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Blog
Case summaries and commentary on Canadian tax law, including the archive formerly published at IncomeTaxAct.ca.
2026-11-10
Case summary
Decimo Bosa Family Trust, 2026 TCC 191: a family trust that missed its own distribution date was taxed on its 21st anniversary
2026 TCC 191
The Tax Court held that a British Columbia family trust whose trustees never divided its property by the deed's distribution date still held that property on its 21st anniversary, so the deemed disposition applied.
2026-11-10
Case summary
Wynter, 2017 FCA 195: wilful blindness under subsection 163(2) does not require an intention to cheat
2017 FCA 195
The Federal Court of Appeal upheld a gross negligence penalty on a retiree whose preparer claimed a fictitious business loss, holding that wilful blindness imputes knowledge without any finding that the taxpayer intended to cheat.
2026-11-03
Case summary
Callidus Capital, 2017 FCA 162: a secured creditor's liability for GST deemed trust proceeds survives the debtor's bankruptcy, a majority holds over a dissent later adopted by the Supreme Court
2017 FCA 162
A divided Federal Court of Appeal held that a lender that took sale proceeds subject to the GST/HST deemed trust stayed personally liable after the debtor went bankrupt; the Supreme Court later reversed, adopting the dissent.
2026-11-03
Case summary
Montminy, 2017 FCA 156: employees who exercised options and sold the shares the same day still qualified for the stock option deduction
2017 FCA 156
The Federal Court of Appeal held that a redemption obligation created to give employees a market for their shares cannot be used to deny the paragraph 110(1)(d) deduction, because the regulation says it is to be disregarded.
2026-10-31
Case summary
Alaris Equity Partners, 2026 TCC 185: accountants' due-diligence work done as the law firm's agent stays privileged
2026 TCC 185
The Tax Court held that a due-diligence report and emails prepared by Ernst & Young under a direct retainer from tax counsel were protected by solicitor-client privilege, while bare delivery emails were not.
2026-10-30
Case summary
Abbasi, 2026 TCC 183: a mattress in the basement of a house under renovation is not a principal residence, and a late-filing penalty stands where the filing date is never disputed
2026 TCC 183
The Tax Court rejected a principal residence claim for a Toronto house the taxpayer's brother lived in during renovations, refused to add mortgage and closing costs to the gain, and upheld late-filing penalties the taxpayer had never pleaded facts against.
2026-10-30
Case summary
Fuhr, 2024 TCC 43: statute-barred net worth reassessments fall because the Crown could not identify the misrepresentation
2024 TCC 43
The Tax Court allowed appeals by a restaurant manager and his company against net worth reassessments issued after the normal reassessment period, holding that the Minister never proved a specific misrepresentation attributable to neglect, carelessness, or wilful default.
2026-10-30
Case summary
Grier, 2017 FCA 129: no bias and no unfairness in a Fiscal Arbitrators penalty appeal heard under the informal procedure
2017 FCA 129
The Federal Court of Appeal rejected a Fiscal Arbitrators client's claims that the Tax Court was biased, unfairly refused an adjournment, and ignored his Charter argument, confirming that the informal procedure carries no right to discovery.
2026-10-30
Case summary
Royal Bank of Canada, 2024 TCC 125: interchange fees from foreign merchants are zero-rated exports, but loyalty point redemptions stay exempt, and a pre-approved ITC method does not bind the Minister
2024 TCC 125
The Tax Court held that a bank's credit card authorization and payment service to non-resident merchant acquirers is a zero-rated financial service because a credit card transaction grants credit rather than lends money, while rejecting input tax credits on reward point redemptions and the argument that the Minister was bound by an approved allocation method.
2026-10-30
Case summary
Sarmadi, 2017 FCA 131: a net worth appeal fails on credibility, and Webb J.A. questions whether a taxpayer's 'prima facie case' is a lower standard than the balance of probabilities
2017 FCA 131
The Federal Court of Appeal upheld net worth reassessments after the Tax Court disbelieved a $90,000 family loan, while Webb J.A. argued at length that taxpayers must disprove the Minister's assumptions on a balance of probabilities, not merely raise a prima facie case.
2026-10-30
Case summary
Sharma, 2026 TCC 182: a commission salesperson may deduct only the expenses the employer required, and the Tax Court is bound by Urquhart to say so
2026 TCC 182
An insurance salesman lost his claim for about $560,000 of 'subcontractor fees' paid mostly to his spouse's company, because the Federal Court of Appeal's reading of subparagraph 8(1)(f)(i) requires an employer-imposed expense and the payments were not proven anyway.
2026-10-25
Case summary
Bygrave, 2017 FCA 124: the 'as soon as circumstances permitted' test looks at the period after the 90 days, not before
2017 FCA 124
The Federal Court of Appeal granted a taxpayer an extension of time to appeal to the Tax Court, holding that the Tax Court had asked the wrong question when it focused on whether he could have appealed within the original 90-day period.
2026-10-24
Case summary
1218395 Ontario, 2017 FCA 121: a dissolved corporation's tax appeals stay quashed and its new evidence is refused
2017 FCA 121
The Federal Court of Appeal upheld the Tax Court's quashing of a dissolved Ontario corporation's GST and income tax appeals and refused leave to file new evidence blaming the CRA for the failed corporate revival.
2026-10-24
Case summary
563768 Alberta, 2026 TCC 181: T4 slips cannot be rewritten after the fact to turn salary into dividends and escape CPP
2026 TCC 181
A small Alberta company that paid its two shareholder-employees salaries reported on T4 slips could not later reclassify the amounts as dividends to avoid Canada Pension Plan contributions; the Tax Court dismissed the appeal.
2026-10-24
Case summary
Da Costa, 2026 FC 1290: the CRA cannot certify a dissolved company's tax debt against its shareholder under section 223
2026 FC 1290
The Federal Court quashed a section 223 certificate and legal hypothec registered against the sole shareholder of a dissolved Quebec company, holding that the CRA has no power to certify a debt that is payable only under provincial corporate law.
2026-10-24
Case summary
Yi, 2026 TCC 176: a 50/50 parenting schedule does not by itself make a parent a 'shared-custody parent'
2026 TCC 176
A mother on an equal-time parenting schedule kept the full Canada Child Benefit because the Tax Court found she still primarily fulfilled the care and upbringing of the children even during the father's weeks.
2026-10-22
Case summary
Bonde, 2026 TCC 180: a concrete finisher's 'personal endeavour' argument fails and gross negligence penalties stand
2026 TCC 180
A Paradigm Education Group follower who stopped reporting over $830,000 of concrete finishing income lost his appeal; the Tax Court found the work clearly commercial and upheld gross negligence penalties.
2026-10-22
Case summary
Fiducie Familiale Marc Leclerc, 2026 TCC 178: a section 160 notice of appeal struck for pleading CRA delay instead of facts
2026 TCC 178
The Tax Court struck a family trust's amended notice of appeal against a section 160 assessment because it pleaded no material facts and attacked CRA delay and interest, matters outside the Court's jurisdiction, but allowed a fresh pleading.
2026-10-22
Case summary
Granofsky, 2017 FCA 119: counsel of record can give the taxpayer's written consent to a subsection 169(3) settlement
2017 FCA 119
The Federal Court of Appeal confirmed that a taxpayer who emailed his lawyer 'accepted ok' had mandated her to sign a settlement, and that her signature was the consent in writing subsection 169(3) requires for the resulting reassessments.
2026-10-22
Case summary
Ontario Tire Stewardship, 2026 TCC 77: subsection 296(2) of the ETA reaches input tax credits carried forward from earlier periods
2026 TCC 77
The Tax Court held that the Minister must allow $1.06 million of overlooked 2012 input tax credits when reassessing a December 2013 return, reading the 'net tax' in subsection 296(2) as including credits carried forward from preceding periods.
2026-10-22
Case summary
Tuna Temple, 2026 FCA 175: a credible witness does not displace the Minister's SR&ED assumptions
2026 FCA 175
The Federal Court of Appeal upheld the Tax Court's finding that thirteen fish-cutting and recipe projects were not SR&ED, holding that credible but uncontradicted testimony does not by itself demolish the Minister's assumptions.
2026-10-20
Case summary
Ferlaino, 2017 FCA 105: a stock option benefit in US dollars is converted at the exercise date, not the grant date
2017 FCA 105
The Federal Court of Appeal affirmed from the bench that an employee who exercises stock options priced in US dollars converts both the exercise price and the share value into Canadian dollars at the exchange rate on the exercise date.
