Tax
Canadian and multinational businesses must navigate a wide range of rapidly evolving tax regulations and enforcement efforts from tax authorities, all while operating in an increasingly complex tax environment. The COVID-19 pandemic along with other economic and geopolitical headwinds have also given rise to a number of tax-related issues that have altered the Canadian tax landscape.
Amid this constant change, executives, tax directors and general counsel need exceptional legal guidance to address new developments, manage tax liabilities, protect their organization’s bottom line and generate sustainable growth. Anchored by our deep knowledge of all aspects of the Canadian and global tax regimes, our Tax Group provides practical, innovative solutions to advise on your most important and complex domestic and foreign tax matters.
“[McCarthy Tétrault’s National Tax Group] is a great team of exceptional lawyers who are truly focused on customer service. All the lawyers on the team are very smart, pursue each issue fully, make a clear effort to understand our business imperatives and are pragmatic about their recommendations. Generally speaking, the team distinguishes itself by the quality of its lawyers, but also its exceptional customer service. I work with many firms and have always received the best service from McCarthy Tétrault.”
Practical solutions for your transactional and dispute resolution needs
As a national, full-service practice, McCarthy Tétrault’s National Tax Group provides end-to-end support for your most pressing tax concerns, across jurisdictions. Our tax planners and litigators operate as an integrated team, ensuring you are covered whether you need advice on tax planning, transactions or being prepared for a future audit or you must contend with a contentious tax matter. Here is why business leaders turn to us:
- Industry and strategic issues focus: We know the industries in which you operate inside and out, giving us the insight to craft tailored solutions that help you capitalize on strategic issues and emerging industry trends. We regularly resolve complicated domestic and foreign tax issues in the resource, manufacturing, financial services, communications, technology, real estate, transportation and power sectors.
- Integrated tax and transactional advice: Our tax practitioners work seamlessly with corporate counsel and business teams to ensure your transactions are structured to optimize both business and tax considerations. When a dispute arises, our tax litigators work hand in hand with our corporate and commodity tax planning teams to ensure the tax strategy aligns with your business objectives.
- Creative and innovative approach: With a pulse on the evolving tax landscape, we develop novel tax planning opportunities that are efficient from both an international and Canadian perspective. We have the experience to help you identify and seize opportunities you may not see coming.
- Unique insight: Many of our lawyers have worked on advisory committees or panels with senior government officials and hold leading positions within the Canadian tax profession and in international tax associations. These connections give us important insights into tax policy, legislation and administrative practice, enabling us to better advise on tax issues and tax planning opportunities.
Related practices
We understand the risks your organization faces in the rapidly evolving tax environment. We also know how to turn risks into opportunities. Our full-service National Tax Group will manage your tax issues before they become problems, providing custom strategies to help your business thrive.
Tax Planning
Tax planning is paramount in any business strategy and transaction — and missteps can be costly. With deep knowledge of Canada’s tax landscape and connections to regulatory authorities, our tax planning team brings clarity and pragmatism to the full range of complicated tax issues that could otherwise derail your business goals. We have played a strategic role in the structuring and negotiation of some of the largest and most complex domestic and cross-border public and private mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, divestitures, joint ventures, equity investments, debt financings and all types of business ventures and transactions.
Tax Controversy and Dispute Resolution
When a tax controversy arises, a swift and effective resolution is a business imperative. Our experienced tax litigators resolve contentious tax matters quickly and efficiently across the entire gamut of tax controversies, including with respect to audits, requests for information, objections, searches and seizures, and appeals. We have advised and defended domestic and international corporations, financial institutions, resource companies, companies in the technology space and manufacturers, as well as high net-worth individuals on tax-related disputes.
Indirect Tax
Indirect taxes affect every aspect of your operations and non-compliance can hurt your bottom line. Our expert group of indirect tax practitioners advises clients on a wide range of matters requiring creative and innovative business solutions to manage their indirect tax obligations. Whether you need tax planning advice, a negotiated settlement with tax authorities or must resort to the courts, our multidisciplinary expertise in this complex field can help you save money and minimize liabilities.
Estates and Trusts
Preserving, maximizing and transferring your wealth are key to protecting your legacy. With recognized expertise in family governance, succession planning, domestic and cross-border estate and trust planning, and litigation and dispute resolution, we provide complete lifecycle planning and services, ensuring your estate plan achieves your personal goals and your wealth is protected for future generations.
Awards & Rankings
Chambers Global
Leading Firm: Tax
Chambers Canada
Leading Firm: Tax
The Legal 500 – Canada
Tier 1: Tax
International Tax Review – World Tax
Tier 1: Tax; Transactional Tax
Tax Perspectives: Review of 2024 and 2025 Outlook
This article provides an overview of the important Canadian legislative and judicial tax developments of 2024, and looks ahead to potential significant Canadian tax changes in 2025
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A Practical Guide to the New Mandatory Disclosure Rules of the Income Tax Act
On June 22, 2023, the new mandatory disclosure rules in the Income Tax Act (Canada) ("Act") took effect. These rules expand the range of transactions that taxpayers, as well as advisors and promotors, must report to the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”). Failure to report can result in significant penalties as well as the extension of limitation periods. In this guide, we provide a practical summary of the new rules including the kinds of transactions to which they apply, who is required to report, when and how to report, and the potential risks associated with failing to report.
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