Michael A.
Goldberg
Partner
Admitted to the Ontario Bar: 2000
Admitted to the Alberta Bar: 1997
Admitted to the Manitoba Bar: 1996
Michael brings more than 25 years of experience in the area of domestic and international tax planning, and is recognized for his expertise in both The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and The Best Lawyers in Canada. He is highly regarded as a thought leader in the tax industry for his prolific writing and dynamic public speaking. Michael’s genuine curiosity, perceptive nature and practical approach help him to develop innovative solutions and solve complex client issues.
Michael is Co-Leader of the firm's Private Client Group and a member of the Tax and Trusts & Estates Groups. He advises privately owned Canadian corporations on domestic and international tax planning, including in connection with corporate reorganizations and restructurings. Michael leverages his tax and estate planning expertise to develop strategies for clients, such as high-net-worth individuals, on wealth transfer, probate planning, business succession, and multi-generational estate and succession planning. He also provides advice on cross-border tax planning, including on tax-efficient emigration and immigration matters.
Michael goes to great lengths for his clients and is dedicated to nurturing strong relationships. As evidence of his commitment to being a trusted advisor in his field, Michael holds the Family Enterprise Advisor designation, a global benchmark in family business advising.
Michael frequently publishes works in notable tax publications and speaks to associations and industry groups about succession planning and relevant tax issues. He also hosts a quarterly conference call, Tax Talk with Michael Goldberg, to advise professionals serving high-net-worth clients on notable, real-life tax situations.
Professional Involvement
Professional Activities
- Steering Committee Member, Cambridge Forum for Senior Estates & Trusts Practitioners
- Former Chair, Meritas Canada Tax Group
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Technical Tax Sub-Committee
- Former Secretary and Executive Board Member, Robbins Hebrew Academy
- Founding Advisory Board Member – White Knight Foundation
- Founding Member of Six Points Charitable Venture Fund in association with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
- Former Marketing Committee and Board Member, UJA Professional Advisory Committee
Memberships
- The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
- The International Fiscal Association (IFA)
- UJA Professional Advisory Committee
- Family Enterprise Advisory Peer Group
- Canadian Tax Foundation
- Ontario Bar Association
- Canadian Bar Association
Editorial Board Member, "Canadian Income Tax Act with Regulations, Annotated" 117th Edition, Wolters Kluwer, August 2025.
Editorial Board Member, "Canadian Income Tax Act with Regulations, Annotated" 116th Edition, Wolters Kluwer, August 2024.
Co-Author, “Until Death Do They Part: Tax Issues for Canadians Owning and Dying With Foreign Real Property,” Tax Notes, Wolters Kluwer, February, 2023.
Co-Author, “Until Death Do They Part: Tax Issues for Canadians Owning and Dying With Foreign Real Property,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, January 17, 2023.
Author, “Should Canadian Investors Be Able to Enjoy the Same Beneficial Tax Treatment as Public and Foreign Corporations?” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, April 5, 2022.
Co-Author, “Tax Planning for the Non-Specialist Advisor — New Succession Planning Strategy for the Owner-Manager: Part II,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, February 22, 2022.
Co-Author, “Tax Planning for the Non-Specialist Advisor — New Succession Planning Strategy for the Owner-Manager: Part I,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, February 15, 2022.
Author, “Tax Planning for the Non-Specialist Advisor Post-Mortem Planning for Private Companies — Reconsidering Options for Triggering Capital Gains — Part II,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, April 6, 2021.
Author, “Tax Planning for the Non-Specialist Advisor Post-Mortem Planning for Private Companies — Reconsidering Options for Triggering Capital Gains — Part I,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, March 23, 2021.
Author, “Tax Planning for the Non-Specialist Advisor Unlocking Liquidity in Corporate Capital Losses — Planning to Maximize the Capital Dividend Account — Part III,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, August 11, 2020.
Author, “Tax Planning for the Non-Specialist Advisor Unlocking Liquidity in Corporate Capital Losses — Planning to Maximize the Capital Dividend Account — Part II,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, July 20, 2020.
Author, “Tax Planning for the Non-Specialist Advisor Unlocking Liquidity in Corporate Capital Losses — Planning to Maximize the Capital Dividend Account — Part I,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, July 7, 2020.
Author, “Part 2: Shareholders Agreements, the Act, and the Non-Specialist Advisor: the Impact of Control,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, May 2, 2019.
Author, “Part 1: Shareholders Agreements, the Act, and the Non-Specialist Advisor: the Impact of Control,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, April 11, 2019.
Author, “The Passive Investment Rules and Their Associates,” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, September 6, 2018.
Co-Author, “Is a 93% Tax Rate Fair to Canadian Small Business Owners?” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, August 2017.
Author, “Budget 2017 — Shots Across the Bow — and Some Direct Hits…” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, April 13, 2017.
Author, “Not Quite Chicken Soup — Part II: Are Powers to Add and Remove Beneficiaries Safe for Canadian Family Trust Precedents?” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, November 14, 2013.
Author, “Not Quite Chicken Soup — Part I: Are Powers to Add and Remove Beneficiaries Safe for Canadian Family Trust Precedents?” Tax Topics, Wolters Kluwer, November 7, 2013.