William J. Fowlis

KC, FCPA, FCA, TEP |

Partner

Calgary

Office

403.298.2413

[email protected]

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Industries & Expertise

Biography

BAR ADMISSION

Alberta, 1987

Education

Alberta Bar, 1987
LL.B., University of Alberta, 1986
In-depth Tax Course, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, 1981
CA, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta, 1980
B.Comm., University of Alberta, 1978
Completed Family Enterprise Advisor Program, 2016

Languages Spoken

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Bill Fowlis, KC, FCPA, FCA, TEP has a great diversity of professional qualifications and experience – a seasoned lawyer, a Chartered Professional Accountant/Chartered Accountant and a Trust and Estate Practitioner. Focusing on taxation, corporate, trust, succession, and estate planning, Bill caters to privately owned businesses, high net worth individuals, and more. He also advises clients on merger and acquisition transactions and with respect to tax disputes. Recognized as a leading lawyer in Canada, he brings a wealth of experience to the table.

Bill’s dedication extends beyond his legal practice – he is an engaging speaker and prolific writer, sharing his insights on tax matters at various platforms. As a distinguished member of influential organizations like STEP, Bill’s contributions have been invaluable in shaping the legal landscape. With a unique blend of knowledge, experience, and dedication, Bill is not just a legal professional but a trusted advisor ready to guide you through complex matters with confidence.

With a rich background in tax law and corporate tax, Bill’s career at Miller Thomson has been very impressive. A former national leader in tax law and corporate tax at the firm, his experience and knowledge have been recognized by prestigious publications like the Chambers HNW Guide and Best Lawyers in Canada. Bill’s accolades span various areas including tax law, trusts, estates, corporate law, and mergers and acquisitions – a testament to his breadth of knowledge and success in the field.

Industry involvement

Recognition

Recognized in the 2024 Lexpert Special Edition for Finance and M&A
Recognized in the 2024 Lexpert Special Edition for Insolvency & Restructuring
King’s Counsel (appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2014)
Awarded an FCA, 2014
Certified as a Family Enterprise Advisor, 2017
Martindale–Hubbell Directory, AV Preeminent rating
Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Law – Canada, 2017 – 2024
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Corporate Tax, 2008 – 2024; Estate & Personal Tax Planning, 2008 – 2024
Best Lawyers in Canada – Trusts and Estates, 2006 – 2025; Tax Law, 2009 – 2025; Corporate Law, 2021 – 2025; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2022 – 2025
Lawyer of the Year for Calgary, Alberta, The Best Lawyers in Canada – Tax Law, 2015
Who’s Who Legal, Canada Guide – National Leader; Canada – Private Client, 2017 – 2024
Who’s Who Legal – Global Leader; Private Client, 2018 – 2024
Received STEP Founder’s Award, 2015

