Started in July 2017, AskPankaj is not just the name of an organization but a concept. The concept of standing beside you to address all your tax queries. It is a unique idea of providing personalised, end-to-end tax solutions whether you are a business organization or an advisor to a business.The genesis of the concept lies in my own experience of more than 12 years, as a consultant, tax litigator and in-house tax leader, in Indian and European taxes. AskPankaj is a team of legal and accounting professionals from India and the UK.From bouncing-off a simple tax idea to a quick query on procedural compliance, to resolving complex tax litigations, AskPankaj is with you as your trusted advisor.

Leading the corporate and zonal tax teams of more than 35 members, Pankaj's work included advising on complex tax matters of company’s operations, interacting with tax commissionerates, managing tax litigation, developing international taxation strategy, corporate tax & transfer pricing. He advised the company on the direct and indirect tax of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri-Lanka.At Coca-Cola, with over $1.5 Billion operations, Pankaj spearheaded the implementation of Goods & Services Tax (GST) across the 24 manufacturing plants and business places spread over 21 states across India.

The Kohler Group, established in 1873, is a global manufacturer and service provider in the fields of Kitchen & Bath, Global Power, Interiors and Hospitality & Real Estate with more than 30,000 associates and 52 manufacturing locations spread across six continents. Kohler’s presence in India constitutes two businesses of Kitchen & Bath and Global Power with a matrix of manufacturing and trading patterns. The Kitchen & Bath business in India itself includes manufacturing operations, import & trading, export of goods, and provision of services.Pankaj, as Senior Manager – Tax, heads the Tax function covering management of corporate tax, transfer pricing and multiple indirect taxes in India. The work involves regular interactions and representations before tax authorities, management of tax audits, compliance with complex tax laws and handling of tax litigation.In this multi facets role, Pankaj has successfully worked as a business partner with various business units, corporate functions and global tax teams to work out and implement effective strategies relating to the business transactions and structures.

Pankaj headed one of the four teams of the indirect tax of the Delhi practice and was part of the all-India GST Core Team of Deloitte India. He was also a member of Consumer Business & Trade (CB&T) Team with focus on Consumer Goods and Retail sector. His team of 4 people handled advisory, litigation and health check assignments for Multinational companies. He advised various MNCs on diverse issues relating to indirect tax implications and entry strategy for India including explanation of complex customs, VAT, excise and service tax provisions. Custom Tariff/HSN classification and benefits under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).He conceptualised and led indirect tax compliance review for various manufacturing and service sector companies covering manufacturing plants, head office and warehouses resulting in significant tax savings. Pankaj has successfully represented clients’ interests before various VAT appellate authorities including VAT Tribunal across various states in India on the issues relating to valuation, classification, imports into India and VAT investigation.Pankaj represented Deloitte for discussions and providing real-time technical inputs to ‘Hindustan Times’ newspaper for their Budget edition in 2011

Over the two tenures at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (Jan'05-Sept'07 and Jan'09-May'10), Pankaj held independent charge of retainership portfolio for 27 clients consisting of MNCs, service providers and industrial houses. The work profile covered advisory on service tax, VAT, central excise, customs, Foreign Trade Policy and cenvat issues. He was being regularly consulted by national and international clients on diverse issues relating to concepts of sale, concepts of Value Added Tax, availability & calculation of input tax credit, concepts of works contract, contract for labour & services, valuation and sale price, high sea sales, service tax, Indian custom laws etc.Pankaj has successfully assisted/handled in tax cases before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Hon’ble High Courts, and various tribunals/tax boards. He has appeared before various Revenue/Tax Authorities to represent clients’ interests.Pankaj led teams for re-structuring of the supply chain and procurement chain for various Multinational companies upon implementation of VAT in India. He has been the team lead for sales tax/VAT health check review for major public sector undertakings (PSUs) and MNCs.Pankaj headed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Team and was the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for VAT/Sales Tax He was also the Editor in-charge of monthly GST newsletter and gave various in-house trainings for GST, VAT and Service Tax. He has been a regular speaker in various seminars/conferences attended by Indian and MNCs.

Pankaj has worked with K.P.M.G. as a Tax Senior in the VAT and Customs Department with direct reporting to the Partner. He has wide exposure in UK VAT Act 1994, EU VAT Laws, EU Customs Laws and decisions of ECJ and various courts/tribunals.He has worked extensively on advisory work on UK VAT laws including zero-rating and/or exemption provisions, place of supply & reverse charge, Transfer of Going Concern (TOGC), Partial Exemption, management services, self-billing procedures, Option to Tax, and structuring of property and financial transactions. Other assignments include Due Diligence assignments, VAT Audit, appeal to VAT Tribunal, drafting instructions for Tax Counsel opinion, handling VAT risk insurance, internal presentations. Pankaj has frequently conducted internal VAT study sessions.

Total experience with Lakshmikumran & Sridharan detailed above

Pankaj started his professional career with Pricewaterhouse Coppers. He worked as a qualified senior in Assurance and Business Advisory Services (Aug 2004 to Jan 2005) after successfully completing the internship/articleship from August 2001 to July 2004. Pankaj was consistently rated as an exceptional performer (top 5% of the employees).He has obtained proficient exposure in handling various statutory, tax and system audits and Limited Reviews of some of the leading multinational companies in the corporate world. He has wide exposure of companies operating in Manufacturing Sector, Service Industry, Telecom Information Communication & Entertainment (TICE) Sector, Printing & Publication Sector, Oil and Gas Sector.