The 5 Best Tax Lawyer Firms in Ottawa
Did you inherit an estate, get into a tax dispute, or start a new business recently? These situations require a different set of taxation skills that you might not be readily familiar with.
It’s better to hire the services of the best tax lawyers in Ottawa to help you understand and not be intimidated by it all. But before doing so, it’s good to be aware of all the fees and costs involved.
How Much Does a Tax Lawyer Charge in Ottawa?
Since tax lawyers handle a myriad of tax-related cases, their fees will also reflect the time, complexity, and other factors involved in each case.
Some tax attorneys will charge an hourly fee or retainer, which is considered the most common pricing structure (even among non-tax lawyers). Others can opt for a block or flat fee, which is typically used for simpler, no-fuss cases.
Meanwhile, clients of modest means can opt for legal aid, which requires a much lower hourly fee than private practices. Other lawyers could even offer pro-bono services to clients they deem deserving of them.
To give you a general idea of other fees, the table below reflects them along with fees that reflect national averages.
| TAX LAWYER SERVICE | ESTIMATED FEE |
| Hourly retainer | $382 – $900 per hour |
| Legal aid (subject to availability) | Less than $100 per hour |
| Tax Court of Canada appeals | $15,000-$30,000 per hour (depending on case complexity) |
| Law clerk | $125 per hour |
Please bear in mind that these fees and rates aren’t set in stone, given the range of tax-related issues and varying rates from different firms.
The Best Tax Lawyer Firms in Ottawa
Now that you know the average fees and rates, it’s time to take a closer look at the best tax lawyer services in Ottawa. Please note that this list was done in no particular order.
1. Blachford Tax Law
| SERVICES | Tax dispute processes involving audit, objection, and tax court |
| ADDRESS | 343 Preston St. Floor 11 Ottawa, ON K1S 1N4 |
| CONTACT NUMBER | [email protected] +1 (613) 702-0322 |
| WEBSITE | https://www.blachfordtaxlaw.com/ |
| OPERATING HOURS | By appointment only |
The former lead of HazloLaw’s Tax Dispute and Resolution team formed his own legal team after making his former firm’s tax practice grow by over 300%. Today, Dean Blachford is still the force behind Blachford Tax Law with a practise exclusively focused on tax dispute resolution and litigation.
The firm has a certified law clerk and office controller who has extensive experience in filings and communication matters with both the Canada Revenue Agency and the Tax Court of Canada. Ella Sui also provides a helping hand with the firm’s Tax Update organizations and other charitable events.
Given his illustrious past at his former law firm, Dean Blachford currently enjoys a 94% referral rate from former clients and other lawyers. His expertise allows him to give his entire focus on one client at a time.
However, only Ella Sui’s presence completes the current Blachford Tax Law team. This very young (and understaffed) tax law firm still has to prove its mettle with multiple client bookings and complex cases requiring a bigger staff and resources.
Pros
- Specialized practice on tax dispute resolution and litigation
- Constant community engagement and contribution
- Provides insightful tax law resources on the website
Cons
- Might be understaffed to handle multiple bookings
- No BBB accreditation
- Might not be for complex cases requiring a full legal team
Customer Reviews
Read the following client feedback on Blachford Tax Law:
“Dean’s calm, confident and professional approach to our challenge was a welcome relief. His ability to structure our appeal with indisputable case law and common sense resulted in a favourable settlement that turned our relief into joy. I hope not to have another dispute with CRA, but in that event, Dean would be the first call on my list.” – Tim B.
“My accountant referred me to Mr. Blachford. I came to trust him very much. He understands restaurants and is an expert in CRA’s net worth audits. Me and my business partners are very grateful for the result he got us.” – Wei Lin
2. Tataryn Law
| SERVICES | Legal services and advice on business and tax law issues, representation on tax disputes, corporate and commercial law advice, mergers and acquisitions assistance, bankruptcy and insolvency advice, succession and estate planning |
| ADDRESS | 401A Golden Ave, Ottawa, ON K2A 1H4, Canada |
| CONTACT NUMBER | [email protected] 613.231.4229 |
| WEBSITE | http://www.tataryn.ca |
| OPERATING HOURS | By appointment only |
Susan Tataryn is the head of Tataryn Law and has substantial tax and accounting backgrounds to show for it. The firm’s associate lawyer and law clerk are both females, making Tataryn Law a women-led legal team with a focus on family, business, and tax law issues.
Aside from representing clients on tax disputes, the Tataryn team also provides legal advice on mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcy, and insolvency. Its clientele is made up of business people who have corporate tax issues as well as individuals needing tax planning assistance.
Susan Tataryn can help families create trusts for spouses and entire families, as well. The firm handles estate planning services for wills and helping clients develop a tax-efficient estate.
Tataryn Law helpfully provides client resources on its bare-bones website. There are links to features on things like the taxpayer bill of rights, taxpayer relief provisions, and various articles for employees and business people.