Thought leadership

Co-Author, “Upcoming Changes to the Capital Gains Inclusion Rate: Planning Opportunities to Reduce the Impact of the New Rules”, Tax Notes and Wealth Matters, May 2024
Co-Presenter, “Shared Ownership of Life Insurance,” CALU Fall Conference, November 2022
Presenter, “CRA Audit Activity Respecting Trusts – What’s Happening, Preventive Steps and Best Practices,” Entrepreneurial Chartered Professional Accountants of Calgary, November 2021
Co-Author, “Intergenerational Transfers of Family Businesses: Bill C-208 and the Path Forward,” published in Taxes and Wealth Management, Fall 2021
Co-Presenter, “Estate Planning from Design to Wind-up: Key Tax Issues & Pitfalls,” Canadian Tax Foundation Western Tax Conference, September 2021 with paper published in the Western Tax Conference Report
Co-Author, “Update on Bill C-208; New Taxation Rules Impacting Transfers of Family Businesses to the Next Generation,” Wealth Matters, July 2021
Co-author, “New Taxation Rules Impacting Transfers of Family Businesses to the Next Generation,” Wealth Matters, June 2021
Interviewed for and quoted in Globe and Mail’s Family Business Report, April 2021
Presenter, “Trust Audits and Legislative Requirements to Obtain Information about Trusts and Beneficial Owners,” STEP Canada National Webinar, February 2021
Author, “Restarting the clock on a trust’s 21 year deemed disposition: The Coronavirus (COVID 19) economy may be the right time,” Wealth Matters, April 2020
Moderator, “Taxation of Trusts and Estates Full Day STEP Course,” Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canada), Calgary Branch location, February 2020
Presenter, “Current Tax Issues in Trust Planning,” Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canada), Calgary Branch Seminar, February 2019
Co-author, “A New Era of Private Corporation Tax Rules,” Tax Notes Parts I to V published between February 5, 2018 and December 20, 2018
Co-author, “Planning for the New Passive Income Rules affecting Private Corporations,” Insurance Planning Newsletter (Thomson Reuters), July 2018
Presenter, “Shareholder Borrowing Strategies: Tips, Landmines and Pitfalls,” Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU) National Annual Meeting, May 2018
Contributor, “Taxation at Death and Post Mortem Planning Full Day STEP Canada Course,” Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canada), 2018
Co-author, “Proposed Amendments to the Taxation of Private Corporations – Where are we now?” Tax Notes, November 27, 2017
Presenter, “The July 18, 2017 Finance Proposals – Update, Review of Relevant Examples and Planning Considerations,” Entrepreneurial CPAs of Calgary Society, October 2017
Participant, “STEP Canada Special Symposium on Taxation of Private Corporations and Shareholders,” August 2017
Presenter, “Estate Planning Considerations for Shareholders in Private Family Enterprises,” Family Enterprise Xchange (FEX) Calgary College, June 2017
Panel Member, “Positioning for Family Enterprise Succession’” Family Enterprise Xchange (FEX) Calgary, March 2017
Co-author, “Recent Jurisprudence Regarding the Provincial Residency of Trust in Canada,” Wealth Matters, March 18, 2016
Co-author, “Command and Control,” STEP Trust Quarterly Review, December 2015
Panel member, “Top 10 Sources of Litigation in Will and Estate Planning for Family Business,” Canadian Association of Family Enterprise-Calgary Chapter, November 2015
Panel member, “Post-Mortem Planning for Privately Held Corporations: A Re-visitation,” Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canada) National Conference, June 4, 2015
Co-presenter, “Trust Update 2015,” Canadian Tax Foundation Prairie Provinces Tax Conference, June 2015, with paper published in the Prairie Provinces Tax Conference Report
Panel member, “Post-Mortem Planning for Privately Held Corporations,” Vancouver Branch, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, May 2015
Panel member, “In Trusts We Trust,” Canadian Association of Family Enterprise Calgary Chapter, February 2015
Co-author, “Post Mortem Planning for Private Corporation Shares,” STEP Inside Newsletter, 2015
Co-author, “Tax on corporate transactions in Canada,” chapter in Tax on Transactions Multi-jurisdictional Guide, Practical Law (a Thomson Reuters publication), 2015
Co-author, “Current Changes to Testamentary Trusts and Continuing Advantages,” Tax Notes, July 31, 2014
Panel member, “Post Mortem Planning for Privately Held Corporations,” Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canada) National Conference, June 2014
Panel member, “Estate Planning Gone Awry” Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU) National Annual Meeting, May 2014
Presenter, “Tax Issues and Planning Today,” Entrepreneurial Chartered Accountants of Calgary, February 2014
Author, “Surplus Stripping: Is the Pipeline Leaking Again?” Tax Notes, August 21, 2013
Co-author, “Miller Thomson Federal Budget Review,” 2008-present
Instructor, Courses for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta on Taxation of Family Trusts, Business Succession Planning, Tax Issues for Private Corporate Groups
Panel member, “Using a Private Company as a Trustee in Various Canadian Jurisdictions,” Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canada) National Conference, June 2013
Presenter, “Current Tax Cases,” Entrepreneurial CA’s of Calgary, February 2013
Co-author, “Inter-Provincial Planning–The Alberta Perspective,” STEP Inside newsletter, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canada), January 2013
Co-author, “Beneficial Ownership Test For Tax Treaty Benefit Entitlement,” Tax Notes, November 26, 2012
Co-Presenter, “The Final Word(?) on Trust Residence and Thoughts on the Future,” Canadian Tax Foundation Annual Conference, November 2012, which paper was published in the 2012 CTF Annual Conference Report, 2013
Co-author, “U.S. Tax and Filing Obligations for Canadians,” Tax Notes, June 13, 2012
Presenter, “Case Law Update,” Calgary Branch, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, April 2012
Author, “2011 Federal Budget—Focus on Anti-Avoidance Rules,” Tax Notes, June 7, 2011
Co-chaired Federated Press Tax Planning for the Wealthy Family Course in Calgary, Alberta and presented “Advanced Income Tax Planning for Maximizing Asset Protection,” March 2011
Presenter, “Estate Freezes–Planning Considerations, Current Issues and Opportunities,” Canadian Bar Association, South Alberta Wills and Estate subsection, February 2011
