1. BIRTH OF THE FEDERATION

Inspired by the ideology to have a common platform for all those who practice taxation laws, irrespective of their individual affiliations and to enable them to share the benefits of their learning, experience and knowledge, eminent professionals from the fields of Direct and Indirect Taxes conceived the idea of establishing an all India body for the tax practitioners.

The seeds of Federation were sown at Mumbai at the First All India Conference on Taxation organized by The Chamber of Tax Consultants, under the able Presidentship of Shri B. C. Joshi, Advocate. This was the First historical conference by The Chamber of Tax Consultants, Mumbai while celebrating its Golden Jubilee year. More than 852 delegates from all the parts of the country were present. It was at the opening ceremony of this National Conference on 11-11-1976 that the doyens of the Professionals Christened the Association in the presence of Former Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Justice J. C. Shah and distinguished Jurist Shri N. A. Palkhivala. Shri N. C. Mehta, Chartered Accountant, Mumbai, was appointed as Founder President and Shri P. C. Joshi was appointed as Secretary General. The Federation has completed 33 years of its purposeful existence.

2. OBJECTS

The cherished objects as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federation can briefly be stated as:

i. To provide an effective forum for the discussion of matters pertaining to tax laws, other laws, accountancy and their administration, for the collection, dissemination of information relating thereto, for the development of better understanding and co-operation amongst the members, tax administration, tax payers and all others concerned.

ii. To strive and work for independence of Quasi-Judicial Authorities, Appellate Authorities, the Settlement Commissions, Tribunals, Authority for Advance Ruling, Courts, or other similar Authorities;

iii. To make representations, file petitions and appear before the Tax Authorities, Tribunal and Courts in the matters of public interest and cases of importance to professionals and assessees in general;

iv. To design and arrange activities to enhance the image of the profession in the society;

v. To carry out activities to develop and promote high ethical standards for the professionals.

vi. To promote and encourage friendly feelings, fraternity, unity and cooperation amongst the members and to inculcate feelings of brotherhood in them;

vii. To publish journals, books, bulletins, pamphlets, leaflets and magazines or any periodicals.

3. HEAD OFFICE AND ZONES

With the generous contributions by its members the Federation has been able to own, establish, run a full-fledged and a well equipped Head Office at 215, Rewa Chambers, 31, New Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020. The total strength of National Executive Committee Members is 55, headed by a National President, with a Deputy President, Five Vice Presidents and Five Joint Secretaries, (one from each zone) apart from the Secretary General, Treasurer and 43 of the elected body executive members. The Deputy President takes over as the National President in the next term. The term is two calendar years. Presently the President is Shri M. L. Patodi, Advocate, Kota and Shri S. K. Poddar, Advocate, Ranchi is the Deputy President. Our eminent Past Presidents are Shri N. C. Mehta, C.A., Mumbai (1978-83), Shri B. C. Joshi, Advocate, Mumbai (1984-90), Late Shri L. M. Mahurkar, Nagpur (1991-93), Shri P. C. Joshi, Advocate, Mumbai (1994-96).

Late Shri Sukumar Bhattacharya, Kolkata (1997-99), Shri N. M. Ranka, Sr. Advocate, Jaipur (2000-02), Dr. K. Shivaram, Advocate, Mumbai (2003-05)

Shri V. Ramachandran, Sr. Advocate, Chennai (2006 & 07) and Shri Bharatji Agrawal, Sr. Advocate, Allahabad (2008 & 09).

For efficient functioning, for ease of administration and to give wider representation, the AIFTP is divided into five zones namely Central Zone - comprise of the States of Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Rajasthan having Zonal Office at Ujjain, Eastern Zone - comprise of the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh & Mizoream and the Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands having Zonal Office at Calcutta, Northern Zone - comprise of the States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab and the Union Territories of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal & Chandigarh having Zonal Office at Ghaziabad, Southern Zone - comprise of the States of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu and the Union Territories of Pondichery & the Lakshadweep Islands having Zonal Office at Hyderabad and Western Zone -  comprise of the State of Gujarat, Maharashtra & Goa and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu & Dadra & Nagar Haveli having Zonal Office at Mumbai or at such other place that may be decided from time to time by the National Executive Committee of the Federation. Each Zone is headed by a Chairman supported by Vice Chairman, 2 Secretaries and Treasurer as Office Bearers. The term of the Zonal Office Bearers and Managing Committee coincide with the terms of the National Executive Committee .

4. MEMBERS

The membership of the Federation includes Advocates, Solicitors, Chartered Accountants and Tax Practitioners, practicing Direct or Indirect Taxes, from all States in the Country. Its member enjoy a strong bond of fellowship leading to fraternal brotherhood amongst professionals. The Federation is the symbol and spirit of national integration. As of today the Federation is the only professional organisation of our country which has 115 Professional Associations, from 18 states as its affiliated members and more than 4,500 individual as life members.

