J. Andre Rachert

Phone:  (250) 385-1411
Fax:  (250) 413-3300
Email:  jar@cookroberts.bc.ca

Senior counsel in the firm’s Tax Group, Andre is the most experienced tax litigator working on Vancouver Island.  He started his practice in Vancouver as legal counsel in the Tax Litigation section of the Federal Department of Justice.  Since moving to Victoria in 1998, Andre has worked as a tax specialist in the private sector.

Other advisors have come to rely on his extensive experience in resolving income tax and GST disputes.  He also acts as defense counsel in tax evasion cases.  A focal point of his dispute resolution practice is providing litigation support and advice to other lawyers, accountants and financial advisors as well as correcting planning and transaction errors in a tax efficient manner.

Andre has taken the time to develop a planning practice that focuses on tax efficient corporate and estate planning, buying and selling businesses and post mortem estate variations.  He has provided tax planning services to clients in Canada, the United States, the Middle East, Central America and Asia

Professional Membership and Activities

  • Member, Law Society of BC, Canadian Bar Association, Victoria Bar Association
  • Member, Canadian Tax Foundation
  • Organizing Committee Member, Canadian Tax Foundation, BC Branch
  • Co-chair, Victoria Bar Association/Chartered Accountants Golf Tournament
  • Instructor, Guest Lecturer, Speaker
    • Canadian Tax Foundation
    • Pacific Business Law Institute
    • Wills & Estates Law, University of Victoria
    • Business Law Clinic, University of Victoria
    • LSBC Professional Legal Training Course
    • CGA Certification Program
    • Institute of Chartered Accountants
    • Coach, Tax Moot Team, University of Victoria, Faculty of Law

Community Involvement

  • Past Director, Victoria YMCA/YWCA
  • Past Director and Chair, Foundation for the University of Victoria
  • Past Director, University of Victoria Foundation
  • Director, Victoria Estate Planning Council
  • Volunteer legal advisor, Victoria Access Pro Bono law Clinic

Publications

  • “Penalties and Reassessments Beyond the Statutory Limits” (Toronto: Canadian Tax Foundation, 2014)
  • “Making Corrections to Trusts: Comparing Variations, Rectifications and Hastings Bass” (Vancouver: Pacific Business Law Institute, 2013)
  • “Proving Business Expenses: Checklists and Commentary” (Toronto: Canadian Tax Foundation, 2012)
  • Questions and CRA Responses, CRA Round Table” 2009 British Columbia Tax Conference (Toronto: Canadian Tax Foundation, 2009);
  • “Current Trends in Audit Procedures: A review of the General Rules and What to Look Out For With Potential Criminal Investigations,” (Toronto: Canadian Tax Foundation, 2007).

Education

  • Admitted to Practice, 1995
  • LLB, University of Victoria, 1994
  • MA (Criminology), Simon Fraser University, 1989
  • BA, University of Calgary, 1985