Topic: Use Voluntary Disclosure Program to Save Penalties and Prosecution Speaker: Esmail Bharwani, TEP, FCGA, FCCA, MBA, MSc., Associate Counsel to Miller Thomson LLP
Esmail is both a lawyer and accountant who practices in the areas of tax planning, tax compliance, wills, estates and trusts, charities and not-for-profit, corporate and commercial planning and transactions, and reorganization of privately-held corporations. Esmail has a successful track record settling many income tax and GST related disputes with the Canada Revenue Agency since 1976. Esmail started making submissions under the CRA’s Voluntary Disclosure Program in 1990. As a former member of the Board of Management of Canada Revenue Agency for 6.5 years and a member of the Appeals Advisory Committee and a columnist with various publications, Esmail understands concerns of taxpayers and the inner workings of the Canada Revenue Agency which contributes to his ability to harmoniously conduct business dealings with his clients and CRA. Esmail has instructed at the University of Calgary’s Continuing Education Faculty for over two decades on a number of courses including taxation, business and estate planning. He has also been a tutor on taxation for the Athabasca University, an instructor at various educational programs offered by Certified General Accountants Association of Alberta and British Columbia. In his spare time, Esmail spends a fair amount of time sharing his knowledge and experience with others by volunteering his time on boards and committees. Esmail is a regular columnist with the Calgary Real Estate News and contributes often to a number of other publications including the Financial Post, CGA Magazine, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Red Deer Advocate, Ontario Medicine, Physicians Management Manual, Food in Canada, Bake, Drug Merchandising and Vancouver Sun. He has published over 600 articles on business, taxation, law and financial planning. Esmail has presented papers at domestic and international conferences in the U.S.A. and Europe. More about the Topic Esmail will highlight risks and benefits of the Voluntary Disclosure Program offered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and various provincial governments across Canada. It is available to those who wish to correct inaccurate or incomplete information, or to disclose information not previously reported. Business owners, investors and employees may find this program provides enormous benefits in terms of relief of penalties, reduction of interest, no prosecution and no publicity. If you have claimed ineligible expenses, failed to remit source deductions or the GST/HST, or did not file an information return, you may find information from Esmail very helpful in developing your future strategies. Those who have ignored their legal obligations to be compliant may find Esmail a good resource for guidance including tips and traps on how one can deal with the CRA on any issues whether it’s unreported income, or the outstanding liabilities with respect to payroll deductions or GST or an audit or investigation by the CRA.
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