Individuals and organizations can have a variety of Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) disputes with the CRA, including assessment of HST, interest, and penalties, or the disallowance of input tax credits, rebates, or refunds.

GST/HST disputes are particularly on the rise in the in the real estate field with the increasing activity in this sector.

Disputes are often caused by a misunderstanding between you and the CRA as to the facts and law in your case, because of which you are potentially exposed to tax that is not due under the law.

A proper understanding of the GST/HST and allied laws is necessary to know whether or not your tax treatment is correct. Otherwise, you may either inadvertently pay undue GST/HST or pointlessly pursue dispute resolution with the CRA and waste your time and money.

Moreover, once you take a position on the facts and law in your case at an early stage of proceedings before the CRA, you may not be able to change it later on at the advanced appellate level where the courts can award costs against you. You, therefore, don’t want to start on the wrong foot while dealing with the CRA.

If you feel that the CRA has misunderstood the facts and law in your case, you may seek legal advice from a lawyer to know, protect, and assert your legal rights in handling your case.

At Abbas Law, we provide legal advice, services, and representation in GST/HST dispute resolution with the CRA.