Manager Direct taxation
- India - Chennai
At Pfizer we make medicines and vaccines that change patients' lives with a global reach of over 780 million patients.
The Manager – Direct Tax will support the Taxation Lead in managing end‑to‑end Direct Tax compliance, assessments, litigation, and transfer pricing support (including APA matters) in India for a large multinational pharmaceutical organization. The role carries hands‑on responsibility for execution and coordination across TDS compliances, annual returns, statutory filings, assessments, and litigation support.
The incumbent will work closely with external legal counsels and Big 4 consultants, prepare technical submissions, support Advance Pricing Arrangement (APA) processes, respond to notices, and represent the organization before Direct Tax authorities. The role requires strong technical knowledge, execution rigor, and the ability to manage multiple tax matters in a controlled and compliant manner, under the guidance of the Taxation Lead.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Direct Tax Compliance & Filings
· Execute and manage Direct Tax compliances under the Income-tax Act, including preparation, review, and filing of annual income tax returns and related schedules.
· Manage TDS compliances, including monthly/quarterly TDS returns, TDS reconciliations, Form 26Q/24Q filings, and resolution of mismatches.
· Ensure timely filing of statutory forms and certificates, including Form 3CD, Form 3CEB (as applicable), and other prescribed disclosures.
· Coordinate data collection from Finance and Business teams to ensure accuracy and completeness of filings.
2. Tax Assessments, Notices & Litigation Support
· Handle tax assessments, scrutiny proceedings, reassessments, and rectification matters, under the guidance of the Taxation Lead.
· Prepare detailed responses to notices, questionnaires, and information requests issued by tax authorities.
· Draft submissions, statements of facts, and technical notes for appeals and litigation matters.
· Maintain tracking of open assessments, demands, refunds, and litigation status.
3. Authority Representation & Hearings
· Appear before Direct Tax Authorities (Assessing Officers, CIT(A), DRP, etc.) for hearings, submissions, and clarifications, as required.
· Support the Taxation Lead during complex hearings, negotiations, and strategic discussions with authorities.
· Ensure timely follow-up on hearing outcomes, orders, and next steps.
4. Advance Pricing Arrangement (APA) & Transfer Pricing Support
· Provide execution support for Advance Pricing Arrangement (APA) matters, including data collation, preparation of submissions, and coordination with consultants.
· Assist in APA negotiations, meetings, and information requests from tax authorities, under the direction of the Taxation Lead.
· Support transfer pricing compliance, including Form 3CEB filings, documentation reviews, and responses to transfer pricing audits.
· Coordinate with Global Tax teams, Big 4 consultants, and internal stakeholders to ensure consistency of positions and timely delivery.
· Maintain documentation, trackers, and audit trails for APA and transfer pricing matters.
5. Coordination with External Advisors
· Work closely with external legal counsels and Big 4 firms on tax audits, assessments, APA matters, and litigation.
· Review draft submissions, opinions, and appeal documents prepared by advisors for technical accuracy and alignment with company positions.
· Monitor timelines, deliverables, and costs associated with external advisors.
6. Tax Accounting, Documentation & Controls
· Support tax provisioning and tax accounting processes, including current tax and deferred tax computations.
· Assist in preparation of tax audit documentation and responses to statutory and internal auditors.
· Maintain robust documentation, controls, and audit trails for all Direct Tax and APA‑related matters.
· Ensure adherence to internal SOPs, governance frameworks, and compliance calendars.
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BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Qualified Chartered Accountant.
- Minimum 6-8 years of experience in the field of Corporate Taxation with hands on Experience in tax Audit compliances and APA filing
- Proven experience in managing APA processes and transfer pricing compliance
- Strong understanding of tax audit procedures, litigation strategy, and departmental coordination.
- Familiarity with pharmaceutical sector-specific tax nuances and manufacturing operations
- Proficiency in SAP (FI-CO, MM, SD modules), Excel, and tax computation tools.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in handling external stakeholders like Auditors, tax Authorities and other internal senior stakeholders. Experience in working in Global Organisations.