2026-10-20
Case summary
Green, 2017 FCA 107: business losses keep their character as they flow through a tiered limited partnership
2017 FCA 107
The Federal Court of Appeal held that the at-risk rules in subsection 96(2.1) do not apply to a partnership that is itself a limited partner, so lower-tier business losses flow through to the individual partners as business losses.
2026-10-19
Case summary
Turgeon, 2017 FCA 103: a non-arm's length finding that triggered section 84.1 and cost the capital gains deduction stands on appeal
2017 FCA 103
The Federal Court of Appeal dismissed from the bench a shareholder's appeal over a denied capital gains deduction, holding that the Tax Court made no palpable and overriding error in finding that he and the purchaser did not deal at arm's length.
2026-10-14
Case summary
Fink, 2017 FCA 87: the CRA must answer questions about other taxpayers' remission orders when its own decision compared them
2017 FCA 87
The Federal Court of Appeal upheld an order compelling the CRA to answer cross-examination questions and produce records about other taxpayers' remission orders, holding that section 241 does not bar disclosure in a remission judicial review.
2026-10-13
Case summary
Beima, 2017 FCA 85: a taxpayer cannot set the terms of a CRA audit; compliance order upheld
2017 FCA 85
The Federal Court of Appeal upheld a compliance order under section 231.7 against a taxpayer who would admit only one auditor, insisted on videotaping the audit, and refused to let the CRA copy his records.
2026-10-11
Case summary
Eba, 2026 TCC 11: the Crown may add a section 67 argument, but cannot rewrite the Minister's assumptions without evidence, and pays costs for a pleading that attacked opposing counsel
2026 TCC 11
An associate judge allows the Crown to clarify the issues and add a reasonableness argument in an informal procedure appeal, refuses new assumptions of fact unsupported by CRA evidence, and awards the taxpayer $1,000 in costs.
2026-10-11
Case summary
Melman, 2017 FCA 83: signing a return unread can be gross negligence under s. 163(2)
2017 FCA 83
The Federal Court of Appeal upheld gross negligence penalties against a taxpayer who signed his return without reading it, confirming that wilful blindness to warning signs satisfies subsection 163(2) without proof of actual knowledge.
2026-10-10
Case summary
Ideal Supply Holdings, 2026 TCC 175: the Crown may plead facts learned on discovery that show shareholder benefits not under assessment
2026 TCC 175
The Tax Court lets the Crown amend its replies to plead discovery facts about two further shareholder benefits that were never assessed, holding the facts material because they help the court understand a complex factual picture.
2026-10-08
Case summary
Filion, 2017 FCA 67: legal expenses paid more than seven years before a retiring allowance is received are not deductible under paragraph 60(o.1)
2017 FCA 67
The Federal Court of Appeal confirms that paragraph 60(o.1) allows a deduction for legal expenses only if they were paid in the year the retiring allowance is received or in the seven preceding years, with no pause for a stayed lawsuit.
2026-10-08
Case summary
Rebel News, 2026 FCA 170: the Minister reasonably refused qualified Canadian journalism organization status to an outlet whose content was not based on multiple perspectives
2026 FCA 170
The Federal Court of Appeal upholds the CRA's refusal to designate Rebel News as a qualified Canadian journalism organization, finding the three-week content review fair, the reading of 'engaged in the production of original news content' reasonable, and the Charter argument answered.
2026-10-08
Case summary
Struck, 2017 FCA 69: a taxpayer who consents to judgment on the amount of a taxable capital gain cannot later appeal to claim a capital gains reserve
2017 FCA 69
The Federal Court of Appeal confirms that subsection 169(2) bars an appeal from a reassessment implementing a consent judgment where the matter raised, a reserve under section 40, was conclusively determined by the agreed amount of the taxable capital gain.
2026-10-05
Case summary
CBS Canada Holdings, 2017 FCA 65: an affidavit proving a settlement is not hearsay about the losses it mentions
2017 FCA 65
The Federal Court of Appeal restored a lawyer's affidavit filed to enforce a tax settlement, holding the Tax Court wrongly treated it as hearsay proof of the losses and overstated the scope of cross-examination.
2026-10-05
Case summary
Dicosmo, 2017 FCA 60: a statute-barred argument must be pleaded, and credibility findings stand on appeal
2017 FCA 60
The Federal Court of Appeal confirms that a taxpayer who wants to argue a reassessment is statute-barred must plead it, and that a trial judge's findings on unreliable evidence will not be disturbed.
2026-10-03
Case summary
Canadian Forest Navigation, 2017 FCA 39: foreign rectification orders are facts the Minister cannot ignore, but they do not decide the appeal
2017 FCA 39
The Federal Court of Appeal holds that Barbadian and Cypriot orders recharacterizing foreign affiliate dividends as loans are facts under the Civil Code of Quebec without homologation, but that their effect against the Minister is for the trial judge.
2026-10-03
Case summary
DesRoches, 2026 FCA 161: an informal procedure appeal quashed for want of a valid objection survives a procedural fairness challenge
2026 FCA 161
The Federal Court of Appeal upholds a Tax Court order quashing a GST appeal because the taxpayer could not prove he had mailed a notice of objection, and finds the one-day informal procedure hearing was fair.
2026-10-03
Case summary
Itzkovitch, 2026 FC 1215: misreading a TFSA notice of assessment is an innocent mistake, not a reasonable error under subsection 207.06(1)
2026 FC 1215
The Federal Court dismisses a judicial review of the CRA's refusal to cancel TFSA over-contribution tax, holding that a sympathetic family situation and a partial reading of the notice do not make the error reasonable.
2026-10-03
Case summary
Malone, 2026 FCA 166: GLGI donation credits denied again, and the Tax Court's reasons were sufficient
2026 FCA 166
The Federal Court of Appeal dismisses two informal procedure appeals by Global Learning and Gifting Initiative participants, holding that the Tax Court's findings on donative intent, software value, and ownership stand and that its reasons were adequate.
2026-10-02
Case summary
Paletta, 2017 FCA 33: no Rule 58 determination of a statute-barred issue when the same evidence decides the merits
2017 FCA 33
The Federal Court of Appeal upholds a Tax Court refusal to decide before trial whether reassessments were statute-barred, because the neglect or carelessness question needed the same detailed evidence as the trading losses themselves.
2026-10-01
Case summary
Revcon Oilfield Constructors, 2017 FCA 22: a section 231.7 compliance order against a taxpayer survives the Supreme Court's read-down for lawyers and notaries
2017 FCA 22
The Federal Court of Appeal confirms that the Chambre des notaires and Thompson decisions removed section 231.7 only for lawyers and notaries, so a compliance order against an audited corporation remains valid even where its law firm holds the documents.
2026-09-29
Case summary
Helgesen, 2017 FCA 21: a director who relied on assurances from people who had already misled him did not exercise due diligence
2017 FCA 21
The Federal Court of Appeal upholds a director's liability assessment of $111,482 for unremitted payroll deductions, holding that trusting third parties who had misled him before, after CRA warning letters, was not what a reasonably prudent person would do.
2026-09-28
Case summary
Fortin, 2026 FCA 160: no equitable exception to alternative minimum tax, and no Charter argument raised for the first time on appeal
2026 FCA 160
The Federal Court of Appeal holds that a taxpayer caught by alternative minimum tax on a one-time capital gain cannot escape it by pointing to the provision's purpose or its unfair result, and refuses to hear an equality argument raised without notice or a record.
2026-09-28
Case summary
Gerald Kowarsky Trust, 2026 TCC 174: a wound-up trust's last taxation year still ends on December 31
2026 TCC 174
The Tax Court holds that a non-testamentary trust dissolved on December 30, 2023 had a taxation year ending December 31, so the new trust reporting rules applied and a late-filing penalty stood.
2026-09-28
Case summary
Salehi, 2026 TCC 139: two Toronto rebuilds were adventures in the nature of trade, and a vendor who certifies a sale as exempt is deemed to have collected the HST
2026 TCC 139
The Tax Court finds a serial home rebuilder was a builder for HST purposes, rejects a retroactive trust declaration, and holds that a false exempt-supply certificate and an HST-inclusive price left him liable for tax a registered corporate buyer would otherwise have self-assessed.
2026-09-28
Case summary
Société Générale Valeurs Mobilières, 2017 FCA 3: Brazil treaty tax sparing credit is limited by Canadian tax on net income
2017 FCA 3
The Federal Court of Appeal confirms that the foreign tax credit under the Canada-Brazil treaty's tax sparing rule is capped at the actual Canadian tax on the net Brazilian income, not tax on the gross interest.
