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Established 2009 ยท Gandhinagar, Gujarat ยท ICAI Registered

GIFT City โ€“ Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Your Trusted CA Partner for IFSCA Compliance

CA Thakkar & Associates is a full-service Chartered Accountancy firm based in Gandhinagar, providing expert advisory for GIFT City setup, IFSCA compliance, IBU Banking compliance, Concurrent Audit, Income Tax litigation, GST litigation, and company incorporation since 2009.

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Established
Since 2009
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Clients Served
500+ Clients
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Practice Areas
10+ Domains
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Location
Infocity, Gandhinagar
What is GIFT City?

The New Pathway
to Go Global

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is India's first operational International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), strategically located on the banks of the Sabarmati River between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

Designed to bridge the gap between onshore and offshore markets, GIFT City provides a business-friendly environment with tax incentives, simplified compliance processes, and a unified regulator โ€” the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).

CA Thakkar & Associates is ideally located in Gandhinagar โ€” just minutes from GIFT City โ€” making us your most accessible and knowledgeable advisor for all IFSCA matters.

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Futuristic Infrastructure
Next-gen urban planning with plug-and-play infrastructure designed for global financial institutions.
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Strategic Location
20 minutes from Ahmedabad International Airport. Planned metro and bullet train connectivity.
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Global IT & Finance Hub
India's only operational IFSC providing ease of doing business and a conducive regulatory environment.
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Unified Regulator โ€” IFSCA
IFSCA consolidates powers of RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA for entities in GIFT City.
Why GIFT City?

Key Benefits of
Setting Up in GIFT IFSC

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Tax Benefits

  • 100% income tax exemption for any 10 out of 15 years
  • Reduced MAT/AMT of 9% on book profits
  • GST exemption on services within IFSC
  • No stamp duty on transactions in IFSC
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IT/ITes Subsidies

  • CAPEX support up to INR 50 Cr
  • OPEX support up to INR 20 Cr per year
  • Up to 100% reimbursement of employer's EPF contribution
  • 25% capital subsidy on office fit-out (up to โ‚น5 Cr)
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Operational Advantages

  • World-class plug-and-play infrastructure
  • Walk-to-work smart city design
  • Transactions in freely convertible foreign currency
  • Entities treated as non-residents for FEMA
Permissible Sectors

Who Can Set Up
in GIFT IFSC?

IFSCA permits a wide range of financial services entities to operate within GIFT City, each governed by a tailored regulatory framework.

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Banking (IBU) โ˜… Our Speciality

International Banking Units (IBUs) โ€” IFSCA & RBI compliance, concurrent audit, KYC/AML, foreign currency transactions.

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Capital Markets

Broker-dealers, portfolio managers, investment advisers, custodians, credit rating agencies.

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Fund Management

AIFs, Angel Funds, Family Investment Funds, REITs, InvITs, and Mutual Funds.

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Fintech & TechFin

Emerging financial technologies and B2B tech platforms serving the BFSI space.

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Aircraft Leasing

Operating and finance lease of aircraft, engines, and related components.

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Ship Leasing

Operating and hybrid leasing of ships, ocean vessels, and related parts.

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Insurance

Indian and foreign insurance players including brokers, MGAs, and Lloyd's.

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Finance Companies

NBFCs dealing in lending, factoring, and core financial activities.

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Global Centres (GICs)

Support services to financial services groups โ€” banks, NBFCs, intermediaries.

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Universities

International branch campuses and offshore education centres in GIFT IFSC.

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Ancillary Services

Legal, compliance, management consulting, trusteeship, and administration services.

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Bullion

Trading in bullion spot delivery contracts and bullion depository receipts.

Our Services

We Are a Leading GIFT City Advisor
& Full-Service CA Firm

Your success is our mission. We provide end-to-end advisory for IFSCA compliance, income tax, GST, company law, and corporate finance โ€” all under one roof in Gandhinagar.

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IBU Banking Compliance & Concurrent Audit โ€” GIFT City Specialist

We are masters in International Banking Unit (IBU) compliance at GIFT City IFSC. Our services cover: IBU regulatory reporting to IFSCA & RBI, concurrent audit of IBU operations, KYC/AML framework review, foreign currency transaction compliance, FEMA reporting, capital adequacy monitoring, and internal audit of banking operations within IFSC. We serve Indian and foreign banks operating IBUs at GIFT City.

1

IFSCA Setup & Compliance

IFSCA applications, GIFT-SEZ registration, entity incorporation โ€” company, LLP, trust, branch. Ongoing IFSCA & SEZ compliance reporting.

2

Income Tax Litigation

Filing & representing clients in scrutiny, CIT(A) appeals, ITAT proceedings. Tax planning for individuals, corporates, NRIs, and foreign companies.

3

GST Litigation & Advisory

GST registration, monthly returns, GST audit, departmental notices, appeals at Commissioner and Tribunal levels.

4

Company Incorporation & ROC

Pvt Ltd, LLP, OPC, Public Ltd incorporation. Annual ROC compliance, MCA filings, share capital changes, and charge registrations.

5

Accounting & Secretarial

Bookkeeping, tax & regulatory compliances, payroll support, secretarial records, and outsourced CFO services for IFSC entities.

6

Regulatory, Tax & FEMA Advisory

Fund structuring, transfer pricing, NRI taxation, FEMA compliance, international tax advisory, and cross-border transaction support.

