Tax Quarry

Tanza Olyfveldt began pursuing a legal career as a tax practitioner after graduating from the University of Ottawa with a law degree in 2007.  After articling at a tax boutique law firm and seeking a challenge, she decided to expand her knowledge of the rules governing international tax issues by  continuing her legal studies at Northwestern University School of Law.  In Spring 2010, she completed a LL.M. in taxation.  

Since then, Tanza has been working at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as an International Tax Consultant specializing in US/Canada cross-border tax issues related to transactions involving multinational corporations.

Tanza provides advice to a wide range of clients in various industries.  However, she has been developing a niche practice delivering consulting services to financial services companies.

What is the most interesting part of your job?

Dealing with files that really engage the US Tax Code and/or the Canadian Income Tax Act and related tax treaties.   In particular, working with tax treaties to resolve complex tax issues involving multiple jurisdictions.  For example, I get really excited when I’m on a file with complicated tax issues that span the U.S., Canada and other countries – that sort of complexity often happens when we advise multinational clients on restructuring in merger and acquisition transactions.  Since a lot of the files I see involve the financial services industry, I’m also learning a lot about various financial products, particularly in asset management.  Basically, I am generally most interested in things that challenge me to think outside of the norm.

If you could have dinner with one person who is no longer living, who would it be and why?

I would really enjoy having dinner with Michael Jackson because he was a compassionate person who was very dedicated to his work.  I would love to gain insight into what motivated him to achieve and maintain the level of success he reached before his death.  I’d also like to chat with him about how he viewed the world.

Describe yourself in three words or less? 

Confident, ambitious, compassionate.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

In five years, I see myself more intimately involved in the client’s business as a strategic leader.

In your spare time, what do you watch on T.V.?

I’m a huge fan of the Colbert Report, the Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Criminal Minds.  

Written by Marsha Henry