Back Taxes in Canada? Get Help Filing Unfiled Returns
Whether you're 2 years or 10 years behind, you can start now. We review the information available through CRA, identify any other records needed, prepare the missing returns, and assess whether Voluntary Disclosure may be relevant.
How a catch-up unfolds
2+ years behind
Available CRA records reviewed
Missing returns prepared
Support with CRA follow-up
Trusted Experts In
You're Not the Only One Behind
People fall behind on taxes for very ordinary reasons. It rarely starts as a decision — usually life just got in the way. Whatever the reason, the way out is the same: file, get current, move on.
How Many Years Back Can You File Taxes in Canada?
In many cases, CRA allows taxpayers to file returns going back up to 10 years. Refunds and benefits may also be recovered for eligible prior years. The exact result depends on your CRA account, income slips, benefits, and whether CRA has already contacted you.
Not sure how many years are missing? We can check your CRA record and build a filing plan before you commit to anything.
What Happens If You Keep Waiting?
None of this is meant to scare you — it's simply what CRA can do once returns stay unfiled. Each one has a clear fix.
| Situation | What it can mean | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Missing T1 returns | Benefits and refunds may stop | Review available CRA records and prepare the oldest return first |
| CRA Demand to File | CRA has noticed the missing years | Prepare the response and the returns |
| Arbitrary (notional) assessment | CRA estimated tax without your deductions | File real returns and correct the record |
| Corporate / GST filings missing | Penalties can build up fast | Catch up T2 and GST filings |
Missing T1 returns
Means: Benefits and refunds may stop
We do: Review available CRA records and prepare the oldest return first
CRA Demand to File
Means: CRA has noticed the missing years
We do: Prepare the response and the returns
Arbitrary (notional) assessment
Means: CRA estimated tax without your deductions
We do: File real returns and correct the record
Corporate / GST filings missing
Means: Penalties can build up fast
We do: Catch up T2 and GST filings
Already have a CRA letter? See our CRA audit support.
Voluntary Disclosure Program: When It Can Help
Already heard from CRA? A letter does not automatically rule out VDP. We check what CRA sent, whether an audit or investigation into the same issue has started, and whether a prompted application may still qualify for partial relief.
Every case is different, and VDP acceptance is never guaranteed — we review your situation honestly and only apply when it genuinely helps.
Our 4-Step Catch-Up Process
Clear steps from the first call through any CRA follow-up.
Confidential Assessment
We identify the missing years, any CRA letters, business accounts, and how urgent your situation really is.
Review Available CRA Records
With your permission, we review the tax slips and account information available through CRA, then identify what is still missing.
Return Preparation
We prepare every missing T1, T2 and GST return, usually oldest year first, with a fixed quote agreed before we start.
Filing, VDP & CRA Follow-Up
We file the returns, handle a Voluntary Disclosure application where it applies, and stay on as your CRA representative.
Missing Tax Slips? Start With What CRA Has
CRA records may include tax slips, notices of assessment, account balances and correspondence. With your permission, we review what is available and identify the records that still need to come from you or another source.
Don't have your old slips?
Start with the records available in your CRA account. We identify what else is needed before preparing the returns.
- Tax information slips available through CRA
- Notices of assessment and reassessment
- CRA account balances and correspondence
- Business bookkeeping records
- Bank statements, invoices and receipts
- Rental and self-employment expense records
Unfiled Corporate, T2 and GST Returns
A dormant corporation can still have filing obligations. Nil T2 returns, GST returns and CRA account cleanup may be required even when the business had little or no activity — and the penalties for skipping them can build quietly in the background.
You Know the Price Before We Start
It starts with a free, confidential call. Once we understand your situation, we agree a fixed quote before any work begins — so you know the cost before you decide anything.
Example Case
A client had not filed for 5 years after becoming self-employed. We reviewed the tax information available through CRA, worked with the client to rebuild the income records, prepared the missing returns, and created a plan for the balance owing.
What Our Clients Say
Reviews from our public Google profile
Reviews on the chosen topic come first
I had a great experience with Anytime Accounting for my self-employed tax return. Olha Vozna was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and patient throughout the entire process. She made what can be a stressful time feel completely manageable and ensured everything was handled accurately. I felt confident every step of the way knowing I was in good hands. I highly recommend Anytime Accounting to anyone looking for reliable and professional accounting services!
