Dispute an unfavourable tax assessment

By Christopher Mason | April 30, 2013 | Last updated on April 30, 2013
3 min read

  • 01 (See Reference Material)

    The full list of CRA tax centres can be found at cra-arc.gc.ca/cntct/tso-bsf-eng.html

  • 02 (See Reference Material)

    The Notice of Objection is form T400A.

    Don’t leave anything out.

    It can be hard to add additional arguments if it’s not in the notice of objection.

    –Bruce Ball, CA, national tax partner with BDO Canada LLP

  • Making the argument

    “Advisors are in a better position to write the objection because we know the facts, but you then ask the lawyer, ‘If you were to take this case to court, what arguments would you want to make, and how should we be doing the notice of objection to give you as much flexibility as possible if the case does go to court?’ ” adds Ball.

  • 04 (See Reference Material)

    Do a cost analysis.

    If your client has a solid case, compare total funds recoverable with an estimate of fees. Cases that go to court cost more. Factor that in.

    “If it is a question of whether the matter is contrary to CRA policies and practices, then it is less likely to be settled because questions of law may impact many more taxpayers,” says Paul Lynch, tax partner with KPMG LLP in Ottawa.

    CRA’s stake rises as the dispute works through the process. So, although it has resources to ght, CRA is motivated to resolve matters early.

    If it makes it to court, there’s the risk CRA could lose, and that would set a precedent. So they’ll often try to settle, say experts, which is to a taxpayer’s advantage if the amounts are small enough—say, $10,000. After all, getting rid of a $50,000 tax bill could cost $150,000 if it goes to court.

    Advantage! You or your client can appear before the judge. You don’t need a lawyer!

    For larger sums, you’re stuck with the general procedure.You need a lawyer. OPTION Or, get the yearly total under $12,000 by paying tax on the difference and keep the discussions informal. This formula can be applied to multiple tax years.

Our sources: Bruce Ball, national tax partner, BDO Canada LLP, Toronto; Gerald Grenon, partner, KPMG Law LLP, Calgary; Paul Lynch, CA, KPMG, Ottawa, Ont.; James Rhodes, TaxationLawyers, Kitchener, Ont.

Compiled by Christopher Mason, a Toronto-based financial writer.

// $(document).ready(function(){$(‘.show_hide’).showHide({speed: 1000, easing: ”, changeText: 1, showText: ‘(See Reference Material)’, hideText: ‘Close’ }); });(jQuery); //

Christopher Mason