Find vetted tax law counsel in Halifax, Nova Scotia. CRA audits, reassessments, voluntary disclosures, and Tax Court appeals are not accounting problems. They are legal problems. Get tax counsel before you reply to the letter.
Do not call CRA to negotiate before reading the letter carefully. Audit letters, requirement letters under section 231, and statutory demands have different responses. A tax lawyer triages the letter, identifies the actual ask, manages disclosure, and protects solicitor-client privilege where applicable. Many self-represented taxpayers volunteer information that worsens their position. A lawyer prevents that.
Look for a firm with active tax law practice in Halifax courts and tribunals, transparent fee structures, and clear communication. The right counsel will explain options without pressure, return calls promptly, and have demonstrated experience with matters comparable to yours. Every lawyer listed on Bremo Lawyers is verified against the relevant provincial law society.
Tax lawyers typically charge hourly with retainers, with senior counsel running $500 to $1,000 per hour. Some files run on fixed fees, particularly voluntary disclosures. Tax disputes are often economically rational to fight: the savings on a successful objection or appeal frequently exceed legal fees by orders of magnitude.
Personal and corporate audits, GST/HST audits, scope letters, requirement letters, audit defence strategy.
Notice of Objection within 90 days, Appeals Division submissions, settlement and waiver decisions.
Informal and General Procedure, pleadings, discoveries, settlement, trial, appeals to FCA.
VDP applications, foreign income, undeclared revenue, unfiled returns. No-name pre-disclosure consultations.
Residency status determination, treaty tie-breakers, departure tax, deemed dispositions.
T1135 disclosures, missed reporting, voluntary correction strategy, FBAR coordination for US persons.
Reorganisations, butterflies, section 85 rollovers, paid-up capital planning, surplus distributions.
Deemed dispositions on death, post-mortem planning, family trusts, 21-year deemed disposition planning.
Possibly not. Extensions of time are available within one year of the original deadline if the taxpayer can show reasonable grounds and a bona fide intention to object. Beyond one year, the reassessment is final unless judicial review is available.
A successful VDP application provides protection from prosecution and from gross negligence penalties on the disclosed matters. It does not eliminate the tax owing or the interest in full. Eligibility is strict.
Both, on different work. Accountants prepare returns and run compliance. Tax lawyers handle disputes, audits, voluntary disclosures, court, and where privilege matters. For complex matters they work together.
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