2026-09-28
Case summary
Yanta, 2026 TCC 173: unaffordable local treatment does not make travel abroad a medical expense
2026 TCC 173
The Tax Court holds that a North Bay patient who flew to Türkiye for complex dental work cannot claim the airfare and hotel as medical expenses, because affordability plays no part in the reasonableness test in paragraph 118.2(2)(g).
2026-09-28
Case summary
Zeifmans, 2026 FCA 147: judicial authorization turns on the Minister's purpose, not the audit status of unnamed persons, and a lost judicial review cannot be refought on the compliance application
2026 FCA 147
The Federal Court of Appeal orders an accounting firm to comply with a CRA requirement it resisted for seven years, rejects a primary-purpose test, holds that audit status alone does not trigger judicial authorization, and finds the second challenge an abuse of process.
2026-09-27
News
The IncomeTaxAct.ca archive is moving to Pariz
Case summaries previously published at IncomeTaxAct.ca are being republished here, linked to the annotated Income Tax Act in the Pariz tax wiki.
2017-11-09
Case summary
Moving Expense of Employees - CRA Officer v CRA
2014 TCC 24
Moving Expenses of Employees - What is Deductible for Income Tax Purposes?
2017-04-07
Article
CRA's Access to Tax Accrual Working Papers
2017 FCA 61
The court began by outlining the type of information contained in TAWPs as:
2017-03-22
Article
Reasonableness of Business Expenses
2017 TCC 40
There are a number of hurdles to overcome before an expense is deductible for income tax purposes when determining profits of a business under the Income Tax Act. One hurdle is the limitation imposed by section 67 of the Act, requiring that the expense be reasonable.
2017-02-16
Article
Law Professional Corporations - Rights to Invoice
2016 TCC 281
This was a Rule 58 application (that was not granted). The application of Rule 58 to the facts are not novel. What is interesting about this case is the effect the outcome could have on professional corporations whose shareholders are related.
2017-01-15
Article
Eligibility for Foreign Tax Credits
2016 TCC 172
At issue was whether the taxpayer, who filed both Canadian and US tax returns by reason of being a Canadian resident and US citizen, was entitled to claim a foreign tax credit in respect of Canadian sources income.
2017-01-15
Article
Extension of Time to Appeal to Tax Court
2016 TCC 279
The taxpayers were reassessed to deny their claim for the principal residence exemption.
2017-01-13
Article
Notice Requirements for Hearsay Exceptions in Tax Trials
2016 FCA 313
At issue was the question of what constitutes notice under the Canada Evidence Act when seeking to rely on a statutory hearsay exception. This was an appeal from 2015 TCC 239.
2017-01-13
Article
Verification Duties To Claim Input Tax Credits
2016 TCC 289
Mandatory Requirements To Claim Input Tax Credits
2017-01-11
Article
Lending Money or Investing Money
2016 TCC 287
Lending Money or Investing Money - Deducting Losses When Funds Become Unrecoverable
2017-01-06
Article
Findings of Fact in Criminal or Civil Trials in Tax Court
2016 TCC 290
This was a preliminary motion in the nature of a voire dire. The matter before the Court was in relation to findings of fact in a criminal proceeding, under issue estoppel or abuse of process in the context of an acquittal.
2017-01-06
Case summary
Wagner v The Queen, 2012 TCC 8
2012 TCC 8
Identifying the Nature of Conversion Payments and Non-Competition Payments During
2017-01-03
Article
Difference Between Astute and Abusive Tax Avoidance
2016 TCC 288
The Court was asked to draw a line between permissible and impressible tax avoidance strategies. The correctness of the application of the General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) was at issue when applied (i) at the partnership level and (ii) at the holding corporation level.
2017-01-02
Article
Voluntary Dislosure
Voluntary Disclosure to the CRA
2016-12-29
Article
Discovery Questions in Tax Court Appeals - Proper and Relevant?
2016 TCC 286
One of the issues was the application of Tax Court of Canada Rules (General Procedure), Rules 107(3) and 95(1).
2016-12-12
Case summary
MNR v RBC Life Insurance Co, 2013 FCA 50
2013 FCA 50
Minister's Duty to Make Full Disclosure - Third Party Production Orders Pursuant to
2016-12-12
Article
Principles of Rectification in the Canadian Tax Context
2016 SCC 56
Principles of Rectification in the Canadian Tax Context
2016-12-12
Article
Rectification of Documents to Avoid Adverse Tax Consequences
2016 SCC 55
[companion case Canada (Attorney General) v. Fairmont Hotels Inc., 2016 SCC 56]
2016-12-02
Article
Accountants Cannot Keep Confidential Information of Clients from CRA
2016 FC 1322
KPMG sought to quash an order pursuant to subsection 231.2(3) of the Income Tax Act, requiring it to disclose confidential information relating to unnamed clients, including identities and tax documents.
2016-12-02
Article
Claiming Investment Tax Credits for SRED Expenditures
2016 FCA 301
Claiming Investment Tax Credits for SRED Expenditures
2016-12-02
Article
Estoppel to Bind Crown
2016 FC 1329
The factors giving rise to estoppel were set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in Canadian Superior Oil Ltd v Paddon-Hughes Development Co, [1970] SCR 932 at para 19:
2016-12-01
Case summary
2016-12-01
Article
Instructors - Independent Contractor or Employee
2014 TCC 23
Assessing whether Instructors were Independent Contractors or Employees
2016-12-01
Case summary
Minhas v MNR, 2012 TCC 221
2012 TCC 221
Is an Employee Whose Spouse is a Shareholder of the Employer-Corporation Engaged in
2016-12-01
Article
Off-Shore Investments and Section 94.1 - Primary purposes test
2016 TCC 172
The Court permitted the appeal because it found that none of the taxpayer's main reasons for investing in the funds was to defer or avoid Canadian taxes. Rather, the reason was to preserve its capital and complement its investments in long equities.
2016-11-30
Article
Federal Court not Appropriate Venue to Challenge Decision to Assess
2016 FC 1292
The motivation behind the application is found in paragraph 18 and is evidentiary. The lawyer was concerned that, given the taxpayer's burden before the Tax Court of Canada, the fact that a
2016-11-27
Article
Canadian Currency Requirement When Computing Income
2016 FCA 130
The provisions giving rise to tax consequences in a particular case must be considered as part of determining when relevant amounts "arose" (para 75). This requires consideration of the interaction of the relevant private law instruments and the applicable provisions of the ITA.
2016-11-26
Case summary
Desgagné v The Queen, 2012 TCC 63
2012 TCC 63
Is the MNR Permitted to Adjust Balances for Statute-barred Years?
2016-11-26
Article
2016-11-23
Article
New Principle Residence Exemption Income Tax Rules
New Principle Residence Exemption Income Tax Rules
2016-11-23
Article
2016-11-18
Article
2016-11-18
Case summary
2016-11-17
Article
Anti-Avoidance Rule in Paragraph 95(6)(b) Clarified - Lehigh Cement
2014 FCA 103
Anti-Avoidance Rule in Paragraph 95(6)(b) Clarified
2016-11-17
Case summary
Canada v GalaxoSmithKline Inc., 2012 SCC 52
2012 SCC 52
Relevant Circumstances in Transfer Price Determinations - Consideration of Other
2016-11-17
Article
2016-11-17
Article
Claiming Input Tax Credits against GST/HST
2016 TCC 156
At issue was whether the taxpayer was able to claim input tax credits (ITCs) related to certain legal fees paid.
2016-11-17
Case summary
Cunningham v The Queen, 2012 TCC 279
2012 TCC 279
Claiming the Child Tax Benefit pursuant to ITA Section 118 - Differences Between
2016-11-17
Article
Disability Tax Credit - Ensuring that the Certificate is Correct
2014 TCC 264
[7] The relevant statutory requirements are:
2016-11-17
Article
2016-11-17
Article
2016-11-17
Case summary
Lucarelli v The Queen, 2012 TCC 301
2012 TCC 301
Certification Requirement to Deduct Tuition for Schooling as a Medical Expense
2016-11-17
Article
Medical Expense Tax Credit - Cord Blood
2014 TCC 74
At issue was whether the processing and storage of cord blood was an eligible medical expense to allow for a credit pursuant to 118.2(1) of the Income Tax Act.
2016-11-17
Case summary
Noran West Developments Ltd v The Queen, 2012 TCC 434
2012 TCC 434
What Counts as a "waiver in writing"?
