Voluntary Disclosure Program Experts

Resolve Tax Issues with Expert 
CRA Voluntary Disclosure Help

Avoid penalties, reduce interest, and ensure
compliance with expert assistance from Sam Faris
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You don't need a tax lawyer. We get the same results for less than a lawyer's fees.

Expert Voluntary Disclosure Program Help from Sam Faris

VoluntaryDisclosureProgramHelp.ca provides specialized, confidential support to individuals and businesses looking to resolve tax issues with the Canada Revenue Agency — the right way.

Our service is led by Sam Faris, a Chartered Professional Accountant and the founder of Faris CPA, a trusted name in Canadian tax representation. Sam has spent years helping clients navigate complex CRA matters, with a particular focus on Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP) applications. He brings deep technical knowledge and a calm, strategic approach to every case.

Worried About Past
Tax Mistakes?

We Specialize In Helping:

Individuals – Unfiled taxes, unreported income, late filings.

Small Businesses – GST/HST compliance, incorrect deductions, unreported transactions.

Content Creators & Freelancers – OnlyFans creators, influencers, gig workers who need tax guidance.

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250+ 5 Star Reviews
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Faris CPA
Based on 344 reviews
Faris CPA has helped me to go through a very difficult time in my life while the CRA was after me and my family claiming that we have significant amount of unreported income. Sam and his team took over the file and dealt with it in the most efficient and effective way. They provided every single reconciliation and backup to show that the CRA assumptions are baseless. They were able to stop the escalation based on their sophisticated strategy and I am so grateful for them.
Sam and his team are expert and solid tax consultants who can fight CRA audits confidentiality and aggressively. They are the sharks and the best in the country to do so.
Perfect and excellent service.
Top consulting firm I have ever dealt with. Don’t listen to any other professionals but Sam Faris. He is honest, trustworthy and very professional on both personal and business levels. He won my case against the CRA and the audit went through very smoothly because of his top notch service and expertise. I wish I met Sam before. I paid other professionals but they were disappointing and did not deliver what Sam delivered. Many thanks Sam and I will definitely refer my clients and family to him.
I was referred to Sam Faris by a tax lawyer to handle my a complicated tax audit by the CRA and to refile all my outstanding corporate and personal tax returns. He was highly recommended by the tax lawyer and by other professional. The minute I hired Sam to sort out the big mess that I had with the CRA, I felt I am safe and in a good hands. He and his team were responsive to my questions and my concerns. Once he completed his work, he insisted to meet in person with the auditor and the team leader. His work quality was second to none. He backed up all accounts prepared a perfect reconciliation. On that basis, he presented his work confidentially and was able to convince the CRA team with his position and his calculations. I must admit that Sam Faris is the best tax consultant and he is a life saver. As a side note, his fee is very reasonable considering to other professionals and more importantly the work quality and the results that he achieved are unbeatable.
I was referred to Mr. Faris by another professional who recommended him to deal with my multiple years of outstanding corporate and tax returns. I interviewed Sam and was impressed in his confidence and transparency. He did not promise the moon just to get my business. Sam was able to file all returns under the voluntary disclosure program. After completing filling all tax returns, I realized the amount of money he saved me. I enjoyed very much working with him. He ensured that the work progress flow smoothly without any complications. He took to consideration the emotional stress factor and he was available to speak with me even beyond business hours just to make me more calm and to make me feel that he is on top of the matter and it will be resolved to my satisfaction. Indeed, this is what happened. The matter was resolved to my satisfaction and CRA concluded that the returns which Sam filed are reasonable and there is no need to further audit me nor my company. In summary, Sam is a life saver. He saved me and saved my family and now I am in the right track where all my tax filing obligations are met and I don’t owe any taxes. So grateful to Sam and his dedication while working on my file.
Sam is an excellent CPA and the best tax consultant in the country. He helped me to deal with a very complicated tax audit with the CRA where the CRA sent me a proposal assessment of 1.5 million dollars based on their net worth audit calculation and analysis. Sam was able to provide a counter analysis which highlighted significant mistakes that the auditor made with his assumptions and calculations. It’s ridicules that CRA wanted to taxed me on a loan that I obtained from my bank. Sam dealt with this audit perfectly. He demonstrated a very high level of expertise and CRA had to accept his counter analysis with no question asked. Many thanks to Sam’s efforts and high business standards in dealing with this issue and resolve it to my favor. I will have Sam as my primary CPA going forward so I can focus on doing business and will have a peace of mind in terms of the high quality of work done by him. Well deserved this review with the 5 stars rating.
Sam Faris helped me with a complex cross border tax matter. This issue involved 12 years of tax returns and it was as a result from mistakes that my previous accountant did. He was able to perfectly address the issue with the CRA and to fix the returns under the voluntary disclosure program. End results; CRA accepted Sam’s work with not a single question and the returns were reassessed to my satisfaction without penalties and interest. Many thanks to Sam brilliant work.
I found Sam’s firm online and I read the excellent Google reviews about him and his team. I decided to hire him to help me navigate an issue with the CRA. Sam delivered as expected and as promised. Results were to my satisfaction and I am very happy with how the process was handled. Highly professional and extremely knowledgeable.

