Dhana Pillai is a partner and director of Cygal Attorneys Ltd and DP Taxation Consultancy Co. LLC. She is based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices. Dhana has more than 20 years of experience advising on corporate and commercial transactions through the full range of sectors in the GCC, including company establishment, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and company flotations and offerings. She advises extensively on tax efficient holding company structure, all areas of hospitality, leisure and real estate across GCC. Dhana is a formally qualified International Tax Lawyer and Alternative Investment Advisor.

Dhana is recognized for her expertise in Women in Law Awards 2021 where she was finalist for her exceptional matters in tax and real estate. She is also recognized in Lexis Nexis for ‘Best Author’ for her contribution in 2021.

Experience in Cygal Attorneys and DP Taxation

• High Net Worth Client: Advising on and successfully redomiciling a family office company from DIFC to IFZA. Filing a reconsideration application against penalties and successfully winning the case before the DIFC.
• Bennefin: Advising this leading fintech gold loan platform in Bahrain on the securitization of the gold security, storage of the lien and foreclosure of the movable property.
• Vision Bank: Advising this Abu Dhabi Global Market neobank in their regulatory and tax compliances.
• China Water Industry: Advising a large industry player in the field of water and landfill recovery on their global expansion and subsidiary establishment in the United Arab Emirates.
• High Net Worth Client: Advising on succession planning and insurance claim recovery from the insurer located in Isle of Man upon satisfying the probate procedures.
• Essar Iron & Steel: Advising the Iron & Steel company on the characterisation of the proceeds of OCPS instrument across Mauritius and United Arab Emirates, and the resulting tax consequences.
• ESSAR Construction: Advising and negotiating the settlement agreement with the suppliers on the claims filed before the Abu Dhabi Courts.
• R7 Capital: Advising as local UAE counsel on the holding company structure change of R7 between Canada, Portugal and UAE.
• Mynd Integrated Services: Advising a payroll and accounting service provider on its UAE expansion and establishing its subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates.
• Mentaa Technology: Advising a digital marketplace in its formation, drafting template agreements, and assisting on the Intellectual Property–Trademark registration.
• Humblebean Company: Advising a successful Indian coffee chain in its UAE expansion, fundraising and establishing subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates.
• Sugee Properties Limited: Advising a renowned master developer on creating its full suite of template services agreements, real estate contracts, purchase orders, consultancy contracts, and major and minor work construction contracts for its proposed development at Ras Al Khaimah – Al Marjan.
• Confidential Crowdfunding Platform: Advising this leading upcoming Crowdfunding platform on creating its full suite of template services agreements, licensing, and establishing a suitable legal structure.
• ESSAR JAFZA: Advising the free zone steel manufacturer in a two-tranche share capital reduction.
• KCT Capital Ltd: Advising an investment fund manager on the corporate tax and VAT law.
• Ramboll: Advising on the regulatory and tax compliance in the United Arab Emirates.
• Russian Clients: Advising various Russian clients on their headquarters restructuring and tax consequences.
• Warom Electric Middle East Trading LLC: Advising on a Regulatory Tools Compliance Assessment and GAP Analysis Project.
• Nomadista Adventures FZE: Advising on the regulatory and tax compliance in the United Arab Emirates.
• Adaptavist (alias Veniture): Advising on the restructuring of the company in the World Trade Centre and on the regulatory and tax compliance in the United Arab Emirates.
• Nexawave Information Technology Co LLC: Filing a reconsideration application against penalties and successfully winning the case.

Previous Practice Experience

Recognition

• Women in Law Awards – Leading Individual, Tax, 2021.
• Women in Law Awards GCC, Oman – Shortlisted, 2022.
• LexisNexis – Notable Author in Tax for Real Estate and Tax, 2021.
• Author Award – For all-exclusive articles on Real Estate for the Oman region in LexisNexis, 2019.

