Tax Law

Tax laws are extremely complex and constantly changing. In order to reduce your tax burden and prevent your assets from being eroded by excessive taxes you will need a tax plan conceived and implemented by an experienced tax lawyer. At Devry Smith Frank LLP (DSF) we provide tax planning services for individuals, estates and businesses. Our areas of expertise include:

• Corporate Tax Law
• Tax Planning for Individuals, Estates and Businesses
• Business Organization
• Corporate Tax Structures
• Structuring of Stock Incentive Plans
• Individual and Corporate Inheritance Tax Planning
• Advice and Counsel on Tax Problems and Issues
• Minimization of Federal, Provincial and Estate taxes
• Wealth Preservation Strategies
• Charitable Giving Strategies
• Estate Tax Planning
• Succession Planning
• Real Estate Tax Planning
• Retirement Planning
• Cross-border Tax Issues

Serious tax problems – failure to file, delinquent tax returns, tax evasion, tax fraud, underpayment, underreporting, sales tax disputes, bankruptcy, payroll and business tax disputes – may lead to tax litigation. It is best to retain tax litigation lawyers as early in the process as possible so as to minimize the consequences.

At DSF we provide tax litigation services for individuals and businesses and our areas of expertise include but are not limited to:

• Tax Litigation: If a taxpayer makes a mistake regarding their information when they file for taxes or if they purposely omit information or provide false information, the CRA may charge that taxpayer with a criminal tax offense.
• Tax Dispute Resolution: A negotiated resolution without litigation.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution: Refers to processes and techniques of resolving disputes that fall outside of the judicial process – mediation, arbitration, negotiation, collaborative law and conciliation.
• Tax Audit: Government auditors question taxpayers’ returns and issue reassessments, increasing taxpayers’ liabilities for tax, penalty and interest.
• Tax Objection: Taxpayers (individuals and businesses) can challenge the correctness of an assessment or reassessment by sending a notice of objection to the government’s Appeals Branch and asking a government appeals officer to reverse or reduce reassessments.
• Tax Appeal: If you disagree with the decision on your income tax or GST/HST objection, you can appeal to the Tax Court of Canada.
• Voluntary Disclosure (Tax Amnesty): May save you from the penalties of late filing, errors, or omissions.

Why hire DSF?

Tax litigation can result in dire consequences. Our experienced tax litigation lawyers will provide you with the best representation possible in disputes with the CRA, tax court and federal court representation, criminal tax representation, provincial taxing agencies, and sales tax litigation. Contact DSF for sound, practical and cost effective tax litigation advice at (416) 449-1400 or contact any of our lawyers listed below directly.