Life membership Fee is Rs. 2,500/-. The membership is spread in 26 States and 4 Union Territories. It also has on its roll, Associate and Corporate Members. It is a unique association at the national level.

5. JOURNAL

The Federation publishes a monthly Journal covering the latest reported & unreported decisions of the Supreme Court, High Courts and Income Tax Appellate Tribunals including the articles, opinions and latest developments on direct and indirect taxes by experts in the field. The unique feature is that every quarter, it publish the gist of important case laws published in 33 Tax Magazines from all over the country. The journal is sent to members on an additional annual subscription of Rs. 400/- and Rs. 1,000/- for three years and to Non-Members at Rs. 600/- per year and Rs. 1,500/- for three years.

6. AIFTP TIMES

The Federation publishes a monthly newsletter called AIFTP TIMES which is sent to all the members free of charge. This newsletter contains important notifications, circulars and other topical information apart from various activities of the Federation. Eastern Zone also publishes AIFTP Times East.

7. WEBSITE/LIBRARY

The AIFTP website at www.aiftponline.org is an informative source for the members. The website is regularly updated by a team of dedicated professionals.

It has its library at Mahalaxmi Income-tax office.

8. REPRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

The Federation has been making Representations to focus the grievances of trade, industry and professionals. It regularly sends Pre and Post Budget
Memorandums. Many of the suggestions and the recommendations are accepted.

The Kar Vivad Samadhan Scheme, 1998 was suggested by our Federation. In order to get tax laws simplified and rational has filed more than 20 Writ Petitions in public interest. Representations are made to the Central and State Governments and higher tax administration for redressal of grievances and simplification of tax laws. It regularly publishes books in simple language and question answer format at a low cost. It has published more than 24 books.

9. CONVENTIONS & SEMINARS

The Association Members jointly with the Federation organize National Seminars, Conferences and Conventions in various parts of the Country to update its members. More than 10-12 Seminars are organised in a year. The Zones are active in organizing one day seminars, study circles, RRC, etc. in association with various local associations. The aim is to cultivate the strong bond of fraternity amongst members and professionals.

A unique feature of the Federation is that the faculties, chairmen, trustees, office bearers and members of the National Executive and Zonal Committees pay a registration fee and bear their own travel and stay expenses. They serve with dedication, devotion and generously contribute to ‘BUILD THE NATION’. Since 1994, the Federation has installed ‘RANKA BEST TAX SEMINAR’ competition.

Since 2005, The Ranka Charitable Trust has installed Ranka Best Zone Chairman award. National Convention is held every second year. Many Chief Justices of India, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts have inaugurated the conferences, appreciated and applauded efforts and activities of the Federation.

10. RELEASE OF COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP IN MEMORY OF SHRI N. A. PALKHIVALA

We are pleased that, as per the request of the Federation, Government of India has released Commemorative Postage Stamp in Memory of Shri N. A. Palkhivala on 16th January, 2004. The then Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee released the stamp.

11. NANI PALKHIVALA MEMORIAL NATIONAL TAX MOOT COURT COMPETITION & RESEARCH PAPER COMPETITION

For the development of the Tax Bar, we have started the “Nani Palkhivala Memorial National Tax Moot Court Competition” and “Research in Tax Laws” in the banner of “Palkhivala Foundation” at Mumbai, wherein every year students from more than 25 leading law colleges of India are participating in the competition and more than 50 Law Colleges are participating in the Research Competition. Since 2009, Federation is also organising “Shri Rajaram Agrawal Memorial National Tax Moot Court Competition” at Allahabad.

12. FIRST INTERNATIONAL TAX CONFERENCE

All India Federation of Tax Practitioners in association with Asia Oceania Tax Consultants Association (AOTCA) has organized the First International Tax Conference at Mumbai from 19th to 21st November, 2009, representing 14 countries wherein 105 delegates enrolled, including 55 foreign delegates.

13. ACHIEVEMENTS

Federation has voluntarily adopted the code of ethics in its Constitution for its members. Ethics are a way of life. The Federation is affiliated to the Asia Oceania Tax Consultants’ Association, Japan. The Federation has organised a successful International Study Tour in the month of May 2004 and May 2007.

Today, the Federation is considered a national integration of tax professionals of India. We have many eminent professionals as our members, some have been elevated to be Judges of the High Courts, Supreme Court and Tribunals. Most of the leading Senior Advocates who practice on Direct, Indirect Taxes, many past Presidents of Institutes of Chartered Accountants of India, Chairman and member of Bar Councils of various states, leading Lawyers, Chartered Accountants and Tax Practitioners of our country are esteemed members. We have great potential and ability to grow as a global association. The Federation is making an honest attempt to develop a strong Tax Bar for our country, which will be able to compete in International Tax Practice.