The Advisors Table Podcast

💡 A petition challenging three proposed new CRA powers is gaining momentum across Canada.

Within 48 hours, more than 700 Canadians signed the petition — without media coverage, political promotion, or organizational backing.

Many Canadians have shared stories of costly reassessments, lengthy disputes, and the significant financial burden of challenging CRA decisions.

In this video, I break down why the petition is gaining attention, what concerns taxpayers are raising, and how Canadians can participate in the conversation while the proposed legislation is still being debated.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The three proposed CRA powers currently under discussion

• Why hundreds of Canadians signed the petition within days

• Common concerns taxpayers are raising about audits and reassessments

• The financial and practical challenges of disputing CRA decisions

• Why awareness matters before legislation becomes law

• How Canadians can make their voices heard

💡 Whether you support or oppose these proposals, understanding the potential impact is critical before any legislative changes move forward.

Resources

🌐 For additional tax resources, guides, and episode breakdowns, visit:

https://theadvisorstable.com

🔗 Sign the Petition:

https://c.org/vznXzqrKMK

📞 Looking for Trusted Tax Advice?

Connect with Sankalp (Sunny) Jaggi at Cedar Consulting Group

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: https://www.cedargroup.ca/

🔔 Subscribe for practical breakdowns of CRA audits, tax planning, and real-world tax scenarios.

👇 Comment below: Do you think these proposed powers are necessary to combat tax evasion, or do they risk giving too much power to auditors?

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.

00:00 – Why This Petition Is Gaining Attention

00:42 – Hundreds of Signatures in the First 48 Hours

01:35 – Why Canadians Are Speaking Up

02:28 – Stories From Taxpayers Across Canada

03:41 – The Real Cost of Challenging CRA Decisions

05:12 – The Three Proposed CRA Powers

06:38 – Why Awareness Matters Before Legislation Passes

07:42 – How Canadians Can Participate

08:35 – Petition & Next Steps

09:20 – Final Thoughts

#TheAdvisorsTable #CRA #CRAAudit #CanadianTax #TaxPlanning #TaxPolicy #BusinessOwners #TaxCompliance #CRAUpdates #TaxStrategy

A proposal was floated suggesting Canadian graduates should pay $500,000 if they leave the country to work abroad.

It sounds extreme — but ideas like this often start as convention discussions before becoming broader policy conversations.

What many Canadians don't realize is that Canada already has a form of exit tax built into the tax system today.

In this video, I break down the proposal, how Canada's existing departure tax works, and why the discussion raises larger questions about talent, opportunity, and economic competitiveness.

In this episode, we cover:

• The proposal to charge graduates for leaving Canada

• Why this proposal would primarily affect young professionals

• How Canada's existing departure tax already works

• Who typically pays departure tax — and who doesn't

• Why most recent graduates would generally owe little or no departure tax

• The broader reasons skilled Canadians choose to leave

This isn't just about one proposal — it's about understanding how tax policy evolves and how future changes could impact students, families, and professionals across Canada.

If you have children studying in Canada or considering opportunities abroad, this is a conversation worth understanding.

📋 Additional tax resources, episode breakdowns, guides, and planning tools are available at:

https://theadvisorstable.com

📞 Looking for Trusted Tax Advice?

Connect with Sankalp (Sunny) Jaggi, at Cedar Consulting Group

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: https://www.cedargroup.ca/

🔔 Subscribe for real-world tax scenarios, policy analysis, and practical planning insights.

👇 Comment below: Do you think Canada should tax people for leaving the country?

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This video is based on a real case, but names and some details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.

