DOMESTIC TRANSFER PRICING PROVISIONS
CA .T. P. OSTWAL
INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA
RAIPUR BRANCH
5th July 2013 T.P.Ostwal & Associates 1
Introduction
• TP was earlier limited to ‘International Transactions’
• The Finance Act 2012, extends the scope of TP provision to ‘Specified Domestic
Transactions’ between related parties w.e.f. 1 April 2012
• The SC in the case of CIT vs Glaxo Smithkline Asia Pvt Ltd [2010-195Taxman 35
(SC)] recommended introduction of domestic TP provisions
• SDT previously reported/certified but onus on revenue authorities
• Obligation now on taxpayer to report/ document and substantiate the arm’s length
nature of such transactions
• Shift from generic FMV concept to focused ALP concept
• These new provisions would have ramifications across industries which benefit from
the said preferential tax policies such as SEZ units, infrastructure developers or
operators, telecom services, industrial park developers, power generation or
transmission etc. Apart from this, business conglomerates having significant intra-
group dealing would be largely impacted
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SDT – Intent of the Law
Bringing in objectivity in the
interpretation and governance –
introduction of ALP mechanism
Doing away with tax arbitrage abuse that
stems from differential tax rate, tax
holiday/benefits availed by undertaking and
presence of accumulated losses
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Protecting the revenue of the Indian Government
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Intent of Indian TP Regulations(International transactions)
Indian Co.Associated Enterprise (AE Co.)
Shifting of Profits
Shifting of Losses
India Overseas
Tax @ 33.99% Tax @ lower rate approx 10%
Tax Saving for the Group – Loss to Indian revenue
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Intent of Indian TP Regulations…(Domestic transactions)
Indian Co.Tax Holiday undertaking
Related Enterprise in Domestic Tariff Area
(DTA)
Shifting of expenses/losses
Shifting of income/profits
India
*However, MAT @ 20 % applicable as per sec 115JB
Tax Saving for the Group – Loss to Indian revenue
India
5th July 2013
Tax @ 33.99% Tax Exempt Unit
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Intent of Indian TP Regulations…(Domestic transactions)
Particulars (Ordinary Situation) Co. X (SEZ) Co. Y (DTA)
Income 300 1000
Income from related party 100 -
Expenses 300 800
Expense to related party - 100
Profit/ Loss 100 100
Tax rate applicable 0% 33.99%
Tax - (However MAT @ 20% payable) 33.99 (100*.45%)
Particulars (Planned Situation) Co. X (SEZ) Co. Y (DTA)
Income 300 1000
Income from related party 200 -
Expenses 300 800
Expense to related party - 200
Profit/ Loss 200 -
Tax rate applicable 0% 32.45%
Tax -(However MAT @ 20% payable) -
Loss to Revenue –Tax Saving
to the Group
5th July 2013
* By shifting of income from a profit making company to a SEZ (Tax exempt Unit), the group could reduce its tax liability from 33.99% to 20% on the profits shifted since though the profits of SEZ are otherwise exempt but they would attract MAT liability as per sec.115JB.
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Intent of TP Regulations…(Domestic transactions)
Indian Co.Loss making
Related Enterprise Profit making
Shifting of expenses
Shifting of income
India
Tax @ 32.45%No tax or reduced tax due to loss
Maximum Tax @ 33.99%
Reduced tax due to shifting of profits
Tax Saving for the Group – Loss to Indian revenue
India
5th July 2013
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Particulars (Ordinary Situation) Co. X (DTA) Co. Y (DTA)
Income 500 1000
Income from related party 100 -
Expenses 700 800
Expense to related party - 100
Profit/ Loss (100) 100
Tax rate applicable 33.99% 33.99%
Tax - 33.99 (100*33.99%)
Particulars (Planned Situation) Co. X (DTA) Co. Y (DTA)Income 500 1000Income from related party 150 -Expenses 700 800Expense to related party - 150Profit/ Loss (50) 50Tax rate applicable 33.99% 33.99%Tax - 16.995 (50*33.99%)
Present Loss to
Revenue* –Tax Saving
to the Group
* By shifting of income from a profit making company to a loss making company, the group could reduce its tax liability by 16.995 for the current year, though the impact will be reversed in future years given carry forward of losses.
Intent of TP Regulations…(Domestic transactions)
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Section 92BA – Meaning of SDT(inserted by Finance Act, 2012 w.e.f. AY 2013-14 i.e. current FY)
For the purposes of this section and sections 92, 92C, 92D and 92E, “specified domestic transaction” in case of an assessee means any of the following transactions, not being an international transaction, namely:-
(i) any expenditure in respect of which payment has been made or is to be made to a person referred to in section 40A(2)(b);
(ii) any transaction referred to in section 80A;
(iii) any transfer of goods or services referred to in sub-section (8) of section 80-IA;
(iv) any business transacted between the assessee and other person as referred to in section 80-IA (10);
(v) any transaction, referred to in any other section under Chapter VIA or section 10AA, to which provisions of section 80-IA(8) or section 80-IA(10) are applicable; or
(vi) any other transaction as may be prescribed,
and where the aggregate of such transactions entered into by the assessee in the previous year exceeds a sum of five crore rupees.
