Claiming What’s Yours: How Canadians Can Recover Estate Funds Through Retroactive Tax Filing

If you’ve recently lost a loved one in Canada, there may be a lesser-known opportunity to recover funds from their estate—even if they passed away up to a decade ago. According to Kevin J. Johnston, Canadian law allows you to amend or redo the deceased’s taxes for the previous ten years from today’s date. This seldom-discussed provision can result in substantial returns for the family or heirs, turning a somber situation into a financial lifeline if managed correctly.​

Key Steps When a Loved One Passes

Instead of directly contacting the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in the immediate aftermath, Johnston emphasizes a more strategic approach:

Secure the official death certificate as your first step.

Swiftly take care of the estate—this includes moving all funds from the loved one’s bank accounts and transferring ownership of properties, such as houses and cars, into your name or into a numbered corporation’s name.

Only then, once control over all assets is established, should you move forward with handling the deceased’s taxes.

Why Redo Past Taxes?

Canadian law permits re-filing for up to 10 years preceding the current date, opening the door for potential refunds or unclaimed tax credits that the estate might not have previously accessed. This retroactive approach allows families to maximize the estate’s value before closing it, as any found savings or refunds legally belong to the heirs—not to the CRA. Johnston encourages people to lean on professional help to ensure the process is handled thoroughly and within legal boundaries.​

Closing the Estate After Claims

After pursuing every legitimate tax return or credit, only then does Johnston advise officially closing the estate. The extra diligence can make a difference in the financial outcome for surviving family members. If this process is managed proactively, heirs stand to reclaim potentially significant sums—money that’s rightfully theirs by law.​

For people managing a loved one’s estate, considering this tax strategy could dramatically change your bottom line. If you want to explore these options, Johnston offers his services to guide families through each step, ensuring nothing is left unclaimed.​