Case Studies

Real ideas with real impact for your business and consulting solutions

Learn about some of the actual challenges faced by clients of Zeifmans, and how our team has been able to respond with practical business and consulting solutions that created a positive impact.

Estate Trustee During Litigation corrects decades-long fraud

Problem: A prominent estate had been fraudulently depleted of millions of dollars by the formally appointed trustee.

Idea: Zeifmans’ Estate Trustee During Litigation (EDTL) analyzed the web of corporate holdings and missing tax returns to forensically trace the transactions.

Impact: A summary judgement was made in the amount of $3,733,455.20 and the original trustee was sentenced to jail time.

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A couple selling family farm to fund retirement and saves on capital gains

Problem: A couple owned a family farm close to Toronto, with a value of $2 million, wanted to sell the property to fund their retirement but were ...

Idea: Tax filings from the 1970’s and 1980’s allowed us to determine that the farm was eligible for capital gain exemption, even though it was not currently ...

Impact: Our client saved $475,000 in taxes allowing them to stay on track for their retirement plans.

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Cross border tax saving strategy for a Canadian – US joint real estate venture

Problem: Two entrepreneurs, 1 Canadian and 1 American, were leaving their comfort zone when they decided to jointly purchase a property.

Idea: We worked with them to ensure they maximized their cash flows from the venture and ensured compliance and tax planning went seamlessly

Impact: We determined a plan to cut Canadian taxes on this venture by over 50%, which allowed for increased cash flow and profits for our clients and ...

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An international entrepreneur streamlines his tax planning to save $1M

Problem: An international entrepreneur with substantial holdings in Canada was using different accounting firms for each of his businesses. As such, each accounting firm was making recommendations ...

Idea: Zeifmans developed a strategy that would produce synergy between the businesses through group tax planning, resulting in significant savings. Review. Zeifmans reviewed the client’s overall international ...

Impact: As a result of our streamlining strategy, the client immediately found well over $1 million in tax savings on a pending transaction. His businesses continue to ...

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Mitigated tax exposure strategy ensures savings and compliance for a US client

Problem: A group of US citizens, and Canadian citizens with resident/citizen beneficiaries, run a Canadian real estate operation owned by a group of Canadian family trusts. When ...

Idea: We worked with the group to ensure compliance, while advising on the best methods to avoid capital dividends and penalties for Canadian residents. Review. We conducted an ...

Impact: The corporation’s indirect US owners and beneficiaries were able to avoid millions of dollars of US tax exposures without paying much tax, or any penalties. We ...

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A global tax strategy for a high growth online retailer

Problem: Consumer products company was concerned about their US and Canadian tax compliance and the potential exposure to global tax rates of over 40%. The owners desired ...

Idea: We advised our client to structure their operations and business in a tax efficient manner. We provided a valuation to support the current value of the ...

Impact: We were able to significantly reduce our client’s global tax rate. The owners retained Canadian residency for tax purposes and reduced their overall tax burden by ...

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An investor strategically exits a losing business with his full investment intact

Problem: We visited the radio station, and based on our assessment of the challenging political and economic environment, along with the high working capital requirements of the ...

Idea: We recommended the investor put up a further $1.6M required to participate in the Chilean buy/sell negotiation process. We were confident his partner would overvalue ...

Impact: We advised our client to bid $1 Chilean peso for the partner’s share, on the basis that if our client’s bid was less than his partner’s ...

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A US manufacturer receives a turn-key solution for expansion to Canada

Problem: We facilitated the set up of a holding company, along with an operating subsidiary registered to do business in various Canadian provinces, all designed to maximize ...

Idea: We registered the entities with all required federal and provincial sales tax, payroll, health and safety and other government authorities.

Impact: We recommended tax efficient compensation strategies for executives relocated from the US as well as those hired in Canada.

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A former consultant transforms an antiquated auto dealer financier into Canada’s sophisticated market leader

Problem: We advised on the negotiation of the two stage purchase from the original partners, as well as the optimal structure to fully utilize preferential private company ...

Idea: We provided accounting advice, and eventual audit services, that transparently disclosed the company’s financial position, enabling it to raise more than $102.5 M in operating capital. ...

Impact: We introduced the company to a wide network of North American lenders, and assisted in the negotiation of favourable credit terms that shored up the balance ...

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A struggling multi-franchised auto dealership gets back in the black

Problem: A multi-franchise car dealership with four locations was struggling with floor planning payments in arrears, inadequte sales reporting to lenders, …….

Idea: We worked with the dealership to develop a turnaround strategy, assist in negotiations with creditors, and provide advice on operational improvements.

Impact: Over approximately 18 months, cash flow improved dramatically and the trust deficiency was reduced by more than half.

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