Indirect Tax, Customs & Trade Practice

“We Are Leading Law Firm”

At Sias Legal, we understand that every commercial transaction carries tax implications, and it is crucial for businesses to identify and manage these aspects effectively to ensure compliance with Indian tax laws. Our highly skilled Indirect Tax Practice Team, comprising of lawyers and chartered accountants, advises both Indian and international businesses on a wide range of indirect taxation issues, including GST, Customs, and Trade laws.

We provide comprehensive and strategic guidance tailored to the specific needs of our clients, helping them navigate the complexities of India’s indirect tax regime. Our multi-disciplinary team brings deep experience across various sectors, including manufacturing, real estate, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, oil and gas, defense, media, IT & ITES, retail, hospitality, banking, financial services, and e-commerce. We help both multinational and domestic corporations design, implement, and defend their indirect tax strategies efficiently.

Comprehensive GST Solutions

GST Advisory:

  • Tax Rate Determination: Identifying applicable GST rates, classification of goods and services, and availability of exemptions and indirect tax benefits.
  • Business Model & Supply Chain Review: Assessing business models and supply chains to ensure GST compliance and tax efficiency.
  • Input Tax Credit (ITC): Advising on eligibility for ITC, job work, reverse charge mechanism, and valuation of goods and services.
  • Tax Liability: Determining liability to pay GST on imports or under reverse charge provisions for specific activities.

Compliance and Support:

  • Registration & Filing: Assisting with GST registration, filing monthly and annual returns, and processing refund claims.
  • Tax Efficiency Practices: Conducting detailed indirect tax due diligence and recommending tax-efficient practices for clients.
  • Pricing & Costing Models: Developing pricing strategies that comply with GST law and the anti-profiteering provisions.
  • Post-Implementation Review: Evaluating compliance and tax efficiency after the implementation of GST.

Litigation Support:

  • Representation: Representing clients before departmental authorities, tribunals, High Courts, and the Supreme Court of India.
  • Advance Rulings: Assisting clients in obtaining advance rulings and making representations before the GST Council.
  • Addressing Queries: Handling scrutiny and inquiries from tax authorities to ensure smooth resolution of any tax-related issues.

Training and Awareness:

  • Customized GST Training: Offering tailored training programs for businesses to understand and implement GST effectively.
  • Tax Efficiency Advisory: Advising on realigning operations for better tax efficiency, conducting fiscal impact assessments, and providing IT functional advisory.

Expertise in Customs and Trade Services

Our Customs and Trade Services focus on providing end-to-end solutions that address both regulatory compliance and strategic planning.

Customs Advisory:

  • Classification and Duty Rates: Advising on the classification of goods and determining applicable duty rates for imports and exports, including exemptions.
  • SVB Filing: Assisting with submissions before the Special Valuation Branch (SVB) of Customs to determine arm’s length pricing for goods imported from related enterprises.
  • Duty Drawback: Providing guidance on the availability of duty drawback on the export of goods and services.
  • Export/Import Controls: Advising on export/import restrictions related to controlled goods, technologies, and sanctions.

Compliance and Support:

  • Import Export Code (IEC): Assisting with obtaining IEC, licenses, and authorizations from DGFT for export incentives or the import/export of restricted goods.
  • Special Schemes: Providing support for setting up and managing units under schemes such as the 100% Export Oriented Scheme, SEZ, and Free Trade Warehousing Zone.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring compliance with various regulatory laws governing export/import of goods and services.
  • Diagnostic Reviews: Conducting diagnostic reviews of operations under Customs Laws and the Foreign Trade Policy.

Litigation Support:

  • Anti-Trade Remedy Investigations: Representing clients in investigations concerning anti-dumping duties, safeguard duties, and countervailing duties.
  • Regulatory Investigations: Assisting clients during raids or investigations by authorities such as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and other regulatory bodies.
  • Litigation at All Levels: Providing litigation support from adjudicating levels up to the Supreme Court.

Trade Policy Advisory

Our team provides strategic advice to clients on various aspects of international trade, including:

  • Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs): Advising clients on the applicability of PTAs and evaluating manufacturing processes for preferential treatment.
  • FTA Duty Savings: Conducting comparative analyses to identify duty savings available under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
  • Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Scheme: Assisting clients in securing benefits under the AEO Scheme and reviewing customs risks and broker regulations.
  • Customs Risk Management: Helping businesses assess and mitigate customs risks to ensure smooth operations across borders.

At Sias Legal, we strive to provide our clients with comprehensive, strategic solutions to help them effectively manage indirect tax compliance, customs regulations, and trade law challenges. Our multi-disciplinary approach ensures that we offer tailored, practical advice for businesses operating in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Whether you are a domestic corporation or a multinational entity, we are committed to supporting your growth and compliance in the ever-evolving world of indirect taxes, customs, and trade.