'It's Not Weighing On Me': Maple Leafs' John Tavares Leaving Battle with Canada's Tax Agency to Court System

Originally posted on Toronto Maple Leafs on SI
By David Alter | Last updated Feb 9, 2024 10:08 AM ET

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares is taking the Canada Revenue Agency to court following a disagreement over how much the star player owes in taxes on his 2018 tax return.

Tavares, speaking at the team's outdoor practice on Thursday, told reporters he's leaving the issue up to his counsel.

"It’s not weighing on me," Tavares said. "It’s in the court process. I understand the question but at this time I don't have any other comment other than it’s in the court process now."

On Wednesday, the National Post reported that Tavares was taking the Canadian tax agency to court over a reassessment of his 2018 return which totaled $8 million in money owed including interest.

At issue is the player's signing bonus that was part of the Mississauga native's seven-year, $77 million contract he signed with the club on July 1, 2018. The player earned $15.25 million of his $15.9 million compensation in signing bonus, which they argue was "integral" for his signing in Toronto despite interest from other clubs. They argue that only 15 percent of the signing bonus should be taxed based on the Canada-U.S. tax treaty that creates an exception.

The captain, who is known to be stoic and not let much faze him outside of the task at hand appears to be taking the same approach with this legal battle.

The outcome of this will be watched by many in Canadian professional sports. Many of Toronto's top stars have similar signing bonuses where a very high amount of compensation is tied to signing bonuses.

Tavares is on a three-game goal-scoring streak that started just after a career-long nine-game pointless streak. The 33-year-old has 15 goals and 25 assists in 49 games this season.