Archive for Category: Tax Planning & Minimization

A Cardboard with Inscription that says donation, with food donations surrounding it.

Can Donations to a Charity be Claimed as a Business Expense? When can You Deduct Expenses Under the Canadian Income Tax Act?

Introduction – Tax Exemptions for Charities To promote philanthropic ventures, the Canadian income tax regime offers generous tax benefits for people and organizations engaging in charitable activities. First, under the Canadian Income Tax Act, an organization that maintains registered charity status is tax-exempt on any income it receives. An...

Read More
Picture of Buffalo Trace Distillery

SRED tax credits (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) upheld by Tax Court of Canada against Canada Revenue Agency, in Canafric Inc. v. The King 2023 TCC

Introduction – Research and development tax expenditures and credits The rules regarding SR&ED claims are set out in various parts of the tax act. Section 37 allows for the deduction of SR&ED expenditures while section 127 allows for taxpayers to claim ITCs for SR&ED.  Through amendments in 1944 to...

Read More
Picture of female student outside university in yellow shirt, holding books and a red binder

The Tax Court of Canada Rules That Post-Doctoral Fellows are Not Employees of the University in The University of New Brunswick v. The Minister of National Revenue

In The University of New Brunswick v. The Minister of National Revenue, 2023 TCC 72, (U.N.B v. M.N.R) the University of New Brunswick (the “University”), appealed a decision of the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”), that classified a post-doctoral fellow (“post-doc fellow”) as an employee of the University. The CRA...

Read More
Man in a suit at desk with computer and a gavel

The Tax Court of Canada Orders the Canada Revenue Agency to Release GAAR Committee Reports about Similarly Situated Taxpayers: Coopers Park Real Estate Development v The Queen, 2022 TCC 82

Introduction: The General Anti-Avoidance Rule & Documentary Discovery during Tax Litigation Section 245 of Canada’s Income Tax Act contains the general anti-avoidance rule (also known as the “GAAR”). The GAAR aims to prevent taxpayers from enjoying tax benefits by invoking avoidance transactions that misuse or abuse specific provisions of...

Read More