Grant Thornton Launches India Tax Service

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

29 May 2007

Grant Thornton LLP, the US member firm of Grant Thornton International, has launched an India Tax and Business Services Gateway that will assist US companies interested in either establishing a presence or structuring investments in India.

The India Tax and Business Services Gateway, led by Renuka Kathpal, director of India development services, is based out of the firm's Seattle office. It serves as a single point of contact on various tax and regulatory issues related to structuring investment into India. Initially, the gateway will focus on the technology and small and medium sized business sectors.

"India is a huge country, with a very diverse culture and a very different set of policies, which contributes to the fact that US and Indian markets are entirely different," said Jeff Olin, Grant Thornton LLP managing partner of international tax services. "It is best to help US companies that wish to invest in India from the United States."

"Grant Thornton has substantial experience in handling international clients through our International Business Centers," said Carol R. Banford, Grant Thornton LLP managing partner of international client services. "This gateway will work very closely with the IBCs to enable clients to get a much quicker response."

Previously, Kathpal served as a partner with Grant Thornton International member firm Walker, Chandiok Grant Thornton in India, where she headed the Inbound Investment Services group. She has nearly 10 years of experience in tax and regulatory work, as well as wide and varied experience working with transnational companies helping them obtain regulatory approvals and registrations. Kathpal has also assisted numerous companies set up operations in India. She has worked with clients in a diverse range of industries from all over the world.

"With more and more companies envisioning India as their next destination, we believe that the gateway will offer clients a one-stop shop for their Indian business services," said Kathpal. "Our basic goal is to service the client to the best of our professional capabilities and help them in making timely business decisions, consistent with their companies; objectives."

"US companies need someone who has hands-on experience with Indian regulations and cross-border transactions in the US," concluded Olin. "Grant Thornton can offer that with Renuka."

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