Presenter, “Shareholder Agreements—Changing Landscape, What to Look For, Common Errors” Calgary Branch, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, November 2010
Author, “Corporate Trustees: Can a Corporation Other Than a Trust Corporation Act as a Trustee in the Province of Alberta?” Estates, Trusts & Pensions Journal, September 2010
Presenter, “Update on Canadian Taxation of Non-Resident Trusts and Foreign Investment Entities,” Canadian Petroleum Tax Society Conference, June 2010
Co-author, “International Tax: Corporate Residency – A New Approach to the Application of Central Management and Control,” Tax Notes, March 1, 2010
Co-author, “The Use of Estate Refreezing in an Economic Downturn,” Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners International Journal, September 2009
Presenter, “Tax Planning in Difficult Economic Times—Implementing or Altering an Estate Freeze and Low-Interest Loan Planning,” National Conference of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canada), June 2009
Co-presenter, “The Estate Freeze in Difficult Economic Times—the Basics, Opportunities and Challenges,” Canadian Association of Family Enterprise—Calgary CAFÉ College, May 2009
Co-presenter, “Canadians Acquiring U.S. Real Property–Cross-Border Tax Considerations,” Canadian Tax Foundation Annual Tax Conference, December 2008, published in the 2008 CTF Annual Conference Report, 2009
Author, “The Reversionary Trust Rule Contained in the Income Tax Act (Canada)— Operation of the Rule and Guidance Provided by Recent Jurisprudence,” Wealth Matters, May 2008
Co-chair, “Federated Press Tax Planning for the Wealthy Family,” course and presenter, “Advanced Income Tax Planning for Maximizing Asset Protection” and “Owner-Manager Tax Planning,” February 2008
Author, “The Reversionary Trust Rule contained in the Income Tax Act (Canada),” Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners International Journal, November/December 2007
Presenter, “The 21 Year Deemed Disposition Rule–Operation of the Rule, Planning Strategies and other Issues,” Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Alberta) Full Day Seminar, May 2007
Presenter “Practitioners Update–Recent Tax Changes,” National Conference of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Canada), June 2006
Presenter, “Tax Products–Issues to Watch for as a Potential Purchaser, Advisor or Promoter,” Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Alberta) Full Day Seminar, May 2006
Author, “Accountants and the Fiduciary Duty owed to Clients–the Changing Landscape,” Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta Spotlight Magazine, Spring 2006
Author, “Regulation 105 and Related Cross-Border Withholding Tax Issues,” Tax Notes, Spring 2006
Author, “Planning Considerations with respect to Employees Profit Sharing Plans,” Federated Press, Taxation of Executive Compensation and Retirement Journal, Summer 2005
Presenter, “Regulation 105 and other Cross Border Withholding Tax Issues,” Canadian Tax Foundation Prairie Provinces Tax Conference, May 2005
Presenter, “Legal, Tax and Practical Issues involved with Using a Trust to Carry on Business,” Calgary Branch, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, January 2005
Author, “Health and Welfare Trusts,” Tax Notes, Spring 2005
Author, “Recent Tax, Corporate and Trust Developments,” 2005
Author, “Legal Tax And Practical Issues Involved With Using A Trust To Carry On Business,” 2005
Author, “New Draft Income Tax Legislation Respecting Non-Competition Covenants and Other Restrictive Covenants,” Tax Notes, Summer 2004
Author, “Department of Finance Draft Proposals Regarding The Deductibility of Interest and Other Expenses,” 2004
Presenter, “Understanding and Implementing Alberta Advantage Tax and Estate Planning,” Tax and Estate Planning conference, Pacific Business and Law Institute, March 2004
Presenter, “Cross Border Planning and Related Tax Issues with respect to Alberta Resident Trusts,” co-written by William Fowlis and Joe Yurkovich, Calgary Branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, January 2002
Author, “Third Party Civil Penalties—The First Interpretative Views from CCRA,” Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta, Monthly Statement Newsletter, March 2001, Law Society of Alberta, Monthly Advisory Newsletter, August 2001
Author, “Non-Resident Trusts and Foreign Investment Entities,” Tax Notes, Fall 2000
Author, “General Description of the Taxpayer Migration Rules,” Tax Notes, Fall 2000
Author, “New Income Splitting: The Kiddie Tax,” Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta, Monthly Statement Newsletter, March 2000
Author, “Separate Capital Cost Allowance Class Election For Manufacturing and Processing Equipment,” Tax Notes, March 21, 2000
Participant in Canada Revenue Agency/Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta Roundtable Meetings

Community roles

Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial, 1988-Present
Past President, Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial, 1994-1995

Memberships & affiliations

Member, Law Society of Alberta, 1987
Member, Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta, 1980
Member, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, 2000
Member, The International Academy of Estate and Trust Law
Associate Member, Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU)
Member, Canadian Tax Foundation
Member, Canadian Bar Association
Member, Entrepreneurial CPA’s of Calgary Society

William J. Fowlis

Industries & Expertise

INDUSTRIES

EXPERTISE

Biography

BAR ADMISSION

Education

Languages Spoken

Team Heading

Insights

Upcoming changes to the capital gains inclusion rate: Planning opportunities to reduce the impact...

Restarting the clock on a trust’s 21-year deemed disposition: The Coronavirus (COVID-19) economy...

New taxation rules impacting transfers of family businesses to the next generation Everything you...

Update on Bill C-208 New taxation rules impacting transfers of family businesses to the next...

News

Miller Thomson celebrates ninth consecutive year earning Band 1 rank in Chambers High Net Worth...

Our lawyers stand out in the Lexpert Special Editions 2024

Industry involvement

Recognition

Thought leadership

Community roles

Memberships & affiliations

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