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SDT
Inter unit transfer of goods & services by
undertakings to which profit-linked deductions
apply
Expenditure
incurred
between
related
parties
defined
under
section 40A
Transactions between undertakings, to which
profit-linked deductions apply, having close
connection
Any other
transaction
that may be
specified
Overview of Provisions of Section 92BA
5th July 2013
• S. 10AA uses the term close connection.
• S. 40A(2)(b) uses the term Related party.
• S. 80IA (8) inter unit.
• S. 80IA (10) uses the term close connection.
• S. 92A uses the term Associated Enterprises.
• No guidance or limited guidance on the meaning of close connection
• s
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Overview of Provisions of Section 92BA
5th July 2013
• S 42 (2) of ITA 1922,”Where a person not resident or not ordinarily resident in the
taxable territories carries on business with a person resident in the taxable
territories, and it appears to the Income-tax Officer that owing to the close
connection between such persons the course of business is so arranged that the
business done by the resident person with the person not resident or not ordinarily
resident produces to the resident either no profits or less than the ordinary profits
which might be expected to arise in that business, .the profits derived therefrom, or
which may reasonably be deemed to have been derived therefrom, shall be
chargeable to income-tax in the name of the resident person who shall be deemed
to be, for all the purposes of this Act, the assessee in respect of such income-tax.“
• [1958] 34 ITR 368 (SC)SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
• Mazagaon Dock Ltd.vs. C.I.T. Excess Profits Tax
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Overview of Provisions of Section 92BA
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Section 92BA Analysed......
Section Relevance with provisions of Sec 92BA
92 : Computation of income having regard to ALP
92A : Meaning of AE
92B : Meaning of International transaction
92C : Methods of computation of ALP
92CA: Reference to TPO
92CB : Safe harbour rules
92CC : Advance Pricing agreement
92CD : Effect of TP agreement
92D : Maintenance of information and documents
92E : CA’s Report
92F : Definitions: Accountant, ALP, Enterprise, PE, Specified date, Transaction*
For the purpose of sec. 92, 92C, 92D and 92E
* Sec 92F – Definitions does not define terms relevant for domestic TP transactions
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(1) Computation of income from international transaction having regard to ALP.
(2) mutual agreement etc for allocation or apportionment or contribution to any cost or expense shall be determined having regard to ALP.
(newly inserted)
(2A) Any allowance for an expenditure or interest or allocation of any cost or expense or any income in relation to specified domestic transaction shall be computed having regard to ALP.
(3) section does not apply if the effect is reducing the income or increasing the loss.
Sec. 92 – Computation of income from international transaction having regard to ALP
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The words “specified domestic transaction” has been inserted appropriately in various sub-sec.
(1) Any of the following methods, being most appropriate method :
(a) Comparable uncontrolled price method; (b) Resale price method; (c) Cost plus method; (d) Profit split method; (e) Transactional net margin method; (f) other method of determination of arm’s length price
(any method that takes in to account the price which has been charged or paid or would have been charged or paid for same or similar uncontrolled transaction with or between non – associated enterprises)
(2) Most appropriate method as per criteria laid down in rule 10C considering FAR analysis also.
FAR : Functions performed, Assets employed, Risks assumed [Rule 10C(2)]
• For the A.Y. 2013-14, the Government has notified a tolerance range of 3% u/s 92C for specified domestic transactions vide notification dated April 15, 2013. However, for wholesale traders, the range has been notified as 1% only.
Sec. 92 C – Computation of ALP
refer rule 10B
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The word “specified domestic transaction” inserted in various sub-sections.
(1) AO may refer the computation of ALP to TPO (2) TPO to issue notice to Assessee to produce evidence in support of ALP (2A) Any other international transaction coming to notice of TPO* (2B) Non-furnishing of CA’s report and TPO’s power * (3) TPO shall pass the order determining ALP (4) AO to compute total income accordingly (7) TPO’s power of summons (s.131), survey (s.133A) and collecting information u/s 133(6)applies even in Domestic Transaction Sec. 144C (15)(b)…..Reference to DRP
• AO to forward draft of proposed order to eligible assessee• eligible assessee means – any person in whose case order u/s 92CA is passed
* 92CA (2A ) & (2B) do not cover specified domestic transactions and hence the TPO cannot suo moto upon the transaction coming to his notice apply the TP provisions
Section 92CA - Reference To TPO
5th July 2013
Profile of Industry
Profile of group
Profile of related parties
Transaction terms
FAR related
Economic Analysis (method selection, comparable benchmarking)
Forecasts, budgets, estimates
Agreements
Invoices
Pricing related correspondence (letters, e-mails, fax, etc.)
Entity Related Price Related Transaction Related
Section 92D : Maintenance and keeping information and document by persons entering into an international transaction/ SDT
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Section 92CC : Advance pricing agreement
The Provisions of Advance pricing agreement are not made applicable to Specified Domestic Transactions.
5th July 2013
The onus of proving SDT at ALP is on tax payer
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Section 271 –Penalty Implications
Sr.No.
