6 worked Real Estate 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 real estate work, not a specific client's file.
Case Study 1 · Records and systems rebuilt
33 Months Reconciled And $6,200 Of Input Tax Recovered — Mortgage Brokerage, Regina
The situation — A mortgage brokerage, Regina, Saskatchewan
Nothing reconciled at a mortgage brokerage in Regina, Saskatchewan. Every filing started with 33 months of cleanup. The file was carrying industry-specific reporting obligations nobody had flagged.
What we did for A mortgage brokerage, Regina, Saskatchewan
We rebuilt from source rather than correcting on top of the existing file. We rebuilt the chart of accounts around how a real estate business actually earns and spends. Then we set the routine that keeps it clean.
The result — A mortgage brokerage, Regina, Saskatchewan
33 months reconciled to the bank. The close now takes 4 days, and $6,200 of previously unclaimable input tax was recovered in the process.
Case Study 2 · Planning that cut the bill
Remuneration Review Saved $65,000 Across Corporate And Personal Returns — Property Management Company, Kitchener
Client: A property management company · Where: Kitchener, Ontario · Engagement: 6 weeks, fixed fee
Combined saving$65,000
ScopeCorporate + personal
Future yearsNo rework needed
The situation — A property management company, Kitchener, Ontario
Nothing was wrong at a property management company in Kitchener, Ontario. The filings were on time and accurate. What they were not was planned. Seasonal revenue reported without matching the costs that produced it had never been reviewed.
What we did for A property management company, Kitchener, Ontario
We reviewed every sector-specific deduction against the current rules and claimed the ones that had been missed. We ran the numbers across both the corporate and personal returns, so the saving was real rather than deferred into someone else's hands.
The result — A property management company, Kitchener, Ontario
$65,000 came off the combined corporate and personal tax bill, and the structure holds for future years without further work.
Case Study 3 · CRA review defended
Audit Defence Closed In 7 Weeks, $127,000 Cleared — Short-Term Rental Operator, Red Deer
Client: A short-term rental operator · Where: Red Deer, Alberta · Engagement: 7 weeks, fixed fee
Proposed tax cleared$127,000
Review duration7 weeks
OutcomeNo change
The situation — A short-term rental operator, Red Deer, Alberta
A short-term rental operator in Red Deer, Alberta was selected for review. A previous accountant with no experience of this sector had shown up in the CRA's automated matching. The proposed adjustment on real estate accounting and tax came to $127,000.
What we did for A short-term rental operator, Red Deer, Alberta
We documented the positions to the standard the CRA applies to this sector specifically. Every figure in the response traced to a source record the auditor could verify without asking a second question.
The result — A short-term rental operator, Red Deer, Alberta
The review closed with no change. $127,000 of proposed tax came off the table, and the documentation now in place makes the next review a short one.
Case Study 4 · Sale and succession
Share Sale Restructured, $270,000 Less Tax On Closing — Condo Corporation Manager, Victoria
Client: A condo corporation manager · Where: Victoria, British Columbia · Engagement: 7 weeks, fixed fee
Tax saved on closing$270,000
PriceAs agreed
Post-closing adjustmentsNone
The situation — A condo corporation manager, Victoria, British Columbia
A condo corporation manager in Victoria, British Columbia was preparing to sell. Due diligence surfaced a single shareholder holding every share, with no room to multiply the exemption. That would have reduced the price or killed the deal outright.
What we did for A condo corporation manager, Victoria, British Columbia
We cleaned up the historical file. We aligned the reporting calendar with the sector’s own seasonal cycle rather than a generic year-end. Then we prepared the due-diligence package the buyer's advisers actually asked for.
The result — A condo corporation manager, Victoria, British Columbia
The deal closed at the agreed price. $270,000 of tax was saved against the structure originally proposed, with no post-closing adjustment.
The situation — A residential rental portfolio, Windsor, Ontario
The structure at a residential rental portfolio in Windsor, Ontario needed fixing. The file was carrying a chart of accounts that told the owner nothing about real estate margin. Every option for fixing it ran through a reorganisation that had to be done without triggering tax.
What we did for A residential rental portfolio, Windsor, Ontario
We worked with the client's lawyer. Together, we reassigned the asset classes on the CCA schedule and corrected the opening balances. We also prepared the elections, resolutions and valuations the structure needed to stand up.
The result — A residential rental portfolio, Windsor, Ontario
The structure now matches the business. Annual saving of $12,000, and the reorganisation itself was tax-neutral.
Client: A commercial landlord · Where: Moncton, New Brunswick · Engagement: 7 weeks, fixed fee
Penalty cancelled$137,000
Relief applicationGranted
ReturnAccepted as filed
The situation — A commercial landlord, Moncton, New Brunswick
A commercial landlord in Moncton, New Brunswick had already missed one deadline and was about to miss a second. Behind it sat equipment and asset classes assigned by guesswork rather than the CCA schedule. A penalty of $137,000 was accruing.
What we did for A commercial landlord, Moncton, New Brunswick
We split the work into what had to happen before the deadline and what could follow it. Then we rebuilt the chart of accounts around how a real estate business actually earns and spends.
The result — A commercial landlord, Moncton, New Brunswick
The outstanding return was accepted as filed, and the taxpayer relief application cancelled $137,000 of the penalty already assessed on the earlier year.
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.
