Tax

Tax

Navigate Asia’s tax landscape with expert guidance

Tax planning and compliance in Asia can be complex and fast-changing—especially in emerging markets. Our experienced advisors help businesses manage corporate tax, indirect tax, individual tax, international tax, and transfer pricing across Asia’s diverse jurisdictions.

With rapid reforms and inconsistent enforcement across the region, companies face challenges at every stage of their lifecycle. Dezan Shira & Associates’ tax advisory teams include experienced tax accountants, lawyers, and former tax officials who help clients navigate these complexities, reduce risk, and optimize tax outcomes —providing clients with comprehensive advisory and compliance support tailored to regional requirements.

Our tax advisory teams include experienced tax accountants, lawyers, and former tax officials who deliver deep insight into Asia’s tax environments—providing clients with comprehensive advisory and compliance support tailored to regional requirements.

Taxation Services: Our Advantage

How We Support Your Business

Navigating corporate tax obligations requires a deep understanding of local regulations and cross-border tax implications. Our corporate tax specialists help businesses maintain full compliance while optimizing tax outcomes.

  • Preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual tax returns
  • Tax advisory on changes in legislation and policy, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), and corporate restructuring
  • Tax health checks and risk reviews
  • Assessment and application for tax incentives and exemptions
  • Tax controversy support and dispute resolution with authorities

For multinational companies, effective cross-border tax planning is essential for operational efficiency and risk mitigation. We provide strategic guidance to ensure compliance and maximize tax benefits across jurisdictions. Our services include:

  • Legal entity holding structure planning
  • Profit repatriation strategies and tax implications
  • Application and interpretation of double taxation agreements (DTAs)
  • Advisory on cross-border trades, service, and M&A transactions

Transfer pricing is a critical area of tax compliance and risk management. Our transfer pricing experts help align your intercompany transactions with the arm’s length principle and local regulations.

Our services include:

  • Transfer pricing planning and policy development
  • Intercompany agreement review and documentation
  • Benchmarking and profit/cost allocation analysis
  • Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR) and local file preparation
  • Transfer pricing risk assessments and compliance reviews
  • Dispute resolution and audit defense
  • Advanced Pricing Agreements (APA) support

Indirect taxes such as VAT and GST vary widely across Asia. We help businesses manage compliance and reduce costs through tailored advisory and planning.

Our services include:

  • Transaction-based VAT/GST advisory
  • Guidance on issuing and receiving digital tax invoices
  • Application for indirect tax exemptions and incentives
  • Customs, tariffs, and free trade agreement (FTA) advisory

For globally mobile professionals and foreign employees, personal tax compliance is essential. Our expat tax team supports individuals and HR teams with end-to-end tax solutions.

Our services include:

  • Individual income tax planning and optimization
  • Advisory for expatriates and non-residents
  • Tax residency determination and advisory
  • Annual individual income tax reconciliation and filing
  • Tax refund application and follow-up
  • Reporting and filing of overseas income and non-employment income, including:
    • Income from share transfers
    • Sales of real estate
    • Service fees and consulting income
    • Prize money and awards
    • Royalties and investment income

Have Any Questions?

Reach out to our local experts

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Profit Repatriation: A Look at a Dividend Payment Strategy

Top among the concerns you may have setting up a business in China, is how you are going to send profits back to your parent company. In this short video, Partner Hannah Feng explains a dividend payment strategy.

Profit Repatriation: Intercompany Payment Potential Advantages and Implications

Top among the concerns you may have setting up a business in China, is how you are going to send profits back to your parent company. In this short video, Partner Hannah Feng explains an intercompany payment strategy.

    FAQs –Taxation Services in Asia

    International businesses operating in Asia face several tax challenges, including navigating complex and evolving tax regulations, managing VAT/GST compliance, and adhering to strict corporate tax filing requirements. Transfer pricing rules, permanent establishment risks, and inconsistent enforcement across jurisdictions add further complexity. Partnering with experienced tax advisors helps mitigate these risks and ensures accurate, timely compliance.

    Companies can optimize their tax strategies by leveraging regional tax incentives, applying effective transfer pricing policies, and structuring operations to benefit from double taxation agreements (DTAs). Strategic planning around corporate tax compliance, entity setup, and cross-border transactions helps reduce tax liabilities and improve profitability.

    Engaging a tax advisory firm during M&A transactions ensures tax-efficient deal structuring, thorough risk assessment, and compliance with local tax laws. Our M&A tax services include due diligence, transaction advisory, and post-merger integration support—helping businesses avoid unexpected tax burdens and maximize financial outcomes.

    We offer comprehensive personal tax compliance services for expatriates and internationally mobile professionals. Our support includes:

    Tax residency evaluation and advisory

    • Individual income tax filing and reconciliation
    • Managing social security obligations across multiple countries
    • Reporting of overseas and non-employment income
    • Local compliance with host country tax regulations

    We serve clients across key Asian markets including China, India, Singapore, the UAE, and more.

    ASEAN countries offer a range of tax incentives to attract foreign investment, which vary by jurisdiction and industry. Common incentives include:

    • Corporate tax holidays for newly established businesses in priority sectors.
    • Reduced corporate tax rates for industries like manufacturing, technology, and R&D.
    • Investment allowances for capital expenditures, allowing businesses to deduct a percentage of their investment from taxable income.
    • Tax exemptions in free trade zones, encouraging export-oriented businesses.
    • Incentives for foreign headquarters setting up regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand.

    These incentives are subject to frequent regulatory changes, so companies should consult tax professionals to ensure eligibility and compliance

    To avoid redundancy, companies should conduct a thorough tax incentive analysis, align incentives with business goals, and ensure compliance with local tax regulations. Engaging experienced tax consultants helps businesses navigate overlapping incentives and avoid penalties while maximizing benefits.

    Our Clients

    Discover our esteemed global clients across diverse sectors. We believe in providing our clients with exceptional service and a commitment to being their partner for growth in Asia.

    See what our clients say about us

    Contact Our Experts

    Alberto Vettoretti
    Managing Partner
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    Cathy Gong
    Partner
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    David Niu
    Partner
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    Hannah Feng
    Partner
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    Jennifer Lu
    Partner
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    Jenny Liao
    Partner
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    Kyle Freeman
    Partner
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    Ankur Munjal
    Country Director, India
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    David Stepat
    Country Director, Singapore
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    Vivie Wei
    Country Director, Vietnam
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    Krishan Aggarwal
    Operations Director
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    Maria Kotova
    Regional Director, Middle East
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    Get in touch

    We provide expert advisory and corporate services across Asia, guiding businesses through complex markets and regulations.

    Have Any Questions?

    Reach out to our local experts, we’ll respond within one business day.

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