With the passing of this new section, the Minister is now allowed to collect 50% of the amount assessed in respect of a tax shelter even if the related assessment is in dispute. Meaning even if you object, or appeal to Tax Court, the Minister can still come after you for half the amount owing. […]

Rosenberg v. Canada, 2015 FC 549 The taxpayer in the above noted case entered into an agreement with the CRA’s auditor. The CRA agreed not to reassess the 2006 and 2007 taxation year, except to make one specific adjustment. Three years later, the CRA commenced a second audit for the same taxation years. The taxpayer […]

Have you received a call from someone calling themselves Jason White? He typically calls from 1-613-912-4377. This Jason White may be pretending to be a Canada Revenue Agency employee who claims there is a warrant out for your arrest. He then informs taxpayers that the only way for the warrant to be removed is for […]

In Canada, residents are taxed on their worldwide income. Some Canadians think that they can invest in corporations outside of Canada, and because corporations are separate entities, there is no taxes to pay on the income the corporation is earning. While this can be correct, taxpayers must be careful that they do not run afoul […]

A Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (“RRSP”) is an employer-contribution retirement plan, that it similar to an individual RRSP. However, it is administered by the employer. The significant advantage to a Group RRSP is that contributions from your employer are made on a pre-tax basis through payroll deductions. Meaning if you were to receive a […]

April 27, 2015 – Augusta Dwyer from The Globe and Mail wrote an informative piece on What to do if they CRA comes calling. Mr. Barrett suggests meeting with CRA staff in a neutral atmosphere free of details about the business owner’s personal life, such as vacation photos. “Put them in a room where they […]

April 27, 2015 – Diane Jermyn from The Globe and Mail wrote a helpful article “Tax advice for entrepreneurs, no strings attached.” Barrett Tax Law: This Toronto-based business offers a toll-free number throughout Canada (1-877-8-TAX-TAX) where small business owners, the self-employed and taxpayers can schedule a free, one-time consultation with either a tax lawyer or […]

April 24, 2015 – Andrew Seale from Yahoo Finance wrote a riveting article on whether or not the CRA can use your social media accounts against you. Of course, technically and ethically, they should start by looking at your books and records to determine how much you’re making and spending, says Dale Barrett, a Toronto-based […]

April 18, 2015: Brian McCullough from National Post wrote a very informative article “Be Prepared When Canada Revenue Agency Comes Calling” Tax lawyer Dale Barrett has one simple question for small-business owners and self-employed people who run afoul of the Canada Revenue Agency: Can you really afford to go up against the CRA alone? Barrett, […]

Many Canadians who own property in Florida are inadvertently bound by Florida probate law. This means that upon the death of a Canadian or nonresident, if real property was owned and located in Florida, ancillary probate is required by Florida State Law despite having a will stating otherwise. The result is often cumbersome, dealing with […]