Type of penalty Section Penalty quantified
1 a) Failure to maintain prescribed information/ documents
271AA 2% of transaction value
(b) Failure to report any such transaction or
(c) Furnish incorrect information
2 Failure to furnish information/ documents during assessment u/s 92D
271G 2% of transaction value
3 Adjustment to taxpayer’s income during assessment
271(1)(c) 100% to 300% of tax on adjustment amount
4 Failure to furnish accountant’s report u/s 92E
271BA INR 100,000
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Sec 40A (2)(b) – Related Party
Sr.No Payer / assesseePayee
(i) IndividualAny relative[defined in sec. 2(41) to mean husband, wife, brother, sister, lineal ascendant or descendant]* Definition of Relative u/s 56(2) not relevant
(ii) Company any director or relative of such director
Firm (includes LLP) any partner or relative of such partner
AOP any member or relative of such member
HUF any member or relative of such member
(iii) Any Assessee any individual having substantial interest in the assessee’s business or relative of such individual
(iv) Any assessee a Company, Firm, AOP, HUF having substantial interest in the assessees businessorany director, partner, memberor relative of such director, partner or memberor (newly inserted)any other company carrying on business or profession in which the first mentioned company has substantial interest. X Ltd. (subsidiary co)A Ltd. (holding co) Y Ltd. (subsidiary co)
Relationship can exists any time during the year
Type of transactions covered (illustrations for payments made by a Company) …
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Case 1 - Director or any relative of the Director of the taxpayer – Section 40A(2)(b)(ii)
Mr. A Mr. C
Assessee (Taxpayer)
Mr. D
Dire
cto
r
Relative
Dire
ctor
Covered transactions
Case 2 - To an individual who has substantial interest in the business or profession of the taxpayer or relative of such individual – Section 40A(2)(b)(iii)
Mr. A Mr. C
Assessee (Taxpayer)
Mr. DRelative
Sub
stan
tial i
nter
est
>2
0%
Relative
Holding Structure5th July 2013
Type of transactions covered (illustrations for payments made by a Company) …
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Case 3 – To a Company having substantial interest in the business of the taxpayer or any director of such company or relative of the director – Section 40A(2)(b)(iv)
A Ltd
Mr. C
Assessee (Taxpayer)
Mr. D
Rel
ativ
e
Dire
cto
r
Case 4 – Any other company carrying on business in which the first mentioned company has substantial interest – Section 40A(2)(b)(iv)
C Ltd
B Ltd
Assessee (Taxpayer)
A Ltd
Sub
stan
tial i
nter
est
>2
0%Substantial interest >20%
Substantial interest >20%
Sub
stan
tial i
nter
est
>2
0%
Covered transactions
Holding Structure5th July 2013
Type of transactions covered (illustrations for payments made by a Company) …
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Case 5 – To a Company of which a director has a substantial interest in the business of the taxpayer or any director of such company or relative of the director – Section 40A(2)(b)(v)
Mr. A
Mr. C
Assessee (Taxpayer)
B Ltd
Dire
cto
r
Director Substantial interest >20%
Mr. D
Rel
ativ
e
Covered transactions
Holding Structure5th July 2013
Type of transactions covered (illustrations for payments made by a Company)…
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Case 6 – To a Company in which the taxpayer has substantial interest in the business of the company – Section 40A(2)(b)(vi)(B)
B Ltd
Assessee (Taxpayer)
Covered transactions
Case 7 – Any director or relative of the director of taxpayer having substantial interest in that person– Section 40A(2)(b)(vi)(B)
Mr C
Mr B
Assessee (Taxpayer)
A LtdSubstantial interest >20%
Holding Structure
Su
bst
an
tial
inte
rest
>2
0% Director
Rel
ativ
e
D LtdSubstantial interest >20%
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Type of transactions covered (illustrations for payments made by a Company)…
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B
A
C
D E
Transaction Covered
A & B
A & C
A & D
A & E
B & C
D & E
C & D
D & E
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Thus for Company A payments to following persons are covered
1
•Company B having 20% or more voting power in A;
•any other company in which Company B has 20% or more voting power;
2
•a company in which A has 20% or more voting power;
• any company of which a director has 20% or more voting power in A;
•any company in which a director of A has 20% or more voting power;
3
•any director of A or of Company B or to any relative of such director; &
•any individual having 20% or more voting power in A or any relative of such individual.
5th July 2013
Tax burden, if transaction not at ALP
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X Ltd.(non-tax holiday)
Disallowance of ` 20 to Y Ltd[40A(2)(b)]
Y Ltd.(non-tax holiday)
Sale at 120 v/s ALP i.e. 100
X Ltd.(tax holiday)
Y Ltd.(non-tax holiday)
Sale at 120 v/s ALP i.e. 100 Double Adjustment
Tax holiday on 20 not allowed to X Ltd – [80IA(10)] (more than ordinary profits)
Disallowance of 20 to Y Ltd -[40A(2)(b)]
X Ltd.(tax holiday)
Y Ltd.(non-tax holiday)
Sale at ` 80 v/s ALP i.e. ` 100
Inefficient pricing structure – reduced tax holiday benefit since sale price is lower
than ALP
5th July 2013
Section 80IA (8) & 80IA (10) – Deduction in respect of profits and gains from industrial undertaking or enterprise engaged in infrastructure development, etc.
