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Ottawa Tax Lawyer

A CRA audit, reassessment, collection action, or appeal can put your finances, business, and peace of mind at risk. You may be unsure what the CRA expects, how to respond, or what comes next.

Taxpayer Law helps Ottawa individuals, business owners and corporations navigate that uncertainty. As a tax litigation firm focused on CRA disputes, we protect our clients’ positions and help them proceed with a clear strategy.
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Alex Klyguine
Ottawa Tax Lawyer

What a Tax Lawyer Is and What They Do

Tax lawyers advise on the legal issues arising from tax planning, transactions, compliance and disputes. At Taxpayer Law, our Ontario lawyers focus exclusively on tax disputes.

We represent individuals, business owners and corporations when a CRA matter requires strategic legal advice, solicitor-client privilege or litigation experience. A tax dispute can affect cash flow, business operations, personal finances and peace of mind. We help clients understand what has happened, assess their options and build a strong factual and legal case.

Our lawyers assist with CRA audits and document requests, proposed reassessments, Notices of Objection and submissions to CRA Appeals. When a dispute cannot be resolved, we represent clients before the Tax Court of Canada and other courts.

We also advise on CRA collections and voluntary disclosures. Seeking advice early can help protect important deadlines and legal privilege, avoid unnecessary disclosure and ensure that the taxpayer’s position is properly supported before the CRA makes key decisions.

Accountants remain important members of the advisory team. They may prepare financial information, explain accounting treatment and organize records. A tax litigator addresses the legal issues, develops the dispute strategy and represents the client.

Taxpayer Law regularly works with clients’ accountants and other advisers to coordinate the legal and financial aspects of a dispute. We do not prepare tax returns or provide routine accounting services.

Tax Litigation Services for Ottawa Businesses

Ottawa businesses contact us when a CRA audit becomes contentious, a significant adjustment is proposed, a director faces personal liability or an objection or appeal deadline is approaching.
Often working with clients’ existing accountants, we represent corporations, business owners and directors in disputes involving:

Corporate tax audits

Involving broad information requests, alleged unreported income, denied expenses or proposed adjustments.
Learn more about corporate tax audits

Director liability assessments

For unremitted source deductions, GST/HST and certain other amounts where they may be personally liable.
Learn more about liability assessments

GST/HST disputes

Involving denied input tax credits, unreported sales, place of supply rules, rebates or transactions challenged by the CRA.
Learn more about GST/HST disputes

Reassessments and objections

Involving income versus capital treatment, SR&ED tax incentives, CEWS or CERS claims and other disputed business tax positions.
Learn more about reassessments and objections

Payroll assessments

Involving worker classification, taxable benefits, withholding obligations or unremitted source deductions.
Learn more about payroll assessments
We manage the CRA response, address the issues and build the factual and legal case.

CRA Disputes for Ottawa Individuals

Legal advice may be valuable when substantial tax or penalties are at stake, the CRA questions a taxpayer’s records or credibility, collection action threatens personal finances or an objection or appeal deadline is approaching.
Taxpayer Law represents Ottawa individuals facing CRA disputes, including:

1

Personal audits concerning alleged unreported income, denied expenses or deductions, rental income, home office or vehicle deductions, capital gains, foreign income reporting or incomplete records.
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2

Notices of Objection challenging assessments or reassessments through supporting facts, documents and legal position.
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3

Voluntary disclosures concerning  unreported income, unfiled returns or other past non-compliance where the CRA’s eligibility requirements are met.
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4

Net worth assessments in which the CRA estimates income from changes in assets, liabilities, spending and other indirect information.
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5

Tax debt and collections involving payment demands, garnishments, property liens or other enforcement measures.
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6

Tax Court appeals challenging assessments or reassessments that remain in dispute.
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Lawyers sitting at a table

Why Ottawa Clients Choose Taxpayer Law

Ottawa is home to the CRA’s national administration and the Tax Court of Canada. Taxpayer Law has an office in the city, and members of our team have previously worked at the CRA. Tax disputes are all we do.

We represent individuals and businesses through every stage of a tax dispute, from audits and objections to collections and court proceedings. Clients work directly with lawyers who understand their files and remain involved as the dispute develops.
We explain the issues, options, risks and likely costs in plain language, then develop a strategy that reflects each client’s legal, financial and business priorities. We also work closely with clients’ accountants and other advisers when their involvement will strengthen the response.
Before retaining us, prospective clients receive a written quote setting out the proposed scope of work and fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I hire a tax lawyer for a CRA dispute?

You should consider speaking with a lawyer who focuses on tax litigation when a CRA matter creates significant legal, factual or financial risk. Examples include a substantial proposed reassessment, significant penalties, allegations of unreported income, a disagreement about the accuracy or completeness of your records, collection action or an approaching objection or appeal deadline. Early advice may help you understand the CRA’s position, identify deadlines, protect solicitor-client privilege, preserve relevant documents and avoid steps that could weaken your response.

