Kunal S Savani

With deep expertise in various facets of direct & indirect taxation, Kunal demonstrates a deep expertise in areas such as corporate tax, transfer pricing, international tax, and both inbound and outbound M&A transactions. His extensive experience encompasses the design and evaluation of tax-efficient strategies for acquisitions, divestments, mergers, demergers, formation of joint ventures, setting up of global capability centres and corporate reorganizations with an aim to minimize transaction costs and tax exposure in alignment with the commercial objectives of stakeholders. Kunal’s deep knowledge of corporate taxation is demonstrated in his adept handling of foreign direct investment structuring, repatriation strategies, and exit planning.

Renowned for his deep knowledge and strategic approach, Kunal is frequently sought after by prestigious print and digital media, leading business news channels, and other influential platforms. His reputation as a thought leader extends beyond media interactions; he is a key participant in numerous high-level discussion forums and frequently engages in assignments where representations are made to the government concerning evolving tax regulations.

Kunal has written several articles and blogs on direct & indirect tax matters, which have been published in leading newspapers, journals and tax blogs. He has also been invited as a speaker at various forums such as PHD Conference on Tax Aspects of Business Reconstructions, Acquisitions and Family Settlement, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – Family Business Network, Program for Legal Education and Awareness – Bridge session at IMC.

Some of his recent publications include: (i) Angel Tax: A Vexing Issue’ – Tax Notes International.   (ii) ‘Set-off of Losses Following Demerger Disallowed by Indian Tax Tribunal’- Bloomberg Tax (iii)   ‘Resident-Non-resident Cross-Border Technical Services Payments Taxable in India’- Tax Notes (iv) Application of the MFN Clause Under India’s Tax Treaties’- Tax Notes (v) ‘Recalibrating taxation of  ship leasing in GIFT City’- Economic Times (vi) chapter on ‘Taxation of income from other sources – Implications u/s 56 (2)(vii)/(viia)’, The Chamber of Tax Consultants (vii)  Academic paper on ‘Disclosure Regime in India’, Oxford Journal Trust and Trustee (viii) Tax Residency of Companies in India – Thomas Reuters Practical Law

He is a regular contributor to CAM Tax Blogs.

• Advised on a number of large and complex M&A and financing transactions including pre-IPO consolidations, reverse flip structures, distressed acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, joint venture structuring, having multi-jurisdictional tax implications.
• Advised on setting up of businesses in IFSC/GIFT City, inbound structuring strategies, assessing permanent establishment risks and corresponding tax implications.
• His proficiency extends to preparing appeals, written submissions, and representing high profile clients in hearings before the CIT (Appeals), Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), and High Court. He also has a wealth of experience in advising and representing clients before various authorities in complex taxation matters pertaining to classifications under the goods and service tax (GST) and custom laws & regulations.
• He has also advised on various high-profile family arrangements including partition of HUF’s and restructuring of family assets in a tax efficient manner, promoters of large corporate houses along with professional wealth management and fiduciary service providers in relation to establishment and operation of trusts, restructuring of trust structures, and preparation of wills, family constitutions and has been instrumental in driving high-profile family settlements. His proficiency also extends to tax laws related to family settlements/constitutions, trusts (onshore and offshore), wills, gifts and succession planning including US and UK tax laws.
• Advised clients across industries, including Automotive, Education, Financial Services, Fintech, Hospitality, Infrastructure, Insurance, ITes, Media & Entertainment, Mining & Metals, Pharmaceuticals, Private Equity, Real Estate, Telecommunications, Cryptocurrency Aggregators, Semiconductors, Manufacturing etc. His clientele includes some of the world’s largest semiconductor producers and foreign & domestic crypto trading exhanges and payment aggregators, leading IT service providers, major chemical industries, and numerous other key players across various industrial sectors.

• Recognized as ‘Key Lawyer’ in Tax and Private Client Legal500 2025
• Recognized as ‘Top 30 Indian Advisors and Managers 2025’ by Citywealth
• Recognized as ‘Recommended Lawyer Tax’ Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022, 2023 & 2024.

• Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, India
• Chamber of Tax Consultants
• Jain International Trade Organisation
• Bombay Chartered Accountants Society