Comprehensive Tax
and Estate Planning 
in Ontario

This involves careful planning with tax professionals well-versed in the nuances of corporate tax law. Key considerations include choosing the most tax-advantageous structure for the specific transaction, identifying potential tax traps to avoid, and strategically utilizing available tax benefits like the lifetime capital gains exemption, tax-deferred rollovers or net operating loss carryforwards.

Yes, tax laws change frequently, so staying up-to-date is crucial. A good tax advisor can help you navigate the complexities and identify relevant incentives for your specific situation. There are different options depending on your particular circumstances. You may have an opportunity to utilize or even multiply your capital gains exemption. You may be able to transfer the shares of your company to your children or grandchildren in a tax efficient way using new intergenerational tax planning provisions. You may have capital dividend account balance available for you to extract tax-free. Everything depends on your situation and goals.

The legal and regulatory requirements can vary depending on the specific circumstances of your restructuring or reorganization. It is essential to engage with our legal advisors first with specialization in corporate and tax law and have experience with similar transactions. Our lawyers will guide you through the necessary filings, registrations, and other compliance procedures to ensure you meet all legal obligations.

Restructuring or reorganizing may or may not have immediate tax consequences. A lot of reorganization transactions can be done on a tax-deferred basis. However, sometimes it may be advantageous to trigger certain tax intentionally in circumstances where it may provide a greater benefit in the future. Everything depends on the circumstances.

While M&A transactions can have significant tax consequences, including capital gains, income, and sales taxes, careful planning and structuring can optimize the tax outcome for both buyer and seller. Our firm's expertise in M&A tax law allows us to craft strategies that minimize tax liabilities and enhance the overall financial success of your transaction.

The answer to this is a combination of many factors. Ultimately, you have to decide whether it is the right time for you to sell your business. Reasons to sell your business may include retirement, interest in other ventures, or any other personal reasons. Obtaining legal and tax advice regarding a potential sale of your business sometimes can give you clarity in an otherwise uncertain situation.

This also depends on your particular circumstances but does have advantages. Instead of starting up a new business that has a good chance to not succeed, you may consider purchasing an already established and successful business. Usually a business owner provides a transition period in which they will help you learn and run the business. Speaking to experienced professionals will also provide you clarity as to what the right decision may be.

Common financing options include cash, debt financing (e.g., bank loans, bonds), equity financing (e.g., issuing shares), and combinations of these.

Inaccurate valuations, regulatory hurdles, integration difficulties, and unforeseen liabilities are just some of the risks associated with M&A transactions. By leveraging our expertise in due diligence and contract negotiation, we can help safeguard your interests and maximize the success of your deal.

Common types include mergers (combining two companies), acquisitions (one company buying another), asset sales (selling specific assets), and takeovers (acquiring control of a company).

Preparation involves organizing financial records, organizing business processes, conducting internal due diligence, identifying potential buyers or sellers, and developing a clear M&A strategy.

Due diligence is the process of thoroughly investigating a target company's financial, legal, operational, and commercial aspects. It helps the buyer assess risks, uncover potential problems, and make informed decisions.

Incorporating a business offers several advantages. Limited liability protection shields the owners' personal assets from liability for business debts and lawsuits. This means that if the company encounters financial difficulties or is sued, creditors can only go after the corporation's assets, not the owners' personal wealth (like their homes, cars, or savings). Incorporation can also provide tax advantages depending on the business structure chosen. For instance, Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) may benefit from a lower corporate tax rate compared to the rate for unincorporated businesses. Additionally, incorporation facilitates easier access to capital. Corporations can raise funds by issuing stock, which allows them to attract investment from a broader pool of individuals and institutions.

The process of incorporating a business typically involves several steps: Choose a business name: Conduct a name search to ensure the desired name is available and complies with naming regulations in your jurisdiction. Select a business structure: Consult with a lawyer to determine the most suitable business structure for your company, considering factors like liability protection, tax implications, and ownership goals. Draft and file articles of incorporation: These documents outline the corporation's basic information, such as name, purpose, registered office address, and authorized share capital. The articles of incorporation are filed with the appropriate government agency in your jurisdiction. Develop corporate bylaws: Bylaws establish the internal governance rules of the corporation, including procedures for shareholder meetings, board of directors' duties, and officer elections. Hold an initial meeting of directors and shareholders: Conduct meetings to elect directors, appoint officers, and adopt the bylaws. Hiring a law firm to take care of all this greatly simplifies the process for you.

Changes in business purpose: If your corporation significantly alters its core business activities, you may need to amend the articles of incorporation to reflect the new purpose. This is important for ensuring the corporation is operating within its legal authority and providing transparency to stakeholders. Corporate name change: If your company decides to operate under a new name, amendments to the articles of incorporation and any relevant bylaws are required. The process typically involves filing documents with the government and notifying stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, and creditors. Registered agent update: The registered agent is a designated person or entity that receives legal documents on behalf of the corporation. Amending the corporate documents is necessary if you change your registered agent. Changes to share structure: Amending the articles of incorporation may be required if there are significant adjustments to the corporation's share structure. This could involve increasing or decreasing the authorized number of shares, creating new classes of shares with different rights and privileges, or undertaking other forms of corporate reorganization. Bylaw revisions: Bylaws can be amended to address various governance issues or adapt to evolving business needs. Examples include modifying voting procedures for shareholder meetings, changing the composition or responsibilities of the board of directors, or updating provisions regarding officer appointments and duties.

Companies amalgamate to achieve synergistic benefits, combining resources and expertise to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Additionally, mergers enhance market power, allowing for greater influence in the industry and potentially higher profits. Finally, amalgamations offer opportunities for diversification, expansion into new markets, and acquisition of valuable assets and technologies. In the context of closely held companies, there may be tax and administrative reasons to amalgamate companies including loss utilization and the simplification of a corporate structure.

Share transfers: The agreement can address restrictions on share transfers, such as pre-emptive rights (giving existing shareholders the first chance to purchase shares offered for sale) or right of first refusal (giving existing shareholders the right to match an offer from a third-party buyer). It can also deal with the process of valuing shares in the event of a transfer. Decision-making processes: The agreement can establish procedures for voting on important matters, such as electing directors, approving major transactions, or amending the articles of incorporation. It can also address quorum requirements for meetings and deadlock resolution mechanisms in case of voting disputes. Dispute resolution mechanisms: The agreement can outline methods for resolving disagreements between shareholders, such as mediation or arbitration, to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation. Buy-sell provisions: These provisions establish a framework for buying or selling shares under certain circumstances, such as a shareholder's death, disability, or retirement. This can help ensure liquidity for shareholders who want to exit the company and protect the remaining shareholders from unwanted ownership changes. Other relevant matters: The agreement can cover a wide range of other topics depending on the specific needs of the corporation and its shareholders. This may include confidentiality obligations, non-competition clauses, dividend policies, and restrictions on the issuance of new shares.

Consulting a lawyer is recommended when starting or buying/selling a business, signing significant contracts, and dealing with legal disputes or intellectual property issues. Additionally, legal advice is crucial for navigating regulatory compliance, tax planning, corporate governance, employment law, and any uncertain or complex legal situation to ensure your business interests are protected and compliant with Canadian laws.