Ryan Elliott

For individuals or business owners who have fallen behind on taxes, the most important step is bringing those filings up to date. Once the missing returns are completed, the situation usually becomes much easier to manage. After the past filings are resolved, the focus shifts toward maintaining compliance going forward. This often involves implementing consistent systems for bookkeeping, tracking expenses, managing payroll if employees are involved, and filing GST/HST and income tax returns...

Many people attempt to prepare their tax returns themselves, especially when they only have a single year to file. However, when several years of filings are missing, the process can become significantly more complicated. Late tax filings often involve gathering older financial records, reconstructing income and expenses, and ensuring that each return is prepared in the correct order. For self-employed individuals, this may also involve preparing business income statements and reviewing...

When taxes remain unpaid or unfiled for an extended period, the CRA may eventually begin collection activity. This can include contacting the taxpayer, requesting payment arrangements, or taking additional steps to recover the outstanding balance. For many people, receiving communication from CRA collections can feel intimidating. However, one of the most effective ways to address the situation is simply by filing the outstanding tax returns and establishing a clear understanding of what is...