00:00 – The $500,000 fee for graduates leaving Canada
00:26 – Introducing Patrick Pichette, former CFO of Google
00:47 – How policy ideas at conventions eventually become law
01:13 – Historical examples: Cannabis and Pharmacare legislation
01:33 – How these ideas seed into future budget papers and platforms
01:57 – The logic behind the education subsidy recoupment
02:14 – Why this is double dipping on parents' income taxes
02:35 – Jurisdiction conflict: Federal fees for provincial investments
02:50 – The existing Departure Tax in the Income Tax Act
03:05 – Explaining deemed disposition of assets upon leaving
03:37 – Exceptions to the tax: Principal residences and RRSPs
03:54 – Why the proposed fee specifically targets young graduates
04:26 – The economic reality for Canadian engineering grads
05:01 – The real fix: Attracting foreign capital and investment
05:44 – Insights from a professional cross-border tax planner
06:12 – Final message: Knowing your options and your future

#TheAdvisorsTable #CRA #CanadianTax #DepartureTax #TaxPolicy #Students

💡 If your name is on a property, bank account, or investment that actually belongs to someone else, these proposed rules could affect you.

Canada's new bare trust reporting requirements could turn simple family arrangements into ongoing compliance obligations — even when no tax is owing.

In this video, I break down how these rules work, who may be impacted, and why many tax professionals have raised concerns about their practical consequences.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What a bare trust means in real-life situations

• How one family could end up with multiple trust filings every year

• The ongoing compliance costs associated with these arrangements

• The potential penalties for non-compliance

• Why exiting these arrangements may be more difficult than many people expect

• Who these rules were designed for — and who may actually be affected

💡 For many Canadians, these arrangements were never tax planning strategies. They were simply ways to help parents, children, or other family members. These proposed rules could change that significantly.

Resources

🌐 For additional tax resources, guides, and episode breakdowns, visit:
https://theadvisorstable.com

🔗 Sign the Petition:
https://c.org/jyDCM2v5tm

📞 Looking for Trusted Tax Advice?

Connect with Sankalp (Sunny) Jaggi at Cedar Consulting Group

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: https://www.cedargroup.ca/

🔔 Subscribe for practical breakdowns of Canadian tax issues, CRA audits, and real-world planning scenarios.

👇 Comment below: Do you think rules like this improve transparency, or do they create unnecessary compliance burdens for everyday Canadians?

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.

00:00 — New Bare Trust Rule Warning

00:11 — What a Bare Trust Actually Means

00:19 — Proposed 2026 Filing Requirements Explained

00:42 — Real Family Case Study

01:15 — How Families Unknowingly Create Bare Trusts

01:49 — Multiple Assets, Multiple Filings

02:16 — The Real Cost of Compliance

02:27 — Potential Penalties Explained

03:05 — Compliance Costs vs. Penalty Risks

03:07 — Why This Could Affect Many Canadian Families

03:34 — Why Removing Your Name Isn't Always Simple

03:56 — Documentation Problems and Professional Fees

04:14 — Who These Rules May Impact Most

04:32 — Current Legislative Status

04:52 — What Canadians Can Do Now

04:59 — Final Thoughts

#TheAdvisorsTable #BareTrust #CRA #TaxPlanning #CanadianTax #TaxCompliance #EstatePlanning #FamilyFinance #BillC15 #TaxStrategy

💡 The federal government is proposing three major new powers for the CRA — and they could fundamentally change how tax audits work in Canada.

In this video, I break down the proposed legislation, why tax professionals and legal organizations are raising concerns, and what these changes could mean for taxpayers if they become law.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The proposed power for CRA to put taxpayers under oath during an audit

• The new $50-per-day non-compliance penalty that could be issued directly by auditors

• How a single notice could remove the normal three-year audit protection window

• Why tax professionals and legal groups are concerned about the scope of these powers

• How the proposed rules could affect business owners, investors, and everyday taxpayers

• What Canadians can do now while the legislation is still being debated

💡 The legislation has been introduced, but it has not yet become law. Understanding the proposal now gives taxpayers an opportunity to stay informed and participate in the discussion before any changes take effect.

Resources

For additional tax resources, guides, and episode breakdowns, visit:

🌐 The Advisors Table: https://theadvisorstable.com

📞 Looking for Trusted Tax Advice?

Connect with Sankalp (Sunny) Jaggi at Cedar Consulting Group

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: https://www.cedargroup.ca/

🔔 Subscribe for practical breakdowns of CRA audits, tax planning, and real-world tax scenarios.

👇 Comment below: Do you think these proposed powers are necessary to combat tax evasion, or do they go too far?

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.

