6 worked Import-Export Account Registration 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 account registration work, not a specific client's file.
Case Study 1 · Missed incentive claimed
$17,500 In Credits Claimed That Prior Filings Had Missed — Holding Structure Founder, Winnipeg
Client: A founder setting up a holding structure · Where: Winnipeg, Manitoba · Engagement: 4 weeks, fixed fee
Credits claimed$17,500
Years adjusted5
Review outcomeNo adjustment
The situation — A founder setting up a holding structure, Winnipeg, Manitoba
A founder setting up a holding structure in Winnipeg, Manitoba had been filing for 5 years. In that time, the incentives its activity qualified for were never claimed. Behind that sat a corporation dissolved administratively for missed annual returns while still operating.
What we did for A founder setting up a holding structure, Winnipeg, Manitoba
We tested each activity against the eligibility criteria rather than the description on the invoice. Then we tested each intended dividend recipient against the excluded-amount tests before any dividend was declared, and recorded which test was being relied on.
The result — A founder setting up a holding structure, Winnipeg, Manitoba
$17,500 in credits claimed, with the open prior years adjusted as well. The claim passed review without adjustment.
Case Study 2 · Records and systems rebuilt
17 Months Reconciled And $14,500 Of Input Tax Recovered — Newly Incorporating Consultant, Mississauga
Client: A consultant incorporating after two years of self-employment · Where: Mississauga, Ontario · Engagement: 4 weeks, fixed fee
Months reconciled17
Input tax recovered$14,500
Close time7 days
The situation — A consultant incorporating after two years of self-employment, Mississauga, Ontario
Nothing reconciled at a consultant incorporating after two years of self-employment in Mississauga, Ontario. Every filing started with 17 months of cleanup. The file was carrying a spouse added as a shareholder on the assumption dividends could simply be split between two returns.
What we did for A consultant incorporating after two years of self-employment, Mississauga, Ontario
We rebuilt from source rather than correcting on top of the existing file. We separated the corporate registry deadlines from the CRA deadlines on one calendar, with a named person responsible for each. Then we set the routine that keeps it clean.
The result — A consultant incorporating after two years of self-employment, Mississauga, Ontario
17 months reconciled to the bank. The close now takes 7 days, and $14,500 of previously unclaimable input tax was recovered in the process.
Case Study 3 · Sale and succession
$190,000 Sheltered By The Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption — Federal Registry Filer, Toronto
Client: A federal corporation filing its registry annual return · Where: Toronto, Ontario · Engagement: 4 weeks, fixed fee
Gain sheltered$190,000
ClosingOn schedule
Share qualificationMet
The situation — A federal corporation filing its registry annual return, Toronto, Ontario
A federal corporation filing its registry annual return in Toronto, Ontario had an offer on the table and 34 months to close. The shares did not qualify for the capital gains exemption. Passive assets sitting inside the operating company, disqualifying the shares was part of the reason.
What we did for A federal corporation filing its registry annual return, Toronto, Ontario
We purified the corporation so the shares met the qualifying tests. We reconstructed the minute book with resolutions for each historical dividend and share transaction. All of it was done well ahead of the closing date.
The result — A federal corporation filing its registry annual return, Toronto, Ontario
The sale closed on schedule with $190,000 sheltered by the lifetime capital gains exemption across the shareholders.
Case Study 4 · Cash and remittance control
Remittance Schedule Corrected, $26,000 Refunded — Newly Formed Corporation, Kelowna
Client: A corporation choosing its first fiscal year-end · Where: Kelowna, British Columbia · Engagement: 8 weeks, fixed fee
Overpayment refunded$26,000
Late remittances sinceZero
ScheduleAutomated
The situation — A corporation choosing its first fiscal year-end, Kelowna, British Columbia
Remittances at a corporation choosing its first fiscal year-end in Kelowna, British Columbia were consistently late by a few days. That was enough to trigger penalties every quarter. Behind it sat a registered office address left unchanged through two moves, so registry notices went to an empty unit.
What we did for A corporation choosing its first fiscal year-end, Kelowna, British Columbia
We opened the register of individuals with significant control and put its review on the same annual cycle as the corporate annual return. Then we moved the remittance dates into a scheduled process rather than a monthly decision.
The result — A corporation choosing its first fiscal year-end, Kelowna, British Columbia
Penalties stopped from the following remittance onwards, and $26,000 of overpaid instalments was refunded.
Case Study 5 · Backlog brought current
3 Years Filed, $38,500 Removed From The Assessed Balance — Incorporating Contractor, Windsor
Client: A contractor incorporating for liability reasons · Where: Windsor, Ontario · Engagement: 7 weeks, fixed fee
Years filed3
Assessed balance removed$38,500
CollectionsStopped
The situation — A contractor incorporating for liability reasons, Windsor, Ontario
A contractor incorporating for liability reasons in Windsor, Ontario had not filed for 3 years. The CRA had issued arbitrary assessments. The business was carrying a corporation dissolved administratively for missed annual returns while still operating. That came on top of a growing interest balance.
What we did for A contractor incorporating for liability reasons, Windsor, Ontario
We started with the oldest year and worked forward so each year's closing balances fed the next. We revived the corporation, filed the outstanding annual returns, and set a compliance calendar covering both the corporate registry and the CRA. We filed the years in sequence rather than all at once.
The result — A contractor incorporating for liability reasons, Windsor, Ontario
Every year is now filed and assessed on actual figures. The notional assessments were vacated and $38,500 of the estimated balance came off, with a payment arrangement covering the rest.
Case Study 6 · Planning that cut the bill
$35,000 Saved By Correcting What Prior Filings Had Missed — Family Business Adding Shares, Kitchener
Client: A family business adding a second class of shares · Where: Kitchener, Ontario · Engagement: 9 weeks, fixed fee
Saving identified$35,000
RecurringYes
Positions documentedAll
The situation — A family business adding a second class of shares, Kitchener, Ontario
A family business adding a second class of shares in Kitchener, Ontario asked for a second opinion on import-export account registration. That followed three years of rising tax. The review found a December 31 year-end chosen by default that put the balance due at the worst point in the cash cycle.
What we did for A family business adding a second class of shares, Kitchener, Ontario
We built the comparison first: current structure against two alternatives. Then we restructured the share capital so dividends could be directed deliberately, respecting the TOSI rules.
The result — A family business adding a second class of shares, Kitchener, Ontario
First-year saving of $35,000, with the same benefit recurring. Every position taken is documented and supported in the file.
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.
