Tax & Trade Blog

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EXCISE WAREHOUSE TRANSFER RULES TIGHTEN

NEW CRA GUIDANCE LEADS TO INCREASED AUDIT ACTIVITY & MASSIVE ASSESSMENTS

In the Alcohol Industry, as with its heavily-taxed cousins – the tobacco, vaping, and cannabis industries – taxation is all about levying tax on producers at the time of final packaging, or on importers at the time of importation. There are exceptions, BUT only under heavily regulated and controlled circumstances.

Two of these exceptions are for transfers to Excise Warehouses owned by other Excise Licensees (“Licensees”), or transfers to Exporters. The Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) has recently been tightening its “documentation” requirements around these two types of transfers, auditing Licensees for compliance with those new requirements and issuing HUGE assessments (including 200% penalties) where even de minimis non-compliance is found.

In this Beer, Wine & Spirits Industry Report we examine these recent changes and the new landscape for the Canadian Alcohol Industry.

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MOVING ASSETS IN TAX DISPUTE? THINK AGAIN!

WHY TRANSFERRING ASSETS CAN MAKE A BAD SITUATION WORSE

When a taxpayer is assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”), the instinct to “do something” can be overwhelming. One of the most common reactions is to start moving assets to related parties – for example to spouses or children – in the hopes of keeping them out of the CRA’s reach while the tax dispute plays out.

A recent Tax Court of Canada ("TCC") decision shows why this instinct is a bad idea, and is a lesson for anyone trying to sidestep tax problems: what one does after the fact can often make things worse for all involved!

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LAWYERS REQUIRED IN MOST LARGE TAX APPEALS

TCC REVIEWS NEW TAX COURT RULES APPLYING TO GENERAL PROCEDURE CASES

In a remarkable decision rendered with a great deal of humility, and with great credit to the Tax Court Justice involved, the Tax Court of Canada (“TCC”) in Tanafranca v. The King (2025 TCC 169) has taken the opportunity to review recent changes to the manner in which large taxpayers may be represented in their Tax Court Appeals.

This case is a reminder for taxpayers that, in General Procedure cases, Experienced Tax Counsel will be required – and usually for good reason.

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CBSA INVESTIGATING OCTG FROM AUSTRIA!

DUMPING OF CERTAIN OIL & GAS WELL CASING FROM AUSTRIA

On February 2, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) issued a Notice of Initiation of Investigation under the Special Import Measures Act (“SIMA”) in respect of the alleged dumping of certain oil and gas well casing from Austria. This investigation was prompted by a joint complaint filed by a manufacturer in Alberta.

The goods under investigation are more specifically described as:

Oil and gas well casing and green tube casing, made of carbon or alloy steel, welded or seamless, heat-treated or not heat-treated, regardless of end finish, having an outside diameter from 4 ½” inches to 9 5/8” inches (114.3 mm to 245.2 mm), meeting or supplied to meet American Petroleum Institute (API) specification 5CT or equivalent and/or enhanced proprietary standards, in all grades, originating in or exported from the Republic of Austria.

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EMPLOYEE OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR?

SIGNIFICANT TAX & LEGAL CONSEQUENCES COME WITH MISCLASSIFICATION

One area of Indirect Tax that is often underemphasized and underappreciated by businesses and tax professionals alike is the proper classification of employees and independent contractors. Canada’s rules generally mirror those in the United States, and in both jurisdictions, misclassification of a worker (i.e., classifying the worker as an independent contractor instead of an employee) can give rise to significant tax and legal consequences.

In this Report, we review the Canadian and U.S. rules, and the challenges businesses face in navigating this classification process.

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EXPIRY REVIEW: CHINESE SOLAR PANELS

CITT TO REVIEW ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON CHINESE PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES/LAMINATES

On February 2, 2026, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (“CITT”) announced that it is starting its expiry review (“Review”) on the dumping and subsidizing of photovoltaic modules and laminates (i.e., solar panels) from China. The CITT will use its Review to determine whether existing trade protections – in place since 2015 – will continue for another five years or be allowed to expire.

Below, we explain what this Review is, how it will work, and why those in the Canadian solar industry may wish to get involved.

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AUDIT INQUIRIES REQUIRE CAREFUL RESPONSES

THE STAKES ARE HIGH WHEN CRA REACHES OUT. DO NOT WAIT TO SEEK LEGAL HELP!

In the lifecycle of every large corporation, receiving an Audit inquiry from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is not a matter of if, but when. Whether it arrives as a formal “Request for Information” or a polite introductory letter from an Auditor, this document acts as the first shot across the bow.

