredential recognizing your learning achievement for each course. Completion of both courses will earn the digital certificate of completion.
CIT 101
Introduction to the Canadian Goods and Services Tax (GST)/Harmonized Sale Tax (HST)
(Currently Not Available)
CIT 102
Public Institutions and Service Bodies (MUSH)
(Currently Not Available)
CIT 103
Cross-Border and Ecommerce
(Currently Not Available)
- Home
- Find Programs & Courses
- Business Programs
- Canadian Indirect Taxes Program
Canadian Indirect Taxes Schedule
Canadian Indirect Taxes course schedule to help you plan your academic year.
Registration: Fall and Winter terms open in mid-July and Spring term opens in mid-March.
Program Requirements: Review certificate or diploma tab.
Time Zone: Courses run in the Eastern Time (ET) Zone.
Course Fees: A McMaster Part Time Student fee is included in the cost of academic credit courses. There is no tax on courses unless indicated at the bottom of the schedule chart.
Additional Fees: New students pay a one-time, non-refundable $39 activation fee for their first academic-credit course. Not every program or course requires textbooks. Learn more about textbooks.
Learning Formats: Each course is offered in Online, Online Self-Study, or Virtual Classroom formats, as shown below. Visit Learning Formats for details.
| Course Name (Course Code) | Cost | Units | Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring/Summer 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to the Canadian Goods and Services Tax (GST)/Harmonized Sale Tax (HST) (CIT 101) | $629.00 | Tue, Sep 9 - Nov 18 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Format: Virtual Classroom | — | — | |
| Public Institutions and Service Bodies (MUSH) (CIT 102) | $629.00 | — | Tue, Jan 13 - Mar 17 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Format: Virtual Classroom | — | |
| Cross-Border and Ecommerce (CIT 103) | $629.00 | — | — | Tue, May 5 - Jun 30 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Format: Virtual Classroom |
The schedule table is subject to change. Please visit the course pages to browse classes currently available for registration and the latest cost information.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
This program is open enrolment, which means there is no formal application or admission procedure. To enrol in a course, simply register online. Our courses can be taken as part of a program or individually.
To enrol in McMaster Continuing Education programs, you must:
- Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent OR
- Be a mature student as defined in the Undergraduate Calendar of McMaster University OR
- Be deemed an exceptional case
To ensure you are successful in your online courses, you are required to have knowledge and skills with general computer applications, such as keyboarding, file management, video conferencing and word processing.
Language Requirements
If English is not your native language, you must meet McMaster University’s English proficiency requirements by either qualifying for an exemption or passing a McMaster-approved English test. You will not need to provide proof of meeting this English requirement prior to registration. If you demonstrate English proficiency below the required standard, you will be asked to provide proof or to withdraw.
Expandable List
- Visit continuing.mcmaster.ca/programs to find your program of choice
- Click on each tab on the program page to learn about credential options and requirements, schedule and fees, and a list of all courses in the program
- Select a course and then select an available offering, noting important information such as cost, delivery format, and start/end dates; then click ‘add to cart’
- Once you have added your courses, click the shopping cart icon at the top right-hand corner of the page (bottom of the browser screen on mobile)
- Review your cart and, once you’re ready to proceed with enrolment, click ‘proceed to checkout’
- As the next step, you will be redirected to Mosaic – McMaster’s Administrative Information and Enrolment system
- Once you are in Mosaic, select ‘new to McMaster’ or log in with your existing MacID and password (if applicable)
- Complete all required fields and select a program of study when prompted (i.e., a specific program or open studies for standalone courses)
- Finally, payment is required in full to secure a spot in your course(s)
A payment receipt email will be issued to you immediately after registering, and a course confirmation email will be sent to you overnight. Within approximately 24 hours of registering, you will also receive an important email containing credentials used to activate your MacID, which you must do before you can access courses in Avenue to Learn. Please review our Getting Started page to learn more about the next steps for beginning your studies after registration, and our Help Centre for our Refund Policy and other frequently asked questions. Please note that on average, each course requires 6-8 hours of study per week, per course (sometimes more) and some courses may have listed prerequisites. Please plan your schedule accordingly. Most students take 1-2 courses per term across a few different terms and a full-time equivalent course load is typically 3-4 courses per term.
For more information and a walkthrough on how to register, please check out this video.
- Payment must be made in full at the time of enrolment
- Online credit card or debit payments are preferred
- Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express
- Accepted debit cards: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard
- Google Pay is available for faster checkout
- Payments can be made from a Canadian Financial Institution and can take 2 to 4 business days to arrive in your McMaster student account. Once payment has arrived, you can register for your course. Please note that if the amount of the course fees owing is more than what was transferred to your student account, you will be dropped from the course.
- Problem processing your payment? Please reach out to your credit card company if your payment was declined. Otherwise, wait two hours before attempting your registration again.
Ready to get started?
Visit the Schedule tab to select your course and proceed with the registration steps.