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Voluntary Disclosure Process

We simplify the CRA Voluntary Disclosure Program application for you. Here’s how:
  1. Free Consultation
    We asses your case confidentially.
  2. Gather Documents
    We help you organize records & tax returns.
  3. Application Submission
    Our experts prepare and file your dislocure properly.
  4. Follow-up & CRA Response
    We communicate with the CRA on your behalf.
  5. Resolution
    Minimized penalties, reduced interest, and a fresh 
financial start.

Former Canadian Resident Incorrectly Claimed Tax Credits

VDP Case Study #1

A client who had recently relocated to Australia came to us for help determining when her Canadian tax residency officially ended. We carefully reviewed her financial history and personal circumstances to assess her residency status. During this process, we discovered she had mistakenly claimed tax credits for several years when she was no longer eligible.

We prepared the necessary amended returns and submitted them through the Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP). The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) accepted the application, resulting in significant savings on taxes, interest, and penalties.

Corporate Owner Avoids Prosecution

VDP Case Study #2

A corporate owner engaged us to help clean up his company’s books and file amended corporate tax returns. While reviewing his records, we noticed substantial personal withdrawals that had not been included in his personal tax filings.

We brought the issue to his attention and strongly recommended submitting amended individual returns under the VDP before the CRA intervened. He agreed. We prepared and submitted the disclosures.

The CRA approved the submission, which protected him from prosecution and secured partial relief from interest and penalties. The outcome delivered major financial savings for our client.

Widow Discloses Unreported Offshore Assets

VDP Case Study #3

Laura, a Toronto resident, reached out to Faris CPA for help correcting more than 10 years of tax filings for herself and her late husband. They had held significant investments and income in Swiss bank accounts that had never been reported to the CRA.

We advised her to file a full disclosure under the Voluntary Disclosures Program. This included all unreported foreign income as well as the missing T1135 forms for foreign assets. We worked with the CRA Appeals Officer to limit the disclosure period to 10 years.

Our submission was accepted without issue. As a result, Laura avoided all penalties and also received interest relief on the taxes owed.

Case Studies

Real Clients Who Benefitted from Our Specialized VDP Services

Overview of the Voluntary Disclosure Program

The Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP) is designed to encourage individuals and businesses to come forward and correct past tax reporting errors or omissions before they’re identified through enforcement action. Whether it’s unreported income, missing information returns, or inaccurate filings, the program offers a structured process to disclose and resolve these issues.

The main objective of the VDP is to promote compliance while offering a measure of relief from penalties and, in some cases, prosecution. By participating in the program, taxpayers can work with authorities to bring their filings up to date under more favorable terms than if the errors were discovered through an audit or investigation.

The program typically covers both income tax and GST/HST disclosures, and it applies to a range of situations—from honest mistakes to more complex cases of non-compliance. 

To be accepted, a disclosure must be voluntary, complete, and involve a penalty that could otherwise apply.

