Voluntary Disclosure Program Experts

Unfiled Income Tax Return Help in Canada

Worried about unfiled tax returns or late penalties? We’re here to help.
If you’ve missed filing one or more income tax returns, you’re not alone, and it’s not too late to fix it. Our expert support helps Canadian taxpayers deal with the CRA, file overdue returns, and minimize the financial consequences.
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Expert Voluntary Disclosure Program Help from Sam Faris

Unfiled returns can lead to penalties, interest, lost benefits, and CRA enforcement actions, but there’s still time to take control.

Failing to file Canadian income tax returns can result in additional costs, including interest and late penalties, as well as potential legal and collection actions by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Whether it’s one missed year or several, the CRA’s non-filer enforcement process can be relentless, with escalating pressure over time.

Ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away. The CRA uses increasingly sophisticated data-matching tools to identify non-filers, and you may receive notices, demands to file, or even a return filed by the CRA on your behalf. Eventually, unpaid taxes can mean asset and/or wage garnishments or other legal action, including criminal charges in extreme cases. If you don’t address the situation proactively, penalties can snowball, and you may lose access to benefits or refunds.

Fortunately, the Government of Canada offers the Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP), providing taxpayers with an opportunity to come forward before the CRA reaches out to them. When done correctly, an accepted VDP application can eliminate penalties, reduce interest, and help you avoid prosecution.

Our team helps individuals and businesses navigate this critical process with confidence and confidentiality. Whether you owe money, have no income to report, or are unsure where to start, we’ll assess your situation and help you make things right.

Why Taxpayers Fall Behind & What Can Go Wrong

From missed slips to life’s curveballs, here’s how taxpayers fall behind and what the CRA can do when returns aren’t filed on time.

Tax returns go unfiled for a variety of reasons, from confusion about reporting obligations for self-employed and non- or part-time residents, to personal circumstances like illness, leaving the country, or financial hardship. It’s sometimes even the case that people fear they’ll face jail time or insurmountable penalties, which only deepens the cycle of avoidance.
The CRA’s Non-Filer Program aggressively pursues outstanding returns. You might receive multiple warnings, a demand to file, or even face a legal summons or demand for information. In some cases, the CRA will arbitrarily assess a taxpayer’s finances at higher-than-actual amounts, leading to excessive tax balances owing and non-consideration of credits and deductions the taxpayer is entitled to. Once assessed, it can be extremely difficult to challenge the assessment.

For business owners, the risks are even greater, with payroll, GST/HST, and corporate taxes adding layers of complexity and penalties for non-filing. If you’ve closed a business but never filed final returns, you could still be on the CRA’s radar.

Another challenge is dealing with CRA-imposed penalties and compound interest. These charges accumulate quickly, making it daunting to file or get caught up, even if you want to do the right thing. Some individuals are unaware that they can seek relief through the VDP, payment arrangements, or a taxpayer relief application.
Regardless of how long it’s been or how complicated your case feels, there are solutions. We help clients regain control, file past returns accurately, and deal with any resulting tax debt in a manageable way.

A Second Chance to Set Things Right with the CRA

The Voluntary Disclosures Program lets you come clean without penalties or prosecution if you act before CRA enforcement.

The CRA’s Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP) allows taxpayers to correct past tax filings or disclose unreported income without facing full penalties or prosecution. If your disclosure is accepted, you may be eligible for relief from late-filing penalties, interest charges, or criminal charges, depending on your situation.

To qualify, your disclosure must be complete, voluntary, and involve a penalty or potential penalty. You must apply before the CRA contacts you about the issue, which is why acting early is critical.

There are two tracks: the General Program, which offers full relief for most cases, and the Limited Program, which offers partial relief for serious cases involving intentional avoidance. The program applies to income tax, GST/HST, source deductions, and other filings.

A successful disclosure requires careful preparation and strategy. If your application is incomplete, contains mistakes, or is submitted after CRA enforcement has started, it may be rejected. Our team of voluntary disclosure experts ensure your submission is accurate, timely, and positioned for approval. We also file supplemental paperwork as needed to request (further) interest and penalty relief or for late, amended or revoked elections that reduce your taxable income, for example.

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Trusted Help When You’re Worried About Unfiled Tax Returns

We Do More Than File. We Defend And Negotiate Using Our Years Of Experience, And Support You Through The Process With Genuine Care.

