Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 22: All Gujarat Federation of Tax Consultants (AGFTC) is the apex body representing tax professionals in Gujarat. With over 30 institutional members, AGFTC serves the entire state, providing a platform for knowledge-sharing and professional development in tax practice.
Income Tax Bar Association (ITBA) is one of the oldest and most esteemed tax associations in India, boasting more than 1,400 members, including Chartered Accountants, Tax Advocates, and Tax Practitioners.
Together, these institutions have successfully hosted the Sixth Consecutive Tax Conclave, which is being held on 21st and 22nd March 2025 at the prestigious J B Auditorium, Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA). This two-day conclave covered key issues in Direct and Indirect Taxation, attracting over 450 participants from across the state, including Chartered Accountants, Tax Advocates, Tax Practitioners, and Consultants.
The event commenced with a grand inauguration by Hon. Justice Jayantbhai Patel, Former Acting Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court, who enlightened the audience with an insightful address. His guidance on the Seven Principles of Taxation resonated deeply with the attendees, offering thought-provoking observations on the existing tax system. His suggestions on how these principles could benefit current taxpayers were invaluable, setting a constructive tone for the conclave.
Hon. Shri Satish Sharma, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Gujarat, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. His presentation on the evolution of Income Tax, with a comparative analysis from 1990 to the present year, gave participants a comprehensive understanding of the sector’s growth. He highlighted the technological advancements in the department, focusing on areas like ITR Processing, Refunds, TDS, data collection through SFT and population through the INSIGHT portal, and reduced scrutiny. Importantly, he emphasized the need to foster an environment where tax evasion becomes socially unacceptable, calling on participants to contribute to this mission by providing constructive suggestions to the department.
Day 1: Thought-Provoking Technical Sessions
The first day of the conclave featured four powerful technical sessions delivered by the nation’s top experts in tax practice.
Session 1:
Renowned tax expert “guruji” Dr. (CA) Girish Ahuja delivered the opening technical session. With his vast experience, he compared the provisions of the new Income Tax Act with the old Income Tax Act, with a special focus on Capital Gains and Charitable Trusts. His in-depth analysis of the changes and their impact left the audience with actionable takeaways, with the hall full of participants.
Session 2:
CA A Jatin Christopher shared his expertise in GST, emphasizing how Allied Laws influence the GST regime and vice versa. His session shed light on the interplay of various laws with GST, a topic of great significance for practitioners managing complex tax scenarios.
Session 3:
CA Manish Dafria captivated the audience with his session on Taxation of Partnership Firms, specifically focusing on the taxation implications of Introduction and Withdrawal of Capital. He also addressed key provisions under Section 194T related to TDS and provided practical insights into resolving burning issues in this area.
Day 1 concluded with the highly anticipated Brain Trust on Direct Taxes:
The Brain Trust, featuring experts like Adv. Mehul Patel, CA Mehul Thakkar, CA Aseem Thakkar, CA Harit Dhariwal, and CA Mitish Modi, engaged participants in a lively discussion. They dissected pressing tax controversies, providing sharp insights and thoughtful deliberation on complex issues. The audience gained practical knowledge and clarity on controversies in the field of direct taxation, making this session one of the highlights of the conclave.
Publications Unveiled:
The inaugural session saw the unveiling of two prestigious publications:
1. The Tenth Edition of “IT Mirror”, the mouthpiece of ITBA, which featured a special edition called “SheTax”. In honor of International Women’s Day, this edition was dedicated to women professionals and contained articles exclusively written by female contributors. The special edition received accolades and a forward by the Hon. Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat University and Gujarat Technical University.
2. The Fourth Edition of “Tax Gurjari”, the official magazine of AGFTC, was simultaneously unveiled. This edition focused on Direct and Indirect Taxes, along with various allied laws, further cementing the role of these associations in advancing tax knowledge.
Day 2 promises another series of intellectually stimulating sessions, covering Emerging Issues in GST, International Taxation, and a Brain Trust on Indirect Taxes, which are sure to enhance the knowledge of the participants.
The conclave has truly become a “brand” in itself, a beacon of learning for tax professionals. We are immensely proud of the success and scale of this year’s event and are confident that it will continue to inspire, educate, and shape the tax fraternity in Gujarat for years to come.
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