Publications
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Tax opportunities under the Indian Act
Although it is not often well-understood in business and tax circles, the Indian Act (the “Act”), coupled with federal and provincial tax laws, provides several tax planning opportunities for Indigenous taxpayers. These laws provide various tax exemptions for people who qualify as “Indians” under (…)
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Federal budget: Measures to support the development of renewable energies and technologies
With climate change continuing to be a topic of concern across the international community, Canada has recently taken another step to support the development of renewable energies and technologies. In the 2023 budget tabled on March 28, 2023, the Canadian federal government unveiled new tax (…)
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2023 Quebec budget: tax holiday for investments in critical and strategic minerals
On March 21, 2023, Quebec’s Minister of Finance tabled his budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. One of the budget’s key measures is the introduction of a new tax holiday in connection with major investment projects. At first glance, the new measure does not appear to be specifically aimed at the (…)
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The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: The Canada Revenue Agency takes action
In response to the pandemic, the Canadian government launched in the spring of 2020 the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (the “CEWS”), a program that provides employers with a subsidy based on the remuneration paid to their employees and income they lost during the pandemic. Section 125.7 of the (…)
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Pre‑ruling Consultation with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): a little‑known yet practical service
Canada’s tax system is very complex and tends to become more complex over time. Amendments to tax laws in recent years have not simplified our tax system, quite the contrary. The introduction of various intention tests in tax laws has also further increased tax authorities’ discretion as to the (…)
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COVID-19: Anticipating Capital Gains, Wealth, Gift and Inheritance Taxes
The deficits being generated by the emergency measures that the federal and provincial governments have implemented since March 2020 are a reminder of the magnitude of our governments’ pre-crisis deficits. This situation will inevitably lead to a greater tax burden for businesses and individuals at (…)
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Payment to non-residents of Canada: How can the Multilateral Instrument (MLI) be applied?
The internationalization of trade has led to an increase in payments made by Canadian companies to non-residents of Canada, which are most of the time subject to Canadian withholding taxes. Canadian payers must ensure that they withhold the correct percentage of Canadian tax on such payments, as (…)
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The tax system to the rescue of print media
Canadian newspapers’ loss of advertising revenues to the hands of internet giants over the past several years has jeopardized the very existence of many such newspapers. In 2018, our governments announced several advantageous tax measures in order to ensure the survival of independent print media. (…)
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International tax planning endorsed by the Court
In the recent decision in Agracity Ltd. v. The Queen1, the Tax Court of Canada (the “Court”) endorsed the Canadian tax consequences of business transactions between a Canadian corporation (“Agracity”) and its Barbados affiliate (“NewAgco-Barbados”) within a group of companies operating in the (…)
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Court upholds deductibility of carrying charges
The Tax Court of Canada (the “Court”) recently upheld the deductibility of carrying charges incurred in connection with an issuance of shares. In so doing, the court upheld the tax benefits arising from a common financing practice. In addition, the Court reiterated the principle in tax matters (…)
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Sale of a Business: New Tax Planning Option
The sale of a business is often the most significant business transaction in an entrepreneur’s life. In addition, the net proceeds from such a sale often represent an entrepreneur’s only retirement fund. Therefore, it is crucial to maximize such proceeds by reducing or deferring the taxes resulting (…)
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Resumption of Mergers and Acquisitions: What May Change After the Crisis
The COVID-19 crisis has significantly slowed economic activity in all respects. The area of corporate mergers and acquisitions is no exception, and the level of activity, which was high before the crisis, has dropped significantly because of it. It is difficult to predict when and at what pace (…)
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COVID-19: How to adapt your current tax planning?
The spread of COVID-19 is having a considerable negative effect on the global economy. Several tax planning strategies adapted to the current situation can be considered in order to mitigate the impact. Tax planning for individuals helps to (i) reduce the taxes payable upon death, (ii) encourage (…)
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The 2020-2021 Quebec Budget: New Measures to Promote Innovation!
