Discussions

My uncle has been quite sick for the last few years. Finally he's getting better. He hasn't filed for Income tax for the last 3 tax years. He tells me, " He hasn't paid income tax for years, so his only focus was on getting better, and being around family. Luckily he has kept almost everything for receipts, T-4's and t-5's etc. He however is missing a T-4 from 2 years ago. The company he worked for, has since went out of business.  
 
So the big question is how would he go about getting a copy of a T-4? Just get a hold of Revenue Canada?  
 
I'm wondering once he does have that, would it be better for him to go see an accounting place, or an income tax specialist ( like Liberty/H &R)? I'd like to help get this done for him, before he has another surgery in the Fall. Thanks everyone for the valuable input.

I would stay away from h&r, I found that unless you have the right person that anything a little more complicated than regular taxes they might not know what to do. We used an accountant for he first time this year and will continue to do so....she was cheaper than h&r also.

An long as his old employer properly submitted the t4 or t5 to the CRA it should easily be accessible. I would recommend him going and talking to a CPA/CGA. They could get him to sign an authorization form giving them permission to deal with the CRA on his behalf and access all his information online right down to the last tax year he filed. They can then compare what happened in the last tax year filed to current years about to be filed. They also know the order to file tax returns in so it would better benefit your Uncle. Certain things can only go back as far as 3 years anyways so he could still be in that magic window.  
 
There could be provincial credits you may not be aware of that may or may not be able to be claimed that could easily be missed by someone at a place like H&R.  
 
That's just my opinion.

I would suggest someone who has been been properly educated and h&r is very hit and miss. You can search out a private company that does it.

I would use the services of a tax accountant, one who fully understands tax law.  
 
Even though your uncle hasn't filed income tax for the past three years it's vital you DO back file for those years as I'm sure he is missing out on a number of programs that could actually give him money - as long as he has filed his taxes.  
 
If he's been very sick for three years (and hasn't been able to work consistently), get his doctor to submit a claim for the Disability Tax Credit - it could be worth thousands to him and can be back dated to the start date of his disability 2015's amount was $7250.00)  
 
Also, he could be entitled to the quarterly GST. And, if he's 65 or older with a lower income he'd qualify for the GIS (guaranteed income supplement which is added to his Old Age Pension).  
 
All of these tax benefits are only avialble if your income tax filings are up to date. If he doesn't owe anything there is no penalty for not filing. But you can only claim these government benefits if you DO file.  
 
Finally, the CRA already has a copy of any generated T slip your uncle received. They can certainly help with any tax info you require.

I had lived out of country for several years. When I came back and needed to fill out income tax for the years I was out of country, I called the CRA and they sent me all my T-4, and the tax forms & guides for each year I had been out of country.  
So for your uncle, they would send the 2013, 2014 & 2015 tax packages as well as any T-4s registered to his social insurance number for those years.  
I don't know the number off my head. But the government general inquires nuber is 1-800-OCANADA. The are very good about getting you the phone numbers you need with no hassle.

You will be shocked to see the amount of interest and penalties tacked onto each tax return. He can apply for some relief from interest and penalties. Cra has a form that can be printed and get the doctor to fill it out. It may take up to three months but it may be worth it.

Definitely go to a proper accountant, not a place like h&r. H&R often just has someone who knows nothing more than how to fill in the boxes on a standard online tax form submission like you could do yourself at home.  
 
My husband skipped a few years taxes and the accountant found all the old t4s for him.  
 
I don't think he had bad penalties, but he also didn't owe anything.

I know someone who used them when they hadn't paid (didn't owe) for a few years either...we use them now as well & am happy with their service.

I second Liberty Tax. They are very good.

I sent you a message.

If you call CRA at 800-959-8281 and request all information slips they have on file, they will send them to you. I've helped several people complete returns from previous years and usually get the slips within a week or so.

perhaps said "    xanthe100 said "You will be shocked to see the amount of interest and penalties tacked onto each tax return. He can apply for some relief from interest and penalties. Cra has a form that can be printed and get the doctor to fill it out. It may take up to three months but it may be worth it. " If your uncle is getting money back there will be no penalties just interest he wil need to claim as income next tax season   If however he owes that''''''''s a different story but do go to a tax place like Liberty or Westman Tax   Is he a senior there is a free tax service available to do his returns     Also you can go online and open an account for your uncle at services Canada and get access to all t slips etc might be easier for you     http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/msca/index.page     Another is the CRA site personal account   http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/psssrvcs/menu-eng.html   This one might work better in your case     Edited by perhaps, 2016-08-11 14:25:52"

The other way around? I'm pretty sure there's a penalty for filing late. Otherwise what's the point of a filing deadline? I thought there was a 10% penalty right off the bat for filing late. I could be wrong I guess. I haven't confirmed that info with cra.

If you do not owe money in any given year. there is NO penalty for not filing. In fact, you really don't have to file. If you do owe money there is a penalty for late filing PLUS interest on the owed balance.  
 
Even if you had no taxble income in a year it is still important to file a return as that allows you to take advantage of the available federal and provincial programs as they are based on your last filed income tax.

There will be no tax payable on any refund you get through an income tax return as it is viewed as "returned money" - you overpaid for that year and the government is "returning" it yo you.

No fees for filing late unless you owe is correct. Definitely go onto the cra website and you can print off the missing paperwork there. Anything submitted to the govt will be there .. and I would suggest going to Knight tax services they've been in business a long time and are reputable. H&R has a couple really good preparers working in the mall now. I'd suggest any of the three if choosing a tax prep place. They've all been in the industry for at least three yrs and do a great job.