In the Media

• Practitioner Perspective, Lexis Middle East Gulf Tax, Summer 2024.
• Case Focus, Lexis Middle East HR Alert, July 2024.
• Special Report on UAE Corporate Taxation on profit paid in respect of Islamic financial instruments, IFN Volume 20 Issue 30, 6 July 2023.
• Numerous articles on Data, Tax, and Real Estate in Lexis Nexis, 2019–2020.
• Numerous publications in Islamic Finance News, 2019.
• Cover report on Optimism in Oman as Islamic Finance Forges Forward, IFN Volume 15 Issue 46, 14 November 2018.
• IFN Country Correspondent on Meeting Liquidity Expectations in Oman’s Islamic Banking Sector, 22 August 2018.
• Special report on Omani I-REITs: “Could it be your choice?”, IFN Volume, 13 June 2018.
• International Corporate Procedures (Oman Section), Jordan Publishing, Bristol, UK, 2014.
• Case study on Commercial Companies Law (Oman Section), Doing Business Unit, The World Bank Group, US, 2013.
• Case study on Capital Market Law (Oman Section), Survey by the World Bank, 2013.
• Oman Tax Law – Practice and Procedures, IBFD Amsterdam, 2009.

Mr. M. K. Sreedhar is a senior tax professional with over 40 years of experience in direct and indirect taxation across India and the Sultanate of Oman. He holds degrees in Science and Law (LLB) from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, with expertise in tax administration, assessment, litigation, and training.

Before joining DP Taxation Consultancy, he served for over 25 years in the Indian Income Tax Department under the Central Board of Direct Taxes, New Delhi, where he held senior positions including Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax in Bangalore. He later spent 15 years with the Secretariat General for Taxation (now the Tax Authority) under the Ministry of Finance, Oman, overseeing tax assessments, investigations, and policy work in sectors such as petroleum, banking, and construction.

A qualified advocate and trained faculty member, Mr. Sreedhar represented the Income Tax Department before the ITAT, successfully handling more than 10,000 cases, and served as faculty at the National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), training senior officers.

At DP Taxation Consultancy, he contributes extensive expertise in tax advisory, compliance, and dispute resolution, strengthening the firm’s capabilities in Oman and across the GCC.

Experience in Taxation

• Indian Income Tax Department (CBDT, New Delhi): Served for over 25 years in various positions including Income Tax Inspector, Officer, and Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax. Managed business circle assessments, tax administration, and investigations.
• Legal Counsel (Advocate), Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT): Represented the Income Tax Department in more than 10,000 appeals before the ITAT, achieving a strong record of success.
• Faculty Trainer, National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), Nagpur: Delivered advanced training programs to senior officers and tax inspectors. Designed course modules on assessment, investigation, and legal interpretation.
• Secretariat General for Taxation, Ministry of Finance, Sultanate of Oman: Led tax assessments and investigations across major sectors. Advised on the introduction of Withholding Tax and contributed to legislative drafting and policy review.
• Independent Tax Consultant (India): Since 2013, providing consultancy on Indian and Omani taxation matters and conducting seminars, workshops, and training programs for tax professionals.

Rudraksh is pursuing ACCA and is a tax associate at DP Taxation Consultancy. Rudraksh is an integral part of the team. She is a passionate ACCA qualified tax professional. Rudraksh has supported on matters involving various sectors, including hospitality, sustainability, education, technical solutions, leisure, and real estate. Rudraksh assists in tax advisory services for Oman and UAE.

Experience in DP Taxation

• Investment Fund Tax Exemption Qualification: Obtaining non-automatic licences for the investment funds and investment fund managers of DIFC.
• UAE and Oman Tax Advisory: For a number of clients investing from Russia into UAE and Oman.
• Sugee Properties: Assisting a large-scale developer on the client accounting, corporate tax registration, VAT registration, filing, and contract reviewing.
• Victory Strategy Investment Ltd: Assisting an investment company on incorporation.
• Velocity Holding LLC: Assisting a real estate investment company on client accounting, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Veniture FZA: Assisting an IT service provider on client accounting, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Black Beard Leisure Yachts and Boats Rental: Assisting a yacht company on corporate tax registration and VAT registration.
• Century Investment: Assisting on client accounting, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Eight Clouds Fund: Assisting on client accounting, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Equity of Fund: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Falcon Peak Fund: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Incubit Management Consultants DMCC: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Voxi Partner FZE: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Oenergy Commodities DMCC: Assisting on corporate tax registration.

Samiah Abdul Rahim is a part qualified ACCA undergoing training at DP Taxation Consultancy. Samiah is supporting the senior tax practitioners of the firm in matters involving hospitality, sustainability, education, technical solutions, leisure, and real estate throughout the GCC region. He has registered over 30 corporations for VAT and corporate tax. Samiah is committed to providing exceptional support to the tax and accounting practice of the firm.