Quebec’s Minister of Finance tabled his budget for 2020-2021, titled Your Future, your Budget1, on March 10. Among the new measures introduced by the government, new tax incentives for innovation and the commercialization of Quebec intellectual property were announced. The incentive deduction for (…)
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Substantial upcoming tax impact on investment funds’ management compensation
On September 8, 2017, the Minister of Finance introduced unexpected legislative and regulatory proposals regarding partnership distributions to a general partner, which will now be subject to GST/HST. On the other hand, the Québec government has yet to propose similar changes, but we believe it will (…)
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Federal budget and capital gain: Time for tax planning
There is currently speculation in the media that Liberal Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s next federal budget will increase the capital gain inclusion rate from 50% to 75%.The combined marginal tax rate on capital gains is currently 26.7% for a resident of Québec. This rate would reach nearly 40% if (…)
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The Quebec Government reaffirms its support for venture capital funds
On March 17, 2016, Finance Minister Carlos Leitão tabled the Quebec Government’s 2016-2017 budget in the National Assembly. The budget contains several measures intended to foster job creation and economic growth, with a special emphasis on innovation, environmentally friendly practices, and digital (…)
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Directors’ Liability
CONTENTS Directors’ liability for payroll withholding taxes Due diligence: An evolving standard To what risks of liability or being found guilty are directors exposed? Environmental liability of directors and officers Directors’ liability for payroll withholding taxes Luc Pariseau and Audrey (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 26
SOMMAIRE US Parent corporations sending employees into Canada to subsidiaries – General tax issues and remedy Business trips to Canada: Business visitor status or work permit? US Parent corporations sending employees into Canada to subsidiaries – General tax issues and remedy Emmanuel Sala, (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 25
CONTENTSInter Vivos discretionary trusts are still relevantA matter of trusts : review of the most frequent pitfallsINTER VIVOS DISCRETIONARY TRUSTS ARE STILL RELEVANTEmmanuel Sala and Luc Pariseau Although the 2014 federal Budget Plan restricted some family tax planning measures involving inter (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 20
CONTENTS Life Insurance Policy: How to Extract Funds from a Corporation with No Tax Impact Constructive Dismissal Analyzed in the Context of a Business Acquisition The Right of Withdrawal, a Controlled Form of Contractual Freedom Transfers of Residences Involving a Spousal Testamentary Trust (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 19
CONTENTS Part XII.2 Tax Applicable to Trusts: a Potentially Expensive Tax Whichis Often Overlooked Application of the Anti-avoidance Rule in Subsection 83(2.1): Caution Is Required in the Context of the Acquisition of a Private Corporation Revenu Québec to Scrutinize Trusts Directors’ (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 18
Are you ready? The harmonization of the QST and the GST may considerably impact your business or clients Sale of litigious rights : Beware of the redemption right Determining the purchase price of shares in a shareholder agreement: When “quiconque” (“any person”) (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 12
Foreign Reporting : A Costly Oversight The Act Respecting the Legal Publicity of Enterprises and Limited Partnerships: We Win, We Lose... Maybe! What Should You Do When Tax Authorities Pay a Visit to Your Client? Beware of Hybrid Sales Transactions Involving Assets and Shares!
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 11
The New Act Respecting the Legal Publicity of Enterprises and Trusts New Filing Requirements for Partnerships Requests for Production of Documents by the Tax Authorities Your’re Fired!: The Impact on the Exercise of Stock Options
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Legal newsletter for business entrepreneurs and executives, Number 7
AVOID A $15,000 FINE FOR A FIRST OFFENCE UNDER THE ACT RESPECTING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! MANAGEMENT OF TAX-RELATED DOCUMENTS DIRECTOR AND… LIABLE
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 9
New Developments Concerning Insider Reporting Requirements Revenu Québec Bares its Teeth at Restaurant Owners Planning for the Unavoidable: The Usefulness of Reviewing a Shareholder Agreement's Redemption Provisions in Case of Death Speech is Silver, Silence is Golden... What about (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 8
Major Relief for Non-Residents of Canada A New act on Legal Publicity Stock options Can Be advantageous, But Be Careful! Adoption of IFRS and Recent GaaP Changes: The impact on Credit agreements
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 6
The Confidentiality Agreement, Can You Live Without It? A Personal Guarantee Attached to the Performance of Special Duties May Terminate Upon Cessation of These Duties Words Vanish: Documents Must be Managed Properly The Federal Law Governing Not-for-profit Organizations Undergoes a (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 3
It’s time to split your income The new rules for public sector contracts The Quebec tax authorities show their claws! Sales of goodwill and capital dividend accounts: watch out for the pitfalls!
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 2
Acquisition of control of a corporation… Unexpected tax consequences The corporate veil again! Resigning as a director: It’s not merely a formality! Don’t forget the deemed year-end!
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An Estate Plan for the Business Owner-Manager: Why and How
If you are a business-owner-leader whose years of hard labour earned him substantial wealth, you certainly wish to maximize the value of the assets that will be transferred to your heirs. You also want such transfer to proceed harmoniously and at the lowest tax cost possible. To achieve these goals, (…)
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Carrying on Professional Activities and Limited Liability
Carrying on Professional Activities and Limited Liability
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Setting Up A Trust: An Attractive Solution For Your Asset Protection Needs
Setting Up A Trust: An Attractive Solution For Your Asset Protection Needs
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The Taxation of Venture Capital Financing
The Taxation of Venture Capital Financing
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RRSPs: Do Your Really Know Your Way Around?
RRSPs: Do Your Really Know Your Way Around?
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Must You Collect and Remit Sales Taxes in the United States if You Do Business There?
Must You Collect and Remit Sales Taxes in the United States if You Do Business There?
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Must You Pay Taxes in the United States if You Do Business There?
Must You Pay Taxes in the United States if You Do Business There?
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New Tax Provisions for Capital Gains and Stock Options
New Tax Provisions for Capital Gains and Stock Options