The Voluntary Disclosures Program can reduce penalties for taxpayers who come forward before CRA finds an issue.

What this means for you

A common mistake is treating the first notice as the final word. Most CRA decisions have a formal review or objection path, and the deadline to use it is usually shorter than people expect — often 90 days from the date on the notice, not the date you opened the envelope.

What you can do next

  • Confirm which tax year and account the notice actually concerns
  • Call the number on the notice itself, not a number found by searching online
  • Write down the name, date, and reference number for every call

A disclosure made after CRA has already contacted you about the same issue will usually be denied.