2016-11-17
Article
Proceeds of Disposition and Conditional Portion of Sales Price
2015 TCC 294
At issue was whether the conditional elements of determining a sales price for shares should be taken into account in determining what the Proceeds of Disposition are for purposes of Income Tax Act section 54.
2016-11-17
Article
2016-11-17
Article
2016-11-17
Article
2016-11-17
Article
GST - Definition of Coupon Bill Credit
2012 TCC 256
What is Needed to Make Sure a Coupon is a Coupon and a Rebate is a Rebate?
2016-11-17
Case summary
Triad Gestco Ltd v The Queen, 2012 FCA 258
2012 FCA 258
"Value Shifting" in Capital Gains Caught by GAAR
2016-11-17
Article
Who Pays Tax on What?
Who Pays Income Tax on What?
2016-11-16
Case summary
1392644 Ontario Ltd v MNR, 2013 FCA 85
2013 FCA 85
The Role of Mutual Intention in Characterizing Working Relations
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Case summary
Allott v The Queen, 2012 TCC 232
2012 TCC 232
Deductibility of Babysitting Fees Pursuant to Subsection 63(1) - What is Required and
2016-11-16
Case summary
Blackburn Radio Inc v The Queen, 2012 TCC 255
2012 TCC 255
Is a Nil Assessment an Assessment? When Can the Crown Rely on subsection 152(4.3) as a consequential reassessment? Does an out-of-time Reassessment Extend the Time
2016-11-16
Article
Capital Cost Allowance Limit Leasing Business
2015 TCC 271
Capital Cost Allowance Limit: Leasing Business OR Income From Property?
2016-11-16
Case summary
Caropresco v The Queen, 2012 TCC 212
2012 TCC 212
What is the Nature of Payments Made to Post-Doctoral Fellows, and When Are They
2016-11-16
Article
Child Tax Credits Where Both Making Support Payments
2016 TCC 225
Child Tax Credits Where Both Making Support Payments
2016-11-16
Article
Commissioned Sales Employee Deductible Expenses
2014 TCC 280
The court had to determine whether expenses claimed by the taxpayer were deductible as employment expenses, and allowed some of the expenses.
2016-11-16
Article
Correct Forum - Tax Court vs Court of Appeal
2016 FCA 252
Correct Forum - Tax Court vs Court of Appeal
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
What Counts as Qualified Farm Property
2014 TCC 250
What Counts as Qualified Farm Property for purposes of the Farming Capital Gains
2016-11-16
Article
Currency Hedging - Gains Capital or Income?
2015 TCC 42
The Appellant took the position that this gain was on account of capital and only half included in income. The respondent took the position that the gain was on account of income and, therefore, fully included.
2016-11-16
Article
De Jure versus De Facto Directors of Corporations
2014 TCC 308
The Appellant was assessed under the directors' liability provisions of the Income Tax Act (Section 227.1) and Excise Tax Act (Section 323) to be liable for a corporation's tax debts.
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
Definition of "Beneficial Owner" In Income Tax
2014 TCC 373
Definition of "beneficial owner" in Income Tax
2016-11-16
Article
Director Liability - Efficacy of Resignations
2016 FCA 236
Director Liability - Efficacy of Director Resignations
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
Double Residents, Effect of tie breaker rules
2014 TCC 12
Double Residents - What is the effect of resident tie breaker rules in tax conventions?
2016-11-16
Case summary
Dysert v The Queen, 2013 TCC 57
2013 TCC 57
Factual Resident, Deemed Resident, Treaty Tie-Breaker Rules
2016-11-16
Article
Employment Income or Student Financial Assistance
2016 TCC 142
Employment Income or Student Financial Assistance
2016-11-16
Case summary
Erickson v The Queen, 2012 TCC 398
2012 TCC 398
CCA - Application of Half Year Rule When Property Acquired in Year 1 Only Becomes Available for Use in Year 2.
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
GST, Place of Supply, Intangible Personal Property
2016 TCC 149
Place of Supply rules in the Excise Tax Act - Intangible Personal Property
2016-11-16
Case summary
2016-11-16
Article
HST/GST New Housing Rebate - Statutory Conditions
2015 TCC 10
Advisors and realtors need to be aware of the conditions in the Excise Tax Act ("ETA") that need to be satisfied so that a purchaser is eligible for the rebate. Failure to be aware of these conditions, and failure to advise your client appropriately is, in my opinion, negligent.
2016-11-16
Article
Income of Indian on a Reserve - Question of Situs
2011 SCC 38
This was a 5:2 split decision allowing the appeal of the Taxpayer from the FCA (2009 FCA 108) and TCC (2007 TCC 625) decisions holding that the exemption in section 87 of the Indian Act, operating through paragraph 81(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act, did not apply.
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
Is a Graduate Student an Employee?
2013 TCC 273
At issue in this case was whether a graduate student, a Ph.D. student, was an employee of the University s/he was a student at. This determination was in the context of the Employment Insurance Act.
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
Transfer & Separated Spouses at Arm's Length
2013 TCC 60
What is a "Transfer"? Are separated but not divorced spouses dealing at arm's length?
2016-11-16
Article
Lawyers Getting Audited by CRA - Solicitor Client Privilege
2013 FCA 197
Ability to claim, and Limits of, Solicitor Client Privilege When a Tax Lawyer is Getting
2016-11-16
Article
Litigation Costs in Course of Commercial Activity?
2016 TCC 230
Litigation Costs in Course of Commercial Activity?
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
Look Back Renunciations for Flow-Through Shares
2016 TCC 238
At issue was whether a corporation making a look-back renunciation under subsection 66(12.66) has to pay Part XII.6 tax on the amount where the renunciations are invalid.
2016-11-16
Article
Maximum Tax Credit Under Income Tax Treaties
2016 TCC 131
Maximum Tax Credit Under Income Tax Treaties
2016-11-16
Case summary
Mittal v The Queen, 2012 TCC 417
2012 TCC 417
Business Losses: When Does a Taxpayer's Stock Market Activity Amount to An
2016-11-16
Article
Neglect or Carelessness by Representative no Reason to Extend Time
2016 TCC 239
Neglect or Carelessness by Representative no Reason to Extend Time
2016-11-16
Article
No Need for a Filed Return for CRA to Issue an Assessment
2016 TCC 201
No Need for a Filed Return for CRA to Issue an Assessment
2016-11-16
Article
Not Filing Part X.1 Return Leaves Years Open
2016 TCC 221
Not Filing Part X.1 Return Leaves Years Open Indefinitely
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
Timing of Arrears Interest in GAAR Assessments
2016 TCC 190
Timing of Arrears Interest in GAAR Assessments
2016-11-16
Case summary
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
Reasonable Expectation of Profit and Input Tax Credits
2016 TCC 249
Reasonable Expectation of Profit and Input Tax Credits
2016-11-16
Article
Reassessment vs Additional Assessment - Large Corporations
2014 TCC 288
At issue was whether the actions of the Minister were a "Reassessment" or an "Additional Assessment", and the effect of each for a large corporation's appeal/objection to the Minister's view as to its tax liability.
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Case summary
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
Small Business Deduction, Specified Investment Business
2014 TCC 301
The small business deduction applies only to income, below the small business limit, from an active business carried on by a corporation.
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
Surrogacy Expenses and the Medical Expense Tax Credit
2014 TCC 293
The Court once again confirmed that medical expenses that relate to the surrogate or surrogacy do not qualify for the medical expense tax credit under paragraph 118.2(2)(a) or subsection 118(6) of the Income Tax Act.
2016-11-16
Article
Tax Planning Gone Wrong (and how to avoid it)
2016 TCC 174
Tax Planning Gone Wrong (and how to avoid it)
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
2016-11-16
Article
Taxpayer Relief Provisions
Taxpayer Relief Provisions – Waiver and/or Cancellation of Interest and/or Penalties
2016-11-16
Article
Taxpayer requests to Amend Returns
2013 TCC 259
The court, referring to the FCA decision in Armstrong v The Queen, 2006 DTC 6310, stated that a request to amend an income tax return does not necessarily result in a reassessment. In Armstrong, the FCA stated at paragraph 8:
2016-11-16
Article
Transfer Pricing and Controlled Foreign Subsidiaries
2014 TCC 194
The MNR reassessed these payments as not meeting proper transfer-pricing guidelines as a violation of the arm's-length principle, under s 247(2).