Pros
- Provides insightful tax law resources on the website
- Expertise in estate planning and living wills
- Head lawyer Susan Tataryn has extensive tax litigation experience
Cons
- Could get booked up quickly
- No BBB accreditation
- Might not be for complex cases requiring a full legal team
Customer Reviews
See how past clients found the services of Tataryn Law:
“I was referred to Susan Tataryn when I had a serious CRA issue that other lawyers couldn’t resolve and was told expensive litigation was the only option left. However, she was able to have my issue totally resolved within 12 hrs of our first meeting. I couldn’t have been happier with the result Susan achieved. She exuded confidence from outset but was notably compassionate as well. I truly was in a difficult bind with no resources or money but I was made to feel at ease and cared for in the most genuine way. Forever thankful.” – Tom Sabela
“On my first meet, it was very professional and very courteous and respectful thank you.” – Andrew
3. Drache Aptowitzer LLP
| SERVICES | Tax assessment or reassessment, appeals to the Tax Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court of Canada, personal or business audits, voluntary disclosure to the CRA, unfiled Returns, HST disputes, applying for relief from interest on taxes owing, requesting extensions of time, penalties under the Income Tax Act, director liability issues |
| ADDRESS | 120 Terence Matthews Cres. Suite B1 Ottawa, Ontario, K2M 0J1 |
| CONTACT NUMBER | 613-237-3300 [email protected] |
| WEBSITE | https://dracheaptowitzer.ca/ |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday 9 AM – 5 PM Closed on Saturdays and Sundays |
Aside from its extensive experience in taxation cases, Drache Aptowitzer LLP is better known for taking on non-profit organizations and charities as its clientele. Its head and founder, Adam Aptowitzer, has even provided defence on behalf of the firm’s clients in the supreme court.
The legal team specializes in both corporate tax issues and not-for-profit law. Clients can also approach the firm for concerns on taxation dues and penalties, tax assessment or reassessment, and other taxation-related issues.
The legal team at Drache Aptowitzer LLP can accommodate consultations beyond physical appointments. Aside from emailing and calling the office, clients can book an appointment via Skype, Viber, Messenger, and other video messaging platforms.
This is a valuable option for clients. By doing so, the firm gives them safety, security, and health considerations.
Clients are assured of utmost confidentiality in whatever case they may want to be assessed or represented. Drache Aptowitzer LLP promises all clients of a permanent solicitor-client privilege.
Pros
- Good range of tax-related services
- Highly experienced legal team
- Available for video consultations
Cons
- Closed on weekends
- No BBB accreditation
- No discernible pricing matrix
4. Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
| SERVICES | Business, commodity, and international tax expertise, tax disputes and litigation, tax advice and consultation for private clients |
| ADDRESS | 100 Queen Street Suite 1100, World Exchange Plaza Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J9 |
| CONTACT NUMBER | +1 416-367-6000 613.237.5160 [email protected] |
| WEBSITE | https://www.blg.com/ |
| OPERATING HOURS | By appointment only |
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is a full-service law firm that promises comprehensive legal solutions for clients inside and outside Canada. The firm has an Ottawa branch offering main areas of practice that cover tax concerns (including complex disputes).
The firm boasts of having nearly 400 partners with over 330 lawyers and legal professionals on a worldwide scale. This is an important deciding point for clients with complex tax-related cases needing vast resources and a bigger legal team.
The team practices and gives consultations on multidisciplinary legal matters ranging from commercial real estate to information technology. It’s a fully bilingual firm that is in keeping with the BLG’s mission to be fully inclusive.
All of its offices, including the Ottawa one, are fully accessible for people of any disability type or level (in adherence to the Disabilities Act of 2005).
Pros
- Pro bono legal services are available
- Helpful tax and other legal resources on the website
- Comprehensive legal solutions
Cons
- No BBB accreditation
- No fixed business hours
- No discernible pricing matrix
5. Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP
| SERVICES | Sales & commodity taxes, tax controversy & litigation, transfer pricing |
| ADDRESS | 340 Albert Street Suite 1750, Constitution Square, Tower 3 Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 7Y6 |
| CONTACT NUMBER | +1-613-788-2200 [email protected] |
| WEBSITE | https://www.blakes.com/ |
| OPERATING HOURS | By appointment only |
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP has been a strategic counsel to a broad range of industries and has consistently ranked as top performers by various Canadian business law award-giving bodies. The firm recently earned the top spot given by the Thomson Reuters Canada Law Firm Brand Index for 2021.
Blakes is currently known as the go-to firm for buyers from the United States who need Canadian legal assistance for their businesses. It has its own tax litigation group with experienced lawyers focusing on resolving tax-related disputes and other issues.
To educate clients (and even non-clients), the company also gives virtual seminars on taxation and other related topics. And while these seminars aim to give legal information to its audience, Blakes takes care to explain that they are for general information only and should not be taken as legal advice.
But what makes Blakes unique is its in-house Pride group called Pride at Blakes. Founded in 1999, it’s currently considered one of the largest LGBTQI2S+ affinity groups at any Canadian law firm.
Pros
- Chambers & Partners’ 2012 “Law Firm of the Year”
- Uses a technology-based platform for efficiency and accuracy
- Has an in-house Pride-affinity group
- Legal consultation is available for a wide range of industries
Cons
- No fixed business hours
- No BBB accreditation
- No discernible pricing matrix
Customer Reviews
“Projects like the Trans ID clinic would not be possible without our project partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. We are grateful for your work and support!” – Pro Bono Students Canada
“Anyone that supports the new creative forces in visual arts in Vancouver, through their terrific support of Arts Umbrella, is first class in my world. Thank you for it. You could be changing lives, Bravo.” – Brain Peterman
FAQs About Tax Lawyer Services in Ottawa
We hope that this listicle on the best tax lawyer firms in Ottawa will provide you helpful resources on tax-related legal concerns.
Please give us a heads up if you think we missed a tax lawyer who’s worth a review, and we’ll try to review them as soon as we can!
And if you have a DUI case, we have a listicle on it, too. Read about the best DUI lawyers in Ottawa for expert guidance and information on driving-related offences.