Tax Tracks
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Welcome to Tax Tracks : A PwC Tax Services Podcast Series Day-to-day management and responsibility of the tax function demands time and investment. PwC's Tax Tracks podcast series is designed to guide today's busiest tax directors through evolving technical, management, and policy and administration issues affecting the tax practice. |
Episodes
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Episode 44: Surplus Stripping Release date: January 31, 2012 In this episode, Marc discusses what surplus stripping is, statistical background on the GAAR committee and the cases they’ve worked on, if there’s a policy in the Income Tax Act against surplus stripping, and other sources of information about the topic. Contact: Marc Vanasse |
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Episode 43: Revisions to the OECD transfer pricing guidelines – Chapters 1-3 Release date: January 17, 2012 In this episode of Tax Tracks Elisabeth Finch talks about the revisions to the OECD transfer pricing guidelines: why taxpayers should pay attention to these changes, how they affect them, and how they should respond to the revisions. Contact: Elisabeth Finch |
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Episode 42: August 2011 Foreign Amendments - Upstream Loans Release date: January 3, 2012 In this episode of Tax Tracks Ken Buttenham discusses the proposed foreign affiliate amendments that were released on August 19, 2011 with particular attention to the introduction of the “upstream loan” rules. These amendments contain significant changes from the last version in 2004. Contact: Ken Buttenham |
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Episode 41: Jenkins Report Release date: October 21, 2011 In this episode, Vik Sachdev and Tracey Jennings address the recommendations contained in the Jenkins report on how to improve business innovation in Canada. To learn more about the Jenkins report, read our analysis. Contact: Vik Sachdev and Tracey Jennings |
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Episode 40: Business Restructuring Release date: September 8, 2011 In today’s episode, we spoke with Marc Levstein about global business restructuring: what it means, recent trends, and specific issues that the authorities are targeting. Contact: Marc Levstein |
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Episode 39: PST Wind-up Release date: August 23, 2011 In this podcast, James Capobianco discusses the issues related to winding up PST in Ontario and British Columbia, and what companies can do to prepare for impending audits – including reviewing existing documentation – and then what to do if assessed upon audit. Contact: James Capobianco |
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Episode 38: PwC FAITTM Release date: July 12, 2011 In this episode of Tax Tracks Murray Lee explains what PwC Contact: Murray Lee |
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Episode 37: Owning a U.S. Vacation Property Release date: June 29, 2011 In this episode, Beth Webel discusses the implications of owning a vacation property in the U.S. Specifically, she covers the potential capital gains tax in the U.S. and Canada, estate taxes and what may happen if the taxpayer as owner of a property. Contact: Beth Webel |
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Episode 36: Interactive Digital Media Tax Credits Release date: June 14, 2011 Darren Speake discusses the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit, the industries and projects it applies to, the potential size of the credit and how it works with Scientific Research and Experimental Development claims. Contact: Darren Speake |
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Episode 35: Getting the most from your Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) efforts Release date: May 13, 2011 In this Tax Tracks episode, Shawn Reain discusses how to take best advantage of the SR&ED program, what can be claimed under this program and how to be more efficient with your claims. Contact: Shawn Reain |
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Episode 34: Post-HST Health Checks Release date: April 26, 2011 In this episode of Tax Tracks, Audrey Diamant discusses why it's important for companies to continue to review their HST situation. She talks about the complexity in the tax rules, RITCs, place of supply rules, and the day-to-day issues that can potentially lead to interest and possibly penalties on audit. Contact: Audrey Diamant |
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Episode 33: Partnership Information Returns Release date: April 5, 2011 In this episode of Tax Tracks, Liz Johnson explains how changes in CRA’s administrative policy affect Partnership information returns. Specifically, she talks about what financial thresholds are, what the new criteria are for filing the partnership information returns, effective date, and CRA’s filing deadlines. She also shares why she thinks the rules changed. Liz is a partner in Wilson & Partners LLP, a law firm affiliated with PwC, and in the Canadian National Technical Services group. She is a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences on income tax matters and has written extensively on a wide range of topics including corporate finance, partnerships, interest deductibility and tax avoidance. Contact: Elizabeth Johnson |
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Episode 32: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty Arbitration Process Release date: March 16, 2011 When Canadian companies have transactions with related parties in the United States, double taxation can be a concern. A key part of the process for resolving disputes in this regard is the Arbitration Process associated with the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on that process is important because it ensures that these disputes will be resolved, and because arbitration encourages governments to resolve issues more quickly. Martin Skretkowicz works with a range of Canadian businesses, specializing in dispute resolution. Contact: Martin Skretkowicz |
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Episode 31: The Evolving World of Tax Risk – A Discussion with John Gotts Release date: February 15, 2011 Organizations face a wide variety of tax risks. PwC Tax partner John Gotts provides the background, noting that early involvement of the tax department in business decisions increases the opportunity to mitigate risk. Tax risk management has become a topic of increasing interest, with the potential for long-term paybacks to those who implement appropriate programs and processes. Contact: John Gotts |
