6 worked Import & Export Businesses case studies — the position a client typically comes to us with, what we do, and what it is worth. Each is an illustrative example built on the rules that apply to import & export businesses work, not a specific client's file.
Case Study 1 · Objection and relief
$43,000 Of Penalties And Interest Cancelled On Relief — Millwork Shop, Halifax
Client: A millwork shop · Where: Halifax, Nova Scotia · Engagement: 8 weeks, fixed fee
Penalties and interest cancelled$43,000
Relief groundsAccepted
AssessmentAdjusted to filed position
The situation — A millwork shop, Halifax, Nova Scotia
An assessment of $43,000 landed at a millwork shop in Halifax, Nova Scotia following a desk review. It turned on equipment and asset classes assigned by guesswork rather than the CCA schedule. The auditor had not seen the records behind it.
What we did for A millwork shop, Halifax, Nova Scotia
We reassigned the asset classes on the CCA schedule and corrected the opening balances. We then set out the legislative basis for the position alongside the documents supporting it.
The result — A millwork shop, Halifax, Nova Scotia
$43,000 of penalties and interest was cancelled under the taxpayer relief provisions, and the underlying assessment was adjusted to match the filed position.
Case Study 2 · Structure rebuilt
Holding Structure Added, $17,000 Saved Annually — Furniture Manufacturer, Regina
The situation — A furniture manufacturer, Regina, Saskatchewan
The structure at a furniture manufacturer in Regina, Saskatchewan needed fixing. The file was carrying seasonal revenue reported without matching the costs that produced it. Every option for fixing it ran through a reorganisation that had to be done without triggering tax.
What we did for A furniture manufacturer, Regina, Saskatchewan
We worked with the client's lawyer. Together, we aligned the reporting calendar with the sector’s own seasonal cycle rather than a generic year-end. We also prepared the elections, resolutions and valuations the structure needed to stand up.
The result — A furniture manufacturer, Regina, Saskatchewan
The structure now matches the business. Annual saving of $17,000, and the reorganisation itself was tax-neutral.
Case Study 3 · Backlog brought current
Collections Halted And $44,000 Cut From A 5-Year Backlog — Food Processing Plant, Moncton
Client: A food processing plant · Where: Moncton, New Brunswick · Engagement: 4 weeks, fixed fee
Balance reduced by$44,000
Backlog cleared5 years
CollectionsHalted
The situation — A food processing plant, Moncton, New Brunswick
By the time a food processing plant in Moncton, New Brunswick called, 5 years were outstanding. The CRA had assessed on estimates. Underneath it sat sector deductions claimed on a general-business basis rather than the import & export businesses rules.
What we did for A food processing plant, Moncton, New Brunswick
We reconstructed the records year by year. We documented the positions to the standard the CRA applies to this sector specifically. Each filing replaced an arbitrary assessment with a real one.
The result — A food processing plant, Moncton, New Brunswick
The account is current. Filing on real numbers rather than CRA estimates reduced the balance by $44,000, and a relief application addressed part of the accumulated interest.
Case Study 4 · Sale and succession
Intergenerational Transfer Completed With $700,000 Deferred — Specialty Chemicals Producer, Toronto
The situation — A specialty chemicals producer, Toronto, Ontario
A generational transfer at a specialty chemicals producer in Toronto, Ontario had been discussed for years without a plan. A shareholder loan balance that would have been picked up as income on closing meant the transfer as contemplated would have been fully taxable.
What we did for A specialty chemicals producer, Toronto, Ontario
We reviewed every sector-specific deduction against the current rules and claimed the ones that had been missed. We sequenced the steps so each one was complete and documented before the next depended on it.
The result — A specialty chemicals producer, Toronto, Ontario
$700,000 of tax was deferred through the transfer, and the successor generation took over a corporation whose records stood up to review.
Case Study 5 · Missed incentive claimed
$63,000 In Credits Claimed That Prior Filings Had Missed — Packaging Producer, Ottawa
The situation — A packaging producer, Ottawa, Ontario
A packaging producer in Ottawa, Ontario had been filing for 3 years. In that time, the incentives its activity qualified for were never claimed. Behind that sat provincial credits left unclaimed alongside every federal filing.
What we did for A packaging producer, Ottawa, Ontario
We tested each activity against the eligibility criteria rather than the description on the invoice. Then we rebuilt the chart of accounts around how an import & export businesses business actually earns and spends.
The result — A packaging producer, Ottawa, Ontario
$63,000 in credits claimed, with the open prior years adjusted as well. The claim passed review without adjustment.
Case Study 6 · CRA review defended
$115,000 Reassessment Reduced To Nil On Review — Plastics Moulder, Saskatoon
The situation — A plastics moulder, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
A review notice arrived at a plastics moulder in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, covering import & export businesses accounting and tax for two tax years. The auditor's working position was an adjustment of $115,000. It was driven by a previous accountant with no experience of this sector.
What we did for A plastics moulder, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Rather than negotiate, we rebuilt the record. We reassigned the asset classes on the CCA schedule and corrected the opening balances. We then submitted a point-by-point response that answered each proposed adjustment with the document behind it.
The result — A plastics moulder, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The auditor accepted the documented position and closed the review without adjustment, protecting $115,000 and leaving the prior filings undisturbed.
Reviewed by Udit Gupta, Founder and Tax Accountant for the 2025 tax year. These case studies are illustrative worked examples composed from the CRA rules that apply to this type of work, not specific client files; figures are representative and outcomes depend on your own facts.