Pharmaceutical Experience is preferred.
Work Location Assignment: Hybrid
Pfizer is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction in which it operates.
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Finance & AccountingBreakthroughs that change patients’ lives
Research confirms what intuition tells us: that purpose-driven companies perform better, are more innovative, attract and retain the best people, and know how to unleash the power of those people. Pfizer’s purpose—Breakthroughs that change patients' lives—fuels everything we do and reflects our passion for building on our legacy as one of the greatest contributors of good to the world.
Each word in our purpose has meaning and reflects the value we strive to bring to patients and society:
“Breakthroughs” - These are the innovations, scientific and commercial, that we seek to deliver every day. All colleagues, regardless of role, level or location, strive for breakthroughs every day.
“Change” - We want to do more than simply improve patients’ medical conditions; we want to dramatically change their lives for the better.
“Patients’ lives” - We consider not only patients, but everyone they touch—including their families, caregivers, and friends—and everything they love to do. It’s an intentionally holistic view.
Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.
Every decision we make and every action we take is done with the patient in mind—and to nurture an environment where breakthroughs can thrive.
Our Values
To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose, we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.
The “how” is represented by four simple, powerful values—courage, excellence, equity, and joy—that define our company and our culture.
Courage: Breakthroughs start by challenging convention, especially in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This happens when we think big, speak up, and are decisive.
Excellence: We can only change patients’ lives when we perform at our best together. This happens when we focus on what matters, agree who does what, and measure our outcomes.
Equity: We believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. This happens when we are inclusive, act with integrity, and reduce healthcare disparities.
Joy: We give ourselves to our work, but it also gives to us. We find joy when we take pride, recognize one another, and have fun.
Finance
At Pfizer, our dynamic financial experts are more than number-crunchers; they shape our path to greatness. From strategic direction to fiscal well-being, Finance ensures our enterprise thrives with unwavering commitment and meticulous attention to detail.
From seamless payroll management to mastery of tax compliance, we fortify the foundations upon which Pfizer's vision is built. Together, we empower transformative choices, driving Pfizer's legacy to uncharted heights by harmonizing data-driven insights and creative intuition.
Welcome to the vital core of Pfizer's future, where Finance unlocks limitless potential
Global Business Services
Global Business Services is a transformation powerhouse, turning fragmented, complex, and intricate operational services into a seamlessly centralized, simplified, and standardized system.
With our unrivaled expertise, strategic capabilities, and unwavering commitment to Pfizer's purpose, we pave the way for groundbreaking breakthroughs that make a real, tangible difference in patients' lives.
Join us on this exhilarating journey of impact and innovation as we revolutionize healthcare together.
Benefits at Pfizer
Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues. Our Pay for Performance Philosophy and Practices reward colleagues based on the contributions they make to our business.
Our Competitive Benefits Programs help our colleagues by:
- Promoting Health and Wellness to help colleagues maintain and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Pfizer offerings include health and disability insurance, preventative health programs, medical screenings, free or reduced-cost vaccinations, discounts on Pfizer products, mental health support, nutrition and fitness counseling and more.
- Strengthening Colleagues’ Financial Security by providing company contributions to retirement plans, life insurance and financial planning education to help colleagues achieve their financial goals.
- Providing Benefits and Time off for the Moments that Matter to ensure Pfizer colleagues have the time away from the office to recharge, recover and return to work as the best version of themselves. Vacation, Holiday time and Sick time are just the beginning, with a 12 week parental leave policy for both parents of a new born, 10 day of caregiver leave for those times when your family needs you whether it’s a child, spouse or parent, bereavement leave, and additional country-specific programs.
- And so much more, depending on your country and site, Pfizer offers childcare facilities or discount programs, on-site health and/or fitness centers, movement and mindfulness solutions, “Log in for your Day” work flexibility and so much more.
For U.S. based jobs, view an overview of Pfizer’s U.S. benefits program (opens in a new window)