Can a tax lawyer help during a CRA audit?

Yes. A tax litigation lawyer can review the scope of the audit, advise on CRA information requests, coordinate the response and address proposed adjustments. Involving counsel before the CRA issues a reassessment may help assess what information the CRA may lawfully require, protect solicitor-client privilege, avoid unnecessary disclosure and ensure that the taxpayer’s factual and legal position is properly supported.

How long do I have to object to a CRA reassessment?

The applicable deadline depends on the type of taxpayer and the nature of the assessment. Different rules may apply to individuals, trusts and corporations. An extension may be available in some circumstances if the initial deadline has passed, but further deadlines and requirements apply. You should obtain advice promptly because missing a deadline may restrict your ability to challenge the assessment.

How much does an Ottawa tax lawyer cost?

The cost depends on the stage, complexity and scope of the CRA dispute. After an initial review, Taxpayer Law gives the prospective client a quote outlining the anticipated work and fees before they decide whether to retain the firm. If the dispute develops unexpectedly, or the required scope of work changes, we explain the effect on fees and issue an updated quote before undertaking any additional work.

What’s the difference between a tax lawyer and a tax accountant?

  1. Accountant (CPA): Handles filings, calculations, financial records, and tax planning.
  2. Tax lawyer: Handles legal interpretation, disputes, negotiations, court advocacy, and provides privileged advice.
  3. Accountant communications generally aren’t privileged, whereas communications with a lawyer are.

Meet the Tax Lawyers Serving Ottawa Clients

Taxpayer Law’s lawyers represent individuals and businesses at each stage of a CRA dispute, from audits and objections to collection matters and Tax Court appeals. Learn more about their experience and approach to resolving tax disputes.
Alex Klyguine

Alex Klyguine

Co-Managing Lawyer / Founder
Drawing on nearly a decade of Bay Street experience, Alex has cultivated a robust practice in tax dispute resolution. After being called to the Ontario Bar in 2014, he has represented clients in some of the most challenging and nuanced tax controversies.
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Benjamin Isaak

Benjamin Isaak

Tax Lawyer
Benjamin Isaak graduated from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law in 2022 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2023. His interest in tax began even before law school, when he gained hands-on experience as an income tax preparer.
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What Clients Say About Taxpayer Law

Igor and his team did an amazing job for me with my CRA audit. On the first call he was very direct and honest. It did feel that he was trying to help me and save me money. He was very thorough and methodical. I felt very comfortable with him. At the end, his guidance won the day. I can’t begin to describe how much money and anxiety Igor and his team saved me. Would recommend him in a heartbeat.

– I.M. – Investment Advisor

My thanks to you and everyone at the firm. I’m trying to clean things up so that next year will be an easier year financially. I told you on my first call that I just needed some time and you and your colleagues delivered beyond my expectations.

– J.M. – In-House Counsel

We greatly appreciated the highly efficient work, as well as the sincere and honest pricing approach.

-A.C. – Client
We were facing a … CRA reassessment that could have ended the business. Igor was straight with us from day one – never oversold – and got it reduced to a fraction… He’s the first call we’d make on anything involving the CRA.
-D.M. – Client
I had the best experience at Taxpayer Law. I had my tax issues and they solved it so professionally. Igor was very thorough explaining all steps on the way. I would highly recommend to anybody who need any help in tax matters.
-M.S. – Client

    What to Expect When You Contact Taxpayer Law

    When you contact Taxpayer Law, the team will first gather the information needed to understand your situation and the stage of the CRA dispute. Having the relevant CRA correspondence available, such as an audit request, proposal letter, notice of reassessment, collection notice or Tax Court document, can help identify the immediate issue.
    A lawyer will explain the available options, identify any urgent deadlines and discuss possible next steps based on your circumstances. Before you decide whether to retain the firm, you will receive a quote outlining the anticipated scope of work and fees.
    What to Expect When You Contact Taxpayer Law
    Speak With an Ottawa Tax Lawyer

    Speak With an Ottawa Tax Lawyer

    If you have received a CRA audit letter, proposed reassessment, notice of reassessment, demand for payment or Tax Court document, contact Taxpayer Law to discuss your situation and possible next steps.
    Have the relevant CRA correspondence available when you contact the firm. A lawyer can help identify any immediate deadlines and explain what documents and other information may be required to assess the matter.
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    Taxpayer Law’s Ottawa Office

    Taxpayer Law serves individuals, business owners and corporations facing disputes with the CRA in Ottawa and the surrounding region.
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    TaxLaw Team