We provide expert assistance in handling notices, departmental inquiries, assessments, appeals, and litigation matters before various authorities. Our litigation services cover Income Tax notices, GST matters, exemption cancellations, FCRA issues, compliance disputes, and representation before Appellate authorities and tribunals.
We focus on strategic advisory and effective resolution to safeguard the organisation’s legal and financial interests. We also assist organizations in strengthening internal systems and compliance frameworks to minimize future litigation risks and maintain uninterrupted operations.
With a proactive and solution-oriented approach, we aim to protect the credibility, registrations, exemptions, and long-term sustainability of non-profit organisations.
Matters we appear in
Notices, appeals and proceedings
From a first notice to representation before the Tribunal — the matters we handle for non-profits.
Income Tax Notices
Most income tax disputes involving NGOs begin with a notice that looks routine. Left unanswered, or answered without the supporting reconciliation, it turns into a demand and an exemption that has to be defended.
Matters we handle
Mismatch notices — differences between the return and Form 26AS / AIS, TDS credits, or donation data reported in Form 10BD
Scrutiny assessments — drafting replies, compiling documentation and appearing through the faceless assessment process
Demand notices — verifying whether the demand is correct, and rectification where it is not
Defective or delayed returns — responses to defect notices and consequential filings
Application of income and accumulation queries — establishing that receipts were applied to the registered objects
How we work
We start by reconciling the books to what the department already has, because most mismatch notices are a data problem rather than a legal one. Where a genuine legal position is involved, we set it out early and consistently — the reply at the assessment stage is what an appellate authority reads later.
When an assessment goes against the organisation, the appeal is the point at which the case is actually built. We take it from the first appellate stage through the Tribunal.
What we handle
First appeal — drafting the grounds of appeal and the statement of facts, and filing within the limitation period
ITAT representation — paper books, written submissions, case law compilation and appearance before the Tribunal
Stay applications — seeking stay of demand so recovery does not disrupt operations while the appeal is pending
Appeal effect and rectification — making sure a favourable order is actually given effect to, and the demand withdrawn
Advice on whether to appeal at all — sometimes settling or rectifying is the better commercial decision
How we work
Appeals are won on the record built earlier. We review what was submitted at the assessment stage before drafting, so the grounds are consistent with it, and we are candid about the strength of a position rather than appealing everything by default.
GST disputes involving non-profits usually turn on one question: was a particular receipt a supply at all, and if so, was it exempt? Getting that characterisation right decides everything that follows.
Matters we handle
Show-cause notices — replies to notices raising short payment, wrong exemption or wrong classification
Departmental audits — preparing records, handling audit queries and responding to audit observations
Classification and rate disputes — where activities are treated as taxable services rather than charitable activities
Input tax credit — disputes on eligibility, apportionment between exempt and taxable supplies, and reversals
Reverse charge demands — sponsorship, legal services and similar receipts
Appellate representation — appeals before the appellate authority and tribunal
How we work
We reconstruct the receipt-by-receipt picture first — grants, donations, fees, sponsorship, rent — and reply on that basis. A reply that concedes the characterisation early is very hard to reopen later.
Where the GST treatment of an activity is genuinely unclear, an advance ruling settles it before the exposure builds up — instead of discovering the department’s view years later in an audit.
What we handle
Advance ruling applications before the Authority for Advance Ruling on taxability, exemption, classification, rate and input tax credit
Framing the question — how the query is worded largely determines how useful the ruling will be
Representation during the hearing, with the supporting factual record
Appeals before the Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling where the ruling goes against the applicant
Advice on whether to apply — a ruling binds the applicant, so it is not always the right move
How we work
We are direct about the likely outcome before filing. An advance ruling is binding on the applicant and the jurisdictional officer, so applying with a weak set of facts can lock in the worse position permanently.