2016-11-16
Article
Use of Land Split Between Commercial and Non-Commercial Activity
2015 TCC 321
Use of Land Split Between Commercial and Non-Commercial Activity
2016-11-16
Case summary
VanGhent v The Queen, 2012 TCC 245
2012 TCC 245
Can a Canadian Resident Claim a Deduction for Payments to a Non-resident Spouse
2016-11-16
Article
Child Support & Set-off in Guidelines
2013 FCA 69
Child Support Payments - Is Set-Off in Child Support Guidelines Tantamount to Each
2016-11-16
Article
What's in a Section?
As with most legislation, the section is the primary unit of the ITA. Each section provides particular rules. Dealing with a question often becomes the task of identifying, assembling (in the right order), and interpreting the relevant sections of the ITA.
2016-11-16
Article
Judicial Review of CRA decision in MAP Process
2016 FC 1086
Judicial Review of CRA decision in MAP Process
2016-11-13
Article
Refusing CRA Settlement Offer Not Bar to Interest Relief
2016 FC 1145
Refusing CRA Settlement Offer Not Bar to Interest Relief
2016-11-08
Article
Charitable Status - Registration Requirements of the CRA
2014 FCA 265
the objects were broad and vague; activities supporting the purpose did not advance religion or education in the charitable sense; and funding a foreign scholarship would not further the organization's activities or that of a qualified donee.
2016-11-08
Article
Deduction of Legal Expenses from Income - Kelso Patry
2013 TCC 107
When are Legal Expenses Deductible From Income From a Business or Property?
2016-11-08
Article
Johnson Decision - Leave to Appeal to SCC denied
Thus, the FCA decision stands as guidance for now in Ponzi Scheme cases.
2016-11-08
Article
Measuring Distance for Moving Expense Purposes
2014 TCC 328
At issue was how to measure the distance between two locations (old home and work) for purposes of the moving expense deduction (ITA, s 62) so as to determine whether a move was an "eligible relocation" (ITA, s 248(1)) or not.
2016-11-08
Article
Pleadings, Document Production, and Redactions
2015 TCC 14
In the court of a tax appeal, the MNR produced documents that were either entirely or partially redacted. The Appellant brought a motion asking for unredacted copies of the documents.
2016-10-22
Case summary
9098-9005 Quebec Inc v The Queen, 2012 TCC 324
2012 TCC 324
Is a managing director of a partnership who receives additional income for the
2016-10-22
Article
Employee vs Independent Contractor - Order of Inquiry Reversed?
2014 TCC 14
The distinction between employees and independent contractors is an important one in the Canadian Income Tax system. The importance of the distinction is not discussed here.
2016-10-19
Case summary
Chell v The Queen, 2013 TCC 29
2013 TCC 29
Director Liability for Failure to Remit: When is a Resignation NOT Enough?
2016-10-19
Case summary
Martin v The Queen, 2012 TCC 239
2012 TCC 239
Directors' Liability for Unremitted GST/HST and for Payroll Taxes - Due Diligence
2016-10-02
Article
2016-09-28
Article
Change in Residence - Effect on Loss Deductions
2015 TCC 16
At issue was the deductibility of losses incurred by an individual on the sale of property (shares) after he ceased being a Canadian resident.
2016-09-28
Article
Effect of Provincial Legislation on ITA Liability
2015 TCC 8
Effect of Provincial Legislation on Tax Liability under the ITA
2016-09-23
Article
2016-09-20
Article
2016-09-19
Article
2016-09-18
Article
2016-09-13
Article
CRA, Taxation, and Solicitor Client Privilege
2016 SCC 21
CRA, Taxation, and Solicitor-Client Privilege
2016-09-12
Article
Is Prevention of Poverty a Charitable Purpose
Is Prevention of Poverty a Charitable Purpose
2016-09-09
Article
New Housing Rebate - Issues with Mortgage Guarantors
2014 TCC 379
After the amendments above, an application for the new housing rebate was prepared along with a statutory declaration that the Appellant was the 100% beneficial owner and that the friend held 0.01% in trust for the Appellant to satisfy the lender.
2016-09-08
Article
Discoveries in Tax Litigation
2016 TCC 189
The Tax Court had to determine, inter alia, the correct scope of questions that must be answered by a third party (the individual shareholder of a corporate shareholder of an Appellant corporation) during discoveries.
2016-09-08
Article
Discoveries in Tax Litigation
2016 TCC 189
The Tax Court had to determine, inter alia, the correct scope of questions that must be answered by a third party (the individual shareholder of a corporate shareholder of an Appellant corporation) during discoveries.
2016-09-02
Article
2016-09-02
Article
Pleadings when Appealing ITA Penalties
2014 FCA 301
At issue was, inter alia, what, if any, facts need to be pled by a taxpayer appealing an assessment of penalties under the ITA.
2016-08-31
Article
2016-08-24
Article
2016-08-23
Article
2016-08-23
Article
2016-08-18
Article
2016-08-17
Article
2015-08-10
Article
Travel & Medical Expense Tax Credit
2015 FCA 156
Travel Expenses' Eligibility for the Medical Expense Tax Credit
2015-08-08
Article
2015-04-19
Article
Taxpayer Reliance on CRA Authorization
2014 TCC 380
At issue was whether the CRA could retroactively reassess taxpayers on a different basis than an authorization issued by the tax authority, or whether the CRA was limited to adopting an approach different than a past authorization only on a going-forward basis.
2015-03-30
Article
Do you need to be given a refund to have a refund?
2015 TCC 61
The only issue before the court was what the meaning of "dividend refund" in the context of the Refundable Dividend Tax On Hand (RDTOH) mechanism is.
2015-03-11
Article
Gross Negligence Penalties - s 163(2)
2015 FCA 60
The taxpayer was assessed gross negligence penalties pursuant to subsection 163(2) of the ITA. She claimed fictitious business losses at the behest of an unscrupulous tax preparer.
2015-03-11
Article
Taxpayer Reliance on Wording of Waiver
2015 FCA 40
[For a paper discussing judicial approaches to interpreting waivers of limitations periods
2015-02-13
Article
2015-02-12
Article
Canadian Exploration Expense - Seismic Data
2014 TCC 30
[The facts and assumptions made by the Minister are in the decision and will not be repeated here].
2015-01-30
Article
Legal Requirements and Tax Planning
2014 TCC 297
This is based (some would argue incorrectly) on the statements made in the oft-quoted passage by Lord Tomlin in the case of IRC v Duke of Westminster,IRC v Duke of Westminster (1936) AC 1, at p 19, where it was said:
2015-01-20
Article
Release from Debt Obligation - Proposal in Bankruptcy
2014 TCC 336
[See also the decision in Gaumond v The Queen, 2014 TCC 339]
2015-01-12
Article
Trustee as Legal Owner's Withholding Responsibility s 116(5)
2014 TCC 372
Trustee as Legal Owner's Withholding Responsibility under s 116(5)
2015-01-10
Article
2014-12-24
Article
2014-12-24
Article
Proper Court of Recourse - Non-Receipt of Notice of Assessment
2014 FCA 297
Proper Court of Recourse - Non-Receipt of Notice of Assessment
2014-12-11
Article
Medical Impairment and Directors' Liability for HST/GST
Attia v The Queen, 2014 TCC 46
2014-12-11
Article
Surrender Payment for Stock Options - Character of Receipt
2014 TCC 348
Surrender Payment for Stock Options - Character of Receipt
2014-12-10
Article
Amount on Account of Income or Capital? - Henco Industries
2014 TCC 192
Amount on Account of Income or Capital? - Henco Industries Amount on Account of Income or Capital?
2014-12-09
Article
Associated Corporations - De Facto Control
McGillivray Restaurant Ltd v The Queen, 2014 TCC 357
2014-12-09
Article
Degree of Care, dilligence and Skill - Corporate Directors
2014 TCC 277
Degree of Care, Diligence and Skill - Corporate Directors
2014-11-26
Article
Affidavits in Tax Court Practice - Reasonable Reliability
2014 TCC 218
Affidavits in Tax Court Practice
2014-11-26
Article
Assumptions of Fact by Crown - Proper Pleadings
2012 TCC 187
Health Quest Inc v The Queen, 2014 TCC 211
2014-11-26
Article
Charitable Donations Tax Shelter - The Effect of Inflated Receipts
2014 FCA 25
Charitable Donations Tax Shelter - The Effect of Inflated Receipts
2014-11-26
Article
Court Ordered Reassessments, Preconditions, and Limitation Periods
2014 TCC 227
Court Ordered Reassessments, Preconditions, and Limitation Periods
2014-11-26
Article
Disability Tax Credit - Certification Requirements
Gibson v The Queen, 2014 TCC 236
2014-11-26
Article
GST/HST - Can Developer Separate Development Fees from Consideration for Home?