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80IA (8) 80IA (10)Inter-unit transaction of goods or services • Business transacted with any person generates
more than ordinary profits • Owing to either close connection or any other
reasonApplicable where transfer is not at market value
Applicable to tax holiday units earning more than ordinary profit
Onus on tax payer • Primary onus on taxpayer• Onus on tax authorities as well
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ALP of 5 comparable companies OP/TC Mark-up of the tax holiday entity OP/TC
Arithmetic mean = 15% 30%
5th July 2013
Illustration
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80-IA Income from Infrastructure, Telecommunication, Industrial Park & Power sector etc.
80-IAB Income of an undertaking or enterprise engaged in development of SEZ
80-IB Income from certain Industrial undertaking and Housing Projects etc.
80-IC Income from certain Industrial undertaking set up in Sikkim, HP...etc.
80-ID Income from hotels etc in Delhi, Faridabad and other specified districts.
80-IE Income from eligible business undertaking in North Eastern States
Other Sections under Chapter VI-A......to which s. 80-IA(8) or (10) are applicable
5th July 2013
FMV ALP
No method prescribed for computing FMV
Six methods prescribed for computing ALP
No documentation required to be maintained
Contemporaneous documentation required to be maintained
Other than reporting in tax audit report, no statutory compliance
Accountant’s report signed by a CA to be filed
Assessment done by the AO Assessment done by the TPO
Implication post - budget 2012 for SDT
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Points for Consideration
Whether the threshold limit of Rs. 5 crore applies to the aggregate amount under all the relevant sections taken together OR under each section separately i.e. 40A(2), 80A, 80-IA(8), 80-IA(10), 10AA etc. ?
Whether payment for capital expenditure Or expenditure capitalized is also covered ?
Whether the provisions will apply in case the payer’s income is chargeable to tax under the head ‘Income from other sources’, because section 58(2) says –The provisions of section 40A shall, so far as may be, apply in computing the income chargeable under the head “Income from other sources” as they apply in computing the income chargeable under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession” ?
Whether new provision applies to - Public Charitable Trust paying remuneration to related persons. Co-operative Societies Social Clubs
having a business undertaking
Transfer pricing provisions are not applicable in case where income is not chargeable to tax at all.
Correlative adjustments - if excessive or unreasonable expenses are disallowed in the hands of tax payer at time of the assessment then corresponding adjustment to the income of the recipient will not be allowed in the hands of recipient of income. Hence, it would lead to double taxation in India.5th July 2013
Challenges
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Type of payments/ transactions Challenges• Salary and Bonuses paid to the partners
• Remuneration paid to the Directors
• Transfer of land
• Joint Development agreements
• Project management fees
• Allocation of expenses between the same taxpayer having an eligible unit and non-eligible unit
• Definition of Related Party
• Benchmarking?• Whether the limit as mentioned in section 40 (b)
would be the ALP?
• Benchmarking?• Whether the limit as mentioned in Schedule XIII
would be the ALP?
• Whether the rates mentioned in the ready reckoner be considered as ALP?
• Benchmarking?
• Benchmarking?
• Whether these allocation would be SDT – Sec 80-IA(10)?
• Directly v/s Indirectly
5th July 2013
Filling Form 3CEB
• CBDT has issued a notification dated 10 June 2013 notifying the rules and
certificate for reporting specified domestic transactions.
• The existing rules have been amended to include specified domestic transactions.
• Further Form 3CEB has been amended to include Part C which contains reporting
of specified domestic transactions undertaken by the assessee.
• Accordingly every assessee who has entered into specified domestic transactions
will now have to obtain the auditors report in Form 3CEB and file the same with the
Income Tax Department.
• The amended rules comes into effect from 1 April 2013.
T.P.Ostwal & Associates 335th July 2013
Annexures to Form 3CEB
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PART C (Specified Domestic Transactions)
21. List of associated enterprises with whom the assessee has entered into specified domestic transactions, with the following details:
(a) Name, address and PAN of the associated enterprise.
(b) Nature of the relationship with the associated enterprise.
(c) Brief description of the business carried on by the said associated enterprise.
Annexures to Form 3CEB (contd)…
22. Particulars in respect of transactions in the nature of any expenditure:
Has the assessee entered into any specified domestic transaction(s) being any expenditure in respect of which payment has been made or is to be made to any person referred to in section 40A(2)(b)?
Yes/No
If “yes”, provide the following details in respect of each of such person and each transaction or class of transaction:
(a) Name of person with whom the specified domestic transaction has been entered into.
(a) Description of transaction along with quantitative details, if any
(a) Total amount paid or payable in the transaction-
(i) as per books of account;
(ii) as computed by the assessee having regard to the arm’s length price.
(d) Method used for determining the arm’s length price [See section 92C(1)]
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23. Particulars in respect of transactions in the nature of transfer or acquisition of any goods or services:
A. Has any undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business of the assessee [as referred to in section 80A(6), 80IA(8) or section 10AA)] transferred any goods or services to any other business carried on by the assessee?
