Kendal Steele

Kendal Steele is a Partner at Loopstra Nixon LLP and leads the firm’s Tax Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group. He helps business owners, corporations, and individuals resolve complex disputes with the Canada Revenue Agency efficiently, strategically, and with minimal disruption to their operations and lives.

Kendal’s practice is dedicated to representing clients at every stage of a tax dispute: from audit to objection to Tax Court litigation. He regularly appears before the Tax Court of Canada and has successfully advanced clients’ positions in both the Tax Court and Federal Court. While always prepared to litigate, Kendal’s focus is on achieving practical, cost-effective outcomes that avoid unnecessary stress, delay, and expense.

Clients turn to Kendal when the stakes are high, and the issues are complex. He is known for taking a disciplined, hands-on approach; working closely with clients and their advisors to understand the full factual and financial picture, manage risk, and develop clear, persuasive strategies. Whether dealing with aggressive audits, significant reassessments, or penalty exposure, Kendal provides steady guidance and strong advocacy throughout the process.

He regularly advises on:

• CRA audits and reassessments (corporate and personal)
• Real estate tax disputes, including characterization and principal residence issues
• GST/HST and builder audits
• Business income and expense deductibility disputes
• Director’s liability assessments
• Gross negligence penalties
• Residency determinations and foreign reporting obligations
• Taxpayer relief and voluntary disclosure applications
• Tax shelter disputes involving taxpayers, planners, and promoters
• Tax Court litigation, judicial reviews, and CRA Appeals

In addition to dispute resolution, Kendal works with clients proactively to identify and manage tax risk, helping them navigate complex issues before they escalate into disputes. Kendal is committed to protecting his clients’ positions and achieving the best possible result, whether through negotiation, strategic resolution, or litigation.

Before joining Loopstra Nixon LLP, Kendal practiced at a boutique tax law firm in Toronto, where he developed a reputation for practical, results-driven advocacy.

Outside of his practice, Kendal is a production partner with The Little Park. He lives in Toronto with his wife, daughter, and their French bulldog, Theo, and enjoys exploring the city’s restaurants and entertainment. He holds a J.D. from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University and a degree from Acadia University.