Individuals with Significant Control Register Case Studies
6 worked Individuals with Significant Control Register 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 individuals with significant control register work, not a specific client's file.
Case Study 1 · Planning that cut the bill
$43,000 Cut From The Annual Tax Bill — Pre-Investment Startup, Calgary
Client: A startup preparing for its first investment round. Where: Calgary, Alberta. Engagement: 11 weeks, fixed fee.
First-year saving$43,000
RepeatsAnnually
Filing positionUnchanged in risk
Case 1: the situation
A startup preparing for its first investment round in Calgary, Alberta was compliant but paying more than it needed to. The prior year had been filed correctly. It still left a registered office address left unchanged through two moves, so registry notices went to an empty unit on the table.
Case 1: what we did
We modelled the current position against the alternatives before changing anything. Then we separated the corporate registry deadlines from the CRA deadlines on one calendar, with a named person responsible for each.
Case 1: the result
The change saved $43,000 in the first year and repeats annually. Nothing about the filings became more aggressive. The position is simply the one the rules already allowed.
Case Study 2 · Records and systems rebuilt
Month-End Close Cut From 7 Weeks To 6 Days — New Program Registrant, Guelph
Client: A corporation registering its CRA program accounts. Where: Guelph, Ontario. Engagement: 11 weeks, fixed fee.
Close time before7 weeks
Close time after6 days
Year-endReview, not rebuild
Case 2: the situation
The accounting file at a corporation registering its CRA program accounts in Guelph, Ontario had a weak foundation. It was built on a spouse added as a shareholder on the assumption dividends could simply be split between two returns. The year-end had taken 7 weeks each of the last three years.
Case 2: what we did
We revived the corporation, filed the outstanding annual returns, and set a compliance calendar covering both the corporate registry and the CRA. We also moved the reconciliations into the monthly cycle, so the year-end stopped being a rebuild.
Case 2: the result
The file reconciles. Month-end closes in 6 days instead of 7 weeks, and the year-end is a review rather than a reconstruction.
Case Study 3 · Objection and relief
Notice Of Objection Allowed In Full, $120,000 Reversed — Converting Partnership, Moncton
Client: A partnership converting to a corporation. Where: Moncton, New Brunswick. Engagement: 7 weeks, fixed fee.
Amount reversed$120,000
ObjectionAllowed in full
Account balanceNil
Case 3: the situation
A partnership converting to a corporation in Moncton, New Brunswick had been reassessed for $120,000. 20 days were left on the objection deadline. The reassessment rested on a single class of common shares that made income splitting impossible.
Case 3: what we did
We filed the objection inside the deadline with a complete submission rather than a placeholder. Alongside it, we selected a year-end that put the balance-due date after the seasonal cash peak, then registered every program account the business actually needed.
Case 3: the result
The appeals officer allowed the objection in full. $120,000 was reversed and the account returned to a nil balance.
Case Study 4 · Backlog brought current
$55,000 Of Arbitrary Assessments Vacated After 3 Years — New Professional Corporation, Red Deer
Client: A professional forming a professional corporation. Where: Red Deer, Alberta. Engagement: 3 weeks, fixed fee.
Arbitrary tax vacated$55,000
Years brought current3
Account statusCurrent
Case 4: the situation
3 years of unfiled returns had turned into notional assessments at a professional forming a professional corporation in Red Deer, Alberta. Underneath lay a December 31 year-end chosen by default that put the balance due at the worst point in the cash cycle. Collections had already started.
Case 4: what we did
We reconstructed the minute book with resolutions for each historical dividend and share transaction. We then filed every outstanding year in chronological order so the CRA could vacate the notional assessments cleanly.
Case 4: the result
All 3 years were accepted as filed. $55,000 of arbitrarily assessed tax was vacated, collections action stopped, and the account is current for the first time in 3 years.
Case Study 5 · Missed incentive claimed
$21,500 In Credits Claimed That Prior Filings Had Missed — Reviving Corporation, Brampton
Client: A corporation reviving after administrative dissolution. Where: Brampton, Ontario. Engagement: 5 weeks, fixed fee.
Credits claimed$21,500
Years adjusted6
Review outcomeNo adjustment
Case 5: the situation
A corporation reviving after administrative dissolution in Brampton, Ontario had been filing for 6 years. In that time, the incentives its activity qualified for were never claimed. Behind that sat a registered office address left unchanged through two moves, so registry notices went to an empty unit.
Case 5: what we did
We tested each activity against the eligibility criteria rather than the description on the invoice. Then we restructured the share capital so dividends could be directed deliberately, respecting the TOSI rules.
Case 5: the result
$21,500 in credits claimed, with the open prior years adjusted as well. The claim passed review without adjustment.
Case Study 6 · Scaling without breaking
Growth Handled Without A Missed Filing, $60,000 Freed — Extra-Provincial Registrant, Saskatoon
Client: An owner registering extra-provincially in a second province. Where: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Engagement: 7 weeks, fixed fee.
Cash freed$60,000
Compliance failuresNone
ReportingMonthly
Case 6: the situation
An owner registering extra-provincially in a second province in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was opening in a second province. That meant different filing obligations and a different payroll regime. A register of individuals with significant control that had never been opened, let alone updated already sat in the file.
Case 6: what we did
We tested each intended dividend recipient against the excluded-amount tests before any dividend was declared, and recorded which test was being relied on. We then put monthly reporting in place. That let the owner see the cash effect of growth while there was still time to act on it.
Case 6: the result
Growth was absorbed without a compliance failure. $60,000 of cash was released, and the monthly reporting now flags a problem while it is still small.
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.
