Question 1

How many years of outstanding returns can be addressed?

Accepted Answer

The required filing period depends on the type of return, the account history and the available records. The first step is identifying the outstanding personal, corporate, GST/HST or payroll periods and determining the appropriate filing sequence.

Question 2

What if some of my records are missing?

Accepted Answer

Missing records do not necessarily prevent the work from proceeding. Bank statements, credit-card statements, prior returns, CRA account information and other supporting documents may help reconstruct the available records. Any assumptions, estimates or unsupported amounts must be identified and handled appropriately.

Question 3

Should every outstanding return be filed at once?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. The appropriate sequence depends on how the filing periods and accounts connect. Bookkeeping may need to be reconstructed before GST/HST or income-tax returns can be completed accurately.

Question 4

What happens if the CRA has estimated what I owe?

Accepted Answer

The CRA may issue an arbitrary or notional assessment when required returns have not been filed. The appropriate response may involve reconstructing the records, preparing the outstanding returns and addressing the resulting account balances or correspondence.

Question 5

Can penalties and interest be reduced?

Accepted Answer

The CRA may consider taxpayer-relief requests in certain circumstances. Eligibility depends on the facts, supporting documents, applicable periods and CRA policy. Filing outstanding returns and establishing the account balance may be required before relief can be properly evaluated.

Question 6

Can you help me understand a CRA notice or letter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The notice can be reviewed to identify the account, filing period, response deadline, information requested and the appropriate next step within the agreed engagement scope.

Question 7

What can ongoing accounting support include?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the agreed scope, ongoing support may include bookkeeping, account reconciliations, payroll, GST/HST filings, year-end preparation and coordination of corporate or personal tax obligations.

Question 8

Can you take over bookkeeping that is already behind?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Catch-up work and ongoing accounting are usually handled as separate stages. Existing records are first reviewed, corrected or reconstructed as required. A recurring process can then be established to keep the bookkeeping current.

Question 9

What documents should I provide to begin?

Accepted Answer

Required documents vary by engagement. They may include prior returns, CRA notices, notices of assessment, bank and credit-card statements, bookkeeping records, payroll reports, sales records and access to relevant CRA accounts.

Question 10

How are accounting fees determined?

Accepted Answer

Fees depend on the type of work, number of filing periods, condition of the records, complexity of the accounts and required follow-up. The services, responsibilities and fee are confirmed before the agreed work begins.

Question 11

Can you guarantee a refund or a particular tax result?

Accepted Answer

No. A refund, assessment, relief decision or other outcome cannot be guaranteed. The work is based on the applicable facts, supporting records and legislation, while the CRA controls its assessments and administrative decisions.

Question 12

Does using these resources create an accountant-client relationship?

Accepted Answer

No. Reading these resources, completing an assessment, submitting a contact form or booking an initial discussion does not create an accountant-client relationship. An engagement begins only after the services, responsibilities, information requirements and fee are confirmed in writing.

Ryan Elliott Professional Services Ltd.

CANADIAN TAX GUIDANCE · PRACTICAL ACCOUNTING RESOURCES

Practical Tax and Accounting Resources

Clear explanations for individuals, self-employed Canadians and owner-managed businesses dealing with late filings, incomplete records, CRA correspondence and ongoing accounting obligations.

Explore the topics below or begin with one of the featured guides.

RECOMMENDED STARTING POINTS

Featured Guides

Start with these practical guides covering three of the most common reasons individuals and business owners visit this resource library.

Correcting GST/HST Accounts After Several Years

How Monthly Accounting Services Help Businesses Stay CRA Compliant

Late Taxes in Canada: How to Catch Up on Several Years of Unfiled Returns

FIND THE RIGHT PLACE TO BEGIN

Explore Resources by Topic

Select a topic below to view practical guidance related to your tax, accounting or CRA compliance question.

Latest Resources

Avoiding CRA Collections by Addressing Tax Issues Early

PRACTICAL ANSWERS

Find concise answers about late filings, CRA correspondence, ongoing accounting, required records, fees and choosing the appropriate starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years of outstanding returns can be addressed?

What if some of my records are missing?

Should every outstanding return be filed at once?

What happens if the CRA has estimated what I owe?

Can penalties and interest be reduced?

Can you help me understand a CRA notice or letter?

What can ongoing accounting support include?

Can you take over bookkeeping that is already behind?

What documents should I provide to begin?

How are accounting fees determined?

Can you guarantee a refund or a particular tax result?

Does using these resources create an accountant-client relationship?

PRACTICAL LINKS AND DOWNLOADS

Access commonly used CRA calculators, account services, program information and tax resources for individuals, families, employers and business owners.

Calculators, Accounts
and Downloads

Calculators, Accounts
and Downloads

Corrections, Balances
and Relief

Corrections, Balances
and Relief

Credits, Rebates and Emerging Measures

Important Information

A complicated tax situation becomes manageable when the next step is clear.
If you are behind, start with the two-minute assessment. If your business is active and you want a reliable monthly system, book a focused accounting strategy session.

Ryan Elliott Professional Services Ltd.

CANADIAN TAX GUIDANCE · PRACTICAL ACCOUNTING RESOURCES

Practical Tax and Accounting Resources

Clear explanations for individuals, self-employed Canadians and owner-managed businesses dealing with late filings, incomplete records, CRA correspondence and ongoing accounting obligations. ​ Explore the topics below or begin with one of the featured guides.

RECOMMENDED STARTING POINTS

Featured Guides

Start with these practical guides covering three of the most common reasons individuals and business owners visit this resource library.

Correcting GST/HST Accounts After Several Years

How Monthly Accounting Services Help Businesses Stay CRA Compliant

Late Taxes in Canada: How to Catch Up on Several Years of Unfiled Returns

FIND THE RIGHT PLACE TO BEGIN

Explore Resources by Topic

Select a topic below to view practical guidance related to your tax, accounting or CRA compliance question.

Latest Resources

Avoiding CRA Collections by Addressing Tax Issues Early

PRACTICAL ANSWERS

Find concise answers about late filings, CRA correspondence, ongoing accounting, required records, fees and choosing the appropriate starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years of outstanding returns can be addressed?

What if some of my records are missing?

Should every outstanding return be filed at once?

What happens if the CRA has estimated what I owe?

Can penalties and interest be reduced?

Can you help me understand a CRA notice or letter?

What can ongoing accounting support include?

Can you take over bookkeeping that is already behind?

What documents should I provide to begin?

How are accounting fees determined?

Can you guarantee a refund or a particular tax result?

Does using these resources create an accountant-client relationship?

PRACTICAL LINKS AND DOWNLOADS

Access commonly used CRA calculators, account services, program information and tax resources for individuals, families, employers and business owners.

Calculators, Accounts and Downloads

Calculators, Accounts and Downloads

Corrections, Balances and Relief

Corrections, Balances and Relief

Credits, Rebates and Emerging Measures

Important Information

A complicated tax situation becomes manageable when the next step is clear. If you are behind, start with the two-minute assessment. If your business is active and you want a reliable monthly system, book a focused accounting strategy session.

Clear explanations for individuals, self-employed Canadians and owner-managed businesses dealing with late filings, incomplete records, CRA correspondence and ongoing accounting obligations.

Explore the topics below or begin with one of the featured guides.

Calculators, Accounts
and Downloads

Calculators, Accounts
and Downloads

Corrections, Balances
and Relief

Corrections, Balances
and Relief

A complicated tax situation becomes manageable when the next step is clear.
If you are behind, start with the two-minute assessment. If your business is active and you want a reliable monthly system, book a focused accounting strategy session.