Profile

Aakriti is an Australian-qualified lawyer who specializes in advising on corporate tax, withholding tax and VAT aspects in a broad range of industry sectors, including consumer business, F&B, financial services (including private equity), telecommunications and education, as well as sovereign wealth funds, ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) and family offices.

She was involved with the implementation of VAT in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain, as well as the introduction of corporate tax in the UAE. She has in-depth experience on international tax structuring, cross-border M&A, private wealth restructuring and tax related implications of funds.

Given her years of experience in the GCC (including Saudi Arabia and the UAE) and broader MENA region, Aakriti is involved in designing and implementing tax-efficient structures that balance regulatory compliance with optimal business and wealth preservation.

Prior to joining Hourani and Partners, Aakriti practiced at Herbert Smith Freehills, Deloitte, and EY Consulting.

Expertise
  • Tax
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
Experience

Aakriti’s experience includes advising:

  • A major Saudi technology company in relation to income tax, zakat, transfer pricing, WHT, and VAT considerations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
  • A major global bank on UAE tax implications and the nuanced regulatory issues related to investment products, permanent establishment complexities, free zone benefits, and cross-border VAT issues
  • A major French multi-national company in relation to establishing a joint venture in Saudi Arabia, addressing UAE and Saudi income tax, zakat, transfer pricing, WHT, and VAT considerations
  • A major global infrastructure company to determine the most tax-efficient jurisdiction for investments, weighing the benefits of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other international jurisdictions through the lens of double tax agreements and local tax regulations
  • A UAE-based fund structure regarding the UAE corporate tax, VAT and cross-border tax implications related to the structure, providing strategic guidance to ensure that any key cross-border or UAE tax risks are minimised
  • A large GCC luxury goods reseller on establishing and optimizing operations in Saudi Arabia under evolving tax regimes from a VAT, customs and regulatory perspective
  • A Kuwaiti oil and gas entity in relation to Saudi tax laws in order to establish operations in Saudi Arabia
  • A significant GCC family on creating a tax-efficient family planning structure, ensuring optimal jurisdiction selection and managing residency risks
  • UHNWIs and family offices with bespoke tax planning strategies, including establishment of DIFC foundation structures, single family offices and international fund structures, to ensure seamless integration of Shari’a law considerations with modern wealth preservation strategies
  • High-net-worth-individuals on achieving and maintaining UAE tax residency, having regard to their global business and personal interests
  • A large family business to restructure shareholding in the family business from a single shareholder to a DIFC foundation structure, having regard to their family’s objectives of preserving and maintaining family wealth while ensuring a tax-efficient business structure
Qualifications

Education

  • Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Australia
  • Bachelor of Commerce – Accounting, Australian National University,  Australia
  • LLB, Australian National University, Australia

Admissions

  • New South Wales Supreme Court, Australia
  • Dubai Legal Affairs Department, UAE
Languages
  • English
  • Hindi
  • Urdu
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