00:00 – The CRA Is About to Get 3 New Powers

00:14 – Why These Changes Matter to Every Taxpayer

00:27 – Power #1: CRA Can Put You Under Oath During an Audit

01:18 – The Biggest CRA Audit Shift in Years

01:56 – Risks of Being Questioned Under Oath

03:39 – Power #2: The New $50/Day Non-Compliance Penalty

04:13 – How Auditors Could Issue Penalties Directly

05:07 – Why Even Cooperative Taxpayers Could Face Issues

06:55 – Power #3: Losing the Three-Year Audit Protection Window

07:45 – How One Notice Can Expand an Audit

08:50 – How These Powers Work Together

09:38 – What Canadians Can Do Right Now

#TheAdvisorsTable #CRA #CRAAudit #CanadianTax #TaxPlanning #BusinessOwners #TaxCompliance #TaxLaw #CRAUpdates #TaxStrategy

A lot of business owners sign shareholder agreements without really reading them.

But these documents control everything — who owns what, what happens if a partner goes bankrupt, how decisions get made, and what happens when someone wants out.

In this episode, we discuss the real risks hidden inside shareholder agreements and why many business partnerships run into trouble years later. From giving away 50% equity too early to bringing in the wrong investors, small decisions at the beginning can create major problems down the road.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why shareholder agreements matter more in partnerships
• How shotgun clauses work — and why they can backfire
• The common structural mistakes entrepreneurs make when raising capital
• Why silent partner structures often create long-term resentment
• How to bring new partners into a business properly
• How private equity deals actually work when founders partially exit
• Why life insurance is crucial in partnerships

If you're considering a partnership, this episode explains the mistakes many founders only realize after it’s too late.

Links:

1. How to Actually Qualify for the $1.25M LCGE: A Simple, Practical Breakdown

2. How to Make Your Company Sale-Ready — Structuring Before the Buyer Shows Up

Looking for trusted tax advice?

Connect with Sankalp (Sunny) Jaggi at Cedar Consulting Group.

Email: [email protected]
Website: cedargroup.ca

Subscribe if you want practical breakdowns of real tax scenarios.

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve seen when people bring on partners or investors?

Timestamps:

00:00 — Why Shareholder Agreements Matter
01:10 — Case Study: Adam & John’s Business Fallout
03:01 — What is a Shotgun Clause?
04:12 — The Lowball Offer That Backfired
06:00 — Funding a Buyout: Real-World Financial Moves
06:59 — When Business Destroys Personal Relationships
07:20 — Why Communication Could Have Prevented the Conflict
08:25 — The Purpose of Shareholder Agreements Explained
09:29 — What Happens If a Partner Dies or Goes Bankrupt?
11:07 — Business Valuation Mechanisms in Agreements
13:00 — Top 3 Partnership Mistakes Founders Make
14:11 — Silent Partner vs. Active Partner Problems
16:55 — Why Investors May Avoid Poor Ownership Structures
19:09 — Exit Strategies: Why Founders Ignore Them Early
23:06 — Simple Formula-Based Business Valuation Example
24:14 — Professional Business Valuation Explained
26:10 — Misaligned Ambitions in Partnerships
28:36 — Example of a Successful Long-Term Partnership Exit
29:39 — Bringing New Partners into a Growing Business
31:08 — Ownership Split Strategy: 70-15-15 Structure
32:16 — Financing a Business Buy-In

💡 The Canada Revenue Agency is currently in the most aggressive weeks of its fiscal year.

According to findings from the Auditor General, approximately 40% of audit files are closed in February and March. That means tighter deadlines, faster reassessments, and increased pressure to finalize files before year-end.

In this video, I break down:

• Why 65% of objections are decided fully or partially in the taxpayer’s favour

• What "Tax Earned by Audit" (TEBA) means and why it matters

• Why year-end pressure can change auditor behaviour

• What to do before CRA contacts you

• What to do if you're already under audit

• Why understanding the process can improve your chances of a successful outcome

💡 When you understand how the system works, you stop reacting emotionally — and start responding strategically.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, or professional, understanding how CRA measures audit performance can help you navigate the process more effectively.

