Navigating the complexities of international indirect taxes can be daunting, yet it's crucial for businesses to manage their multi-jurisdictional indirect tax obligations effectively.

At Grant Thornton, we understand the challenges you face. Our international indirect tax advisory and compliance services are tailored to assist both domestic and multinational businesses.

With our team of 25 dedicated experts, drawn from various backgrounds including Revenue, legal, industry, and accountancy, we provide efficient reporting processes and robust frameworks.

From VAT compliance and recoverability calculations to resolving disputes with Revenue and optimising VAT recovery in financial services, our comprehensive services ensure your business remains compliant, minimises risks, and maximises opportunities. We streamline your indirect tax processes, so you can focus on your business's growth and success.

Core services include:

  • Provision of VAT compliance services, both in Ireland and internationally.
  • Assisting with VAT recoverability calculations and identifying non-recoverable VAT.
  • Carrying out internal VAT health-checks.
  • Provision of tailored training to staff responsible for internal management of VAT.
  • Reviewing products and services to ensure correct VAT rates are applied.
  • Legal agreement reviews from an indirect tax perspective. 
  • Secondments to finance teams of clients spanning a range of industries and organisations.
  • Advising on complex property transactions including disposals, acquisitions and granting of leases and licenses. 
  • Support in relation to other indirect taxes including Relevant Contracts Tax, Customs and Excise and the Defective Concrete Products Levy.

Our indirect tax advisory & compliance services

We provide advisory services to clients who engage subcontractors in the construction, meat, and forestry sectors to ensure compliance with Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT). Our services include determining RCT applicability, submitting notifications and returns, advising principal contractors and subcontractors, reviewing non-resident contractors' positions, regularising RCT in contracts, refund claims, and cash flow impact mitigation strategies.

Our team specialises in resolving disputes with Revenue and offers strategic advice to deal with increased Revenue interventions and detailed information requests . We assist with Level 1 compliance interventions, prepare disclosures, offer expert opinions on possible Revenue Audit outcomes, participate in settlement discussions, interpret case law, and prepare relevant paperwork for legal proceedings and Tax Appeals Commissioners cases.

Our team has a deep understanding of the complexities of operating in the financial services sector. We provide advisory services to a wide variety of stakeholders across the financial services industry including asset managers, fund managers and fund domestic and multinational administrators. Our key focus areas are within banking, insurance, aviation, asset management and capital markets. Our team remains at the forefront of the dynamic financial services VAT legislation, EU case law and Revenue guidance, which means our team is equipped to immediately handle any changes to VAT obligations.

We provide assistance to businesses with an international footprint investing in Ireland. Our services include reviewing supply chains, advising on VAT treatment, analysing cross-border transactions, advising on property investments, assessing VAT obligations, processing cross-border VAT reclaims, providing tailored training, advising on managing indirect tax risk, and engaging with the global Grant Thornton network - ensuring a streamlined transition and maximising benefits.

Our indirect tax team and global network of specialists support domestic and multinational businesses to meet customs and excise obligations and minimise non-compliance penalties. We offer advice on tariff clarification, custom valuation, and origin of goods, act as agents during customs investigations, review import/export declarations, assess supply chains for reliefs and special procedures, such as inward/outward processing and returned goods relief.

Why Grant Thornton

Benefit from the expertise of our dedicated team of 25 international indirect tax experts, ensuring your business remains compliant with evolving tax policies.

Receive customized solutions that streamline processes, identify opportunities, and ensure compliance, tailored to meet the unique needs of your business.

Reduce the risk of penalties and reputational damage with our proven track record in settling indirect tax disputes, amicably and cost-effectively, where possible.

Get strategic advice and assistance in interacting with Revenue, preparing disclosures, and participating in settlement discussions, minimising costs and disruptions to your business.

Leverage our deep understanding of the financial services sector to create long-lasting and commercially savvy planning opportunities, maximising VAT recovery positions for your business.

Ensure a streamlined transition for foreign businesses investing in Ireland with our expertise in addressing and acting upon any indirect tax obligations from day one of our engagement.

Take advantage of our holistic view of supply chains to identify reliefs and appropriate duty planning ideas, ensuring customs and excise obligations are met and penalties minimised.