Head - Tax

The Head of Tax will lead the tax function for DSP Asset Managers, its subsidiaries and the funds managed or advised by the firm, including Mutual Funds, AIFs, advisory mandates, FPIs and GIFT City based funds.

This is a senior leadership role combining strategic tax advisory, hands-on compliance ownership, tax risk management, tax controversy management and business partnering. The incumbent will be expected to develop robust tax positions, embed tax considerations into product and transaction design, represent the organisation before tax authorities and advisors, and provide concise, decision-ready updates to senior management and governance forums.

Tax Strategy and Structuring

1. Develop and execute tax strategy aligned to the firm’s business objectives.
2. Collaborate with other teams at the design stage to build tax-efficient structures and ensure efficient implementation.
3. Advise on the tax implications of new business initiatives and cross-border transactions, including the application of overseas tax laws where relevant.
4. Optimize the company’s tax position while ensuring compliance with applicable laws.
5. Provide specialist input on securities taxation, capital gains characterisation, investor reporting and tax disclosures.

Compliance and Reporting

1. Track amendments to tax laws, Finance Act changes, CBDT/CBIC circulars and judicial precedents; brief senior management on impact and drive the resulting change through systems and processes in a timely manner.
2. Direct Tax — Supervise advance tax, tax computations to be considered for NAV, annual tax compliances, withholding tax matters (including international transactions), tax audits and related obligations.
3. Indirect Tax — Manage all periodic GST compliances including ISD / cross charge aspects, input credit optimisation and strong documentation.
4. Maintain rigorous control over departmental correspondence, scrutiny assessments, refunds and litigation ensuring timely and well-supported responses.
5. Preparation of tax provisions, deferred tax and relevant disclosures in the financial statements of the AMC and the funds.

Risk Management and Governance

1. Identify, assess and mitigate tax risk arising from cross-border transactions,
2. offshore and IFSC fund taxation, PE, GAAR and POEM exposure, treaty eligibility, transfer pricing on related-party transactions, etc.
3. Build and maintain a tax control and governance framework, backed by documented positions covering key judgments, legal opinions, risk assessments, changes in law, litigation status and management decisions.
4. Strengthen controls and processes of the function through measures such as checklists, calendars, maker-checker controls and audit-ready documentation.

Tax Policy, Advocacy and Stakeholder Management

1. Lead strategy on tax assessments, appeals, notices, refunds and investigations, ensuring technically robust submissions, clear escalation protocols and timely closure.
2. Develop concise management notes on emerging tax issues, litigation risk, material exposures and proposed positions for CFO / COO / Board review.
3. Engage constructively with industry bodies, regulators, tax authorities and external counsels to support policy representations relevant to asset management, fund taxation and IFSC / cross-border platforms.
4. Manage relationships with tax counsels and advisors; and monitor the cost and quality of external support.
5. Act as the trusted tax advisor to Investments, Product, Sales, Operations, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and the Management.

Leadership and People

1. Lead, mentor and grow the tax team, building a high-performance and high-ownership culture.
2. Set objectives, give feedback and support the technical and professional development of team members.
3. Drive efficiency through automation and effective use of technology.
4. Benchmark the function against the best practices in the industry.

Describe the metrics & outcomes expected from the role

1. Quality and TAT on tax advice on proposed business transactions / structures
2. Accurate and timely compliance record
3. Well-contained tax risk through technically sound positions, proactive issue
4. identification and effective litigation / controversy management.
5. Timely and technical responses to assessments, inquiries and effective closure
6. Talent outcomes — skill enhancements, internal progression, low attrition and work-life balance.
7. Meaningful progress on tax technology adoption, automation of recurring workflows and reduction of manual reconciliations.
8. Strong stakeholder feedback, timely escalation of material matters and fewer avoidable escalations arising from process gaps.
9. Quality of tax documentation, including current tax-position papers, legal opinions, risk assessments and management notes for material matters.

Requirements for the Role

Functional Requirements:

1. Strong working knowledge of Indian direct tax, GST and withholding tax provisions, with demonstrated ability to apply them in financial services and fund-management contexts.
2. Ability to interpret and articulate tax laws with a practical, commercially balanced approach.
3. Experience with international tax principles and practices.
4. Experience with Ind AS, financial reporting, tax provisioning and ICFR will be an added advantage.

Leadership and Personal Attributes:

1. Strong analytical and problem-solving ability, with sound commercial judgement.
2. Self-starter with the appetite to take on responsibility and see it through.
3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to explain a complex tax position simply to a non-tax audience and to the Board.
4. Proven ability to lead and develop a team.
5. Composure under pressure and the ability to run multiple priorities to deadline.
6. Willingness to roll up the sleeves and work on the ground where the situation demands it.

Digital Mindset:

1. A clear bias for digitisation, data quality and controlled use of AI-enabled tax tools.
2. Build technology solutions that improve efficiency, strengthen controls, reduce manual dependence and create audit-ready evidence trails.
3. Use data analytics for GST / TDS reconciliations, exception reporting, anomaly detection, tax leakage identification and compliance dashboards.
4. Adopt AI tools responsibly for tax research, notice analysis, drafting support, case-law tracking and management summaries, with human review, traceability and approval controls.

Years of Experience

12–15 years of post-qualification experience in tax, preferably in financial services, asset management, funds, capital markets or a comparable regulated environment. Experience across Mutual Funds, AIFs, PMS, FPIs, offshore funds or IFSC operations, along with at least 3–5 years in a leadership capacity, will be preferred.

Educational Qualifications

Chartered Accountant. Additional qualifications or certifications in law, international taxation, transfer pricing, GST, data analytics or tax technology will be an advantage.