🔗 Resources & Guides

For episode breakdowns, tax checklists, blogs, and additional resources, visit:

🌐 theadvisorstable.com

📞 Looking for Trusted Tax Advice?

Connect with Sankalp (Sunny) Jaggi, at Cedar Consulting Group

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: cedargroup.ca

🔔 Subscribe for practical breakdowns of CRA audits, tax planning, objections, and real-world tax cases.

👇 Comment below: Have you ever been audited during CRA's year-end season?

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This video is based on a real case, but names and some details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.

#TheAdvisorsTable #CRAAudit #CanadianTax #TaxObjections #BusinessOwners #TaxPlanning #CRA #AuditDefense

Understanding CRA Net Worth Audits

A net worth audit is one of the most invasive audits conducted by the CRA.

Unlike a typical audit that reviews a deduction or income line, a net worth audit attempts to reconstruct your entire financial life: assets, lifestyle, gifts, business purchases, real estate, and even what you post online.

When lifestyle and reported income don’t align, questions start.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What a net worth audit actually is
• How a routine audit can unexpectedly escalate into a net worth audit
• How lifestyle spending (cars, watches, luxury goods) can trigger questions
• Why social media can unintentionally raise red flags
• Who gets targeted in net worth audits — cash-heavy industries, crypto users, and high-lifestyle households
• How CRA calculates the “lifestyle gap” — and turns it into taxable income, penalties, and interest
• How CRA uses data points (registries, banking data, third-party records, social media)
• The minimum documentation CRA typically requires to substantiate gifts

If you own a business, invest in real estate, trade crypto, or maintain a lifestyle that doesn’t perfectly match reported income — this episode is essential.

Links:

1. We Can’t Build Affordable Housing While Taxing It Like A Luxury Tax

2. The Audit Machine — What 53,000 CRA Employees Are Actually Doing

Looking for trusted tax advice?

Connect with Sankalp (Sunny) Jaggi at Cedar Consulting Group.

Email: [email protected]
Website: cedargroup.ca

Subscribe if you want practical breakdowns of real tax scenarios.

Been through a net worth audit? Share your story below.

Timestamps:

00:00 – What a CRA net-worth audit really is (and why people panic)
04:01 – Real case: buying an $8M business and triggering a net-worth audit
09:19 – Why auditors push hard and how reassessments really work
13:56 – Who gets targeted first (major red flags)
20:55 – Real estate, lifestyle & social media as audit triggers
28:25 – How CRA calculates “unreported income”
33:10 – How to defend a net-worth audit (proof, story & professional help)

💡 The Canada Revenue Agency is currently in the most aggressive five weeks of its fiscal year.

The Auditor General found that approximately 40% of audit files are closed in February and March. That means tighter deadlines, faster reassessments, and increased pressure to finalize files before March 31.

In this video, I break down:

• Why 65% of objections are decided fully or partially in the taxpayer's favour

• What "Tax Earned by Audit" (TEBA) means and why it matters

• Why year-end pressure changes auditor behaviour

• What to do before CRA contacts you

• What to do if you're already under audit

• How understanding the system can improve your chances of a better outcome

💡 When you understand how the system works, you stop reacting emotionally — and start responding strategically.

If you've received a CRA letter, are dealing with an audit, or simply want to understand how the audit process really works, this episode is for you.

🔗 Resources & Guides

For episode breakdowns, tax checklists, blogs, and additional resources, visit:

🌐 theadvisorstable.com

📞 Looking for Trusted Tax Advice?

Connect with Sankalp (Sunny) Jaggi, at Cedar Consulting Group

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: cedargroup.ca

🔔 Subscribe for practical breakdowns of CRA audits, objections, tax planning, and real-world tax cases.

👇 Comment below: Have you ever been audited during CRA's year-end season?

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This video is based on a real case, but names and some details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.

#TheAdvisorsTable #CRAAudit #CanadianTax #TaxObjections #CRA #TaxPlanning #BusinessOwners #AuditDefense

Should you invest personally or corporately?

It sounds like a simple question — but for business owners in Canada, the answer can mean tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax differences over time.

In this episode of Advisors Table, we break down the real differences between investing inside your corporation vs. investing personally.