2013 FCA 260
GST/HST - Can Developer Separate Development Fees from Consideration for Home?
2014-11-26
Article
2014-11-26
Article
Medical Expense Tax Credit - Surrogate Expenses
2014 TCC 240
Medical Expense Tax Credit - Certification Requirement
2014-11-26
Article
2014-11-26
Article
Relevant Factors in Setting Aside TCC Judgment
2014 TCC 108
Relevant Factors in Setting Aside TCC Judgment Dismissing Appeal for Failure to Appear at Status Hearing
2014-11-26
Article
Value of Self Supplied Rental Units for GST Purposes
Beaudet v The Queen, 2014 TCC 52
2014-11-25
Article
2014-11-25
Case summary
Brown v MNR, 2012 TCC 251
2012 TCC 251
Income From Criminal Activities and the Use of Information by the CRA obtained by Police in the Course of a Criminal Investigation
2014-11-25
Article
Denial of Application for Voluntary Disclosure - Motion to Strike Judicial Review
2014 FCA 140
Denial of Application for Voluntary Disclosure - Motion to Strike Judicial Review
2014-11-25
Article
Director's Liability for Remittances - Effective Resignation and Failure to Act
2014 TCC 254
Director's Liability for Remittances - Effective Resignation and Failure to Act
2014-11-25
Article
Estoppel or Officially Induced Error in Tax Appeals
Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences v The Queen, 2014 TCC 171
2014-11-25
Article
Subsection 146(9) - Anti-avoidance or Automatic Application
2014 TCC 204
Subsection 146(9) - Anti-avoidance or Automatic Application
2014-11-25
Article
Superannuation or Pension Benefits From Other Countries
Schaub v The Queen, 2014 TCC 212
2014-11-24
Case summary
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce v The Queen, 2013 FCA 122
2013 FCA 122
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce v The Queen, 2013 FCA 122 Legality, Morality, and Taxation
2014-11-24
Article
Director's Liability for Remittances - Due Diligence When Relying on Employee
2014 TCC 139
Director's Liability for Remittances - Due Diligence When Relying on Employee
2014-11-24
Article
Large Corporation Rules for Tax Appeals - Motion to Strike
Devon Canada Corporation v The Queen, 2014 TCC 255
2014-11-24
Article
Medical Marihuana - Excise Tax Obligations of Sellers
Hedges v The Queen, 2014 TCC 270
2014-11-24
Article
Settlement Agreements with the CRA - Assumptions
Burg Properties Ltd v Canada, 2014 FCA 154
2014-11-24
Article
Severe Disability - Moving and Medical Expenses Claimed
2014 TCC 262
Severe Disability - Moving and Medical Expense Claimed
2014-11-24
Article
Shareholder Loans - Capital or Non-Capital Losses
2008 TCC 637
SRI Homes Inc v The Queen, 2014 TCC 180
2014-11-24
Case summary
2014-11-19
Article
McKesson - Justice Boyle - Apprehension of Bias - Recusing - Appeal Factum
2014 TCC 226
McKesson - Justice Boyle - Apprehension of Bias - Recusing - Appeal Factum Apprehension of Bias - Recusing Judges - Appeal Factum
2014-11-19
Article
Arrears Interest Calculation when GAAR Applied
JK Read Engineering Ltd v The Queen, 2014 TCC 309
2014-11-19
Article
2014-11-19
Article
CRA Use of Information Obtained in Criminal Investigation
2014 FCA 243
CRA use of Information Obtained in Criminal Investigation
2014-11-19
Article
Director Liability Standard - "care, diligence and skill"
Maddin v The Queen 2014 TCC 277
2014-11-19
Article
Dividend Refunds for Private Corporations
1057513 Ontario Inc v The Queen, 2014 TCC 272
2014-11-19
Article
2014-11-19
Article
Employee Expenses - Office In Home
Ross v The Queen, 2014 TCC 317
2014-11-19
Article
Employee Profit Sharing Plans - Sham in family income splitting
2014 TCC 334
Employee Profit Sharing Plans - Sham in family income splitting
2014-11-19
Article
Foreign Exchange Gains, Convertible Debentures, and Currency Fluctuations
2014 TCC 324
Foreign Exchange Gains, Convertible Debentures, and Currency Fluctuations
2014-11-19
Article
"Insurable Employment" for Employment Insurance Purposes
2014 TCC 292
"Insurable Employment" for Employment Insurance Purposes
2014-11-19
Article
2014-11-19
Article
Tax Avoidance and Share Acquisition - Interpretation 95(6)
2013 TCC 176
Canada v Leigh Cement Limited, 2014 FCA 103
2014-11-19
Article
Taxation of Communal Organizations Sharing Income
2013 TCC 264
Blackmore v The Queen, 2014 FCA 2010 ( CanLII )
2014-11-19
Article
Unpaid GST - Director Liability of Persons Carrying Out Duties of Director
2014 TCC 315
Unpaid GST - Director Liability of Persons Carrying Out Duties of Director
2014-10-31
Case summary
The Queen v Sommerer, 2012 FCA 207
2012 FCA 207
Does Subsection 75(2) of the ITA Apply to a bona fide Sale by a Beneficiary to a Trust at FMV?
2014-10-09
Case summary
2014-09-27
Case summary
2014-09-16
Article
New Housing Rebate - Factors as to Intention
2014 TCC 268
New Housing Rebate - Factors as to Intention of using property as primary residence at time of signing the agreement
2014-08-13
Article
Applying Statutory Limitation Periods in the ITA
Klemen v The Queen, 2014 TCC 244
2014-08-08
Article
Tax Liability and Contradictory Assessments
McAdams v The Queen, 2014 FCA 99
2014-07-26
Article
Aboriginal Taxation, Treaty 8 and others
2013 TCC 357
Aboriginal Taxation - Effect of Treaty 8, Royal Proclamation on 1763, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
2014-04-04
Article
Implied Time Limit for GST Rebate on Owner-Built Homes
Solanko v The Queen, 2014 TCC 100
2014-03-27
Article
Input Tax Credits for Expenditures on Dubious Suppliers
Construction SYL Tremblay Inc v The Queen, 2013 TCC 406
2014-03-26
Article
Eligibility for Disability Tax Credit - Brasard 2014 TCC 82
2014 TCC 82
Eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit - Allergies
2014-03-21
Case summary
Deakin v The Queen, 2012 TCC 270
2012 TCC 270
"Due Diligence Defence" Against Directors' Personal Liability for Unremitted Source Deductions and GST NOT Available Where Directors consciously Use These Funds to Keep Business Afloat.
2014-03-19
Article
Gross Negligence or Knowingly Making False Statements - Penalties
2014 TCC 72
Gross Negligence or Knowingly Making False Statements - Penalties
2014-03-19
Article
Interpretation of Contracts in Tax Cases - River Hills Ranch
2013 TCC 248
Principles to Apply in Interpreting a Contract - Use of External Evidence
2014-03-18
Article
Solicitor Client Privilege and Requirements - Accounts of the Lawyer
2013 FCA 197
Solicitor Client Privilege and Requirements - Accounts of the Lawyer
2014-03-14
Article
New Housing Rebate for Owner-Built Homes - D'Ambrosio 2014 TCC 63
2014 TCC 63
New Housing Rebate for Owner-Built Homes - D'Ambrosio 2014 TCC 63 New Housing Rebate for Owner Built Homes under the Excise Tax Act
2014-03-14
Article
New Housing Rebate - Timing of Intention to use as Primary Residence
2014 TCC 56
New Housing Rebate - Timing of Intention to use as Primary Residence
2014-03-14
Article
Tax Myths and Tax Schemes - Don't get Fooled
Tax Myths and Tax Schemes
2014-03-13
Case summary
Canada (National Revenue) v Patry, 2012 FC 977
2012 FC 977
Review of Jeopardy Order - Factors to Consider
2014-03-13
Article
Extension to File Notice of Objection - Existing but Unknown Case-Law
2014 TCC 62
Extension to File Notice of Objection - Existing but Unknown Case-Law
2014-03-13
Article
GST/HST and Excise Taxes on Junk Food
The GST/HST tax is not meant to be punitive - ie sin tax - but rather is meant to provide another broad-based tax that will with little distortion (though this is debatable and economic argument go both ways) raise government revenue on the basis of consumption. It is a value add
2014-03-13
Article
Is Income Tax Supposed to Be Fair?