Experience in DP Taxation

• Vision Bank: Assisting the Abu Dhabi Global Market neobank in their VAT compliances and VAT advisory.
• China Water Industry: Assisting on the incorporation of the subsidiary of a large industry player in the field of water and landfill recovery in the United Arab Emirates.
• ESSAR Project Middle East FZE: Assisting on corporate registration.
• ESSAR Project Management LLC: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• ESSAR Project Construction LLC: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Seamless Procurement Overseas FZE: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• BSA Al Rashdi & Al Barwani Advocates & Legal Consultants: Assisting in tax advisory.
• KCT Capital Ltd: Assisting a fund manager on its VAT registration, penalty calculations, and corporate tax registration.
• Mentaa Technology LLC: Assisting on the incorporation of an incubated mentoring digital marketplace.
• Humblebean Company: Assisting a successful Indian coffee chain in its incorporation.
• Warom Electric Middle East Trading LLC: Assisting on UAE tax compliance simulation, corporate tax registration, and GAP Analysis Project.
• Ocean Leonid Holding Ltd: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Ocean Leonid Investments Ltd: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Nomadista Adventures FZE: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Real Impact Ltd: Assisting a sustainability firm on client accounting, corporate tax registration, VAT registration, and filing.
• Nexawave Information Technology Co. LLC: Assisting an IT service provider in filing a reconsideration application against penalties and successfully winning the case, filing, client accounting, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Ijadah Commercial Broker: Assisting in corporate tax registration.
• Graphene Investment: Assisting an investment banker in client accounting and redomiciling to IFZA from DIFC.
• ASP RCM Project Management Co LLC: Assisting an investment banker on client accounting and corporate tax registration.
• Red Dot Services FZCO: Assisting a training and event coordinator on client accounting, corporate tax registration, VAT registration, and filing.
• Job Master Technical Service: Assisting on client accounting, filing, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Sugee Properties: Assisting a large-scale developer on client accounting, corporate tax registration, VAT registration, filing, and contract reviewing.
• Victory Strategy Investment Ltd: Assisting an investment company on incorporation.
• Velocity Holding LLC: Assisting a real estate investment company on client accounting, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Veniture FZA: Assisting an IT service provider on client accounting, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Black Beard Leisure Yachts and Boats Rental: Assisting a yacht company on corporate tax registration and VAT registration.
• Bina Matthew Consulting FZE: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Just a Pause FZCO: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• K S G R Goods Wholesaler Co LLC: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• High Net Worth Client: Assisting on client accounting, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Technoproject Middle East Technical Service LLC: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Century Investment: Assisting on client accounting, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Eight Clouds Fund: Assisting on client accounting, corporate tax registration, and VAT registration.
• Equity of Fund: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Falcon Peak Fund: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Incubit Management Consultants DMCC: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Voxi Partner FZE: Assisting on corporate tax registration.
• Oenergy Commodities DMCC: Assisting on corporate tax registration.

Pooja is a dedicated and proficient legal intern at Cygal Attorneys Ltd. She has been an essential team member at the office. With a strong academic background and legal experience in law, she has demonstrated exceptional skills in researching, drafting, reviewing, and assisting in a range of sectors including corporate and commercial law, underscoring her commitment to delivering high-quality legal support and analysis.

Experience in Cygal Attorneys

• Bennefin: Assisting the partner on advising this leading fintech gold loan platform in Bahrain on the securitization of the gold security by providing research on legislations and rulebooks pertaining to the gold loan platform.
• ESSAR Constructions Overseas Limited: Assisting on the money recovery cases pending before the Abu Dhabi courts in its settlement.
• R7 Capital: Assisting an investment banker with the establishment of a new holding regime and restructuring of the assets held in Canada and Portugal.
• Mynd Integrated Services: Assisting the partner on advising by providing research on the set-up of the branch and labour, check listing documents for incorporation of LLC, and assisting in incorporation of the subsidiary.
• Mentaa Technology: Assisting the partner on advising a digital marketplace by providing preliminary research on trademark registration process in the UAE and reviewing terms and conditions for consultancy and allied services company.
• Humblebean Company: Assisting in advising a successful Indian coffee chain in its UAE expansion and fundraising.
• Victory Strategy Green Waste Gas Recovery LLC: Assisting in preparation of documents.
• Sugee Properties FZ-LLC: Assisting in the corporate amendments of the company.
• Graphene Investments Ltd: Assisting in redomiciling of family office from DIFC to IFZA.

In the Media

• Article on Change in fee structure of ADGM Business licenses.
• Case Focus – Lexis Middle East HR Alert, July 2024.