DDTC Clinches 2 Coveted Tax Awards from an International Institution

LONDON, DDTCNews - DDTC clinched 2 tax awards at the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Tax Awards 2024. The awards were conferred by the International Tax Review (ITR), an international institution based in London, UK.

The first award is Indonesia Tax Dispute Firm of the Year in the Jurisdiction Award category. The second award is Pro Bono Firm of the Year in the Asia-Pacific Regional Awards category.

Attending on behalf of the Founders of DDTC Darussalam and Danny Septriadi, DDTC Consulting Managing Partner David Hamzah Damian received both awards in person on the peak night of the ITR APAC Tax Awards 2024 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Tower Bridge London, UK, Wednesday (18/9/2024).

Announcing the awards, the ITR Editor at Legal Benchmarking Group, Thomas Baker, remarked that the title Tax Dispute Firm of the Year was anchored in the company’s success in resolving tax disputes in various sectors with an innovative approach. 

“The assessment or research process by the ITR has been undertaken for a considerable amount of time and involves many parties,” said Baker.

Further, the ITR Editor at Legal Benchmarking Group Editor Sam Sholli reiterated that the title Pro bono Firm of the Year was on account of the company’s steadfast commitment to maximising the role of the profession in taxation for the public at large. 

“By contributing to an ideal tax system and eliminating information asymmetry in the tax community,” remarked Sholli.

The founder of DDTC Darussalam declares that the award personifies international recognition of DDTC’s consistency in upholding its vision, pursuing its mission and implementing company values for 17 years. DDTC's vision, mission and values are the product of a balanced blend of commercial and non-commercial aspects.

Moreover, adds Darussalam, all company activities are grounded in the reality of the non-existence of tax society, relatively low tax compliance and awareness, the limited range of tax basis and the lack of tax experts.

As a result, the majority of the earnings from clients for professional services are returned to the community and stakeholders in the tax sector, in particular, Indonesia. The two awards evidence that the commercial and non-commercial aspects reinforce each other.

"We are firm believers that only a never-ending cycle at the commercial aspect will, in turn, establish a better tax ecosystem as the tax consultant profession is noble or honourable (officium nobile) This award will spur DDTC to remain consistent on this path. Thank you,” he reiterates.

The concept of officium nobile, he continues, is centered around the assumption that in essence not only should a profession be profit-oriented, but also should focus on how to contribute or dedicate its expertise for taxation purposes.

DDTC Founder Danny Septriadi remarks that all external parties of DDTC constitute clients. Therefore, DDTC assumes professional responsibilities to the tax community. A vast array of products, services or activities give prominence to fulfilling these responsibilities.

"Hopefully this award can motivate DDTC’s professionals to continue to contribute to colouring the world of taxation in Indonesia," said Danny.

Significant Milestone for DDTC

In line with Darussalam and Danny Septriadi, DDTC Consulting Managing Partner David Hamzah Damian said that the Tax Dispute Firm of the Year and Pro Bono Firm of the Year awards mark significant milestones for DDTC.

Tax Dispute Firm of the Year is a testament to all DDTC’s professionals who provide optimum services and services to clients, specifically related to tax dispute resolution support for diverse companies in Indonesia.

This award validates the approach undertaken by DDTC thus far in handling tax dispute cases, i.e., by integrating empirical experience, theoretical concepts, legal interpretation and comprehension of business transactions. 

“Moreover, DDTC also gives precedence to the credential aspect to establish trust, both for taxpayers and tax authorities,” states David.

Then, the Pro Bono Firm of the Year award will encourage DDTC to continue to realize the company's vision and mission in building a tax-literate society and removing asymmetric information related to taxation.

In line with Darussalam, there is more to pro bono than mere Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities or free-of-charge provision of professional services. For DDTC, pro bono is the tangible embodiment of the adherence to the company's vision and pursuit of its mission.

As a point of interest, ITR is a global news and analysis service provider that delivers practical information on three main areas, including direct tax, indirect tax and transfer pricing.

This award is the result of the ranking conducted by ITR. On account of independent research and coverage of the world’s leading tax firms and practitioners, ITR seeks to accurately compare tax firms and practitioners with their peers.

In the ITR Asia-Pacific Tax Awards 2024, DDTC is listed as a nominee in twelve other categories in the ITR Asia-Pacific Tax Awards 2024. Of the twelve categories, DDTC was included in five Regional Award categories at the Asia Pacific level.

In addition, of the twelve categories, four are in the Individual Award category. For the Individual Award category, the Founder of DDTC Darussalam was nominated for the Tax Practice Leader of the Year.

DDTC's success in winning this award is not the first time. In 2021, DDTC won the Indonesia Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year. Next, in 2022, DDTC also won the Pro Bono Firm of the Year at the Asia-Pacific level. (sap)