Peter Aprile, Senior Counsel in Tax Litigation, provides exceptional communication and expertise in resolving complex tax disputes.

Peter Aprile

Senior Counsel, Tax Litigation

Peter focuses on tax litigation, helping businesses and individuals retain the economic value they create.

Peter has dedicated himself to representing Canada’s leading private companies and high-net-worth individuals in tax disputes since 2006.

Throughout this time, he has assisted businesses and individuals in retaining the economic value they create by countering the CRA’s attempts to extract tax revenue. Many recognize him as a leading figure in Canadian tax controversy and litigation. 

Peter’s recent work includes:  

  • acting for a corporate group facing a $27 million tax dispute related to whether some subsidiaries were Canadian resident corporations. This matter includes 12 Tax Court appeals and a Federal Court application.  
  • resolving four tax appeals related to non-compliance for overseas asset reporting. Peter worked to set a target outcome for each taxpayer based on a realistic application of the law to the facts and exceeded the expected outcome in all four cases. Peter's work saved the clients over $4.2 million.  
  • successfully negotiating a settlement for five Tax Court appeals related to a private company and its shareholders. Peter's work reduced the group’s tax assessments by 91 per cent. 
  • successfully persuading the CRA to abandon its position related to taxation of overseas income and saving a client $2.3 million. 
Peter Aprile is a very hands on and practical tax lawyer who is very focused and diligent. He is a pleasure to work with.

— Susan Farina, Tax Partner, PriceWaterhouseCoopers

Peter is smart, personable, timely and efficient, which are four qualities that don’t always go together! I give Counter my highest recommendation.

- David Daniels, Principal, Daniels Capital Group

Peter Aprile is a very smart, practical tax litigation lawyer. He has successfully assisted my clients. I have no hesitation in recommending Counter Tax Lawyers.

— Mihkel Holmberg, President, Holmberg Watson Professional Group

Additionally, Peter leads Counter’s ‘1% for Good’ impact initiative. This pro bono initiative engages in projects aimed at transforming the Canadian tax dispute system, focusing on increasing accountability within the CRA and the DoJ.

Peter started his career alongside Richard Fitzsimmons, one of Canada’s top tax litigators. After Richard’s passing, Peter evolved his strategy and approach to tax disputes, culminating in the founding of Counter Tax Litigators. 
 

Outside his professional responsibilities, Peter enjoys time with his wife and two children. A dedicated reader, Peter spends most of this time quietly reading and thinking to understand more. 

Framework Graphic 1 – representing Counter Tax Litigators' integrated approach to client service, combining advanced systems and deep legal expertise to resolve high-stakes tax disputes.

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Insights

A Comprehensive Analysis of Income Tax Penalties in Canada

A Comprehensive Analysis of Income Tax Penalties in Canada

July 17, 2024 - Counter Tax Litigators LLP is excited to announce the updated Practical Insight on Penalties under the Income Tax Act (2024), authored by Peter Aprile, James Roberts, and Jennifer Mak, and published...

Avoiding and Navigating Tax Disputes in the Mining Sector

Avoiding and Navigating Tax Disputes in the Mining Sector

January 21, 2024 - In Glencore Canada Corporation v. His Majesty the King[1](“Glencore FCA”), the Federal Court of Appeal examined and ultimately rejected Glencore’s contention regarding the tax treatment of...

Tax Disputes & ITC Claim Protection When Suppliers Fall Short

Tax Disputes & ITC Claim Protection When Suppliers Fall Short

November 17, 2023 - The Tax Court of Canada’s recent ruling in Fiera Foods Company v. HMK1 has significant implications for businesses claiming Input Tax Credits (ITCs) under the Excise Tax Act (ETA).

Deans Knight Will Have a Serious Impact on Tax Planning & Tax Disputes

Deans Knight Will Have a Serious Impact on Tax Planning & Tax Disputes

September 07, 2023 -

Mining in the Tax Court: Glencore’s Challenge to Exclude Fees from Taxable Income

Mining in the Tax Court: Glencore’s Challenge to Exclude Fees from Taxable Income

July 05, 2023 - Key Points in Glencore The case involves an appeal against a reassessment under the Income Tax Act, where the Minister of National Revenue assessed as income certain fees Falconbridge received due...

When Insurance Premiums Lead to Unwanted Shareholder Benefits

When Insurance Premiums Lead to Unwanted Shareholder Benefits

June 08, 2023 - Management M.-A. Roy Inc. v. HMK (“Gestion Roy”) centers around whether an Opco’s decision to pay insurance premiums, with two Holdcos as the policy owners, gives rise to a shareholder benefit under...