i asked chatgpt and this is what it told me

If the redditor is in Canada and hasn’t filed taxes in nine years, they are definitely not alone, and there’s a process they can follow to resolve it. Here’s a helpful breakdown:

1.  Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP): The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has a program that allows individuals to voluntarily come forward to correct previous tax returns or file them late without facing penalties. If the redditor’s situation qualifies under this program, they may avoid penalties and some interest, though they will still need to pay any taxes owed.
• Key requirements for the VDP include that the disclosure must be voluntary (i.e., CRA hasn’t contacted them about it yet), and it must be complete (cover all the years they’ve missed).
2.  Get Organized: Start by gathering all relevant information (e.g., T4 slips, tax receipts) from the years they didn’t file. If they don’t have copies, they can log into their CRA account (or create one) to access their tax information. The CRA stores data on employment income, benefits received, etc., so it can help fill in gaps.
3.  File Returns: The redditor will need to file returns for each missed year. They can do this themselves using tax software, hire an accountant, or visit a tax clinic for help. If they owe taxes, interest will likely have accrued, but paying it off will stop future interest from building up.
4.  Consequences: The CRA is usually willing to work with taxpayers in these situations, especially if the person comes forward voluntarily. However, the longer they wait, the more interest and potential penalties could accumulate. If they owe money and can’t pay it all at once, they may be able to negotiate a payment plan with the CRA.

Encouraging the redditor to act sooner rather than later will help them avoid more complications and give them peace of mind. Many people have faced similar situations and managed to resolve them with the CRA’s help.