A business’s first response to an Audit inquiry has huge implications for the scope and duration of the ensuing Audit. It also carries implications for the taxpayer’s future liability for taxes, interest and potential penalties. In fact, at the very start of just about any kind of CRA inquiry, the stakes are often higher than most understand.

In this Tax Audits 101 Series Report, we discuss these initial Audit inquiries, why the stakes are so high, and why immediately seeking Experienced Tax Counsel can minimize negative consequences.

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CRA HOME "BUILDER" AUDITS USING MLS DATA!

THIRD-PARTY RESOURCES TAKING CRA AUDITS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

As we have previously written here, the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) has significantly expanded its audit activity in the residential real estate sector – particularly targeting homeowners and renovators as “builders” for GST/HST purposes, triggering tax on the sale of homes following substantial renovation (and parallel income tax exposure).   In another troubling trend, CRA is now using third-party sources like MLS Listings to rebut taxpayer positions that these homes were intended as personal residences – often to great surprise and disappointment of the "builders".

Real Estate Audits & Use of Third-Party Sources

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CAN-US TRADE WAR TAKES TO SKIES

US TO DECERTIFY / CDN PLANES IN TIT-FOR-TAT

On January 29, 2026, President Trump escalated a long-simmering aerospace dispute into a major trade confrontation when he posted that the United States (“US”) will decertify the Bombardier Global Express – and ALL aircraft made in Canada(!) – until Canada certifies four Gulfstream models: the G500, G600, G700, and G800 models. The President also threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian aircraft imported into the US. While the White House has clarified that any actions would only apply to future US purchases, that would severely impact Canada’s large, (US) export-dependent aerospace industry.

In this Air & Aerospace Report, we dig into the background of this dispute and what it may mean for the North American aerospace industry moving forward.

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CITT FINDING: INDUSTRIAL STEEL WIRE

AD DUTIES ON STEEL WIRE FROM 10 COUNTRIES

On January 2, 2026, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (“CITT”) announced its Finding in Inquiry NQ-2025-003 (the “Finding”), reporting that the dumping of certain carbon or alloy steel wire originating in or exported from China, Taiwan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye and Vietnam, with some exclusions (the “Subject Goods”), had caused injury to the domestic industry.

Specifically, certain Subject Goods for commercial distribution or industrial manufacturing (“Industrial Wire”) had caused injury to the domestic industry, while those packaged for retail sale to individual consumers for domestic use (not exceeding a weight of 1 kg per retail-ready package) had not and were not threatening to cause injury.

New Anti-Dumping Duties (“ADDs”) now apply to certain Industrial Wire imported into Canada and released after January 2, 2026.

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CITT FINDINGS: STEEL STRAPPING

ADDITIONAL DUTIES ON CHINA AND TÜRKIYE; NONE ON SOUTH KOREA OR VIETNAM

On January 14, 2026, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (“CITT”) announced its Findings in Inquiry NQ-2025-005 (the “Findings”) reporting that the of dumping of certain steel strapping (the “Subject Goods”) originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China (“China”) and the Republic of Türkiye (“Türkiye”) have caused injury to the domestic industry.  

New Anti-Dumping Duties (“ADDs”) now apply to certain Subject Goods imported into Canada and released after January 14, 2026.  See our previous report  for the CITT’s detailed description of the Subject Goods.

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CANADA'S THIRD-PARTY STEEL SURTAX

HIGH SURTAX RATES APPLY FOR STEEL IMPORTS ABOVE QUOTA LIMITS

As a follow up to our Steel Derivative Surtax Report here, over the recent Christmas holidays Canada also quietly amended the Surtax on the Importation of Certain Steel Goods (the “3P Steel Surtax”) and put in place a Remission Order for the same over the holiday period.

In this report, we report on the application of the 3P Steel Surtax, highlighting the tonnage tariff rate quota (“TRQ”) rules, import permit requirements, and relief available surtax exceptions and the Remission Order.

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SURTAX ON STEEL DERIVATIVE GOODS

BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS TO FEEL FINANCIAL IMPACT OF NEW SURTAX

During the Christmas holiday season, the Federal Government of Canada quietly adjusted its trade policy QUITE significantly.  A significant development on this front is likely Canada’s enactment of the Steel Derivative Goods Surtax Order (the “Steel Derivative Surtax”) through an Order in Council.

We report below on the application of the Steel Derivative Surtax, and the particular goods targeted by these measures, and potential financial relief that may be available for businesses.

