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Statutory Audit
We conduct an integrated audit, which combines the financial statement audit,independent and objective assurance on financial information, transactionsand processes.
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Limited Review
We offer services relating to reviews of historical financial informationby expressing negative assurance on such historical financial information.
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Agreed Upon Procedures
We engage with organisationsto perform specific procedures and report findings to conform to their needs.
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Financial Reporting Advisory Services (FRAS)
Our team provides timely advice on the impact of accounting changes to assist businesses in the development of an appropriate implementation roadmap.
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Business Consulting
Grant Thornton UAE provides organisations with implementable plans that drive sustainable growth strategies to grow and optimise their business performance.
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Business Risk Services
Organisations need to understand risks thoroughly to be able to manage them better. Grant Thornton UAE helps businesses achieve the best balance between minimising risk exposure, optimising profitability and developing compliance review checklists.
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Regulatory Advisory Services
Grant Thornton UAE's extensive understanding of the overarching supervisory framework within the region equips our professionals to support financial institutions comply and abide by the set of regulatory mandates throughout the rapidly evolving ecosystem.
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Financial Advisory
Grant Thornton UAE works with organisations on transactions from start to finish, assisting with strategy, identifying risks, executing deals, and helping to unlock their potential for growth and value creation.
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Restructuring Advisory
Grant Thornton UAE is committed to realising value for shareholders, in a way that recognises and supports the interests of all stakeholders. Our solutions maximise value, provide clarity and direction, and accelerate recovery and transformation for businesses.
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Technology Advisory & Cybersecurity
IT and technology are fundamental to drive the performance of businesses. Through leveraging the power of technology, Grant Thornton UAE helps organisations define and identify growth opportunities to achieve value-driven transformation and innovation.
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Forensics
Fraud and corruption pose a growing challenge worldwide. As the commercial landscape changes, an increasingly regulated environment requires stringent governance and compliance processes. Grant Thornton UAE helps organisations navigate challenges and crisis with a hands-on approach coupled with the use of technology.
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ESG Services
The Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda has gained significant traction over the years, to become one of the key strategic aspects of any business. It is imperative that all organisations, irrespective of industry sector, engage with their stakeholders and prioritise ESG practices to unlock sustainable growth opportunities.
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Business Process Solutions
Our team at Grant Thornton offers comprehensive and cost effective outsourced solutions, enabling stakeholders and business owners to focus on their core business goals.
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Corporate Tax
Our diversified team of corporate tax subject matter experts combines a perfect blend of international experience across several industry sectors, technical expertise, and commercial nuances with a commitment to deliver exceptional value to your business.
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VAT
The VAT team at Grant Thornton is well versed with the VAT Laws applicable across the region and holds valuable experience and professional accreditation in assisting clients across diverse industries to comply with the VAT obligations.
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Transfer Pricing
Grant Thornton UAE assists its clients in providing transfer pricing solutions that are implementable and operational, considering the facts and concerns of its clients.
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International Tax and Tax Due Diligence
Grant Thornton UAE supports multinational groups to optimise their tax structures. We can also assist businesses in analysing existing group transactions and inter-group supplies, as well as advising on potential implications of various taxes to facilitate an efficient Group tax structure.
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Economic Substance Requirements
Economic Substance rules were introduced in the UAE in 2019, requiring UAE businesses that undertake certain ‘Relevant Activities’ to maintain and demonstrate adequate substance.
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Customs and International Trade
The team at Grant Thornton is positioned centrally to assist the businesses with global cross-border tax structuring, planning and compliance needs.
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Excise Tax
We provide Excise Tax related advisory and compliance services to the producer, importer, and the storekeeper of excisable goods
On 3 March 2025, the Federal Tax Authority (‘FTA’) published FTA Decision No. 2 of 2025 on FTA Policy for Issuance of Clarifications and Directives (‘Decision’). This Decision is effective from 1 March 2025. In Section IV (3) of the Decision, a mechanism was provided for issuing directives through unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (‘APAs’).
An APA is a procedural arrangement between a taxpayer (or taxpayers) and a tax administration that establishes, in advance, the appropriate transfer pricing criteria (e.g. method, comparables and appropriate adjustments thereto, critical assumptions as to future events) for controlled transactions over a fixed period as per Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations, January 2022 (‘OECD TP Guidelines’). The unilateral APAs are the arrangements solely between a taxpayer or taxpayers and a tax administration.
Unlike traditional tax rulings, APAs require a detailed review and verification of factual assumptions before determining the legal tax consequences, and they involve continuous monitoring to ensure those assumptions remain valid. An APA serves as a valuable instrument for businesses, providing greater certainty regarding their tax obligations. By establishing agreed-upon transfer pricing methodologies in advance, APAs enable companies to plan their finances more effectively while also minimizing the risks of transfer pricing audits. This proactive approach not only reduces the administrative burden associated with compliance but also fosters a more stable and predictable tax environment for businesses.
In accordance with the Corporate Tax Law, a person may apply to the FTA for the conclusion of an APA concerning a transaction or arrangement that has been proposed or entered into by the person.
The Decision provides the applications for unilateral APAs will be accepted starting from the 4th quarter of 2025. The date of receiving any other APA applications1 will be announced subsequently.
While this policy provides the general framework for clarifications and directives, the FTA will specify the processes and details in due course.
Key takeaways
- Transfer pricing can be complex and involves various challenges related to tax, legal, and operational aspects. Uncertainties, including the significant management time required during a transfer pricing examination, can pose substantial business risks for taxpayers.
APAs provide a way to mitigate these risks by allowing taxpayers to secure advance agreements on their transfer pricing methods with the FTA. The APA process helps companies manage their transfer pricing issues proactively, ensuring compliance and reducing the likelihood of disputes.
If you would like to learn more about APAs, please contact us.
