Cory Chan

JD, CPA, Tax Lawyer

Committed to helping you achieve optimal financial health through personalized and effective tax planning strategies that are designed to minimize your tax liability, whether you are just starting your career, are a seasoned business owner preparing for retirement, or preserving the family wealth for the next generation.

We pride ourselves on providing personalized service and tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your tax planning goals.

Meet the Team

We're proud to have assembled a group of talented and dedicated professionals who are passionate about what they do. We believe that working together, we can achieve great things for our clients and our community. So without further ado, let's meet the team!

  • Tax Lawyer

    Cory Chan is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in various areas of tax law. Cory practiced as a Chartered Professional Accountant with a multinational accounting firm and following being called to the Alberta bar, he practiced tax law at a multinational law firm.

    Combining his accounting and law background, he provides his clients with a unique perspective and assists his clients on a broad range of tax planning for individuals, corporations and trusts. Cory’s area of focus includes personal taxes, corporate taxes, corporate reorganizations, trust planning and various tax planning strategies. He also advises on tax matters related to corporate and commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, business structuring and sales, divisive reorganizations and departure taxes for clients that are leaving Canada.

    Cory’s clients include high net worth families, owner-managers, farm families, physicians and other professionals. As a trusted advisor, he advises on the tax matters related to their estate planning and succession planning for their businesses – whether it is transitioning to the next generation or preparing for a sale.

  • Senior Tax Advisor

    For over 5 years, John and Cory have been working together to provide clients with unparalleled tax advice. Their combined expertise and years of experience in tax law and accounting enable them to offer a unique perspective on tax matters, ensuring that clients receive balanced and comprehensive tax advice.

    John is a highly skilled and experienced Chartered Accountant with a proven track record in complex tax planning. Prior to joining Cory, John was an accountant with a national accounting firm where he advised clients on various accounting and taxation matters, including corporate and individual taxation, tax planning, and tax compliance issues. He also worked closely with clients to develop effective tax strategies that helped them minimize their tax liabilities and maximize their financial returns.

    John has also previously served as CFO of a leading construction company where he was responsible for overseeing financial operations and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

    With his extensive knowledge and experience in finance and taxation, John is a valuable asset to any organization.

  • Tax Paralegal

    Melissa has been working with Cory and his team for over 5 years and is an accomplished tax paralegal. Melissa is dedicated to providing clients with the highest level of service and support. With her expertise and exceptional organization skills, she ensures that clients’ tax-related matters are handled efficiently and effectively from start to finish.

    As a skilled legal document drafter, Melissa plays a crucial role in ensuring that client files are completed accurately and in a timely manner. She also takes the time to keep clients informed of the status of their files, providing regular updates and acting as an additional resource for any questions or concerns they may have.

    Melissa's dedication to her work and exceptional attention to detail make her an indispensable member of our team. We are proud to have her on board and confident that she will continue to exceed clients' expectations.

Areas of Practice

  • Business succession planning can have significant implications. For example, if the transfer of ownership involves the sale of the business, capital gains taxes may apply, which can have a major impact on the financial outcome for both the buyer and the seller. Proper tax planning is essential to minimize tax liabilities and ensure a smooth transition of ownership. Additionally, there are specific tax strategies that can be used to transfer ownership to family members, such as the use of trusts, which can help reduce estate taxes. Failure to consider tax implications during business succession planning can result in unexpected tax bills and significant financial losses for both the business and the individuals involved.

  • Tax planning is essential for professionals and private business owners to minimize their tax liabilities and maximize their after-tax income. Effective tax planning involves understanding the income tax act and identifying opportunities to take advantage of deductions, credits, and other tax-saving strategies. For private business owners, tax planning may involve choosing the right business structure, such as a trust, partnership, or corporation, to take advantage of tax benefits and avoid unnecessary tax liabilities. It may also involve developing strategies to manage income and expenses, such as deferring income or accelerating deductions.

  • Capital gains deduction planning is a tax planning strategy that can help individuals and businesses minimize their tax liabilities on capital gains. Capital gains are the profits realized from the sale of an asset, such as stocks, real estate, or business interests, and are subject to capital gains taxes. However, the income tax act provides a capital gains deduction that allows individuals holding qualified small business corporation shares to exclude a portion of the capital gains from their taxable income. To take advantage of this deduction, individuals and businesses must meet certain criteria, such as holding the asset for a certain period of time and meeting specific ownership and active business requirements. Capital gains deduction planning involves identifying opportunities to maximize the use of this deduction by strategically selling assets and structuring business transactions to meet the requirements for the deduction. By doing so, individuals and businesses can significantly reduce their tax liabilities on capital gains and keep more of their profits.

