2025 World Tax guide | Regional profile (Tax Controversy)

As multiple forces complicate and increase controversy challenges, an appropriate response to tax controversy is a strategic priority for many organizations.

Deloitte Tax Controversy in Asia Pacific brings together leading advisory and dispute management capability, understanding of regulator expectations, and governance practices. We combine this with technology, data, analytic procedures, and response methodologies across various industries and locations, to offer a broad-based, scalable solution that we can tailor to each client and tax controversy.

Deloitte's tax controversy teams in Asia Pacific include deep tax controversy specialists, alternative dispute resolution specialists, and in many countries, tax litigation, governance, data and technology specialists, who can be mobilized quickly and work as one to assist multinational businesses at all phases of the tax controversy cycle.

Dedicated tax controversy professionals within the Deloitte network provide coverage across the Asia Pacific with a presence in all key markets across the region.

Deloitte operates a globally coordinated tax controversy group with leaders assigned across several countries. The leaders within the Asia Pacific region can draw upon the connections within this community from all parts of the world, to deliver cross-border solutions in a coordinated and aligned manner.

This approach to dealing with tax controversy-related problems of clients provides common methodologies and the development of technology-based tools used collaboratively across jurisdictions to enhance success for clients.

Many companies have expanded their internal resources, appointing specialist managers at a senior grade with direct responsibility for controversy management, and making tax departments an integrated part of the strategic risk management function. 

Deloitte in Asia Pacific is innovative because it has developed a coordinated network of professionals sharing insight and approaches, designed in response to trends being observed over the course of the past five years.

The delivery of services and solutions within this network entails approaching problems in an innovative fashion by embedding technology-based solutions. This is done by using data analytics and forensic e-discovery tools to assist in large-scale reviews and audits in conjunction with the skill and decision-making of highly experienced professionals.

We also seek to deliver a more seamless experience for our clients through Deloitte’s Intela platform which enables our clients to stay across all aspects of their tax function, compliance, reporting, and regulatory response.

Within the Asia Pacific region, we bring together large-scale big data-driven methodologies with the ability to draw on Deloitte’s leading forensic and regulatory advisory capability. Through the use of e-discovery tools and project management interfaces in real-time, our clients are equipped to stay across the diverse challenges Tax Controversy brings across the region.

Key service offerings

Consulting services to help clients manage, understand, and resolve complex disputes with revenue taxing authorities. This includes pre-audit procedures or dispute prevention, tax audits or assessments, and dispute resolution or settlement; audit readiness assessments (income, estate, gift, inheritance tax, etc.), and support for clients undergoing tax authority reviews and audits.

Awards

At the International Tax Review’s (ITR) 2023 Asia-Pacific Tax Awards, Deloitte won more awards than any other organization, with a total of 28 awards, which is 23% of the total and 55% of the awards given to the Big Four firms.

• Global Executive Mobility Tax Firm of the Year

• Indirect Tax Firm of the Year

• Tax Firm of the Year

• Tax Litigation & Disputes Firm of the Year

• Tax Technology Firm of the Year

• Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year (second consecutive year)

• Withholding Tax Firm of the Year

• Impact Deal of the Year (Telstra/Digicel Pacific)

• National Tax Firm of the Year- China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Vietnam

• National Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year-Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam

• National Tax Disputes Firm of the Year- Indonesia, Taiwan, and Thailand

2024 World Tax guide

A total of 159 Deloitte Asia Pacific professionals were recognized by ITR’s 2024 World Tax guide for their Tax and Transfer Pricing leadership. Moreover, 49 Tax Controversy professionals were rated as 'Highly Regarded' and 'Notable Practitioner'.

Eminent leaders

Jun Takahara

Asia-Pacific Tax & Legal Tax Controversy Leader

Karishma Phatarphekar

India Tax Controversy Leader

Chris Atkinson

Australian Tax Controversy Leader

Frank Tang

China Tax Controversy Leader

Yutaka Kitamura

Japan Tax Controversy Leader

Young-Seok Jeong

South Korea Tax Controversy Leader

^{This document has been prepared solely for the purpose of publishing in the 2025 ITR World Tax Guide and may not be used for any other purpose. This document and its contents may not be reproduced, redistributed, or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other person in whole or in part without Deloitte’s prior written consent.}

^{Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.}

^{This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser.}

^{No representations, warranties or undertakings (express or implied) are given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in this communication, and none of DTTL, its member firms, related entities, employees or agents shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever arising directly or indirectly in connection with any person relying on this communication. DTTL and each of its member firms, and their related entities, are legally separate and independent entities.}

^{© 2024. For information, contact Deloitte Global.}