Some important dates reminders first

• The submission deadline is March 13, 2026 (for all regions).
• Practitioner survey deadline: June 12, 2026
• Client feedback survey deadline: July 10, 2026
• Research results published:
  • Europe and Middle East – October 2026
  • Americas and Asia Pacific – November 2026
  • Africa – April 2027

What’s new?

The 2027 submission form has been updated. As a result:

• You will now submit one unified research form covering both ITR Rankings and ITR Awards. Within each matter description, you can indicate whether you would like the matter to be considered for awards.
• Submissions in alternative formats will no longer be accepted. Only the official 2027 submission form will be considered.
• The time period for submitted matters is now clearly stated at the start of the form.
• The “Key individuals” section has been renamed “Key practitioners”, with no substantive change to the information required.
• The matter section requests largely the same information as before, but it is now recommended to specify whether a matter is cross-border.
• The 2027 submission covers a significantly wider range of topics, including CSR/ESG, DEI, technology solutions, innovation, compliance & reporting, tax policy & pro bono work, and global mobility & incentives – mostly relevant for awards consideration.

In short: the new form is unified, more structured, and more detailed.

What does it means concretely: The new form requires broader, firm-wide strategic information than the previous version and will therefore require additional time and internal collaboration from your team.

Submission

• Matters are the primary source of information on deals for researchers.
• Ongoing matters are permitted. Be sure to include key dates and clearly explain what work was carried out during the current research year.
• Matters should be complete, concise, and detailed, clearly explaining the firm’s role, the complexity of the work, and evidence of consistent growth over time.
• Matters are assessed based on complexity, innovation, and jurisdictional or regional impact -> Tier 1 firms are expected to demonstrate leadership at both national and international levels, particularly in cross-border tax matters.
• Avoid generic descriptions. Focus on why the matter is important or novel within your jurisdiction.
• The final question in each matter (“Explain why you chose to highlight this matter?”) is often omitted but is important as it helps analysts who may not be familiar with your local market.
  • For example: Was it the first ruling of its kind? A landmark court decision?
• Strong matter should clearly outline the dispute or advisory context, specific legal, tax, or valuation issues, timelines, and innovative or impactful outcomes -> Be explicit about what tax work was actually done.
• Firms may submit up to 15 matters per practice area per form.
  • Firms active across multiple practice areas may submit one form covering multiple practice areas, or submit separate forms, each with up to 15 matters.
  • -> Submitting separate forms is recommended for larger teams to better showcase breadth and depth.
  • -> Smaller firms should focus on their strongest matters and can do so by submitting 3-4 matters per practice area or include them all in a single submission.
  • If submitting one combined form, aim for 3-4 matters per practice area.
• One matter per client is recommended.
• The same matter may be reused across two different specialised practice areas, as long as it is relevant.
• Ensure that individuals you want ranked are listed as in Section 1, and featured in the submitted matters in Section 2. -> Key practitioners should appear consistently across matters to demonstrate genuine involvement and maintain credibility.
• Researchers assess firms on a rolling 3-5 year history, so consistent submissions are strongly encouraged rather than one-off participation.
• The DEI section does not impact your rankings.

Referees

• There is no limit on the number of referees you may submit.
• All referees will be contacted, and firms will be notified before ITR reaches out to clients.
• For confidentiality and integrity, firms are not copied on referee emails, and don’t receive the survey link.
• Firms should encourage referees to whitelist ITR emails to avoid delivery issues.
• Quality matters more than quantity! Try to submit relevant, high-quality referees, and confirm their willingness to participate. -> A smaller group of engaged referees who respond to surveys or interviews leads to stronger feedback and better ranking outcomes.
• Referees do not need to be directly linked to a specific matter, but alignment between referees and highlighted cases improves the quality of feedback.
• The client referee survey focuses on general impressions of the firm, which helps analysts assess reputation and client satisfaction.
• Referee titles do not affect the weight of feedback, but firms should include roles or positions for context.

Awards

• Rankings and awards rely on the same submitted matters, eliminating the need for separate award submissions. Additional interviews or follow-up questions may be requested if needed.
• Matters considered for awards must be publishable cases or deals, and have had a significant market impact, either due to size, value, or precedent.
• Awards are available across multiple categories, including transfer pricing, indirect tax, CSR, disputes and litigation, etc.
• DEI considerations are important for awards for the regional DEI Firm of the year.