A Rejoinder to the Rejoinder and the Rejoinder’s Rejoinder
2014-03-13
Case summary
Interest Paid to CRA on Tax Debt not Deductable - Doulis v The Queen
2014 TCC 26
Interest Paid to CRA on Tax Debt not Deductable - Doulis v The Queen Interest Paid to the CRA on a Tax Debt is not Deductable Expense of Gaining or Producing Income
2014-03-13
Case summary
Quinco Financial Inc (Formerly Landex Investments) v The Queen, 2013 TCC 20
2013 TCC 20
Quinco Financial Inc (Formerly Landex Investments) v The Queen, 2013 TCC 20 Deferred ITCs - no requirement to net against credit and debit notes
2014-03-12
Case summary
2014-03-12
Article
John Stuart Mill on Redistribution
Although this blog focuses on Canadian Tax Decisions, at times there will be items such as this whose purpose is to allow for a moment of reflection and thought.
2014-03-12
Case summary
MNR v The Money Stop Ltd, 2013 FC 133
2013 FC 133
Contempt Proceedings - Failure to Comply with a Court Order of Compliance
2014-03-12
Article
Partnership Income - Considerations for Spouses and Common-law Partners
2014 TCC 67
Partnership Income - Considerations for Spouses and Common-law Partners Partnership Income - Considerations for Spouses and Common-law Partners: When is there a Partnership?
2014-03-12
Article
Reassessment Beyond Normal Reassessment Period - Accountant's Mistake
2014 TCC 64
Reassessment Beyond Normal Reassessment Period - Accountant's Mistake
2014-03-12
Article
Secondary Sources
Secondary sources of information are not binding on a court and, depending on the source, are of varying persuasive value. There are a large number of secondary sources that are appropriate for tax law research and analysis, and only some of my preferred sources are referred to h
2014-03-07
Case summary
2014-03-07
Case summary
St Arnaud v Canada, 2013 FCA 88
2013 FCA 88
Valuation of Shares in the Hands of Innocent Victims in Cases of Fraud
2014-03-06
Article
Tuition Tax Credit - Institutions Outside Canada - Zailo
2014 TCC 60
Tuition Tax Credit for Institutions Outside Canada: What qualifies as a "degree"?
2014-02-28
Article
When a Credit is NOT Claimed or Claimable in Law - Ullah
2013 TCC 387
When is a tax credit not claimed or claimable, in law, by a taxpayer?
2014-02-28
Article
Judicial Review in Tax Cases - JP Morgan Asset Management
2013 FCA 250
Judicial Review in Tax Cases - JP Morgan Asset Management When is Judicial Review Available in Tax Cases?
2014-02-28
Article
Rebutting the Presumption that Items Mailed are Received the Day Mailed
2013 FC 1192
Rebutting the Presumption that Items Mailed are Received the Day Mailed Rebutting the Presumption that Items Mailed by CRA are Received on the Day Mailed
2014-02-28
Case summary
2014-02-27
Article
Calculating the Alternate Minimum Tax
2013 TCC 250
Calculating the Alternate Minimum Tax - Consideration of losses
2014-02-26
Article
Implied Undertaking Rule in Tax Court Appeals
2014 TCC 58
Implied Undertaking Rule in Tax Court Appeals - Use of Documents obtained through discovery
2014-02-26
Article
Determination of a common question - Section 174
2014 FCA 45
Determination of a Common Question using Section 174 of the Income Tax Act
2014-02-26
Article
Trading Within an RRSP is NOT a Business
Prochuk v The Queen, 2014 TCC 17
2014-02-25
Article
Are Medical Residents Engaged in Full-Time Study?
Kansasamy v The Queen, 2014 TCC 47
2014-02-23
Case summary
Canada (National Revenue) v Clark, 2012 FC 950
2012 FC 950
Asserting Solicitor-Cleint Privilege and Protecting Lawyer's Duty of Confidentiality
2014-02-23
Article
Donative Intent, Charitable Tax Credit, and Inflated Donation Schemes
2014 FCA 25
Donative Intent, Charitable Tax Credit, and Inflated Donation Schemes What is Donative Intent - or - When Does Someone Make a Gift for Income Tax Purposes?
2014-02-23
Case summary
Edmond v The Queen, 2011 TCC 142 (eng translation)
2011 TCC 142
Sales Employee Expense Deduction and Existence of a Source of Property Income
2014-02-23
Case summary
Edwards v The Queen, 2012 TCC 264
2012 TCC 264
Despite Potential Prejudice to Taxpayer, Motion for Further Adjournment Pending Potential Retroactive Legislation Not Granted.
2014-02-23
Article
2014-02-23
Article
Fixed Cost Awards in the Tax Court of Canada - Spruce Credit
2014 TCC 42
Fixed Cost Awards in the Tax Court of Canada - Spruce Credit Fixed Cost Awards in the Tax Court of Canada
2014-02-23
Case summary
GMC Distribution Ltd v The Queen, 2012 TCC 262
2012 TCC 262
A Dissolved Corporation Can be Sued and Can be Ordered to Pay Costs, but Cannot Defend Itself.
2014-02-23
Article
Interest Deduction and the Attribution Rules - Swirsky
2014 FCA 36
Interest Deduction and the Attribution Rules
2014-02-23
Case summary
Matthew v The Queen, 2012 TCC 289
2012 TCC 289
Use of Settlement Agreement for Personal Injury to "Camouflage" Income.
2014-02-23
Case summary
O'Dwyer v The Queen, 2012 TCC 261
2012 TCC 261
Striking the Crown's Entire Reply on the Basis that They Fail to disclose a Reasonable Grounds to Oppose the Taxpayer's Appeal - Rule 58(1)(b)
2014-02-23
Case summary
The Queen v Global Equity Fund, 2012 FCA 272
2012 FCA 272
What is the Underlying Purpose of ITA ss 3, 4, 9, and 111?
2014-02-14
Case summary
Spruce Credit Union v The Queen, 2012 TCC 357
2012 TCC 357
GAAR analysis framework - Purpose of ITA s 112 - meaning of "in proportion to"
2014-02-13
Article
Rectification, Amending Contracts, and Quebec Civil Law
Quebec (Agence du Revenu) v. Services Environnementaux AES, 2013 SCC 64
2014-02-04
Case summary
Berg v The Queen, 2012 TCC 406
2012 TCC 406
How is the intention to obtain a false and inflated donation receipt to be used to obtain an inflated tax credit related to the intention to donate?
2014-02-02
Case summary
1207192 Ontario Ltd v The Queen, 2012 FCA 259
2012 FCA 259
How does one detemine the "primary purpose" of a series of transactions for purposes of subsection 245(3)?
2014-02-02
Case summary
2014-02-02
Case summary
BIOARTIFICIAL GEL TECHNOLOGIES (BAGTECH) INC v The Queen, 2012 TCC 120
2012 TCC 120
BIOARTIFICIAL GEL TECHNOLOGIES (BAGTECH) INC v The Queen, 2012 TCC 120 Effect of a Unanimous Shareholders' Agreement on a Corporation's Status as a CCPC
2014-02-02
Case summary
2014-02-02
Case summary
Brosamler v The Queen, 2012 TCC 204
2012 TCC 204
What Can an Estate do with Capital Losses Realised on Disposition of Capital Property Received from the Deceased?
2014-02-02
Case summary
Clearwater Seafoods Holdings Trust v The Queen, 2012 TCC 186
2012 TCC 186
Clearwater Seafoods Holdings Trust v The Queen, 2012 TCC 186 Who Gets to Continue an Appeal after a Plan of Arrangement
2014-02-02
Case summary
Cloutier v MNR, 2012 TCC 164
2012 TCC 164
Relationship of Subordination in Classifying the Employment Relationship in Quebec
2014-02-02
Case summary
Curtis v The Queen, 2012 TCC 248
2012 TCC 248
What a Farmer Needs to do, at a Minimum, so as Not to Get Caught by Section 30's Limitation on Farming Losses.
2014-02-02
Case summary
Ethier v The Queen, 2012 TCC 241
2012 TCC 241
Determining Who the "Eligible Individual" is in Respect of a Child when the Child Doesn't Live Exclusively With One Parent.
2014-02-02
Case summary
Fannon v Revenue Canada Agency, 2012 FC 876
2012 FC 876
Reasonableness of the Minister's Denial of Child Care Expense Deductions Pursuant to Subsection 63(3) in the Interest of Fairness AND Constitutionality of the Definition of Child Care Expenses in that Subsection
2014-02-02
Case summary
Kreuz v The Queen, 2012 TCC 238
2012 TCC 238
Employee Deduction of Motorvehicle Expenses and Res Judicata in Tax Cases.
