Practice

Profession

Which Big Four accounting firm failed its annual inspection (again)? Maybe we’ll find out in 2026

The Canadian Public Accountability Board has released its annual inspection results. One Canadian auditor continues has shown no public audit improvement
Practice

Case Commentary: Canada v. Csak – Why filing a waiver for a tax reassessment must be done within the normal reassessment period

Closing a dispute that had lasted for more than 10 years, the Federal Court of Appeal overturned a Tax Court waiver decision, explains David J Rotfleisch
Practice

New guidance from the CRA: Transactions subject to the GAAR

The Canada Revenue Agency is now offering guidance on the application of the amended GAAR through a webpage, explains Raffaella Garofalo of Miller Thomson
Profession

Historic change to audit inspection reports announced by Canadian accounting watchdog

With its rules now changed, the Canadian Public Accountability Board will begin to name names in its annual audit inspection reports, beginning in Q1 2026
Thought Leaders

CPAs in 2025: Frustrated, overworked, and underappreciated

From uncertainty to compliance to staffing, Chartered Professional Accountants say their stress is not offset by client appreciation, reports Dean Blachford
Practice

Case Commentary: Onischuk v. The King – Tax Court rules cannot override CRA's statutory requirements

A nil assessment is an objection exception because it is not an assessment and hence cannot be objected to or appealed from, explains David J Rotfleisch
Practice

Case Commentary: Uppal Estate v. the King upholds procedural fairness for Canadian taxpayers in tax litigation

The decision emphasizes the duty of the CRA in Tax Court pleadings and serves as a procedural safeguard for Canadian taxpayers explains David J Rotfleisch
Practice

US audit watchdog censures KPMG Canada for repeatedly failing to accurately disclose who performed audits

Public Company Accounting Oversight Board levies US$700k against KPMG Canada, US$3.375 million in total against nine member firms of global network
Practice

Top 10 need-to-know Canadian income tax cases from 2024

From Dow Chemical to Coopers Park, Dominic Bédard-Lapointe, Anu Koshal and Al-Nawaz Nanji of McCarthy Tétrault review each case and its impact on taxation
Practice

A widow is not a spouse: Canadian court saves widow from the CRA's $100,000 derivative tax assessment

In Enns V Canada, 2025 FCA 14, the timing of an RRSP transfer was critical to the decision, explains Canadian accountant and tax lawyer David J Rotfleisch
Thought Leaders

Protecting CPAs using solicitor-client privilege

Chartered Professional Accountants may be enveloped into privilege if they are the client’s agent, pursuant to an agency agreement, explains Dean Blachford
Profiles

Alberta: Yellowhead riding’s Conservative candidate speaks about diverse needs of massive riding

William Stevenson is a chartered professional accountant who served as a financial agent for multiple MPs; he wants to work on tax reform and the CRA
Practice

Case Commentary: Yadgar v. The King — When trusting your accountant 100% is not an acceptable defence in the Tax Court Of Canada

Canadian tax lawyer and accountant David J Rotfleisch explains how an immigrant success story went wrong in the Tax Court of Canada and the court of appeal
Practice

What can we expect for U.S. estate tax under a second Trump administration?

Margaret O'Sullivan of O'Sullivan Estate Lawyers ponders possible scenarios in anticipation of the sunset provision this year of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Profession

In detailed report, PCAOB finds deficiencies in half of KPMG Canada audits inspected

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board found deficiencies in five out of 10 KPMG Canada audits it inspected in 2023 as well as issues of independence
Practice

Case Commentary: How the CRA abused the voluntary disclosure process for this Canadian taxpayer

The Canada Revenue Agency proposed to reassess the Milgram Foundation after accepting its voluntary disclosure application thus prompting a judicial review
Practice

When can Canadian taxpayers apply to reopen a trial at the FCA from the Tax Court?

As Canadian accountant and tax lawyer David J Rotflesich explains, reopening a court case depends upon the introduction of fresh evidence and error of law
Practice

How to dispute your tax assessment under Toronto's 2024 Vacant Home Tax

A hundred thousand tax assessments were reversed in 2023, but the City of Toronto has taken concrete steps to revamp the VHT regime for the 2024 tax year
Practice

Tax changes a worry for retiring farmers

Farming advocates continue to oppose tax changes that would affect profits from the intergenerational sale of agricultural land despite mitigating measures
Practice

Six strategies to minimize probate fees in your estate plan

These succession planning strategies can be cost-effective and save large amounts of tax that would otherwise be payable upon admitting the will to probate
Profession

PCAOB finds deficiencies two of three BDO Canada audits, including one non-principal engagement

The US audit watchdog inspection report details audits with unsupported opinions by BDO Canada and firm-identified instances of independence non-compliance
Profession

Public accounting regulator expands oversight powers

Bradley E. Berg and Sahil Kesar of Blakes review the first amendments to the regulatory rules of the Canadian Public Accountability Board in almost 20 years
Practice

Taxpayer's failure to review tax return contributed to negligence, Tax Court Of Canada finds

The CRA can reassess a taxpayer beyond the normal reassessment period if tax return misrepresentations are due to carelessness, neglect or willful default
Practice

Case Commentary: Watts v the King, 2024 TCC 100 — Enhanced costs of litigation

A recent Tax Court of Canada judgment shows why litigants should be aware of all potential court costs asserts tax lawyer and accountant David J Rotfleisch
Profession

MNP LLP closes year strong with major acquisition of 21 BDO Canada accounting firms

Homegrown national accounting firm MNP expands its presence in four provinces as a continuation of its ‘national in scope, local in focus’ growth strategy