Tax Season for Temp Dental Hygienists: A Guide to Staying Organized and Stress-Free

Tax season can be overwhelming for anyone, but for dental hygienists—especially those who temp—it’s a whole different level of complicated. Unlike salaried employees who receive a single W2 or T4, temp hygienists must juggle multiple tax forms from every office they’ve worked at throughout the year. If you’ve been working at multiple clinics, tracking earnings, deductions, and filing deadlines can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare.

Why Tax Season Is Tough for Temp Dental Hygienists

As a temp dental hygienist, your tax season isn’t just about filing—it’s about piecing together an income puzzle from multiple employers.

Temporary dental hygienists don’t have the luxury of a single employer handling all their withholdings. Instead, they receive separate T4s (Canada) or W2s (U.S.) from each dental office where they worked. This means:

• More paperwork. Every employer you worked for is responsible for sending you a tax form. That could mean keeping track of five, ten, or even more documents.
• Missed forms = missed income. If you don’t receive a form (or forget about a short-term gig), your reported income may be inaccurate, leading to potential audits or fines.
• Independent contractor or employee? Some dental hygienists work as independent contractors, receiving 1099-NECs (U.S.) or T4As (Canada), which come with different tax implications and responsibilities.

Steps to Stay Organized for Tax Season

If you’re a temp hygienist, keeping track of your earnings and deductions year-round is essential. Here’s how you can get ahead:

1. Track Every Employer and Pay Stub

Keep a list of every clinic you worked at, the dates you worked there, and how much you were paid. This makes it easier to follow up on missing tax forms.

2. Gather Your Tax Forms Early

• U.S.: Look out for W2s (if employed) and 1099-NECs (if working as an independent contractor). Employers must send these by January 31.
• Canada: Watch for T4s and T4As, typically available by the end of February.

If you haven’t received all your forms, don’t wait—reach out to the clinics you worked for to request them.

3. Deductible Expenses? Keep Those Receipts

Did you buy scrubs, professional memberships, or travel between offices? You may be leaving money on the table if you’re not tracking deductible expenses.

As a dental hygienist, you may be able to deduct:

• Professional licensing fees
• Work-related travel (if not reimbursed)
• Uniforms and equipment
• Continuing education courses

Check with a tax professional to maximize your deductions while staying compliant.

4. Consider Quarterly Tax Payments (If You’re a Contractor)

If you’re receiving 1099-NECs (U.S.) or T4As (Canada), taxes aren’t withheld automatically. That means you may need to pay estimated taxes throughout the year to avoid a big bill (or penalties) in April.

The Easier Way: Let WORKFORCE Handle It

Stop chasing down tax forms—let WORKFORCE take care of your taxes so you can focus on what you do best.

WORKFORCE streamlines your temping experience by consolidating your earnings and handling all tax paperwork for you. No more scrambling for missing W2s or T4s. Whether you’re working across multiple offices or just picking up extra shifts, we make tax season simple. With rapid, industry-leading pay, the WORKFORCE app, and zero HR taxes, we make it easy to find and work temp hygiene jobs across NA.

Ready to make tax time stress-free? Learn more about WORKFORCE today.