7

Corporate Finance & M&A

Project funding, working capital, financial restructuring, private equity, share valuations, mergers & acquisitions advisory.

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Startup Advisory

End-to-end support for early-stage ventures โ€” business structuring, compliance setup, financial planning, and investor readiness.

Are you looking to set up your office at GIFT City?

Our team is based in Gandhinagar โ€” minutes from GIFT City. Let's chart your path to going global.

Know the Process โ†’
Who We Work With

Clients We Serve at
GIFT IFSC & Beyond

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IBU Banks (GIFT)
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IBU Banks (GIFT City)
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AIF Managers
๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง
Family Offices
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Foreign Companies
๐Ÿš€
Startups & Fintechs
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Listed Companies
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NRIs & Expatriates
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Fund Managers
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Manufacturing Cos.
How We Work

Our Simple 4-Step
Engagement Process

1

Initial Consultation

Free 30-min call to understand your business goals, entity type, and IFSC/compliance requirements.

2

Strategy & Structuring

We identify the best legal entity form, tax structure, and regulatory pathway for your situation.

3

Application & Setup

We handle IFSCA applications, SEZ approvals, MCA filings, and all regulatory submissions end-to-end.

4

Ongoing Compliance

Continuous support for IFSCA filings, income tax, GST returns, secretarial records, and advisory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions about
GIFT City & Our Services

What is an IBU and what compliance does it require?
An International Banking Unit (IBU) is a branch of an Indian or foreign bank set up in GIFT City IFSC. IBUs are regulated by both IFSCA and RBI. Key compliance requirements include: regulatory reporting to IFSCA and RBI, concurrent audit of banking operations, KYC/AML framework maintenance, foreign currency transaction reporting, capital adequacy monitoring under IFSCA norms, and FEMA filings. CA Thakkar & Associates is a specialist in IBU concurrent audit and regulatory compliance.
Are entities in GIFT IFSC treated as residents in India?
From an income tax perspective, entities in GIFT IFSC are "resident" in India. However, from an exchange control (FEMA) perspective, entities in GIFT IFSC are treated as "non-resident." This dual status offers significant planning opportunities.
How many approvals are needed to operate in GIFT IFSC?
Currently, approval is needed from the SEZ authorities (for the SEZ unit) and the IFSCA (for the financial services license). A proposal for a single-window clearance mechanism is underway to simplify the process.
What is the difference between Fintech and TechFin under IFSCA?
Fintech refers to emerging financial technologies driving new B2C business models (e.g., Paytm, Razorpay). TechFin refers to advanced tech solutions that support financial institutions on a B2B basis (e.g., Finacle by Infosys, BrokerEdge).
Is an AIF in GIFT IFSC regulated differently from domestic AIFs?
Yes. Unlike SEBI's domestic AIF regulations where the fund itself registers with SEBI, under IFSCA regulations the Fund Management Entity (FME) registers with IFSCA and can then launch schemes with only prior intimation โ€” giving greater operational flexibility.
What are the income tax benefits for GIFT City entities?
Entities in GIFT IFSC enjoy 100% income tax exemption for any 10 consecutive years within a 15-year window, reduced MAT of 9%, and exemptions from GST and stamp duty on most transactions within the IFSC.
Can CA Thakkar assist with GST litigation across Gujarat?
Yes. Our team has extensive experience handling GST notices, departmental audits, appeals at the Commissioner level, and representation before GST Tribunals. We serve clients across Gujarat and pan-India.
Can you help NRIs with Indian tax compliance?
Absolutely. We specialize in NRI taxation โ€” ITR filing, FEMA compliance, capital gains planning, repatriation advisory, and representation before income tax authorities for NRI clients across the USA, UK, UAE, and other countries.
How does GIFT City compare to other global financial hubs?
GIFT City IFSC is designed to compete with global hubs like DIFC (Dubai), SGX (Singapore), and IFSC (London). It offers comparable tax benefits, a progressive regulatory framework under IFSCA, and the added advantage of being within India โ€” giving access to the world's fastest-growing major economy.
Connect with Us

Our Expert Team

Experienced chartered accountants dedicated to providing precise, reliable, and timely advisory across IFSCA, tax, and corporate law.

CT
CA Thakkar
Founder & Managing Partner
Leads income tax litigation, IFSCA advisory, and corporate law practice. 15+ years of experience handling complex tax matters before ITAT and High Courts.
TP
Tax & Litigation Team
Direct Tax & GST Practice
Handles ITR filing, scrutiny assessments, GST registrations, monthly returns, GST audits, and departmental representations for individuals and corporates.
IA
International & IFSCA Team
IFSCA, IBU Audit & Transfer Pricing
Specializes in GIFT City IBU compliance, concurrent audit of banking units, IFSCA applications, transfer pricing, FEMA, NRI taxation, and cross-border advisory.
Get in Touch

Let's Talk About
Your Requirements

Office Address
CA Thakkar & Associates,
435-436, 4th Floor, Mall 1,
Above Hotel Midway, Next to SBI & Subway,
GH-O Circle, Infocity,
Gandhinagar โ€“ 382007, Gujarat
Office Hours
All Days: 9:00 AM โ€“ 7:00 PM
Locations We Serve
Gandhinagar ยท Ahmedabad ยท GIFT City
Pan-India ยท NRI Clients Worldwide
Send Us a Message