Yes/No
If yes, provide the following details in respect of each unit or enterprise or eligible business:
(a) Name and details of business to which goods or services have been transferred
(b) Description of goods or services transferred
(c) Amount received/receivable for transferring of such goods or services –
(i) as per the books of account;
(ii) as computed by the assessee having regard to the arm’s length price.
(d) Method used for determining the arm’s length price [See section 92C(1)].
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Annexures to Form 3CEB (contd)…
23. Particulars in respect of transactions in the nature of transfer or acquisition of any goods or services:
B. Has any undertaking or unit or enterprise or eligible business of the assessee [as referred to in section 80A(6), 80IA(8) or section 10AA] acquired any goods or services from another business of the assessee?
Yes/No
If yes, provide the following details in respect of each unit or enterprise or eligible business:
(a) Name and details of business from which goods or services have been acquired
(b) Description of goods or services acquired
(c) Amount paid/payable for acquiring of such goods or services-
(i) as per the books of account;
(ii) as computed by the assessee having regard to the arm’s length price
(d) Method used for determining the arm’s length price [See section 92C(1)].
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Annexures to Form 3CEB (contd)…
24. Particulars in respect of specified domestic transaction in the nature of any business transacted:
Has the assessee entered into any specified domestic transaction(s) with any associated enterprise which has resulted in more than ordinary profits to an eligible business to which section 80IA(10) or section 10AA applies?
Yes/No
If “yes”, provide the following details:
(a) Name of the person with whom the specified domestic transaction has been entered into.
(a) Description of the transaction including quantitative details, if any.
(a) Total amount received/receivable or paid/ payable in the transaction -
(i) as per the books of account;
(ii) as computed by the assessee having regard to the arm’s length price.
(d) Method used for determining the arm’s length price [See section 92C(1)].
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Annexures to Form 3CEB (contd)…
25. Particulars in respect of any other transactions:
Has the assessee entered into any other specified domestic transaction(s) not specifically referred to above, with an associated enterprise?
Yes/No
If ‘yes’ provide the following details in respect of each associated enterprise and each transaction:
(a) Name of the associated enterprise with whom the specified domestic transaction has been entered into.
(b) Description of the transaction.
(c) Amount paid/received or payable/receivable in the transaction-
(i) as per books of account;
(ii) as computed by the assessee having regard to the arm’s length price.
(d) Method used for determining the arm’s length price [See section 92C(1)].
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Annexures to Form 3CEB (contd)…
Importance of TP Documentation• Legal requirement [Sec. 92D read with Rule 10D]• Helps taxpayer in discharge of “burden of proof” that transactions are at
arm’s length• Captures relevant aspects of price determination mechanism in controlled
transactions Economically significant
Functions Assets Risk
Other relevant factors (such as ‘business strategies’, ‘special circumstances’, etc.)
• Facilitate TP audit and evaluation by tax authorities• A good defense against TP litigation• Greater the complexity and unusualness of the case, more importance is
attached to documentation.• Cost, time and efforts involved vis-à-vis likely benefits and importance need
to be evaluated
T.P.Ostwal & Associates 405th July 2013
Pre transaction-Planning Stage TP Documentation
• Quote from updated OECD TP Guidelines [page 182, para 5.3]:
“Each taxpayer should endeavor to determine transfer pricing for tax purposes in accordance with the arms length principle, based upon information reasonably available at the time of the determination. Thus, a taxpayer ordinarily should give consideration to whether its transfer pricing is appropriate for tax purposes before the pricing is established. For example, it would be reasonable for a taxpayer to have made a determination regarding whether comparable data from uncontrolled transactions are available. The taxpayer also could be expected to examine, based on information reasonably available, whether the conditions used to establish transfer pricing in prior years have changed, if those conditions are to be used to determine transfer pricing for the current year.”
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Helps in demonstrating:
Taxpayer applied ‘prudent business management principle’ in establishing transfer
price
Efforts undertaken to comply with arms length principle
Information on which transfer price is based (such as External/Internal information
relied on etc.)
Factors taken into account (such as proposed business model: captive or
entrepreneur or contracted service provider, forecast, budgeting, etc.)
Most appropriate method considered for ALP determination.
Achieving the requirement of “contemporaneous documentation”
Pre transaction-Planning Stage TP Documentation
Post Transaction TP Documentation / review
• Requirement of Law
• Assist in identifying deviations in pre transaction facts and post transaction
facts and in gathering justifications for deviations, if any.
• Updation of data (financial or otherwise) of tested party as well as
comparable uncontrolled transactions.
