Benchmarking and economic analysis

The benchmarking study is where a file is won or lost. A defensible arm’s length range depends on the rigour of the comparability screening.

We prepare comparable searches using recognised commercial databases, documenting each screen as it is applied. Every rejection carries a stated reason. Accepted comparables are reviewed individually — for company searches we examine business descriptions, corporate websites, annual reports and any other publicly available information, to confirm the activity genuinely corresponds to the tested transaction rather than relying on activity codes; for loan and licence agreement searches we review the terms of each agreement to confirm comparability with the tested transaction.

Each study is delivered with the complete search strategy, screening criteria, acceptance and rejection log and statistical output — the material a tax authority will ask to see.