Dealing with the CRA can be intimidating, especially when in the delicate position of having unreported income, undeclared assets, taxes owing, or unfiled returns. You don’t know what to expect and, often, everything you need to do and how it needs to be done. But you don’t have to go through it alone. 

Our team specializes in unfiled tax cases and voluntary disclosures. We’ve helped Canadians in all provinces file overdue returns, correct past returns, get interest and penalties waived, and avoid legal action. We provide strategic advice, manage communication with the CRA, and guide you through every step, from reconstructing financial data to negotiating tax payments if needed.

With deep experience in VDP requirements and non-filer resolutions, we know how to protect your rights and maximize tax relief. Everything we do is confidential, judgment-free, and focused on getting you a clean tax record.

Our 3-Step Process

1. Consultation
We’ll assess your situation and explain your options, whether that’s filing full returns, specific forms, using the VDP, or applying for taxpayer relief.

2. File VDP Submission
We prepare and submit your disclosure, ensuring full compliance and the best possible chance of relief.

3. CRA Response Support
We handle follow-ups, assist with negotiations, and support you through any repayment or resolution steps.

Take Action. Gain Control of Your Finances. Stop Worrying About Your Unfiled Returns Today

Every month you wait can mean more interest, more penalties, and fewer options. But with our expert help, even the most overwhelming tax situations can end with positive results.

We offer confidential, experienced guidance, personalized services, and a proven path forward. Whether you’ve missed one year or many, our team is ready to help you fix it fast.

Speak with a VDP expert today.

Frequently Asked Questions

The CRA may issue a demand to file, assess penalties, or complete an unfavourable return on your behalf. You could also lose access to benefits like GST credits or child benefits. Eventually, the CRA can also initiate legal action and/or seize assets. But filing voluntarily through the VDP can help limit damage.

Jail time is rare and typically reserved for serious tax evasion. Most non-filers face financial penalties, not criminal charges. If you come forward voluntarily, you can avoid prosecution altogether.

Yes. We can help you estimate income using available documents or CRA account data. It’s better to file with reasonable estimates than not at all, and we’ll help you amend returns later if needed.

Not necessarily. If you owe taxes you can’t afford to pay at once, we can help arrange a CRA payment plan or apply for Taxpayer Relief from interest or penalties.

The full process can take a few months from submission to resolution. Timelines depend on CRA backlog and case complexity, but we’ll keep you informed and updated throughout.

Start by gathering your income slips (like T4s, T5s) and expense records for each missing year. (If you’re missing information, we can help retrieve data from the CRA or reconstruct it from existing documents.) Then, prepare each year’s return using CRA-approved software or with a tax professional. Returns must be filed year by year; skipping years can delay processing.

Staying compliant starts with tracking income and important tax dates. Use digital tools to organize receipts, set calendar reminders for filing deadlines, and check your CRA My Account regularly for updates. If you’re self-employed or have complex finances, working with a tax consultant year-round can help prevent missed filings and unexpected tax bills. We also offer annual review services to help you stay on track.

Yes. Most individuals must file by April 30, while self-employed individuals have until June 15 (with payments due April 30). Corporate tax returns are generally due six months after the business’s year-end. GST/HST and payroll filings vary based on your remittance schedule. Missing any of these can result in penalties, so knowing your specific deadlines is essential. We can help clarify and manage them for you if needed.

You’re still encouraged, and often required, to file. Even with no income, filing ensures you receive benefits like GST/HST credits, climate action incentives, and provincial support payments. Not filing can delay or stop these entirely. We help prepare “nil” returns to keep you in good standing with the CRA and maintain access to available programs.

It depends on your residency status and ties to Canada. Even if you lived abroad, you may still be required to file, especially if you had Canadian income, owned property, or remained a resident for tax purposes. We review your situation and determine whether filings are necessary, and help you claim available treaty protections or exemptions where applicable.

Yes. The CRA offers Taxpayer Relief for extraordinary situations like serious illness, family emergencies, or natural disasters. If you couldn’t file due to circumstances beyond your control, we can apply for interest and penalty relief on your behalf. Documentation is key, and we help gather what you need to present your case effectively.

Take Control of Your Taxes Before the CRA Reaches Out

Every month you wait can mean more interest, more penalties, and fewer options. But with our expert help, even the most overwhelming tax situations can end with positive results.

We offer confidential, experienced guidance, personalized services, and a proven path forward. Whether you’ve missed one year or many, our team is ready to help you fix it fast.
Speak with a VDP expert today.
Call today for a free consultation
100% confidential. No judgment. Real help.
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