• Provides opportunity for self adjustment in transfer price
– Avoid penal consequences
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Indian Rules on TP Documentation…
(a)
a description of the ownership structure of the assessee enterprise with details of shares or other ownership interest held therein by other enterprises;
(b) a profile of the multinational group of which the assessee enterprise is a part along with the name, address, legal status and country of tax residence of each of the enterprises comprised in the group with whom international transactions have been entered into by the assessee, and ownership linkages among them;
(c) a broad description of the business of the assessee and the industry in which the assessee operates, and of the business of the associated enterprises with whom the assessee has transacted;
(d) the nature and terms (including prices) of international transactions entered into with each associated enterprise, details of property transferred or services provided and the quantum and the value of each such transaction or class of such transaction;
Information and documents to be kept and maintained under section 92D(Rule 10D of Income Tax rules)
10D. (1) Every person who has entered into an international transaction / SDT shall keep and maintain the following information and documents, namely:—
T.P.Ostwal & Associates 445th July 2013
…Rule 10D of Income Tax Rules
(e) a description of the functions performed, risks assumed and assets employed or to be employed by the assessee and by the associated enterprises involved in the international transaction;
(f) a record of the economic and market analyses, forecasts, budgets or any other financial estimates prepared by the assessee for the business as a whole and for each division or product separately, which may have a bearing on the international transactions entered into by the assessee;
(g) a record of uncontrolled transactions taken into account for analysing their comparability with the international transactions entered into, including a record of the nature, terms and conditions relating to any uncontrolled transaction with third parties which may be of relevance to the pricing of the international transactions;
(h) a record of the analysis performed to evaluate comparability of uncontrolled transactions with the relevant international transaction;
T.P.Ostwal & Associates 455th July 2013
(i) a description of the methods considered for determining the arm’s length price in relation to each international transaction or class of transaction, the method selected as the most appropriate method along with explanations as to why such method was so selected, and how such method was applied in each case;
(j) a record of the actual working carried out for determining the arm’s length price, including details of the comparable data and financial information used in applying the most appropriate method, and adjustments, if any, which were made to account for differences between the international transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions, or between the enterprises entering into such transactions;
(k) the assumptions, policies and price negotiations, if any, which have critically affected the determination of the arm’s length price;
T.P.Ostwal & Associates 465th July 2013
…Rule 10D of Income Tax Rules
(l) details of the adjustments, if any, made to transfer prices to align them with arm’s length prices determined under these rules and consequent adjustment made to the total income for tax purposes;
(m) any other information, data or document, including information or data relating to the associated enterprise, which may be relevant for determination of the arm’s length price.
The above documentation shall be supported by the reports and documents specified in Rule 10D(3)
T.P.Ostwal & Associates 475th July 2013
…Rule 10D of Income Tax Rules
Rule 10D-Documentation Requirements
-Profile of industry -Transaction terms -Agreements
-Profile of group -Functional Analysis -Invoices
-Profile of India entity ( function, assets and risks) -Pricing related correspondence
-Profile of associated enterprises -Economic analysis (letters, emails etc)
(method selection, comparable
benchmarking)
-Forecasts, budgets, estimates
Entity related Transaction relatedPrice related
-Contemporaneous documentation requirement- Rule 10DDocumentation to be retained for 8 years
No specific documentation requirement if the value of international transaction / SDT * is less than one crore rupees
T.P.Ostwal & Associates 485th July 2013
* Section 92D refers to documentation as prescribed by Rule 10D, however there has not been corresponding amendment in Rule 10D with respect to providing relief from documentation requirement where value of SDT does not exceed 1 crore as is available in case of international transactions. However going by legislative intent such relief should also be available in case of SDT as well.
T.P.Ostwal & Associates 49
TRANSFER PRICING DOCUMENTATIONDocumentation Best Practices
TPAssessment
Master FileTransaction
FileTP
StudyTP
Certification
General
PolicyRelated
Agreement & Invoices
FARRelated
Pricing Related
RepresentationRelated
Litigation Support
Characterisation & Analysis
Benchmarking
Justification
Assumptions
Notes
Undertaking &Representations
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T.P.Ostwal & Associates 50
Details/ Information
Sources/Documentation
Ownership & Management structure
Ownership & Management Chart
Lines of Business Group Website
Key products dealt in Product brochures
Functional structure of Group members
Management Discussion/ Representation
Customer profile Global Transfer Pricing documentation
Key Financial numbers
Consolidated financial statements
TRANSFER PRICING DOCUMENTATIONDocumentation Best Practices – Master File
Details/ Information
Sources/Documentation
Historical background Business Profile or Brochure
Shareholding pattern Statutory Records/ Registers
Organisation structure Information / Reports filed with external agencies
Business model Taxpayer Website
Key Business segments Product Brochures
Key Products and their applications
Historical Annual Reports
Industry classification Books of Accounts
Customer profile Management Discussion/ Representation
Physical / Functional set-up Registrations & Applications
