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Robert Santia

Robert Santia

Associate Admitted to the Ontario Bar: 2016
People > Robert Santia

Robert finds satisfaction in identifying and solving complex tax issues for the benefit of his clients. With a keen eye for details, and an in-depth understanding of tax law, Robert provides creative solutions to meet his clients’ needs. Recognizing that every matter is unique, he works collaboratively with his clients to provide customized tax solutions to achieve their goals.

As a member of the firm's Tax Group, Robert’s practice focuses on personal estate and tax planning. He also has experience in business tax planning, with a particular focus on corporate reorganizations.

Other Languages

French
Italian
Portuguese
Spanish
Mandarin Chinese (Conversational)

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada in Tax Law
  • LL.M. in Taxation Award, Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia

Professional Involvement

Memberships

  • Canadian Tax Foundation
  • Law Society of Ontario

Selected Speaking Engagements

“Practical Advice for Tackling Challenging Planning Issues: Death of a Shareholder – Introduction to the Problem of Double Taxation” as part of “Wills and Estate Planning: A Primer,” OBA Trusts and Estates Law/Young Lawyers Division Program, November 4, 2019

“Speed Mentoring: Practical Advice on Succeeding as a Young Tax Lawyer,” OBA Taxation Law Program, October 1, 2019

“Taxation of Private Corporations: An Overview of Tax Considerations During Life and at Death,” Canadian Tax Foundation-Toronto Young Practitioners Tax Conference, June 17, 2019

Selected Publications

“Canada's New Tax on Split Income Regime is Here to Stay," co-authored with Rachel Blumenfeld, The International Comparative Legal Guide to Private Client 2019, Global Legal Group, January 2019

"Trust Issues: An Update," co-authored with Ed Esposto, in Report of Proceedings of the Sixty-Ninth Tax Conference, 2017 Conference Report, (Toronto: Canadian Tax Foundation, 2018), 28:1-40

“Revisiting Planning for Private Company Shareholders after July 2017,” Personal Tax Planning feature, Canadian Tax Journal, 421-45, (2018) 66:2

“Multi-Jurisdictional Pre-Immigration Planning,” co-authored with Rachel Blumenfeld, Ed Powles, Emma-Jane Weider, Alon Kaplan, Lyat Eyal, Stanley A. Barg and Eric Dorsch, in Trusts & Trustees, ttx118, Oxford University Press, September 2017

“Tax-Efficient Gifting to Canadians by Non-Residents: Some Issues and Considerations,” co-authored with Rachel Blumenfeld, New York State Bar Association and Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners' (STEP) 13th Annual International Estate Planning Institute, March 2017

“Voluntary Disclosures Program,” Tax Profile, February 2017

"The Income Tax Act and Estate Planning: The Law of Unintended Consequences," co-authored with Ed Esposto, Ontario Bar Association Annual Institute-Trusts and Estates Law Section, February 9, 2017

“Principal Residence Exemption: Trusts and Non-Residents,” co-authored with Jack Bernstein, Canadian Tax Highlights, Volume 25, Number 1, January 2017

"Court Backs Move of Trust’s Residency," The Bottom Line, January 2017

“Discretionary Trusts and Ontario Net Family Property,” co-authored with Nathan Wright, Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 6, Number 4, November 2016

Insights

Publications Article Jul 23, 2021 Department of Finance Clarifies Legislative Intent for Amendments to Taxation of Intergenerational Transfers of Businesses
Publications Article Jul 08, 2021 Bill C-208: Tax Implications for Family Businesses
Publications Article Mar 18, 2020 Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Publications Article Feb 27, 2018 Highlights of the 2018 Federal Budget

Education

  • CPA Canada In-Depth Tax Course, Parts I and II
  • LLM in Taxation, Peter A. Allard School of Law, the University of British Columbia, 2015
  • JD, University of Toronto, 2014
  • BA (with Distinction), McGill University, 2010

Expertise