Additional Helpful Information

• Extensions may be granted on an ad hoc basis if requested by email.
• Practitioner and client feedback surveys are expected to go live in April, after submission deadlines and any extensions.
• Firms can expect to be contacted in April.
• Firms with specific questions or those seeking submission guidance are encouraged to email the researcher directly to arrange one-on-one calls for future improvement.

Here are some helpful links:

• If you need a refresher on their methodology, click here.
• Need to check the ranking description? Click here.
• Need to check the practice area definitions? Click here.
• If you want to watch the entire recorded webinar, click here.
• A previous webinar held on November 19, 2025, walked through all sections of the research form in detail. You can access it here.

The post ITR World Tax Webinar – Key Takeaways appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

1. Client Feedback: The Cornerstone of Rankings

• Why It Matters: The webinar reiterated that client feedback is the most significant factor influencing rankings. The rankings aim to reflect market realities, and direct input from clients offers the clearest lens into a firm’s performance.
• Tips for Success: Firms are encouraged to ensure their clients are aware of feedback requests and prepared to provide detailed, experience-driven responses. Feedback should emphasize areas where the firm stands out, including exceptional service or unique expertise.

2. Peer Review: Nuanced but Impactful

• Peer feedback, while secondary to client input, can influence rankings, especially when it highlights critical issues such as significant partner departures or praises noteworthy expertise.
• The peer feedback is weighed cautiously unless it provides substantial, corroborated insights.

3. Practical Evidence in Submissions

• Quality Over Quantity: The ideal submission includes up to 15 significant matters that highlight the breadth and depth of a firm’s expertise. Cases should underscore complexity, innovation, or significant regulatory impact.
• Multiple Practice Areas: Firms with a wide scope of services can submit additional forms tailored to specific practice areas, ensuring all highlights are adequately covered.

4. Navigating the Awards Submission Process

• Separate Processes: Awards submissions are handled via the Nominations Gateway, distinct from the ranking submissions through the accreditation portal.
• Overlap Allowed: Significant cases can be submitted for both awards and rankings if they meet the criteria, simplifying efforts while maximizing impact.

5. Regional and Sector-Specific Dynamics

• Tailored Strategies: The importance of market dynamics varies by jurisdiction, with factors like firm size, client base, and practice focus playing significant roles. For example:
  • In markets dominated by larger firms, showcasing specialization or innovation can help smaller firms stand out.
  • In jurisdictions with limited players, demonstrating broad capability across sectors may be advantageous.

6. Deadlines and Timing

• The submission deadline for the ITR Tax Awards 2025 is March 13, 2025, as announced during the webinar.
• The submission deadline for the World Tax 2025 rankings is March 14, 2025. This includes all practice area submissions and client feedback forms.
• Client and practitioner survey feedback closes on May 30, 2025.

7. Client Feedback Accessibility

• The webinar addressed challenges in gathering feedback, especially when emails are blocked by corporate filters. Firms are encouraged to communicate proactively with clients, ensuring they anticipate and respond to feedback requests.

8. Market-Specific Challenges

• The webinar also delved into unique market challenges, such as assessing firms in jurisdictions with ongoing crises (e.g., Ukraine). In such cases, direct interviews with firms help researchers capture an accurate market picture.

9. Practical Tips for Advancing to Tier 1

• Establish a clear narrative in submissions, emphasizing market leadership and client satisfaction.
• Encourage clients to provide comparative feedback, specifically highlighting why they chose your firm over competitors.
• Demonstrate a consistent track record of high-impact, innovative matters.

10. Digital Presence and Marketing

• While a firm’s digital and marketing efforts are not directly factored into rankings, maintaining an updated profile can aid visibility and reinforce credibility.

Conclusion

This webinar offered a comprehensive guide for firms striving to improve their rankings and secure awards recognition. By prioritizing client feedback, strategic submissions, and clear communication, firms can effectively showcase their expertise and stand out in a competitive landscape. With the upcoming deadlines, now is the time for firms to act decisively and position themselves for success in 2025.

For more information, please check out the ITR World Tax Methodology page: https://www.itrworldtax.com/Stub/Methodology

The post Key Highlights from the World Tax Webinar: Insights and Strategies for Rankings Success appeared first on Tier One Rankings.