Employee profile
Research & Development activity Key financial numbers
THE GROUP
THE TAXPAYER
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(contd)…
T.P.Ostwal & Associates 51
Details/ Information
Sources/Documentation
Identification of Associated Enterprise(s) Group Holding Structure
Relationship with the Taxpayer
Management Discussion /Representation
Business activityWebsite of Associated Enterprise(s)
Physical / Functional set-upAnnual Report of Associated Enterprise(s)
Key financial numbers
Details/ Information
Sources/Documentation
Global Scenario Authentic Internal / External Sources
Indian ScenarioPublications from Industry Associations
Industry constituents Analysts ReportsKey Value Drivers & Weights thereof Reports of Research Agencies
Internal / External dependence
Government Body / Ministry Report
Market Size/ Market ShareOffer Document / Annual Report of Peers
Regulatory FrameworkLocal/ International Publications
SWOT Analysis Published Reports
Industry Magazines
THE AE
THE INDUSTRY
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T.P.Ostwal & Associates 52
Details/ Information
Sources/Documentation
Complete list of Specified Domestic transactions
Agreements / Arrangements
Quantity, Quality & Price Related Information
Invoices / Debit Notes / Credit Notes
Terms of Transactions Supporting Documents
Pricing Methodology Relevant Entity / Group Policies
Characterisation of Transactions
Management Discussion / Representation
Margin Workings Books of Accounts
Disclosures in Financial Statements
Details/ Information
Sources/Documentation
Functions Performed Agreements / Arrangements
Assets DeployedManagement Discussion /Representation
Risks Assumed
COMPARABILITY
SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTIONS
Details/ Information
Sources/Documentation
Identification of Comparable Uncontrolled Transaction (Internal /External)
Internal / External Sources
Quantity, Quality & Price related info
Agreements / Arrangements
Terms of Transactions Industry / Company Reports
Margin Workings Specific Benchmarking
Selection of Comparable Entities
Annual Reports of Comparable Entites
Basis and Process of selection
Expert Analysis
FAR profile of Comparable Entities
Competition Information
Management Discussion / Representation
FAR ANALYSIS
(contd)…
5th July 2013
CASE STUDY 1
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Case Study 1Facts• HCO, an Indian company, is a manufacturer of FMCG products. It has four Indian
subsidiaries; namely IndCo1, IndCo2, IndCo3 and IndCo4 in different segment of FMCG products. Neither HCO nor its subsidiaries (except IndCo4) enjoy any profit linked deduction under Chapter VIA or sec 10AA. HCO also has 21% shareholding in UK Co (a company incorporated in UK) and 79% shareholding of UK Co is held by others.
• HCO has taken two loans i.e. one from Bank1 at an interest rate of 14% and other from an unrelated party at an interest rate of 13%.
• HCO has advanced following loans to its subsidiaries:• IndCo1 at an interest rate of 16%.
• IndCo2 at an interest rate of 10% as the company is suffering huge losses.
• Interest-free loan to IndCo3 as it is a startup company and loan given are primarily to provide seed funding to develop a sound strategy and transform its ideas and innovations into demand and gain market share.
• Interest-free loan to IndCo4 and it is utilized for its SEZ Unit u/s 10AA so that it is working efficiently.
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• HCO given an interest free loan to UK Co
• IndCo1 has taken a loan from Bank2 at an interest rate of 14% for which HCO has given a guarantee to Bank2. HCO does not charge any guarantee fee to IndCo1.
• IndCo1 has also taken another loan from Bank 3 at an interest rate of 14%. For this loan, HCO has given a letter of comfort to Bank3, as sole shareholder of IndCo1that it will exert its influence to ensure that IndCo1 would meet its liabilities to Bank 3 in the agreed manner. Moreover; HCO has confirmed that no changes are planned in the ownership structures of the subsidiaries for the terms of loans.
• HCO has provided a performance guarantee to IndCo3 to make IndCo3 eligible to bid on a project. If the bid is successful, HCO will then add substance to IndCo3 in the form of providing further working capital finance, making it sufficiently robust to operate the project on its own and in turn making the performance guarantee “a mere formality,” . A guarantee in this context confers an economic benefit and allows IndCo3 to bid and perchance to win and thus is compensable. Whereas if the bid is not successful, the guarantee will be “of little practical value or benefit to the subsidiary and should be regarded as a non-compensable shareholder activity because the subsidiary derives no benefit from the guarantee.
• In each company, the specified domestic transactions exceed threshold limit of Rs 50 million for all four subsidiaries.
Case Study 1 (contd)…
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Case Study 1 (contd)…
Question
Analyze the applicability of the Domestic TP provisions in the hands on HCO, IndCo1, IndCo2, IndCo3 and IndCo4 as well as UK Co in respect of their financial dealings.
H Co contends that no guarantee fees is chargeable due to the fact that IndCo1 was inadequately capitalized and it was its benefit to give guarantee on the basis of which bank loan were obtained by IndCo1 at the same rate of interest without any benefits to HCO.
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HCOHCO
IndCo1 IndCo2 IndCo3 IndCo4SEZ Unit u/s10AA
Loan against bank guarantee from
Bank 2 @ 16%
Loan from Bank1 @ 14%
Loan @ 17%
Loan @ 10%
Interest free loan
Interest free loan
Loan from Unrelated Party
@13%
India
Performance Guarantee of
H CO
Loan from Bank 3@16%Against Letter of Comfort of
H CO
UK Co21% by H Co
Case Study 1 (contd)…
UK
Interest free loan
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For IndCo11. Loan taken from HCOa. Loan taken by IndCo1 from HCO at interest rate of 17% for which Interest payment by IndCo1
u/s 40A(2)(b) constitutes SDT(u/s 92BA) and hence IndCo1 will be liable to comply with Domestic TP provisions.
b. Interest payment to related party needs to be benchmarked by selecting the most appropriate method u/s 92C r.w Rule 10B and Rule 10C for computation of arm’s length price.
