Canadian Sales Tax Audits: Preparation Strategies
Getting Ready for Tougher GST, PST and HST Examinations
Recording of a 110-minute CPE webinar with Q&A
This teleconference will provide tax executives with fresh insights into the practical realities of Canadian federal GST/HST and PST audits. The panel will outline new alternatives to consider in crafting a comprehensive strategy to managing the audit process from the taxpayer perspective.
Outline
- Relevant background trends
- Revenue pressures facing Canadian revenue agencies
- Implementation of Ontario and British Columbia HSTs on July 1, 2010
- July 2011 British Columbia rejection of HST, effective in 18 months
- Fundamentals of federal and provincial audits
- Legal rights for auditors and taxpayers, under current law
- Trends and tactics from recent audits
- Auditor behaviors to anticipate
- Common taxpayer errors being cited during audits
- Inadequate ITC documentation, or not restricting ITCs where required
- Failure to remit GST on taxable benefits
- Ignoring GST on supplies between related parties
- Incorrect use of small supplier rule
- Sales incorrectly categorized as exports
- Other common errors
- Realities of post-audit appeals process
- Delays in getting objection assigned to officer, and for the officer to make a determination
Benefits
The panel will address these and other relevant audit topics:
- Latest audit red flags: CRA and provincial auditors' areas of focus—mathematical and clerical errors, improper calculation of input tax credits, failure to follow place-of-supply rules for e-commerce, and other issues.
- Records and documentation requirements: Specific records that must be kept as a best practice. How long and in what format records should be kept for more granular activities like ITC claims.
- Auditor powers and taxpayer rights: How aggressively federal and provincial auditors are acting under current law—and corporate taxpayers' rights under that law.
- Audit staffing changes: What the shifting of audit personnel from provincial agency offices to the CRA could mean for you.
Following the speaker presentations, you'll have an opportunity to get answers to your specific questions during the interactive Q&A.
Faculty
Cyndee Todgham Cherniak
Counsel
McMillan
She is assigned to the firm's tax law and international trade law groups and also has client expertise in goods and... | Read More
She is assigned to the firm's tax law and international trade law groups and also has client expertise in goods and services tax and Ontario retail sales tax.
CloseHeather Weber
Leader, Indirect Tax Group
MNP
She works with clients on all indirect taxes including GST, PST, and excise and property taxes. She is a former Canada... | Read More
She works with clients on all indirect taxes including GST, PST, and excise and property taxes. She is a former Canada Revenue Agency auditor.
CloseCathy Kuhrt
Partner, Sales Tax
Grant Thornton
She has more than 23 years of tax advisory service, directs her firm's Ontario sales tax practice and oversees the... | Read More
She has more than 23 years of tax advisory service, directs her firm's Ontario sales tax practice and oversees the Canadian national sales tax practice. She is actively involved with client compliance and audit work with national, provincial and harmonized sales taxes.
Close