FAQ

The clients that get the most value from our work typically share these characteristics:

• Moving Between Borders. You're either a Canadian heading to the U.S. for a job, an American moving to Canada, or you've just sold property across the border. Navigating cross-border taxes can be a real pain, and you want it done right with as little stress as possible.
• Sports Stars. If you're an athlete, your tax life isn't the usual 9-5. Jock taxes and playing in multiple states make things complicated. You need advice from someone who understands the game and can make sure you keep more of what you earn.
• Running the Show. You own or lead a small to medium-sized business with up to 100 employees, dealing with cross-border stuff, investments, or tax headaches. You're looking for advice that goes beyond the textbook.
• Facing a Tax Monster. There's something big and scary on your tax horizon. Maybe it's new regulations, a major business change, or just complex tax issues. You need expert help to navigate this mess.
• Decision Makers. We love working with the top brass - those who want to be in the loop from start to finish. If you appreciate straightforward communication and real solutions, not just being handed off, you're our kind of client.
• Happy to Delegate. You're comfortable stepping back and letting us handle the heavy lifting. You trust our expertise to not only solve the current problem but to set you up for future success.
• Clear on Commitment. You're not here for surprises. You understand the value of keeping tax authorities at bay is worth the investment, and you're okay with our straightforward fee structure.

We get it, nobody likes those surprise charges for every little thing, so we keep it straight - no nickel-and-diming here. Our services usually fall between $3,000 to $25,000, with some engagements completed via standard packages listed right on our site. If you've got something a bit different, we'll take a good look at your file in what we call our "Cross-border Matrix" engagement. That way, you know exactly what you're in for from the get-go.
Now, about payment: We ask that you pay in full upfront - yes, all of it. But hear me out, this isn't just about our cash flow. It's about trust and making sure we're both all in. When you prepay, we can dive right into your case without any financial distractions, ensuring we're working with clients who are as serious about solving their tax issues as we are about solving them.
And if you're worried about cash flow, we've got you covered - we take credit cards.

On the cross-border advisory side, we do our best to give you a clear, no-nonsense view of your tax situation, and provide practical written instructions and guidance without over-complicating things.

As for tax returns, we know our stuff. We've filed a lot of cross-border tax returns at this point, and know the quirks and headaches involves pretty darn well. Because we focus solely on cross-border matters, our tax filing work is fast, accurate, and most importantly presented correctly to the CRA and the IRS.

This one is easy: you work directly with me, Cameron Ware. I’m your main point of contact and the person responsible for every detail of your file - no risk of being passed off to junior staff once your engagement letter is signed. My team does assist with some of the groundwork and administrative tasks, but I sure don’t delegate the technical or tricky parts of your file. The person you meet at the start is the person who will be with you every step of the way.

Well, here's five reasons:

1. When you do the same specific file work over and over, you get really good at seeing the patterns and problems, and know exactly what needs filed. We’ve fine-tuned our processes to find and fix cross-border headaches quickly and reliably.
2. We’ve been doing this for a long time (2nd generation CPA), helping many clients navigate the tricky waters of U.S. and Canadian taxes. Our filing record speaks for itself.
3. You’re not just another file on a junior’s desk. Unlike the big firms, where your work might be churned out by someone still learning the ropes, here you get the full attention of someone who’s been in the trenches. I personally handle your file, ensuring it’s done right the first time—no assembly line, and no paying for someone else’s education.
4. We’re clear and straightforward in our advice and technical guidance. We’ll tell you what you need to hear, with no up-selling, jargon, buzz-words, or MBA-speak.
5. Our guidance, reporting, and working papers all come from successful real-world submissions to the CRA and IRS, and from proprietary data assembled from the many clients we’ve worked with over the years. Meaning the tax agencies will generally leave you alone, with minimal (if any) effort required on your part.

Having said all of this, there are plenty of good firms out there, and if we’re not the right fit for you, we’ll say so and even point you in the right direction.

For cross-border planning or advisory, it's usually best to hold off on making significant changes—like adjusting your tax strategy, filing things with CRA (looking at you, NR73), or financial planning—until you've had the chance to get an outside perspective. This ensures you're moving in the right direction from the start, and not triggering unnecessary penalties or taxes.

As for your actual tax returns, having everything in order beforehand (summaries are good) can make the filing process smoother and help avoid complications down the line. (However, if you generally hate that stuff and want some assistance, let us know.)

If you've never worked with us before, try out our cross-border consult. This is a chance for us to discuss your file specifics and for you to get a sense of how we operate. While we don’t typically do in-person meetings right off the bat, this consult is designed to give you a clear picture of what it’s like to work with us. Plus, with all the content and information we share online, you’ll have a solid idea of our approach and whether it aligns with what you’re looking for before we even get on the call.

This will always depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your file, but a typical engagement will generally involve something that looks like:

1. Technical Diagnosis: Actionable tax advice tailored to your situation, with practical steps you can implement immediately.
2. Tax Filings: We will prepare and file perfect tax returns for you, meeting all appropriate filing deadlines.
3. Monitoring & Oversight: Ongoing management of any tax-related issues, including potential CRA or IRS reviews, and/or coordination with your other advisors to ensure correct tax outcomes.

Depending on your budget and the specifics of your file, you may just need one of these services, or might be better serviced with some sort of combination of all three.

Before an engagement, we’ll send you materials to review, so you’re well-prepared for our discussions. While we keep our recommendations concise, taking notes during our meetings is always beneficial.

This is always a tricky question, and it’s important to understand why we approach it the way we do.

In the past, we provided references, but we’ve moved away from doing so for a few reasons:

1. Our clients have entrusted us with their private and sensitive tax matters, and didn't generally sign on to serve as on-call references for our office. Often, these conversations end up taking more of their time than is fair, with them (non-CPA's) providing indirect tax "advice"—advice that likely isn't relevant to your specific situation anyway.
2. Asking for references can sometimes indicate skepticism, which is understandable (and healthy). However, we’ve built a strong reputation in the cross-border tax space. If you’re unsure about us and our work, that’s perfectly reasonable. We encourage you to explore your options, get second opinions from other firms, and determine if your situation truly requires the specialized expertise we offer.
3. Confidentiality is key in our work. Just as we protect the details of your tax situation, we extend the same discretion to our other clients. This is particularly important when handling files for high-profile clients, such as professional athletes. We avoid name-dropping or sharing contact information to protect their privacy and prevent any potential misuse, or unsolicited requests.
4. The nature of our work is highly specialized, and much of what we do is tailored to the specific facts and circumstances of each client. Connecting you with past clients could reveal details that are not relevant to your unique needs, and send you off in a direction that could cause unintended consequences and harm.