  • When purchasing or selling a business or assets, tax planning is essential to minimize tax liabilities and maximize the financial outcome of the transaction. Proper tax planning can involve a variety of strategies, such as structuring the transaction as a partial share sale and partial asset sale, rather than a straight share sale or straight asset sale, which can result in significant tax savings for the buyer and seller.

  • Wealth preservation planning with a tax focus is an essential strategy for high net worth individuals and families who seek to safeguard their wealth and minimize their tax liability. This type of planning involves taking a comprehensive approach to managing assets, investments, and income in order to maximize tax efficiency and minimize risk.

    Through the use of various tax planning techniques such as tax-efficient investment vehicles, trusts, and estate planning strategies, individuals can effectively protect and grow their wealth while minimizing their exposure to taxes. Additionally, by working with Cory and his experienced team, individuals can stay up-to-date on changing tax laws and regulations, ensuring that their wealth preservation plan remains effective and relevant over time.

  • Charitable donations and gifts can be an effective tax planning strategy for individuals looking to reduce their tax liabilities while supporting charitable organizations. The income tax act provides incentives for charitable giving, such as tax deductions for cash or property donations to qualified charities. Proper planning can involve identifying the most tax-efficient way to make charitable donations, such as donating appreciated securities or establishing a private foundation. It is also important to understand the limits and requirements for charitable deductions, such as the maximum percentage of income that can be deducted and the documentation needed to claim the deduction. Charitable giving can also have estate planning benefits, as it can reduce the taxable estate and provide a way to transfer wealth to future generations while supporting charitable causes.

  • In the unfortunate event of a business owner's passing, proper post-mortem planning becomes crucial, particularly in cases where the individual holds private corporation shares at the time of their passing. Without proper planning and action, beneficiaries of the estate may face the prospect of being subject to double or even triple taxation.

    This emphasizes the importance of having a well-crafted estate plan that takes into account the unique tax implications that may arise in the event of the business owner's passing.

    By undertaking careful post-mortem planning, we ensure the legacies of business owners are protected, and their loved ones are provided for without undue financial strain. With the right team in place, including legal and tax professionals, Cory and his team help take care of the families during tough times and focus on minimizing tax liabilities and maximizing wealth preservation.

  • Farm succession planning is a crucial process that helps farmers ensure the smooth transition of their farm operation to the next generation. This type of planning involves taking advantage of the many favorable tax rules in the Income Tax Act for farming families.

    By working with experienced legal and financial professionals, farmers can develop a succession plan that takes into account factors such as family dynamics, tax implications, and business structure.

    Overall, farm succession planning is an essential process for any farmer looking to ensure the continued success of their operation. By taking a proactive approach to planning, farmers can help ensure that their legacy is preserved, and their farm continues to provide for future generations.

  • Planning to leave Canada can be a complex process, particularly when it comes to managing the various tax implications that may arise. However, with the assistance of Cory and his expert team, individuals and businesses can be well-prepared to navigate the departure tax requirements and minimize their tax liabilities.

    Cory's team can provide comprehensive support, helping clients understand the various tax implications associated with leaving Canada and developing a strategy that addresses their specific needs and circumstances. From calculating and managing departure taxes to providing guidance on tax residency status, Cory and his team are equipped to assist clients at every step of the process.

Planning for the Future

Tax law planning and estate planning are two key components of a comprehensive financial plan, and they often go hand in hand. By integrating tax planning into your estate plan, you can ensure that your assets are distributed in the most tax-efficient manner possible, helping you maximize the value of your estate for your beneficiaries. Additionally, estate planning can help you minimize tax liabilities for your loved ones by providing them with a clear plan for managing your assets after your passing.

FAQs

  • Our firm strives to provide regular updates to our clients on their case status and progress. We communicate with our clients through phone calls, emails, and in-person meetings, and we are always available to answer any questions or concerns they may have.

  • A tax lawyer can provide expert advice on tax planning strategies, help you navigate complex tax laws and regulations, and represent you in tax disputes with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

  • To prepare for your initial consultation with a tax lawyer in Alberta, you should gather any relevant documentation related to your tax issues, such as tax returns, notices of assessment, and correspondence from the CRA. You should also prepare a list of questions you have for the lawyer and be prepared to discuss your goals and concerns related to your tax situation.

  • You may want to consider hiring a tax lawyer in Alberta if you are facing a tax audit, have complex tax issues that require expert advice, or need assistance with tax planning strategies.

Get in touch.

Our team of skilled tax professionals is available to offer specialized advice on tax planning and law. Whether you're looking to reduce your tax obligations or stay up to date with regulations, we can provide customized solutions to meet your needs. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us to arrange a consultation and discover how we can support you.

Cory Chan, JD, CPA
cchan@chantaxlaw.ca