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TAX LITIGATION 201: CHOICE OF VENUE

NOT ALL CRA DISCRETIONARY DECISIONS GO TO FEDERAL COURT!

Since the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2024 decisions in Iris Technologies and Dow Chemical, many taxpayers and tax practitioners have become well aware that the Tax Court of Canada is not a ”one-stop shop” for tax disputes. 

The rule of thumb for "jurisdiction" is that most tax cases go to the Tax Court of Canada, but that CRA discretionary decisions must be challenged in the Federal Court.

As we see in the Ingredion case dealt with below, that may not ALWAYS be the case – and it introduced a third possible jurisdiction in some cases:  Provincial Superior Courts!

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ZERO-RATED OR TAXABLE FOOD & DRINKS?

GST: FINE TECHNICAL LINE BETWEEN ZERO-RATED & TAXABLE FOR FOOD & DRINKS

The supplies of food and beverages that are for human consumption are generally zero-rated for GST/HST purposes in Canada – meaning that a 0% rate of tax applies!   There are exceptions, however, particularly where the food or beverage falls into one of the specific exclusions set out in Part III of Schedule VI to the Excise Tax Act (“ETA”).  This set of rules generally reflects Canada's intention that most food and drink products are free of GST, with the exceptions being fairly limited in scope.

Regrettably, recent Tax Court of Canada (“TCC”) jurisprudence may be applying a more restrictive approach and have been more willing to deny zero-rated treatment based on a threshold inquiry into whether the product qualifies as “food” or “beverage” in the first place.  This is a marked change from earlier jurisprudence.

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TAX OBJECTION DECISIONS TAKING LONGER

POST COVID, CRA APPEALS BRANCH SLAMMED WITH NEW WORK!

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) recently released its 2025-26 Departmental Plan (“the Report”), outlining its priorities and recent performance.  It reveals a critical piece of information that should serve as a warning for all taxpayers: the CRA is being overwhelmed by Notices of Objections (“NoOs”) and is struggling to keep up.

As we report on below, large businesses with complex tax issues are likely to suffer the most.

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CBSA INVESTIGATING FORGED GRINDING MEDIA

ALLEGED DUMPING OF FORGED GRINDING MEDIA FROM CHINA

On January 9, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) issued a Notice of Initiation of Investigation under the Special Import Measures Act (“SIMA”) in respect of the alleged dumping of forged grinding media originating in or exported from the Peoples’s Republic of China (“China”).  This investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by Moly-Cop Canada.

The investigation continues a trend by the CBSA of scrutinizing imports from China, which continues to be the jurisdiction with highest number of Anti-Dumping and Countervailing duty orders.

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A CUSTOMS YEAR-END REVIEW

THE TRADE WAR & NOTABLE CASES IN 2025 YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

What just happened to me!   That is probably the sentiment of most people in customs and trade in Canada, after a frenetic 2025.

We present a year-in-review below, starting quite understandably with a high-point review of the Canada-US Trade War (the “Trade War”), followed by some other major developments that dominated customs in the Canadian context.

THE GREAT TRADE WAR OF 2025

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CUSTOMS 101: NO PROOF, NO FREIGHT DEDUCTION?

CITT TIGHTENS EVIDENTIARY REQUIREMENTS FOR FREIGHT DEDUCTIONS

Transaction value has traditionally been used to value imported goods to Canada in approximately 95% of cases.  An important deduction available to importers when using transaction value is for transportation costs incurred from the place of direct shipment to Canada.

In Korhani of Canada Inc. v. CBSA (AP-2022-030), the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (“CITT”) serves notice that it supports the CBSA’s position that transportation cost deductions must be supported by objective documentation evidencing the actual transportation costs, such as payment records or shipping invoices.

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ENABLERS TARGETED BY CRA & CBSA ALIKE

RECENT ACTION ON CAR THEFTS EASILY TRANSLATES TO TAX & CUSTOMS MATTERS

Recent news reports about Project Chickadee – the OPP and CBSA joint project aimed at dismantling organized car theft rings exporting stolen Canadian vehicles overseas – focused on an effort to target not only the direct causes of these thefts (the gangs stealing the vehicles), but also the ENABLER:  freight forwarding companies, shipping companies, and other intermediaries effectively aiding and abetting the process.

The Canadian government’s ability to intervene in situations that it does not ultimately like (i.e., tax schemes, GST shams, tariff fraud) knows no bounds.   And the government’s response does not always require joint work with the OPP or RCMP, but can come in much more innocuous ways. 

In this report, we examine a couple of ways in which Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) can target persons indirectly associated with GST or customs non-compliance.