SBC Tax Consulting LLC, the UAE practice of the wider SBC network, has been shortlisted in nine categories at the ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026, according to the official shortlist published by International Tax Review on 13 August 2026.

The shortlist includes Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year – United Arab Emirates, together with eight regional categories covering tax policy, tax innovation, tax technology, transfer pricing technology, real estate tax, tax disputes and litigation, diversity, equity and inclusion, and broader tax advisory.

This recognition relates specifically to SBC Tax Consulting LLC in the United Arab Emirates. It should not be interpreted as a nomination of Steadfast Business Consulting LLP, India, as an Indian jurisdiction nominee.

For the wider SBC organisation, the recognition represents an important milestone in the development of its international presence and its growing capabilities across tax, transfer pricing, advisory and technology-led solutions.

SBC Tax Consulting UAE: ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026 Shortlist at a Glance

The 2026 winners are scheduled to be announced on 8 October 2026 at the IFLR Middle East Awards ceremony in Dubai.

How Many Categories Has SBC Tax Consulting Been Shortlisted For?

SBC Tax Consulting LLC has been shortlisted for nine categories at the ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026.

The nine categories include one UAE jurisdiction award and eight regional awards.

The official ITR shortlist identifies SBC Tax Consulting in the following categories:

For the official shortlist, visit International Tax Review – ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026: Shortlist Announced.

What Is the ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026?

The ITR Middle East Tax Awards are organised by International Tax Review, a specialist publication covering international tax, transfer pricing and related professional services.

The awards recognise firms and professionals across various areas of taxation and transfer pricing in the Middle East.

The 2026 programme includes jurisdiction-specific and regional recognition covering areas such as direct tax, indirect tax, transfer pricing, tax disputes, tax policy, tax compliance, technology and innovation.

The official 2026 shortlist was announced by International Tax Review on 13 August 2026, with the winners scheduled to be announced in Dubai on 8 October 2026.

For SBC Tax Consulting, the 2026 recognition appears in both the UAE jurisdiction awards and the regional awards.

About SBC Tax Consulting LLC, UAE

SBC Tax Consulting LLC is the UAE practice of the wider SBC network and is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The UAE practice provides tax and advisory services across areas including:

• Transfer Pricing
• UAE Corporate Tax
• International Tax
• VAT
• Audit and Dispute Resolution
• Anti-Money Laundering
• Tax Technology
• Technology-enabled compliance and advisory solutions

The firm’s published Transfer Pricing services include areas such as transfer pricing planning, benchmarking, documentation, related-party transaction analysis and support for businesses navigating UAE transfer pricing requirements.

The UAE practice works with businesses operating in the UAE and across the wider Gulf and international markets.

Why the ITR Recognition Matters for SBC’s UAE Practice

The nine shortlistings cover a broad range of tax and advisory disciplines.

This is significant because modern tax advisory increasingly extends beyond traditional compliance work. Businesses now require support that combines technical tax knowledge, data, technology, process management and cross-border understanding.

The SBC Tax Consulting UAE shortlist reflects this broader range.

Transfer Pricing

The nomination for Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year – United Arab Emirates places SBC Tax Consulting among the firms recognised by ITR for transfer pricing work in the UAE.

Transfer pricing has become an increasingly important consideration for businesses operating through related entities in different jurisdictions.

UAE businesses with related-party transactions may need to consider transfer pricing requirements alongside their broader Corporate Tax obligations. Cross-border groups may also need to coordinate their UAE transfer pricing position with tax rules applicable in other countries.

For businesses operating between India and the UAE, these considerations can become particularly relevant where there are intercompany transactions, management services, financing arrangements, intellectual property, distribution structures or other related-party dealings.

Tax Technology

SBC Tax Consulting is also shortlisted for Tax Technology Firm of the Year.

Tax functions are increasingly using technology to organise data, manage workflows, support compliance processes, improve documentation and help tax teams work with increasingly complex datasets.

Technology can be particularly useful where businesses need to manage recurring compliance, related-party information, benchmarking data, reporting and documentation across multiple entities.

Transfer Pricing Technology

The nomination for Transfer Pricing Technology Firm of the Year further connects SBC’s transfer pricing capability with technology.

Transfer pricing processes can involve large datasets, financial information, functional analysis, comparable company screening, benchmarking and documentation.

Technology-enabled processes can help organisations structure and manage these activities more efficiently while supporting greater consistency and traceability.

Tax Innovation

SBC Tax Consulting is also shortlisted in the Tax Innovator of the Year category.

Innovation in tax is increasingly associated with the way professional firms combine technical expertise with technology, automation, data and new service delivery models.

For businesses, the objective is not simply to adopt new technology, but to use technology to make tax processes more structured, transparent, scalable and practical.

Tax Policy

The Tax Policy Firm of the Year nomination places SBC Tax Consulting on the regional shortlist for work associated with tax policy.

Tax policy continues to evolve across the Middle East as countries develop and refine corporate tax, VAT, transfer pricing and other regulatory frameworks.

Professional advisory firms play an important role in helping businesses understand these developments and assess their practical implications.

Tax Disputes & Litigation

The Tax Disputes & Litigation Firm of the Year nomination reflects another area represented in the UAE practice’s service offering.

Tax disputes can require detailed analysis of legislation, documentation, financial information and the facts and circumstances underlying a transaction or tax position.

Businesses operating in increasingly regulated environments may benefit from having tax advisory and dispute-related capabilities that work together.

Real Estate Tax

SBC Tax Consulting is also included in the regional shortlist for Real Estate Tax Firm of the Year.

The real estate sector can involve complex tax considerations relating to property ownership, transactions, financing, development structures and cross-border investment.

