Gujarat, Ahmedabad 22 March 2025: We are pleased to share the highlights from the second day of the Two-Day Tax Conclave 2025, jointly organized by the All Gujarat Federation of Tax Consultants (AGFTC) and the Income Tax Bar Association (ITBA) at J.B. Auditorium, Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA). The conclave attracted more than 450 participants, including Chartered Accountants, Tax Advocates, Tax Practitioners, and Consultants, who gained insights from leading experts in Direct and Indirect Taxation.
Fourth Technical Session: “Role of the Constitutional Courts in Protecting Rights of Taxpayers under the Income Tax Act, 1961”
The day began with an insightful session by Senior Advocate Tushar Hemani, who expertly navigated the topic of taxpayer rights and the role of constitutional courts in safeguarding those rights under the Income Tax Act, 1961. Sr. Adv. Hemani opened his talk with a relatable analogy, comparing the role of constitutional courts to that of an umpire in cricket – ensuring decisions are based purely on law, free from emotional influence. He emphasized that the courts play a vital role in balancing taxpayer rights with the responsibilities of tax authorities, providing vital judicial scrutiny. His session left participants with a deeper understanding of how the judiciary acts as a watchdog, ensuring fairness in tax assessments and appeals.
Fifth Technical Session: “Recent Controversies under GST”
In the following session, Advocate K. Vaitheeswaran, a renowned expert in Indirect Taxes, took the stage to discuss the latest controversies under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. He highlighted key cases where conflicting decisions have shaped the trajectory of GST, sparking debates that will influence the future framework of the law. His detailed analysis of landmark rulings and ongoing disputes shed light on the dynamic nature of GST, emphasizing the importance of staying abreast of these changes to effectively advise clients.
Sixth Technical Session: “Rights and Duties during Assessments and Appeal Proceedings”
The sixth session, led by CA (Dr.) Arpit Haldia, focused on the crucial topic of “Rights and Duties during Assessments and Appeal Proceedings.” Dr. Haldia provided a comprehensive overview of a taxpayer’s rights and obligations during the assessment and appeal process, offering key insights into the art of drafting replies and appeals. He emphasized that drafting is not just a technical skill but an art form that plays a critical role in litigation. Dr. Haldia guided participants through best practices for preparing written submissions, showing how strategic drafting can influence the outcome of tax disputes. His advice on effective communication and the importance of being well-prepared for assessments resonated with all attendees.
Seventh Technical Session: “TDS on Cross Border Transactions and Disclosure of Foreign Assets”
The final technical session of the conclave was delivered by Advocate (CA) Dhinal Shah, who provided a deep dive into the complexities of “TDS on Cross Border Transactions and Disclosure of Foreign Assets.” With the rise of international trade and the increasing interconnectedness of global economies, taxation of cross-border transactions has become a key area requiring specialized knowledge. Adv. Shah outlined the intricacies of TDS regulations for transactions involving multiple jurisdictions, stressing the importance of proper compliance to avoid penalties. His discussion on the disclosure of foreign assets also highlighted the legal obligations that taxpayers must adhere to in the era of increasing transparency and information exchange between tax authorities worldwide.
Brain Trust on Indirect Tax
The concluding session of the day featured a Brain Trust on Indirect Tax, which brought together an expert panel comprising Advocate (CA) Abhay Desai, CA Rashmin Vaja, CA Punit Prajapati, CA Jigar Shah, and Advocate Samir Siddhapuria. The panel addressed numerous burning issues under GST, engaging participants in a lively and interactive discussion. The Brain Trustees provided clarity on several complex GST provisions, answered queries from the audience, and shared practical solutions to common challenges faced by tax professionals in their day-to-day practice. The session proved to be a knowledge powerhouse, leaving participants more equipped to navigate GST’s complexities.
A Grand Success and Looking Ahead
The Two-Day Tax Conclave 2025 was a resounding success, with participants leaving enriched by the in-depth sessions on Direct and Indirect Taxation. The interactive format, coupled with the expertise of the speakers, created an atmosphere of learning and collaboration that will benefit tax professionals in Gujarat and beyond. The event concluded with an enthusiastic response, as both AGFTC and ITBA proudly announced the 7th Edition of the Tax Conclave, scheduled for 6th and 7th March 2026. Remarkably, the conclave’s strong brand appeal resulted in over 125 registrations being secured in advance for next year’s event!
The Two-Day Tax Conclave has established itself as a premier platform for tax professionals, and we are confident that it will continue to serve as a beacon of learning and knowledge sharing for years to come.