I got a fantastic express consultation from Olha Vozna. Answers and information were very accurate, valuable, and professional. My entire family will only do their taxes with Olha. Update. Last week we were doing our taxes with Olha. Process was smooth and easy. Olha is professional as accountant and very pleasant person. Finally we found our family accountant. Special thanks to administration team. I was rescheduling my appointment and administrator find for me best option. With Anytime accounting I feel professional service and well cared as client.
I’ve been filing my taxes with Anytime Accounting for the past 2 years and I had a great experience each time. The process is always quick, easy and well organized. Olga Vozna is very professional, and I really appreciate the pleasant conversation during the appointment, it makes the whole experience even more enjoyable. Thank you very much for the excellent service! I’ll definitely be back next year!
I want to express my gratitude to Olha Vozna for the professional approach, the humanity, for the consultation on various questions. I filed my return with her. I came to her with various questions, the answers were clear. I recommend Olha Vozna as a responsible and reliable specialist who is pleasant to work with.
Absolutely amazing service! Our schedule is unpredictable, and it’s always been a challenge to find time for paperwork. The team at Anytime Accounting, and especially Olga Vozna, truly went above and beyond for us — they arranged late-evening appointments so we didn’t have to miss work, and the entire tax filing process was handled online, which made everything so much easier and stress-free. We’ve been filing our tax returns with Olga Vozna for two years now, and every experience has been fantastic. She explains everything in detail, answers all our questions, and always makes sure we understand every step. It’s such a relief to have a professional we can really trust! We genuinely feel cared for as clients, and we recommend Olga to everyone who wants not just good service, but real support and understanding. Thank you for making taxes so much easier for our family!
We had a great experience with Anytime Accounting in Calgary while filing our taxes this year. Everything was smooth, professional, and well organized — both communication and the overall process. A special thank you to Olga Voznaya for helping my husband and me with our tax returns. She was knowledgeable, responsive, and took the time to explain things clearly, which made the whole experience feel easy and stress-free. We also really appreciated that the service is available both online and in person — very convenient. Beyond the professional side, it was simply a pleasure communicating with genuinely kind and caring people. Highly recommend Anytime Accounting to anyone looking for reliable accounting and tax support in Calgary! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The best Ukrainian accountant in Calgary and in Canada 💛
FAQ
It is fixable — we handle multi-year cases regularly. CRA generally accepts returns going back up to 10 years, and we file oldest year first so your record is brought current in the right order.
CRA has strong collection powers once a debt is assessed, including garnishments and, in serious cases, account freezes. That is exactly why acting before CRA does matters — voluntary filing puts you in a much stronger position.
For the vast majority of people, no. Criminal cases generally involve deliberate tax evasion, while most catch-up files are about getting returns filed and any balance paid. Even if CRA has contacted you, bring us the letter and we will map the right response.
Some tax slips may be available in your CRA account. With your permission, we review the information CRA has and identify anything that still needs to come from you, an employer, a financial institution, or another source.
Yes. A Demand to File means CRA has already noticed the missing years, so acting quickly matters. We prepare the outstanding returns and a proper response, and our CRA audit support team can help if CRA has issued an arbitrary (notional) assessment.
Possibly — a CRA letter no longer automatically closes the VDP route. Even after CRA contacts you, partial relief may still be available unless an audit or investigation has begun into the same issue; we review the letter and determine which response is worth preparing.
Yes. A dormant corporation still owes nil T2 returns, and an open GST/HST account still needs returns filed. We catch up corporate T2 filings and GST/HST returns alongside your personal ones.
Typically 2–4 weeks once we have CRA authorization, depending on how many years are missing and how complex they are. You get a fixed quote before we start, so the cost is set before the work is.
Often yes. Filing the missing years can restore your GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit, and refunds can still be claimed for eligible prior years. If a past return was filed with errors, a tax adjustment may recover more.
Completely. What you tell us stays between us, and catching up missed years is ordinary work here. Start with a free 15-minute consultation to see where you stand before deciding anything.
Ready to fix the missing years?
Start with a confidential assessment. We'll review your situation, explain the safest next step, and give you a fixed quote before any filing work begins.
Don't take our word for it
None of this is our interpretation. It is CRA's own wording — check it yourself:
- CRA — Changes to the Voluntary Disclosures Program: the relief tiers in effect since October 1, 2025
- CRA — Voluntary Disclosures Program: who is eligible and how it is reviewed
- CRA — Cancel or waive penalties and interest: the 10-year window for a relief request
Checked: 2026-07-27