Stephen Katz Ltd

As a retired professional (and a dual citizen), I spent quite a bit of time researching the whole subject of FBARs and looked across Canada for someone who could help me file my US return. I finally chose Stephen Katz in Vancouver, BC. His entire team provided me with legal and accounting services that have been nothing short of excellent. In my view the reviewer who complained about the $ 500 he spent wasted his own money by not following through. It’s like the guy who takes a lovely woman out for a first date and then complains about the restaurant bill.
Thelma J

I’d been handling my wife’s US tax situation, but my procrastination with some of the filings led to a very sticky situation where we had a deadline of less than seven days to get a lot of information to the IRS. By the time I found Stephen Katz’s firm the deadline was down to four days. His team, in particular Kevin and Vangie, worked overtime (to say the least) and we met the deadline (with a day to spare). I had given up hope of meeting the deadline and was resigned to facing some pretty severe penalties (especially after the first accountant I spoke with said that what we wanted to do would take a minimum of 30 to 45 days and cost $ 14,000!). The IRS letters make everything sound extremely grave. The team reassured us, advised us, helped us and in the end did a fantastic job. I can’t say enough about them and while I hope never to be in quite such a bind I would feel comfortable with them on my side.

I went to this office to clear up years and years of headaches with both the Canadian and US tax departments. I did not have the good fortune to meet with Kaman Kwok as the previous reviewer. I met with Stephen Katz himself. What a waste of money that is. I might as well give it to the tax department. I got an hour of useless and redundant information that any laymen on the street would know. $ 500.00 later all I have to say is save your money and find another company to help you with the mysteries of the US/​Canadian tax laws.

As a reviewer on Google noted, Stephen Katz is very knowledgeable in the arcane field of Canada-​US taxes. (two countries = 3 times the headaches.) However, IMHO, the real star of the office is his colleague, Kaman Kwok. Talk about your «high bandwidth» professional! I have an MBA and an MS in Finance and I can barely keep up with her. (I suspect she throttles back a bit to avoid leaving me behind.)
When you have to face off against both the CRA and the IRS, you want the very best people on your side. I’m sleeping soundly now, knowing that Kaman Kwok has my back.
UPDATE: Kaman Kwok has subsequently left to start her own firm, called Cross-​Border Tax. I «voted with my feet» and switched to her firm. Why? Think of the Pittsburgh Penguins without Sidney Crosby… you get the idea.
Thus, I have lowered my rating of Stephen Katz Ltd from 5 stars to two stars.
FYIW — Having been through two tax return cycles with Ms. Kwok at her new firm, I can report I am even more pleased than before. Now I get even better service and more value since I am not paying for the «overhead» of Stephen Katz Ltd.
FYI — the website of her company is: