Kaustubh Karkhanis
Thane
Summary
Experienced Advocate and ICMAI (Inter) with over 16 years in direct and indirect taxation, corporate compliance, and statutory audits. Led complex tax litigation, optimised GST processes, and streamlined financial operations. Delivered strategic advisory services to enhance corporate growth and built high-performing teams.
Overview
3
3
Languages
1
1
Certification
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Manager
Bhagvati Group
04.2026 - Current
- Handled indirect tax litigation cases for Bhagwati Group. Manage end-to-end Indirect Tax litigation; represent Bhagwati Group before tax authorities and appellate bodies for scrutinies (ASMT-10) and show-cause notices (DRC-01 under Sec. 73 & 74).
- Oversaw accounting process related to GST compliance. Oversaw and controlled over accounting process relating to GST and claim of Input Tax Credit.
- Finalised necessary compliance documents for GST filings. Finalised GST Annual Returns, execute ITC reconciliations (GSTR-2A/2B vs GSTR-3B/1).
- Submitted an appeal to GSTAT for review.
Advocate
Practice with Senior Adv. Sanjay Thakkar
Mumbai
08.2024 - 03.2026
- Appellate Representation: Represent clients across the full litigation spectrum-from Income Tax Officers up to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)-conducting legal research, drafting replies, and compiling Paper Books/additional evidence.
- Litigation & Scrutiny: Manage end-to-end Indirect Tax litigation; represent clients before tax authorities and appellate bodies for scrutinies (ASMT-10) and show-cause notices (DRC-01 under Sec. 73 & 74).
- Audit & Dispute Resolution: Represented clients in GST audits (ADT-01), resolved complex disputes, and secured successful case closures while managing legacy Service Tax and VAT compliance.
- Tax Planning & Strategic Advisory: Structured investments and advised on corporate, individual, and international tax strategies (including DTAA and transfer pricing) to effectively minimise liabilities within statutory frameworks.
- Compliance & Filings: Finalize GST Annual Returns, execute ITC reconciliations (GSTR-2A/2B vs GSTR-3B/1), and oversee vendor TDS portal acceptance and UDYAM/IEC registrations.
- Returns & Statutory Audits: Conducted comprehensive tax audits for professionals, LLPs, and companies; managed advance tax calculations, TDS returns, and ITR filings for individuals and entities using tools like Genius and Tally.
- Practicing with Senior Adv. Sanjay Thakkar
Senior Tax Manager
Adv. Sanjay A. Thakkar
Mumbai
04.2019 - 07.2024
- Tax Planning & Strategy: Developed tax-efficient strategies, investment structures, and tax minimisation models for individuals, corporate clients, and cross-border transactions, enhancing clients' financial outcomes.
- Corporate & Individual Advisory: Oversee end-to-end Income Tax compliance, return filings, exemptions, deductions, and tax audits across various business structures.
- Litigation & Representation: Represent clients before Income Tax authorities, appellate bodies, and tribunals; prepare legal opinions and resolve complex tax notices/investigations.
- International Taxation: Advise on Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA), transfer pricing regulations, and international compliance for global operations.
- Litigation & Scrutiny: Managed comprehensive Indirect Tax litigation; represented clients before tax authorities and appellate bodies for scrutinies (ASMT-10) and show-cause notices (DRC-01 under Sec. 73 & 74), achieving beneficial resolutions.
- GST & VAT Compliance: Delivered comprehensive compliance management, including registrations, Input Tax Credit (ITC) optimisation, annual returns, and sectoral VAT calculations, ensuring regulatory adherence.
- Audit & Notice Resolution: Successfully draft responses to tax notices (under Sections 73 & 74) and represent clients during Service Tax and GST audits/scrutinies, achieving favorable case closures on merits.
- Direct & Indirect Tax Advisory
Assistant Manager - Accounts
Mecklai Financial Services Private Limited
Mumbai
03.2018 - 03.2019
- Financial Closing & Reporting: Led account finalisation process, coordinated with statutory auditors, and reviewed company-wide MIS reports to provide actionable insights for leadership.
- Taxation & Audit Handling: Oversaw multi-branch GST compliance, TDS payments/filings, and represented the company during Service Tax audit proceedings to ensure regulatory adherence.
- Payroll & Statutory Compliance: Directed pan-India calculations, remittances, and filings for Professional Tax (PT), Provident Fund (PF), and ESIC to maintain compliance across all branches.
Accounts and Audit Manager
Sanjay Thakkar & Associates
Mumbai
04.2011 - 03.2018
- Led and executed Statutory Audits for corporate clients, ensuring full compliance with Indian Accounting Standards and statutory frameworks.
- Managed Tax Audits across diverse entities, including Companies, Partnerships, Sole Proprietorships, High-Net-Worth Individuals, and Non-Profits (e.g., M/s Royal Education Public Trust).
- Finalized VAT Audits, handling tax liability calculations and filing Form 704.
- Calculated advance taxes and prepared/filed Income Tax Returns for Individuals, HUFs, AOPs, BOIs, Partnerships, and Corporate entities.
- Facilitated client transition to GST regime, ensuring accurate registration verification and timely filing of GSTR-1, GSTR-2, and GSTR-3B.
- Managed legacy Service Tax and VAT registrations, return filings (Forms 231, 233 & IIIE), and compliance workflows.
- Prepared thorough documentation and represented clients before tax authorities during Income Tax Scrutinies and VAT hearings, ensuring effective advocacy.
- Managed end-to-end Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) filing processes, including TDS on property transactions and quarterly software returns.
- Oversaw ROC annual compliances, company/LLP incorporations, and conversions (Company to LLP).
- Handled complex corporate procedures, including auditor appointments/removals, company name changes, and secretarial filings.
- Supervised full-cycle accounting for key corporate and trust accounts, including Ceasefire Safety Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Royal Education Public Trust.
- Authored comprehensive Project Reports, enabling clients to secure Cash Credit (CC) limits and Term Loans from financial institutions.
- Key Responsibilities & Achievements
- Statutory, Tax & Regulatory Audits
- Taxation, Representation & Compliance
- Corporate Law & Entity Advisory
- Financial Management & Accounting Services
Education
L.L.B. - L.L.B.
D Y Patil College of Law
Navi Mumbai03-2024
B.Com - ACCOUNTS & FINANCE
Dnyansadhana College of Commerce
Thane, MH03-2010
H.S.C -
Panna Junior College
Thane, MH03-2007
S.S.C -
Mumbai, Maharashtra03-2005
INTER - INTER CLEARED
Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of India (ICMAI)
Skills
- Indirect Taxation (GST, VAT & Service Tax)
- GST Compliance & Return Filing (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-9, GSTR-9C)
- Input Tax Credit (ITC) Reconciliation (GSTR-2A / 2B)
- GST Intimation (DRC-01A) & Show Cause Notices (Section 73 & Section 74 / DRC-01)
- GST Scrutiny & Assessment (ASMT-10, DRC-01A)
- GST Departmental Audits (ADT-01)
- Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) Filing & Compliance
- Tax Scrutiny Notice Resolution
- Audit assurance
- Statutory Audits & Tax Audits
- Account finalisation & Financial Statements
- Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS)
- Direct Taxation & Advisory
- Income Tax Act compliance
- Direct Tax Advisory & Tax Planning
- Income tax appeals representation
- Tax Litigation & Legal Research
- Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)
- International Taxation & DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements)
- Transfer Pricing Regulations
- Advance Tax Computation
- Corporate Law, Secretarial & Statutory Compliance
- ROC Annual Compliance & Filings
- Company & LLP Incorporations / Conversions
- Companies Act Compliance
- Software: Tally Prime / Tally ERP 9
- Genius Tax Software
- ClearTax / Winman
- Advanced MS Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP)
- Tax Consultant
- Direct & Indirect Tax Attorney
- Tax Manager
- Audit Manager
- Legal drafting
- Tax compliance
- Litigation management
- Tax strategy
- Advisory services
- Risk assessment
- Critical thinking
- Negotiation skills
- Legal consultation
- Negotiation skills
- Legal consultation
Languages
Marathi
English
Hindi
Certification
- ICMAI (Inter) Cleared, INSTITUTE OF COST & MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA (ICMAI)
- Advocate
Custom
Can adjust in any environment, Willingness to learn, Workaholic, Listening Music and traveling, Direct & Indirect Tax Litigation: Appellate representation up to ITAT and prepared appeals for GSTAT; handled GST scrutinies (ASMT-10), show-cause notices (DRC-01 under Sec. 73 & 74), and legacy Service Tax/VAT audits., Tax Advisory & Optimization: Structured international investments using DTAA and Transfer Pricing regulations; streamlined GST accounting workflows and optimized ITC claims with GSTR-2A/2B reconciliations., Audit, Advisory & Financial Operations: Executed statutory and tax audits for corporates, LLPs, and trusts in compliance with Ind AS; authored project reports to secure Cash Credit limits and Term Loans; optimized internal tax processes to reduce cycle times.
Timeline
Legal Manager
Bhagvati Group
04.2026 - Current
Advocate
Practice with Senior Adv. Sanjay Thakkar
08.2024 - 03.2026
Senior Tax Manager
Adv. Sanjay A. Thakkar
04.2019 - 07.2024
Assistant Manager - Accounts
Mecklai Financial Services Private Limited
03.2018 - 03.2019
Accounts and Audit Manager
Sanjay Thakkar & Associates
04.2011 - 03.2018
L.L.B. - L.L.B.
D Y Patil College of Law
B.Com - ACCOUNTS & FINANCE
Dnyansadhana College of Commerce
H.S.C -
Panna Junior College
S.S.C -
INTER - INTER CLEARED
Institute of Cost & Management Accountants of India (ICMAI)