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Episode 30: Major GST/HST changes for Canadian pension plans Release date: November 26, 2010 Pension plans and plan sponsors will have to start doing some things differently, as a result of new GST/HST rules. Pension plans that are Selected Listed Financial Institutions (SLFIs) need to consider the elections they should file and be aware of the GST/HST return reporting obligations. PwC tax senior manager Jason Cooper provides the background and addresses other challenges, including the deemed supply issue, which demands careful modeling of the fair market value of the supplies that will be deemed to be made to the pension plan. Jason’s principal focus is the application of indirect taxes to financial institutions. In this capacity he has worked with a number of institutions on diverse matters such as advising on the unique application of sales taxes to the financial services sector to designing and implementing controls. In addition, Jason has assisted in preparing harmonized sales tax impact analyses. Contact: Jason Cooper |
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Episode 29: Understanding and Benefitting from PwC’s Corporate Tax Recovery Process – A Discussion with Dean Landry Release date: Sep 14, 2010 By using a proprietary system for identifying tax overpayments, many companies have been able to reduce their effective tax rates significantly. PwC Tax Partner Dean Landry is a co-developer of Direct Tax Review (DTR). In this episode, Dean explains why DTR is needed, notes how the system links accounting and tax information and suggests how companies can benefit from the surprisingly easy process. Learn about how DTR can provide the missing link between tax returns and underlying accounting information – making substantial tax recoveries possible Contact: Dean Landry |
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Episode 28: Trade Management: Deidre Hayes discusses why and how to manage export controls compliance at your company Release date: Aug 31, 2010 Canada’s export controls affect the movement of some goods and technologies, depending on their nature and their destination. Goods of US origin require an export permit. Compliance can be subject to government audit, and failure to comply with regulations can lead to significant penalties – even shut-down. As Deirdre Hayes of PwC’s trade management practice explains, it is essential for management and employees in all areas – but especially risk management, logistics and general counsel, to be familiar with the rules and make sure they are followed. Learn about the requirements of both the Canada Border Service Agency and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and how to avoid running afoul of them. Download | Read the transcript | Send us your comments |
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Episode 27: Outsourcing Tax Compliance Functions and Global Compliance Management: Perspectives from Betty Ann Jarrett Release date: Aug 17, 2010 Outsourcing or co-sourcing tax compliance functions, whether domestic or global, can be a way to free-up limited internal resources and still meet increasing expectations, while controlling costs. These are desirable characteristics in times of hiring freezes and economic pressures. Applying her experience in PwC’s Global Compliance Services practice, Betty Ann Jarrett describes different types of arrangements and outlines key considerations, including the scope of the arrangements, supporting technology and troubleshooting. Learn how to reap the benefits of outsourcing or co-sourcing tax compliance functions, while avoiding potential pitfalls. Contact: Betty Ann Jarrett |
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Episode 26: Iain Morris Discusses the Tax Issues Facing Non-residents who Provide On-site Installation and Training Services in Canada Release date: Aug 4, 2010 When companies that are not residents of Canada provide construction, installation or training services here – perhaps for a related company – both the service provider and the Canadian company can face important tax implications that should be anticipated and dealt with. Potential concerns include withholding payments, filing income tax returns, payroll taxes and sales taxes. PwC tax partner Iain Morris outlines the issues and steps that should be taken to avoid problems and expensive surprises. Learn about the risk of audits of non-residents, how to qualify for exemptions from withholding tax and how to recognize the various tax considerations that can arise when non-residents perform services in Canada. Contact: Iain Morris |
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Episode 25: Wally Conway’s Broad-ranging Insider’s View of What Businesses and Individuals Should Expect in Tax Release date: July 16, 2010 Canada’s tax system evolves to respond to changing economic realities, on the provincial, national and international levels, and is affected by other factors, including political ones. In this episode, Wally Conway taps into wisdom garnered in his 26 years at the Tax Legislation Division of the federal Department of Finance, and in his subsequent experience with PwC’s Canadian National Tax Service practice. Learn about likely developments in corporate tax, personal tax and sales tax, as well as – perhaps most important – tax administration and enforcement over the next five years. |
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Episode 24: Alastair Moran Discusses the Intersection Between Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing Release date: June 29, 2010 When importing goods into Canada from related foreign parties, Canadian companies often do not understand the important intersection between transfer pricing and customs valuations. In this episode, Alastair Moran discusses the various methods for customs valuation and how these are impacted by transfer pricing in so far as the customs value of a particular good may be different from its transfer price. He also discusses unbundling royalty payments, the effect of management fees on customs valuations and implications on the final selling price. |
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Episode 23: Trade Management: A Dialogue with Andrew Vanderwal on Getting the Most Out of Free Trade Agreements Release date: June 15, 2010 Canadian companies in the business of importing or exporting goods are interested in Canada's free trade agreements and ensuring they comply with them. In this episode, Andrew Vanderwal, PwC's resident trade and origin management professional, discusses the complexities associated with free trade compliance and origin management. Learn about free trade agreements as they apply to Canada, free trade compliance costs and the challenges associated with free trade agreement compliance. |