In this episode, we unpack:

• The difference between registered and non-registered personal investing
• When it makes sense to invest personally vs. through your corporation
• How corporate investment income is taxed
• How corporate investing creates a refundable tax pool
• Why dividend planning determines whether refunds get unlocked or sit unused
• Corporate investment structures (Holdco / Opco / Investco)

Links:

1. We Can’t Build Affordable Housing While Taxing It Like A Luxury Tax

2. FHSA & Home Buyers’ Plan Explained: Why Canada’s Housing System Is So Complicated

3. The $10M Tax Bill When a Business Owner Dies

Looking for trusted tax advice?

Connect with Sankalp (Sunny) Jaggi at Cedar Consulting Group.

Email: [email protected]
Website: cedargroup.ca

Subscribe if you want practical breakdowns of real tax scenarios.

Comment below: Are you investing through your corporation or personally?

Timestamps:

00:00 – Personal vs. corporate investing: why tax changes everything
03:10 – Why most financial plans ignore where money should actually be invested
06:05 – Real client story: high-income couple stuck at top tax rates
09:00 – How taxes and inflation quietly destroy real investment returns
11:55 – Breaking down income types: interest, dividends, and capital gains
14:30 – Why capital gains are far more tax-efficient than other income
17:25 – Using registered accounts properly (RRSP & TFSA strategy)
20:15 – Second-mortgage investing: high returns, but very high tax cost
23:10 – Creating an investment holding company to fix the tax problem
26:05 – Refundable tax system explained (how corporations recover tax)
29:15 – When and how those corporate tax refunds are actually paid out
32:10 – Estate and succession benefits of holding investments in a company
35:40 – Why professionals (especially doctors) struggle with taxes and cash flow
40:55 – Incorporation strategy: paying 12% instead of 54% and reinvesting inside a company
45:55 – Buying a home while investing: RRSP Home Buyers Plan & FHSA strategy

Two business owners sold nearly identical companies for $3 million each.

One paid $800,000 in tax.

The other paid close to zero.

In this video, I break down the five tax mistakes that created an $800K difference — and a real deal that collapsed entirely because nobody planned ahead.

In this episode, we cover:

• How treating tax as an afterthought can cost you hundreds of thousands

• Why failing to qualify for the $1.25M Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption can cost $334,000

• How one simple purification step could have preserved the exemption

• How estate freezes and family trusts can multiply exemptions across family members

• Why waiting until a buyer is at the table limits your options

• The real reason some deals die during due diligence

• Why your accountant (even a good one) may not be enough for a business sale

💡 The biggest tax savings in a business sale happen before the deal — not after it closes.

If you're planning an exit, model your numbers, clean up your company, and build the right advisory team before going to market.

🔗 Resources & Guides

For episode breakdowns, tax checklists, blogs, and additional resources, visit:

🌐 theadvisorstable.com

📞 Looking for Trusted Tax Advice?

Connect with Sankalp (Sunny) Jaggi, at Cedar Consulting Group

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: cedargroup.ca

🔔 Subscribe for practical breakdowns on business sales, tax planning, succession, and exit strategies.

👇 Comment below: Are you planning to sell your business in the next few years? Have you modeled your after-tax proceeds yet?

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This video is based on a real case, but names and some details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.

#TheAdvisorsTable #BusinessSale #LifetimeCapitalGainsExemption #TaxPlanning #BusinessOwners #SuccessionPlanning #EstateFreeze #CanadianTax

00:00 – $3M Sale, $800K Tax Difference

00:31 – The $3M Deal: What David Missed

01:13 – Mistake #1: Treating Tax as an Afterthought

02:17 – Mistake #2: Losing the $1.25M Exemption ($334K Cost)

04:18 – Multiplying the Exemption with Family (Estate Freeze)

06:02 – $800K Completely Avoidable

06:11 – The Deal That Completely Died

07:28 – Mistake #4: When Tax Kills the Deal

07:40 – Mistake #5: Wrong People Leading the Deal

09:29 – What To Do Before Selling (1–3 Years Out)

10:31 – Build the Right Deal Team

10:46 – Final Takeaways & Next Steps