Tax considerations may also differ depending on whether a transaction involves individuals, companies, investment vehicles or multinational groups.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

SBC Tax Consulting is additionally listed in the regional Diversity Equity & Inclusion Firm of the Year category.

The inclusion of this category reflects the broader range of criteria represented in the ITR Middle East Tax Awards beyond technical tax services alone.

Tax Firm of the Year

Finally, SBC Tax Consulting appears in the regional Tax Firm of the Year shortlist.

This category provides a broader representation of tax advisory capability alongside the more specialised nominations for transfer pricing, technology, policy and innovation.

SBC India and SBC UAE: A Connected International Presence

SBC has its roots in India and has expanded its presence internationally, including the establishment of its UAE practice.

The SBC India website identifies the organisation’s presence across India, UAE and USA, while SBC Tax Consulting LLC operates from Dubai and focuses on specialist tax and advisory services in the UAE and wider region.

This creates a broader international platform for businesses that operate across jurisdictions.

For example, an Indian company expanding into the UAE may need to consider both Indian and UAE tax requirements. Similarly, a UAE business with Indian subsidiaries, shareholders, related parties or investments may encounter cross-border tax and transfer pricing considerations.

A connected India-UAE perspective can therefore be relevant when businesses need to assess the tax implications of cross-border structures and transactions.

What the Shortlist Means for the Wider SBC Brand

The ITR recognition is specifically attributed to SBC Tax Consulting LLC, UAE.

For the wider SBC brand, however, the recognition provides an opportunity to highlight the organisation’s international development and the expansion of its specialist capabilities.

The combination of India and UAE practices allows SBC to work with businesses that operate across both markets and with organisations dealing with wider international tax and transfer pricing matters.

The shortlist also aligns with the broader evolution of SBC’s service model, where tax expertise increasingly intersects with technology, data, automation and digital solutions.

Rather than viewing tax as a purely compliance-driven function, businesses are increasingly looking for advisory partners that can help them understand regulations, structure transactions, manage data and improve tax processes.

India-UAE Tax and Transfer Pricing: Why Cross-Border Expertise Matters

India and the UAE have significant commercial and investment relationships, and businesses operating across the two jurisdictions may face tax and transfer pricing considerations in both markets.

A cross-border transaction may involve:

Related-Party Transactions

Transactions between connected businesses may need to be evaluated under the relevant transfer pricing rules in each jurisdiction.

Management and Support Services

Cross-border charges for management, technical, administrative or support services may require appropriate documentation and analysis.

Financing Arrangements

Intercompany loans, guarantees and other financing arrangements can create tax and transfer pricing considerations.

Intellectual Property

Royalty, licensing and intellectual property-related transactions may require analysis of the underlying functions, assets and risks.

Distribution Arrangements

Businesses with Indian and UAE distribution entities may need to consider the functions performed and the commercial terms between related parties.

Documentation and Compliance

Groups operating in both markets may need to maintain documentation supporting their tax and transfer pricing positions.

These matters require an understanding of the relevant local frameworks as well as the underlying commercial facts.

Looking Ahead to the ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026

The ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026 ceremony is scheduled for 8 October 2026 in Dubai.

Until the official results are announced, SBC Tax Consulting LLC should be described as shortlisted or nominated, rather than as an award winner.

The current position is:

SBC Tax Consulting LLC, UAE, has been shortlisted for nine categories at the ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026.

The nine categories include one UAE jurisdiction award and eight regional awards.

SBC looks forward to the awards ceremony and to continuing to develop its capabilities across tax consulting, transfer pricing, technology and international advisory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SBC Tax Consulting nominated for the ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026?

Yes. SBC Tax Consulting LLC, UAE, has been shortlisted across nine categories at the ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026.

How many ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026 categories is SBC shortlisted for?

SBC Tax Consulting LLC is shortlisted for nine categories, comprising one UAE jurisdiction category and eight regional categories.

Which UAE award is SBC Tax Consulting shortlisted for?

SBC Tax Consulting LLC is shortlisted for Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year – United Arab Emirates.

Is SBC India itself nominated for the ITR Middle East Tax Awards?

The official ITR shortlist identifies SBC Tax Consulting in the UAE jurisdiction category and the specified regional categories. The recognition should therefore be attributed to SBC Tax Consulting LLC, UAE, rather than to Steadfast Business Consulting LLP, India as an Indian jurisdiction nominee.

Who organises the ITR Middle East Tax Awards?

The ITR Middle East Tax Awards are organised by International Tax Review (ITR).

When will the ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026 winners be announced?

The winners are scheduled to be announced on 8 October 2026 at the IFLR Middle East Awards ceremony in Dubai.

Where is SBC Tax Consulting LLC based?

SBC Tax Consulting LLC is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

About SBC

Steadfast Business Consulting LLP (SBC) is an India-based tax and business advisory organisation with an international presence across India, UAE and USA.

SBC provides services across areas including taxation, transfer pricing, audit, finance, compliance and business advisory.

The organisation’s UAE practice, SBC Tax Consulting LLC, provides specialist services including Transfer Pricing, Corporate Tax, International Tax, VAT, Audit and Dispute Resolution and technology-enabled tax solutions.

Through its India and UAE practices, SBC supports businesses dealing with local, cross-border and international tax requirements.

Learn More

To learn more about SBC’s India practice, visit:
https://steadfastconsultants.in/

To learn more about SBC Tax Consulting LLC in the UAE, visit:
https://sbcllc.ae/

Official ITR source:

International Tax Review, ITR Middle East Tax Awards 2026: shortlist announced, 13 August 2026