LAWYER PROFILE
Rafael Santos Borin

Rafael Santos Borin

Brazil 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Rafael Pandolfo Advogados Associados

Brazil: Regions

Practice Areas

Rafael Santos Borin is a managing partner at Rafael Pandolfo Advogados Associados and, for over 25 years, has worked with strategic vision and high technical precision in coordinating the Tax and Business Advisory Areas. His career stands out for conducting sophisticated tax planning, structuring special regimes and working in highly complex administrative litigation.

With solid experience in tax consultancy, he leads strategies aimed at credit recovery, risk mitigation and the generation of competitive advantages with legal certainty. Recognized as one of the best experts in tax reform, he actively participates in discussions on the topic, both in technical and institutional instances. He is a frequent speaker at national-level events, conferences and seminars, in addition to giving workshops and in-company training, contributing significantly to the construction of a more modern and efficient tax system.

Present in several segments of the economy, he is director of tax affairs for the Union of Accounting, Advisory, Expertise, Information and Research Services Companies of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (SESCON-RS - Sindicato das Empresas de Serviços Contábeis, Assessoramento, Perícias Informações e Pesquisas do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul) and advisor for the Federation of Trade in Goods and Services of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fecomércio-RS - Federação do Comércio de Bens e de Serviços do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul), in addition to working with several other union entities, such as the Wholesale Trade Union for Porto Alegre and the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Sindiatacadistas-RS) and the Union of Plastic Material Industries in the State of RS (Sinplast-RS).

Professional Memberships

Director of Tax Affairs at the Union of Accounting, Advisory, Expertise, Information and Research Services Companies of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (SESCON-RS - Sindicato das Empresas de Serviços Contábeis, Assessoramento, Perícias, Informações e Pesquisas do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul).

Tax Advisor of the Federation of Trade in Goods and Services of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fecomércio-RS - Federação do Comércio de Bens e de Serviços do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul)

Member of the Board of Directors at the Institute of Tax Studies (IET - Instituto de Estudos Tributários).

Full Member of the Higher Education Foundation of Tax Law (FESDT - Fundação Escola Superior de Direito Tributário).

Former Judge with the Administrative Tax Appeals Court (TARF - Tribunal Administrativo de Recursos Fiscais).

Professor of specialization programs at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS - Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul) and the Institute of Tax Studies (IET - Instituto de Estudos Tributários).

Consultant for trade unions, such as the Wholesale Trade Union for Porto Alegre and the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Sindiatacadistas-RS) and the Union of Plastic Material Industries in the State of RS (Sinplast-RS).

Publications

BORIN, Rafael S.; NICHELE, Rafael. Curso Avançado de Processo Administrativo Tributário (“Advanced Course in Tax Administrative Proceedings”). Porto Alegre: Livraria do Advogado, 2012.

BORIN, Rafael. O split payment no novo cenário tributário (“Split payment in the new tax scenario”). Opinion article in the Legislation column of Valor Econômico, on 08/11/2024. Available at: https://valor.globo.com/legislacao/coluna/o-split-payment-no-novo-cenario-tributario.ghtml

Work Highlights

Structuring tax planning and corporate reorganizations with a focus on tax efficiency and legal compliance.

Strategic consultancy to business entities on issues of tax, legislative and regulatory impact.

Technical-oriented practice in relevant administrative proceedings before the Administrative Council for Tax Appeals (CARF - Conselho Administrativo de Recursos Fiscais) and the Administrative Tax Appeals Court (TARF - Tribunal Administrativo de Recursos Fiscais).

Specialist in direct and indirect taxes.

Active participation in legislative proceedings and institutional negotiations involving tax benefits and specific regimes.

Consulting and teaching on tax reform topics.

Education

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul)

Bachelor's degree in Law

Brazilian Institute of Tax Studies (IBET - Instituto Brasileiro de Estudos Tributários)

Graduate specialization degree in Tax Law

Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV)

Graduate specialization degree in Economic and Corporate Law

Languages Spoken

Portuguese (native).

English (fluent).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Brazil: Regions

Tax: Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Rafael Santos Borin has significant expertise in litigation and administrative proceedings concerning ICMS and PIS.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Rafael demonstrates strong technical knowledge, analytical skills and confidence in handling tax matters relevant to our business.

    Tax: Rio Grande do SulChambers Brazil: Regions
  • An extremely competent professional, Rafael has extensive technical knowledge and, above all, a keen understanding of our business needs.

    Tax: Rio Grande do SulChambers Brazil: Regions
  • A highly didactic professional with excellent oratory skills, Rafael Borin demonstrates extensive technical knowledge and handles requests with quality and direction.

    Tax: Rio Grande do SulChambers Brazil: Regions
  • Rafael has a comprehensive business vision that goes beyond isolated legal analysis, delivering results and solutions that anticipate future risks and align with the company’s strategic objectives.

    Tax: Rio Grande do SulChambers Brazil: Regions
  • Rafael Santos Borin is an excellent professional, combining technical quality, strategic management skills, professionalism and courtesy.

    Tax: Rio Grande do SulChambers Brazil: Regions

Ranked Individuals at Rafael Pandolfo Advogados Associados (3)

Brazil

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