Real Case: How We Helped a Client Fix 3 Years of Late Taxes

Falling behind on tax filing happens more often than most people think. Life gets busy, paperwork piles up, and before you know it, one missed deadline turns into several years of unfiled returns. Many Canadians worry about penalties, interest, or potential CRA reviews — but with the right guidance, getting back on track is completely possible.

At TikiTax, we recently helped a client who had three years of late taxes, felt overwhelmed, and didn’t know where to start. Here’s a real-life look at how we resolved their situation quickly and smoothly.

The Client’s Situation

Our client, Michael (name changed for privacy), reached out after receiving a reminder notice from the CRA. He hadn’t filed his taxes for 2020, 2021, or 2022 due to a combination of:

• Job transitions

• Lost tax documents

• Stress and fear of CRA penalties

• A belief that filing late would make things worse

By the time he contacted us, he was anxious, unsure what information he needed, and afraid he might owe more than he could afford.

Step 1: Reviewing the Client’s CRA Account

After securing authorization, our team accessed Michael’s CRA account to gather:

• Missing tax slips (T4s, T5s, RRSP contributions)

• CRA notices and previous assessments

• Unclaimed credits from earlier years

• Any outstanding balances or interest

This step alone brought immediate relief — he realized he didn’t need every document himself; CRA already had most records on file.

Step 2: Reconstructing Income & Eligible Deductions

Next, we worked with Michael to identify deductions and credits he qualifies for but never claimed, including:

• Moving expenses (due to changing jobs)

• Union dues

• Medical expenses

• Tuition transfer credits

• Home office expenses during remote work

Many clients assume late filing means they lose credits, but that’s not true. Our detailed review actually reduced his tax payable.

Step 3: Preparing and Filing Three Years of Returns

Once all slips were gathered, we prepared tax returns for 2020, 2021, and 2022, ensuring:

• Accurate reporting

• Maximum deductions

• Correct carry-forward amounts

• CRA compliance

Each return was reviewed with Michael before submission to ensure he understood every number.

Step 4: Communicating with the CRA

To help the client avoid unnecessary stress, we handled all CRA communications, including:

• Explaining the late filings

• Requesting interest relief

• Confirming receipt of each return

• Monitoring for review triggers

Because everything was filed correctly and transparently, the CRA processed his returns without requesting further documentation.

The Outcome

Michael was shocked — in a good way.

Here’s what happened:

• No penalties were added because his situation qualified for taxpayer relief.

• Two of the three years resulted in refunds due to unclaimed credits.

• His total balance owing was much lower than expected.

• His CRA account is now fully up to date.

• He now files every year on time with our support.

Most importantly, he went from months of stress to complete peace of mind in just five business days.

What This Case Shows

Michael’s story is not unique. Many Canadians are behind on taxes for one, three, or even ten years. The good news?

You can fix it — and often with better results than you expect.

Key takeaways:

• The CRA already has many of your missing slips.

• Filing late is always better than not filing.

• Professional help can reduce tax owed and avoid penalties.

• You may still receive refunds even after years of delay.

If You’re Behind on Taxes, You’re Not Alone

Whether you’ve missed one year or multiple years, there’s always a solution. At TikiTax, we handle:

• Late tax filings

• CRA reviews & audits

• Taxpayer relief requests

• Back taxes for self-employed, newcomers, and employees

We make the process fast, stress-free, and judgment-free.

Final Thoughts

This real-life case shows that catching up on years of late taxes doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right guidance, you can resolve outstanding issues, reduce penalties, and regain control of your financial situation — often faster than you think.