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Episode 22: Managing Foreign Affiliate and Surplus Reporting in a Changing Environment – An Interview with Loretta Matteo Release date: June 1, 2010 Tax directors always struggle with the myriad of tax compliance responsibilities, particularly those pertaining to reporting of foreign affiliates and surplus computations. In this episode, PwC’s Loretta Matteo shares her experiences working with clients who have significant foreign affiliate and surplus reporting obligations. She focuses on the problems when managing this process, how to best deal with the large amount of pending legislation and tips on how to use external advisors. |
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Episode 21: Understanding and Benefitting from a Canadian Sales Tax Recovery Review – Perspectives from Paresh Shah Release date: May 17, 2010 Sales tax recovery reviews can bring much needed cash to most types of businesses. In this episode, Paresh Shah discusses the important aspects and benefits of a sales tax recovery review, how to identify when you need one and the kinds of businesses that will benefit the most from these reviews. He also discusses the recovery review process and the approach companies should take when hiring a service provider. |
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Episode 20: John Gotts on Tax Function Effectiveness: The Importance of Data Management is the Tax Function Release date: May 4, 2010 Enhancing data available to the tax function is critical to a successful technology plan. With tax directors facing pressure to do more with less, they are turning to third-party software solutions to improve their tax accounting and other tax decision-making systems. In this episode, PwC’s John Gotts stresses the importance of proper data management when designing and when implementing these third-party solutions. |
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Episode 19: Managing Commercial Property Taxes as an Owner or Tenant – Insights from Robert Cushing Release date: April 20, 2010 Businesses face severe strain to manage costs and cash outlays. Whether your business owns property or you’re a tenant allocated property taxes by the owner, one easy way to alleviate the strain is to properly manage your commercial property taxes. Unfortunately, commercial property taxes are one of the least understood taxes and can represent a significant financial burden for businesses. However, opportunities exist to save on or recover these taxes where rebates or relief are available, if the owner is exempt or where the property classification changes. Robert Cushing shares his insights on managing these taxes. |
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Episode 18: Audrey Diamant weighs in on the February 2010 HST Place of Supply Rules and the Current State of Harmonization Release date: April 6, 2010 With HST implementation in Ontario and BC on July 1, 2010, tax directors and others involved in the harmonization process need to understand the new HST place of supply rules released in February 2010. In this podcast, PwC’s Audrey Diamant discusses changes to the rules which impact the supply of services and intangible property, and the approach to harmonization that companies must take. |
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Episode 17: Tax Structuring Executive Compensation Plans on Income Trust Conversions – Unique Perspectives from Rick Schubert Release date: March 30, 2010 Tax directors and company executives face significant challenges when structuring executive compensation arrangements, particularly from a tax perspective. In this podcast, PwC’s Rick Schubert discusses challenges stemming from converting income trust structures to corporate structures, and the need to revisit tax structuring even if compensation arrangements are already in place. |
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Episode 16: 2010 Federal Budget: Proposed Changes to Stock Option Rules – Perspectives from Rick Schubert Release date: March 16, 2010 |
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Episode 15: Pressure Points in the Transfer Pricing Audit Process - Straight Talk with Martin Skretkowicz Release date: February 9, 2010 |
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Episode 14: Navigating Taxes at the US State and Local Level – an Interview with Nadia Manin Release date: February 2, 2010 |
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Episode 13: Managing through the CRA Audit and Assessment Process: Insights from Rick Biscaro Release date: January, 28, 2010 |
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Episode 12: Transfer Pricing Advance Pricing Arrangements (APAs) – Straight Talk with Martin Skretkowicz Release date: January, 19, 2010 |
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Episode 11: Pricing Intercompany Guarantee Fees: the GE Capital Case – an Analysis by PwC’s Jeff Rogers Release date: January, 12, 2010 |
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Episode 10: Understanding the CRA: Advance Rulings and the GAAR Committee with former CRA director Rick Biscaro Release date: December 15, 2009 |
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Episode 9: Business Travellers between Canada and the US: A Fifth Protocol Treaty Update Release date: November 17, 2009 |
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Episode 8: Promoting the Tax Agenda to Key Stakeholders and Executives of the Company Release date: November 9, 2009 |
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Episode 7: Harmonization -- An Interview with Audrey Diamant Release date: October 29, 2009 |
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Episode 6: Making Technology Investments for the Tax Function Release date: September 24, 2009 |
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Episode 5: Canadian Export Controls: What They Are and Why You Need to know About Them Release date: August 28, 2009 |
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Episode 4: Going Green Incentives Release date: June 30, 2009 |
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Episode 3: Ontario Sales Tax Harmonization Release date: June 9, 2009 |
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Episode 2: CRA announces major changes in T106 reporting Release date: June 2, 2009 |
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Episode 1: Quebec Proposals on Aggressive Tax Planning Release date: March 26, 2009 |