2014-02-02
Case summary
2014-02-02
Case summary
Newmont Canada Corporation v The Queen, 2012 FCA 214
2012 FCA 214
Shareholder Loans on Account of Income or Capital? - Rebuttable Presumption Of Capital Nature.
2014-02-02
Case summary
Nuclear Waste Management Organization v MNR, 2012 TCC 217
2012 TCC 217
Nuclear Waste Management Organization v MNR, 2012 TCC 217 When is an Advisory Board Member an Officer?
2014-02-02
Article
R v He, 2012 BCCA 318
Limitations of CRA's use of ITA section 231.1 - Richardson Reasoning Applies
2014-02-02
Article
Re Jones, 2012 BCSC 1146
What Circumstances Would Permit a Trustee in Bankruptcy to Look Behind a CRA Assessment upheld by the TCC and FCA so as to Disallow the CRA's Claim for Tax Debt?
2014-02-02
Case summary
2014-02-02
Case summary
Velcro Canada Inc v The Queen, 2012 TCC 273
2012 TCC 273
TCC Has Absolute Discretion in Awarding Costs and Is NOT Limited to Special Circumstances Before Looking Beyond the Tariff
2014-02-01
Case summary
2014-02-01
Case summary
Canada v Craig, 2012 SCC 43
2012 SCC 43
SCC overrules its earlier decision regarding the test for subsection 31(1) limitation on loss deductions from farming activities.
2014-02-01
Case summary
Lytle v The Queen, 2012 TCC 368
2012 TCC 368
Res Judicata In relation to Right to Object to a Reassessment
2014-02-01
Case summary
Pawlak v The Queen, 2012 TCC 355
2012 TCC 355
ITCs claimed in out of time return must be considered in determining Net Tax
2014-01-31
Case summary
Chenard v The Queen, 2012 TCC 211
2012 TCC 211
Gross Negligence Penalties - 163(2) - Fictitious Business Losses Claimed, But No Refunds Obtained.
2014-01-29
Case summary
Jordan v The Queen, 2012 TCC 394
2012 TCC 394
Repeated Travel to-and-from Medical Facility During Period of Treatment Deductible as Medical Expense Tax Credit
2014-01-29
Case summary
Cashing in on Child's Potential Tennis Career - Bouchard v MNR
2013 TCC 247
Cashing in on Child's Potential Tennis Career - Bouchard v MNR Whether a Partnership to Cash in on Child's Future Tennis Career was In pursuit of Profit.
2013-05-24
Article
Lump-Sum Child Support - Retroactive Increase in Monthly Obligation
2013 TCC 164
Lump-Sum Child Support - Retroactive Increase in Monthly Obligation Lump-Sum Child Support - Retroactive Increase in Monthly Obligation: Are They Deductible to the Payor?
2013-05-24
Article
Proceeds of Disposition - Timber Tenures
2013 SCC 29
Proceeds of Disposition: When to Include in Proceeds Obligations/liabilities Assumed by a Purchaser?
2013-05-22
Article
Minister's Duty to Assess
2013 FC 502
The MNR's Duty to "Assess With All Due Dispatch" - What Does it Mean?
2013-05-16
Article
2013-05-16
Article
Unscrupulous Tax-'Professionals' and Taxpayers Who Trust Them
2013 TCC 143
Unscrupulous Tax-'Professionals' and Taxpayers Who Trust Them
2013-05-14
Article
Proof of Charitable Donations - Onus on the Donor
Ehiozomwangie v The Queen, 2013 TCC 145
2013-05-13
Case summary
Imperial Tobacco Canada Limited v The Queen, 2013 TCC 144
2013 TCC 144
Imperial Tobacco Canada Limited v The Queen, 2013 TCC 144 Solicitor-Client Privilege In Tax Litigation
2013-04-30
Case summary
Carver PA Corporation v MNR, 2013 TCC 125
2013 TCC 125
When is a Business a "Placement or Employment" Agency?
2013-04-29
Case summary
Brown v The Queen, 2013 FCA 111
2013 FCA 111
Can the Crown introduce in Evidence Documents Seized by Police Under Warrant Executed as Part of a Criminal Investigation?
2013-04-27
Case summary
Price v The Queen, 2012 FCA 332
2012 FCA 332
Pilots Flying through Canadian Airspace - How to Allocate Income as Between "earned in Canada" and "earned outside of Canada" for Air Canada Pilots?
2013-04-23
Case summary
2013-04-23
Case summary
Hedebrecht v The Queen, 2012 TCC 113
2012 TCC 113
Insurable Earnings - Teachers and Eligibility of Non-Instructional Extra Work
2013-01-22
Case summary
Edwards v The Queen - Still Waiting for Bill C-48
2012 FCA 330
Michael Edwards is the appellant in a test case involving about $500 Million in donations (“The ParkLane Charitable Donation Program”)and affecting approximately 18,000 Canadians. Edwards brought a motion for adjournment to allow pending legislation to be enacted, as this legisla
2013-01-15
Case summary
Devon Canada Corporation v The Queen, 2013 TCC 4
2013 TCC 4
When can an Appellant employ Rule 58 of the TCC Rules (General Procedure) to have a question decided prior to the hearing of the Appeal?
2013-01-02
Case summary
1259066 Ontario Limited v The Queen, 2012 TCC 399
2012 TCC 399
Business Deduction: Shareholder Travel to Time-Share in Mexico and Basic Internet and Cable at Home Office
2012-11-14
Article
The Queen v Lewing, 2012 FCA
At issue was whether a declaration by trustees was sufficient to be a credit of dividends to a beneficiary.
2012-11-01
Case summary
1726437 Ontario Inc v The Queen, 2012 TCC 376 (informal procedure)
2012 TCC 376
1726437 Ontario Inc v The Queen, 2012 TCC 376 (informal procedure) SR&ED expenses - What counts?
2012-10-31
Case summary
Morrissette v The Queen, 2012 TCC 37
2012 TCC 37
Determinations by Employers as to taxability - Are they binding on the employee?
2012-10-25
Case summary
Breau v The Minister of National Revenue, 2012 FC 1207
2012 FC 1207
Requests for Information while Criminal Investigation is Ongoing
2012-10-17
Case summary
Ashton v The Queen, 2012 TCC 353 (informal procedure)
2012 TCC 353
Jurisdicition of the TCC in relation to whether there was in fact a refund of tax to a taxpayer.
2012-10-17
Case summary
Last v The Queen, 2012 TCC 352
2012 TCC 352
Can the TCC, on Appeal, alter the Character of the Amount?
2012-10-17
Case summary
Motech Moldings Inc v The Queen, 2012 TCC 351
2012 TCC 351
Deductibility of amounts paid to one affiliated company on behalf of another affiliated company so as to earn dividend income from the second company
2012-10-15
Case summary
Swain v The Queen, 2012 TCC 323
2012 TCC 323
Things that can cause a judge to grant above tariff costs!
2012-10-15
Case summary
Welch v The Queen, 2012 TCC 350
2012 TCC 350
Can Parties With Order of Provincial Superior Court Affect ITA's Requirements of Income Inclusion?
2012-10-02
Case summary
Stevens v The Queen, 2012 TCC 312
2012 TCC 312
Writers' Deductions of Expenses Related to Producing Works
2012-09-27
Case summary
Lawrence v The Queen, 2012 TCC 331
2012 TCC 331
Who Has Standing to File a Notice of Appeal for Pre-Bankruptcy Years of a Taxpayer?
2012-09-24
Case summary
Kossow v Canada, 2012 TCC 325
2012 TCC 325
Is a Donation Contingent Upon Approval of an Application for an Interest-Free Loan a Gift for Purposes of Caritable Tax Credits (ITA s 118.1)?
2012-09-13
Case summary
Gill v The Queen, 2012 TCC 302
2012 TCC 302
Is a Lump-sum Payment From a Retirement Plan to a Taxpayer as a Result of the Death of the Plan Holder Included in Income of the Recipient?
2012-09-04
Case summary
Emond v The Queen, 2012 TCC 304
2012 TCC 304
Assignment of Pension Benefits vs Division of Matrimonial Property (ie pension amounts)
2012-07-24
Case summary
Bragg-Smith v The Queen, 2012 TCC 252
2012 TCC 252
Bragg-Smith v The Queen, 2012 TCC 252 When is a Payment Consideration for Purposes of Subsection 160(1)?