Applying to the VDP

The CRA recommends that you complete and submit Form RC199, Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP) Application, to apply to the VDP. You can also apply by sending a letter with the same information requested on the form, as long as it includes:

  • The information requested is in sections 1 and 2 of Form RC199.
  • If applicable to your situation, the information requested in sections 3 to 6 of Form RC199.
  • A statement that you and your representative (if you have one) have read and agreed to the Taxpayer Declaration in Section 7 of Form RC199.

You should always consult with our voluntary disclosure experts before applying to the VDP to: confirm that it’s your best option, increase the likelihood of getting accepted, and ensure the best results.

Changes to the Voluntary Disclosures Program

As of this writing, there have been no recent changes to Canada's Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP) since the major overhaul that took effect on March 1, 2018.The most significant updates to the Voluntary Disclosures Program were introduced at that time, including the following:

  • Introduction of a Two-Track System
    • General Program. Provides relief similar to what was available before 2018, intended for taxpayers who made genuine errors.
    • Limited Program. Applies to cases involving "major non-compliance" and offers reduced relief.
  • Tighter Eligibility Criteria
    • Corporations with gross revenue over $250 million in at least two of the last five tax years are no longer eligible for the General Program.
    • Cases involving transfer pricing adjustments or penalties under section 247 of the Income Tax Act are excluded entirely.
  • New Requirements for a Valid Disclosure
    • Taxpayers must now include a payment of the estimated tax owing at the time they submit their VDP application.
  • Reduced Interest Relief
    • Interest relief has been limited to 50% of the applicable interest for tax years beyond the most recent three years.
  • Expanded CRA Discretion
    • CRA officers now have broader authority to accept or reject VDP applications based on their judgment.

Penalties and Consequences

Failing to file full and accurate tax and/or GST/HST returns can lead to serious consequences, including interest charges, financial penalties, and even legal action in cases of willful non-compliance. Acceptance into the Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP) can help reduce these risks. By coming forward voluntarily, you may be eligible for relief from prosecution and some penalties, depending on your situation. The program encourages transparency and provides an opportunity to correct past errors before the CRA takes enforcement action.

Privacy and Risk Assessment

Participating in the Voluntary Disclosure Program involves sharing sensitive financial and personal information. We take privacy seriously and are committed to protecting the confidentiality of all disclosures.

The CRA is bound by Canadian laws like the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act to maintain confidentiality in the Voluntary Disclosure Program. Therefore, the  VDP must ensure the protection of taxpayers' personal information and maintain confidentiality throughout the disclosure process.

As part of the process, a risk assessment is conducted to evaluate the nature of the disclosure, the potential for penalties, and the likelihood of enforcement action. This assessment is designed to help you make informed decisions and manage your exposure.

Security, transparency, and trust are at the core of how we operate. If you have questions about how your information will be used or how risk is assessed, our team is available to walk you through the details before you proceed.

Real client results

Testimonials

I recently worked with Faris CPA regarding my many years of outstanding personal and corporate tax returns. Sam has submitted all returns under the voluntary disclosure program, he was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. He was knowledgeable, responsive, and took the time to explain everything in detail. Thanks to his expertise, I felt confident in my decisions. I highly recommend Faris CPA, especially if you have the chance to work with Sam!

Google Review

· August 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have unreported income, late tax filings, or errors in previous returns, you may qualify. Eligibility for the Voluntary Disclosure Program is determined individually, but there are basic requirements that must be met. To be considered, the following conditions apply:

  • The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must not have started any enforcement action related to the unfiled or unpaid taxes. This includes audits or the issuance of arbitrary assessments.
  • The taxpayer must make a complete disclosure, covering all relevant tax years where returns were inaccurate or incomplete.
  • There must be taxes owing, along with exposure to penalties.
  • The returns in question must be overdue by at least one year.

Yes, but penalties and interest can be reduced significantly, and you avoid legal consequences.

Yes! Your voluntary disclosure remains confidential, protecting your privacy.

Nobody can guarantee an outcome. However, we can tell you that the CRA decides on a case-by-case basis and that the risk of prosecution increases with the amount of unreported income and the severity of the mistakes made in a voluntary disclosure.

The CRA requires voluntary disclosures to go as far back as records exist. In other words, if the income of a Canadian taxpayer was unreported for 20 years, they expect the voluntary disclosure application to include 20 years of filings if the documentation is available.

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