Assistant Manager/Manager - Direct Taxation

Job Purpose

Responsible for managing the organisations direct taxation function, including corporate income-tax compliance, tax planning, assessments and litigation, TDS/TCS, tax provisioning, transfer pricing coordination and business tax advisory.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct Tax Compliance: Manage corporate income-tax computations, advance tax payments, income-tax return filing, tax audit requirements and other applicable statutory compliances.
• Tax Planning & Advisory: Identify tax optimisation opportunities and advise business teams on the direct tax implications of commercial transactions, capital expenditure, business expansion and restructuring.
• Assessments & Litigation: Handle income-tax notices, scrutiny assessments, departmental proceedings, appeals, rectifications and demand management in coordination with consultants and legal counsel.
• TDS/TCS Compliance: Oversee withholding tax applicability, tax deductions and collections, deposit of taxes, return filing, reconciliations and resolution of defaults.
• Business & Contract Advisory: Review tax implications of royalty, brand licensing, management fees, advertising and promotional expenditure, trade schemes, vendor contracts and related-party transactions.
• Transfer Pricing & International Taxation: Coordinate transfer pricing documentation and compliance, related-party transaction reviews, cross-border withholding tax and other international tax matters, wherever applicable.
• Tax Accounting & Reporting: Review current tax provisions, deferred tax, effective tax rate, disputed tax liabilities and tax-related financial disclosures in coordination with Finance and auditors.
• Risk Management & Internal Controls: Conduct tax health checks, identify potential exposures, strengthen tax controls and ensure proper documentation and compliance governance.
• MIS & Stakeholder Management: Prepare periodic tax reports and coordinate with Finance, Accounts, Legal, HR, Procurement, Commercial, business teams and external consultants.

Desired Candidate Profile

• CA qualified, with approximately 5–10 years of relevant direct taxation experience.
• Strong knowledge of Indian income-tax laws, corporate tax computation, TDS/TCS, assessments and litigation.
• Hands-on experience in tax provisioning, tax audits, withholding tax and business tax advisory.
• Exposure to transfer pricing and international taxation will be an advantage.
• Experience in a large FMCG, consumer products, manufacturing or multi-location organisation preferred.
• Strong analytical, drafting, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and working knowledge of SAP/Oracle or other ERP systems.

Key Expectations: Ensure timely tax compliance, minimise tax risks and avoidable tax costs, manage litigation effectively, optimise legitimate tax positions and provide commercially sound tax advice to business stakeholders.