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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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- VIEWS 160

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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