About - Taxation Lawyers - Based in Kitchener-Waterloo and Halifax

ABOUT US

Taxation Lawyers is both a law firm and a referral source to help you. If we can’t help you with what you need, we can certainly refer you to someone who can. Our clients include corporations of all sizes, municipalities, owner-managed businesses, as well as individuals.

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Taxation Lawyers was started by James Rhodes. His vision was to have a firm that was restricted to tax. By doing so he planned to deliver a single resource for his clients requiring tax assistance – either through dispute resolution or planning. With his practice focused on tax dispute resolution and tax assistance, there is very little James cannot handle. When clients’ needs turn to tax planning or matters outside his expertise, James is able to provide a no fee referral to the network of taxation professionals he knows through Canada. One such resource is his LinkedIn group ‘Canadian Taxation Professionals’, a group of 3,100 professionals focused on tax across Canada.

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Taxation Lawyers handles all matters dealing with income tax, HST/GST, and employment insurance/Canada Pension Plan determinations. We deal with independent contractors versus employee structuring and disputes, director’s liability assessments, tax opinions/assurance on accounting positions, voluntary disclosure program applications, taxpayer relief requests, as well as rectification applications.

Our Services

James Rhodes

Kitchener Waterloo
Taxation Lawyers

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Melanie Petrunia

Halifax
Nijhawan McMillan Petrunia

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John D. Buote

Kingston and Toronto
BRS Tax Lawyers

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Miranda D. Reis

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Felica Hughes

Taxation Lawyers

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James Rhodes

Taxation Lawyers

Kitchener Waterloo

James Rhodes, BSc, LLB As the principal lawyer for Taxation Lawyers, James provides for its tax dispute resolution services as well as dealing with tax assistance. James began his career in tax law at law school where he received the award for top mark in taxation law in his second year, and shared the top mark in taxation law in his third year. Subsequently, James received a prestigious clerkship with the Tax Court of Canada, where he completed his articles. During his time with the Tax Court, he prepared bench memoranda and legal opinions to assist the Justices of the Court in their role of deciding tax appeals. Following his clerkship, James was hired by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to work in their Canadian Corporate Tax department. During his time at PwC, James was responsible for providing legal opinions and tax planning assistance to a range of clients.

PAST CASES: Rattai v. The Queen, Hare v. The Queen, Merchant v. The Queen

Melanie Petrunia

Nijhawan McMillan Petrunia

Halifax

Melanie Petrunia has practiced almost exclusively in the area of tax litigation for over ten years. After completing her undergraduate education at Yale University and McGill University, she obtained a law degree from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie. She then began her career with a large Atlantic Canada law firm, followed by eight years with the Federal Department of Justice, Tax Law Services. During her time representing the Canada Revenue Agency, she conducted hundreds of trials at the Tax Court of Canada throughout Atlantic Canada, as well as in Ontario, British Columbia and Nunavut. She has also appeared in provincial and superior courts in many provinces, the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal.

Now, as the Principal of Satellite Tax Law, Melanie uses her years of experience in tax litigation matters to represent Canadian taxpayers. Though based in Halifax, Melanie offers her services throughout the country, primarily in Atlantic Canada, Ontario and British Columbia. She utilizes available technology to minimize cost and maximize value for her clients. She regularly assists clients with tax dispute resolution and collection matters as well as EI and CPP appeals, and judicial review applications before the Federal Court.

John D. Buote

BRS Tax Lawyers

Kingston and Toronto

Admitted to the Ontario Bar, Barrister-at-Law, 1997
Juris Doctor, (formerly LL.B.) University of Calgary, 1995

Master of Science in Taxation, Walsh College, Michigan, 1987

Master of Business Administration, Ivey School of Business, 1974

Bachelor of Arts, Waterloo Lutheran University, 1971

C.I.C.A. In-Depth Income Tax Course, Parts I, II, III

Tax Executive Institute, U.S. Federal and State Tax Program

John has been involved full time in tax matters since 1978. He has served as a Canada Revenue Tax Auditor for six years and has held a variety of senior tax positions with various corporations including Polysar Limited, the Singer Sewing Machine Company and Canada Trust before becoming a lawyer in 1997. His law practice is exclusively devoted to tax matters.

John has lectured extensively and is a frequent speaker for the C.A. and C.M.A. Accounting Associations and the Toronto West Tax Practitioners quarterly seminars.

John’s current tax practice is centered on preventing and/or resolving tax disputes with the Canada Revenue Agency, including where necessary, representation at the Tax Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal.

John holds a Certificate in Advanced Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Mediation Academy, and he has completed the Toastmasters Program and the Dale Carnegie Program, with distinction.

John describes his personal strength to be his ability to deal with complex and complicated facts and complex and complicated laws. He takes delight in making sense out of chaos. He relies on Nick to keep him grounded and practical.

Miranda D. Reis

Miranda D. Reis has over 20 years experience in Income Tax, Finance and Accounting and for over the past 9 years has solely dedicated her career to Disability Tax Credit (DTC) claims, Appeals and Tax Court Hearings. Miranda received her Bachelor of Accounting (B.Acc) with Honours from Brock University in 2000 and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) since 2003.

Miranda is an advocate for all Disabled Canadians and is currently working on a Private Members Bill with the Honorable MP David Sweet to expand the restrictions of the RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan) Grant and Bond Rules and how they are administered. She is also actively involved in non-for-profit groups that help the disabled.
Miranda has a 99% Appeal success rate sustained over the last 9 years of her career solely dedicated to helping Disabled persons Canada wide receive all the money that is owed to them and their families and/or estates from the Canada Revenue Agency regarding Disability Tax Credits, Caregiver Credits, Child Disability Benefits, Home Accessibility Tax Credits and more.

Miranda does not charge you a fee until she is successful on your claim, appeal or tax court hearing. Please call or email her today to discuss your case.

Felicia Hughes

Taxation Lawyers

Kitchener Waterloo

Felicia is a Junior Accountant at Taxation Lawyers. She studied at Conestoga College in the Business Administration Accounting Program and graduated with distinction in 2016. She joined Taxation Lawyers in 2018 and assists all team members in resolving tax disputes.