Accounting Law and Audit Law

Leveraged donation programs sound like the perfect option for budding philanthropists: Put $100 in, get $160 back, and your favourite charity gets a large donation. A win-win scenario? Not according to the Canada Revenue Agency.

They got Al Capone for tax evasion; not for any one of the hundred or so other crimes he allegedly committed. Apparently, it was testimony of his accountant and the discovery of a mysterious "second set of books" that finally put Capone away. The books were well hidden. Fortunately, the accountant knew where to find them.

If you are concerned that you might be selected for an audit, how do you prepare for a possible visit?

The latest report from Gowlings relating to privacy and data protection.

Recent Canadian trade-mark case law presents new challenges to both owners and practitioners. In an effort to emphasize certain characteristics or qualities of their products or services, brand owners often incorporate descriptive words in their trade-marks. As a result, obtaining a registration for such trade-marks is often difficult since the Canadian Trade-marks Office will object to the registration of a trade-mark which comprises words or designs that are descriptive.

Directors have significant responsibilities, but so do those in many other jobs and roles. There is a big difference between the need to be vigilant and to take your role seriously, and the need to be worried about that role.

The Humber Valley Resort Corporation and related companies (collectively, "Humber Valley") applied for, and was granted, an Initial Order from the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court (Trial Division) staying proceedings against it for one month under the CCAA.

Asset/equipment finance and leasing is the financing of equipment, vehicles and related assets by way of specific asset-based priority financing, primarily through leases, but also through conditional sales contracts, secured loans or securitizations.

On October 13, 2006, the Canadian Securities Administrators published their final notice of amendments to NI 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (NI 51-102), its related forms and companion policy (CP 51-102), NI 51-107 – Acceptable Accounting Principle.

In Stack v The King, 2024 TCC 137, the Tax Court of Canada blocked the Canada Revenue Agency's attempt to obtain various documents, including an email record, that were protected by solicitor-client privilege.

This information that follows is taken from sources including The Car Connection, Autoweek, Green Car Reports, and other industry sources.

As of June 16, 2025, the CRA will begin sending most correspondence to existing and new business owners electronically via My Business Account.