Osler provides guidance on all tax aspects of wealth preservation, business succession planning and estate planning, including limiting taxes payable at death, last will and testament planning, using life insurance to pay obligations of the estate, establishing private foundations for charitable giving, creating inter vivos trusts, and administering estates and trusts.
Our team also advises on cross-border tax planning in connection with trust structures, emigration from Canada and departure tax, tax residence issues, and estate freezes.
The full scope of our tax planning expertise includes designing tax efficient structures and negotiating domestic and international transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, equity investments, debt financings, real estate investments and all ranges of business ventures and transactions. Osler is a leader in corporate tax planning and cross-border taxation issues. Our firm also has deep Canadian and international expertise in capital markets, advising private equity funds and their investors, and structuring investments in mutual funds, ETFs, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds. Our tax lawyers are integral to the successful structuring of our private clients’ assets and estates and associated business succession and estate planning. They focus on:
Developing innovative and tax efficient structures
Our team takes into consideration multijurisdictional property, family or business interests.
Customized tax planning
Achieving our clients’ objectives while minimizing the tax burden is our focus. Guidance is also provided on all tax aspects of wealth preservation, business succession planning and estate planning, including limiting taxes payable at death, last will and testament planning, using life insurance to pay obligations of the estate, establishing private foundations for charitable giving, creating inter vivos trusts, and administering estates and trusts. Osler tax experts also advise on cross-border tax planning in connection with trust structures, emigration from Canada and departure tax, tax residence issues, and estate freezes.
Managing tax risks
Our team ensures there is no undue risk or increase to our client’s existing risk profile. Osler anticipates and handles scrutiny of our private clients by tax authorities and mitigates the potential consequences of that scrutiny (such as assessments/audits and possible additional payments, disputes and litigation).
Audits of tax structures by the CRA and provincial tax authorities are defended, and our team keeps abreast of all relevant tax legislation, regulations and treaties to ensure compliance, and identify planning opportunities.
Transaction agreements
Osler drafts and negotiates tax aspects of transaction agreements and other liquidity events while undertaking related due diligence;
No other firm rivals the range and depth of our taxation subject matter expertise, and our development of novel, tax efficient structures allows us to provide unparalleled insight into issues for potential investors.
Key Contacts
Partner, Tax, Montréal
Partner, Tax, Montréal
Partner, Tax, Vancouver
Partner, Tax, Calgary
Latest Insights
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Osler Update Jun 19, 2024
Canadian capital gains tax increase to take effect June 25
On June 10, 2024, the Government of Canada tabled a Notice of Ways and Means Motion (NWMM) in Parliament that proposes to increase the capital gains...
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Osler Update May 8, 2024
Even the dead wouldn’t be spared from Canada’s capital gains hike
Canada’s proposed increase to its capital gain inclusion rate is likely to impact a wide cross-section of taxpayers, not just the...
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Webinar Apr 18, 2024
Canadian Tax Law Insights: The 2024 federal budget and its implications for Canadian businesses
Our National Tax Group lead an in-depth discussion of the 2024 federal budget and what it means for your business.
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Osler Update Apr 16, 2024
Federal budget briefing 2024
Get expert insight and analysis of the tax proposals in Budget 2024, including the capital gains inclusion rate increase and other new or updated...
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Stay up to date with our latest insights
SubscribeAwards and Recognition
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Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Tax (Band 1)
- “Osler team brings a wealth of experience, and is methodical and strategic with their approach to complex and sophisticated matters.”
- “The depth of the team is unbelievable.”
- “Osler is technically strong. They are also commercial and will take a view supported by reasoned and principled judgement in areas with no clear answer. I am very happy with their advice.”
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Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Tax (Band 1)
- “They have an exceptionally strong team that works together seamlessly – their experience with tax and tax litigation is the best in Canada.”
In the Media
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Media Mentions Dec 19, 2024
How mergers and acquisitions impact executive compensation — Benefits Canada
Understanding the elements of a commercial transaction is essential before considering the tax implications of the acquiring company’s executive...
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Osler News Jul 18, 2024
Mark Brender ranked in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide
Osler is proud to announce that Mark Brender was recognized in the 2024 Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2024: Canada. Chambers and Partners...
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Media Mentions Dec 13, 2023
Lawyers exempted from mandatory disclosure regime until Charter challenge decided – Advisor.ca
An interim injunction exempting legal professionals from CRA’s new mandatory disclosure regime is closely being followed.
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Media Mentions Oct 31, 2023
Legal dilemma – The Canadian Bar Association National Magazine
New federal mandatory disclosure rules, which substantially expand the number of business transactions that must be reported to the CRA, risk...
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