Tax Litigation Services in India
Expert Tax Litigation Services for Direct & Indirect Tax Disputes in India
Tax disputes are stressful, time-consuming, and financially consequential if handled without the right expertise. Shah Teelani & Dhru provides dedicated tax litigation services for Indian businesses and individuals, covering both Direct Tax and Indirect Tax matters from the initial notice stage right through to representation before the Tribunal.
Our team of experienced Chartered Accountants understands the procedural, technical, and substantive aspects of Indian tax law. We prepare strong cases, respond to departmental notices with precision, and represent our clients effectively at every stage of the dispute resolution process.
Comprehensive Tax Litigation Services in India
We handle the full spectrum of Direct Tax and Indirect Tax litigation for individuals, businesses, and corporates across India — with representation up to the Tribunal level.
Income Tax Litigation
Income tax disputes arise from scrutiny assessments, reassessments, disallowances, penalty orders, and search & seizure proceedings under the Income Tax Act, 1961. Our team handles all stages of Income Tax litigation, from drafting replies to notices issued under Sections 143(2), 147, 148, and 271, to filing appeals before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) [CIT(A)] and representing clients before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). We build each case on a thorough review of facts, documentation, and applicable judicial precedents to give you the strongest possible representation.
GST Litigation
GST disputes have grown significantly since the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax regime in 2017. Our GST litigation services cover show cause notices (SCNs), demand orders, input tax credit (ITC) disputes, wrongful classifications, and departmental audit objections. We represent clients before the GST Officer, Appellate Authority, and the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), ensuring that your position is clearly argued with proper legal and factual backing.
VAT & Sales Tax Litigation
Many businesses continue to face pending disputes and assessments under the erstwhile State VAT and Central Sales Tax (CST) laws. Our team handles legacy VAT litigation, including assessment orders, departmental objections, and appeals before VAT Appellate Authorities and Sales Tax Tribunals across states ensuring these old matters are resolved efficiently without prolonged exposure.
Service Tax Litigation
Pre-GST Service Tax disputes under the Finance Act, 1994 remain active, particularly those involving the period up to June 2017. We handle show cause notices, demands, penalty orders, and appeals in Service Tax matters before the Commissioner (Appeals) and the Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT).
Excise Duty Litigation
Central Excise disputes involving classification, valuation, CENVAT credit reversals, and duty demands continue to be litigated across industries. Our team represents clients in Excise matters before departmental authorities and the CESTAT, drawing on a deep understanding of the Central Excise Act, 1944 and the associated procedures.
Notice Handling & Pre-Litigation Advisory
Not every tax notice needs to reach the appeal stage. Our pre-litigation advisory service focuses on drafting precise, well-supported replies to departmental notices at the assessment, scrutiny, or audit objection stage — to resolve disputes before they escalate. Early and accurate responses frequently prevent unnecessary demand orders, saving time, costs, and penalties for our clients.
Why Choose Shah Teelani & Dhru for Tax Litigation
Effective tax litigation requires more than knowledge of tax law, it demands strong case preparation, procedural discipline, and the ability to present your position clearly before authorities.
Industries We Serve
Tax Litigation Support Across Key Business Sectors
How We Handle Your Tax Dispute
We examine the notice, demand order, or assessment order in detail — understanding the department's position, identifying factual errors, and assessing the legal strength of your case.
We work with you to gather all relevant records, transaction documents, returns, and correspondence required to build a factually and legally sound response or appeal.
We prepare a detailed, well-reasoned reply or appeal, citing relevant provisions, case laws, and judicial precedents and file it within the prescribed timelines before the appropriate authority.
Our team appears before the Assessing Officer, Commissioner (Appeals), or Appellate Tribunal on your behalf presenting your case clearly and responding to the department's arguments effectively.
After each order or decision, we analyse the outcome, advise you on the merits of further appeal or settlement, and guide you on the next course of action.
Once the matter is resolved, we assist with any compliance actions arising from the order including demand payments, refund applications, or adjustments to ongoing filings.
We Represent You at Every Stage of Tax Litigation
| Level | Direct Tax (Income Tax) | Indirect Tax (GST / VAT / Service Tax / Excise) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assessing Officer / NFAC | GST Officer / Adjudicating Authority |
| 2 | Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) — CIT(A) | Commissioner (Appeals) / Appellate Authority |
| 3 | Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) | GSTAT / CESTAT / Sales Tax Tribunal |
| Note: Shah Teelani & Dhru represents clients up to the Tribunal level. For matters proceeding to the High Court or Supreme Court, we work in coordination with qualified advocates. | ||
Experience & Credentials
FAQs
Yes. Tax litigation arises when there is a dispute between a taxpayer and the tax department — typically triggered by a scrutiny assessment, demand notice, penalty order, or disagreement over tax liability. It involves formally contesting the department's position through the prescribed appeal and representation process.
Yes. We represent clients up to the Tribunal level — including the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) for direct tax matters, and GSTAT, CESTAT, and State Sales Tax Tribunals for indirect tax matters. For matters that proceed beyond the Tribunal to the High Court or Supreme Court, we coordinate with qualified advocates.
Yes. We handle all types of Income Tax notices including scrutiny notices under Section 143(2), reassessment notices under Sections 147 and 148, penalty notices under Section 271, and orders arising from search and seizure proceedings.
Yes. Many businesses still have pending disputes under the erstwhile VAT, CST, and Service Tax regimes. Our team actively handles legacy indirect tax litigation and represents clients before the relevant state and central appellate authorities.
Yes. A reply to a notice is submitted at the assessment or scrutiny stage — before an order is passed — to present your position and facts to the Assessing Officer. An appeal is filed after a formal order (demand, penalty, or assessment order) has been passed, challenging that order before the designated appellate authority.
Yes. As early as possible. The timelines for responding to tax notices and filing appeals are strict under Indian tax law — missing a deadline can result in ex-parte orders or loss of appeal rights. Early engagement also allows for a stronger, more thorough response that may prevent the dispute from escalating further.
Facing a Tax Notice or Dispute? Let's Resolve It the Right Way.
Shah Teelani & Dhru provides experienced, CA-led tax litigation support for Direct and Indirect Tax matters — from the first notice to the final Tribunal order.