c. IndCo1 has also taken two other loans. First, loan taken from Bank2 at an interest rate of 16%. Second, loan taken from Bank3 at an interest rate of 16%. Therefore, CUP Method is the most appropriate method. Thus, ALP interest rate works out to be 16% (arithmetic mean of 16% and 16%).
d. Having regard to the facts, the Assessing Officer possibly will try to make TP adjustment by disallowing excess interest of 1% (17%-16%) ,not being arms length but the fact needs to be demonstrated that other loans are with guarantees and without that there could be an extra charge by the bank (normally I.T. dept. takes 3% as guarantee fees in other cases and hence if appropriate adjustment is made to the rate of interest with such guarantee commission the lending rate of bank would go up by almost 3% and hence interest paid is at arms length.)However it is not established then IndCo1 would be exposed to penalty u/s 271(1)(c) r.w.t. Explanation 7 as deemed to be concealment of income or furnishing inaccurate particulars in respect of addition to income by way of TP adjustment.
e. IndCo1 may be exposed to penalty u/s 271G if it has defaulted on maintenance of TP documentation and/or u/s 271BA if it has defaulted on furnishing of TP audit report.
(contd)….
Case Study 1 (contd)…
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Case Study 1 (contd)…For IndCo1 (contd)…
2. Guarantee given by HCO for loan taken from Bank2Since no guarantee fees is paid by IndCo1, provisions of sec 40A(2)(b) r.w.s. 92BA are not applicable. Therefore, this transaction is not SDT u/s 92BA.
3. Letter of Comfort given by HCO for loan taken from Bank3Since no consideration is paid by IndCo1, provisions of sec 40A(2)(b) r.w.s. 92BA are not
applicable. Therefore, this transaction is not SDT u/s 92BA.
For HCO (w.r.t IndCo1 Transaction)i. 17% Interest is received by HCO on loan given to IndCo1 is not covered u/s 40A(2)(b)
and hence it does not constitute SDT(u/s 92BA) for HCO.
ii. HCO has given guarantee to Bank2 on loan taken by IndCo1 and HCO has not charged any guarantee fee for the same. Only expenditure on payment made or to be made to related party is covered u/s 40A(2)(b) and thus even if there was any receipt or non-receipt of guarantee fee income, it would not have been covered u/s 40A(2)(b). Thus, it is not SDT (u/s 92BA) for HCO.
iii. HCO has also given letter of comfort to Bank3 on loan taken by IndCo1 and no monetary benefit is received for this transaction. Therefore, it does not constitute SDT (u/s 92BA) for HCO.
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Case Study 1 (contd)…For IndCo2a) Loan taken by IndCo2 from HCO at interest rate of 10% for which Interest payment by IndCo1
u/s 40A(2)(b) constitutes SDT(u/s 92BA) and hence IndCo1 will be liable to comply with Domestic TP provisions.
b) Interest payment to related party needs to be benchmarked by selecting the most appropriate method u/s 92C r.w. Rule 10B and Rule 10C for computation of arm’s length price.
c) Having regard to the facts, CUP Method is the most appropriate method wherein External CUP can be applied for benchmarking the transaction by adopting PLR of any nationalized banks in India or by adopting rate of interest paid by HCO on loans taken from bank i.e. 14% and IndCo1’s borrowings @16%. Thus, ALP interest rate works out to be above 10%.
d) In this case, interest rate of 10% is lesser than ALP interest rate. Therefore, transaction entered into by IndCo2 of interest payment to related party is at arm’s length. Therefore, no TP adjustments is warranted in this case.
For HCO (w.r.t IndCo2 Transaction)10% Interest is received by HCO on loan given to IndCo2 is not covered u/s 40A(2)(b) and hence it does not constitute SDT (u/s 92BA) for HCO.
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For IndCo31. Interest free Loan taken from HCOa. Since no interest is paid by IndCo3, provisions of sec 40A(2)(b) r.w.s. 92BA are not applicable.
Therefore, this transaction is not SDT u/s 92BA.
b. But, interest free loan taken from related party is required to be reported in TP Audit Report i.e Form 3CEB. IndCo3 may be exposed to penalty u/s 271G if it has defaulted on maintenance of TP documentation and/or u/s 271BA if it has defaulted on furnishing of TP audit report.
2. Performance guarantee given by HCO for loan taken from Bank3Since no consideration is paid by IndCo1, provisions of sec 40A(2)(b) r.w.s. 92BA are not applicable. Therefore, this transaction is not SDT u/s 92BA
For HCO (w.r.t IndCo3 Transaction)3. HCO has given an interest free loan to IndCo3. It has not charged any interest to IndCo3
as IndCo3 is a startup company. Only expenditure on payment made or to be made to related party is covered u/s 40A(2)(b) and thus even if there was any receipt or non-receipt of interest, it would not have been covered u/s 40A(2)(b). Thus, it is not SDT (u/s 92BA) for HCO.
4. HCO has provided a performance guarantee to IndCo3 to make IndCo3 eligible to bid on a project. HCO has not charged any guarantee fee for the same. Only expenditure on payment made or to be made to related party is covered u/s 40A(2)(b) and thus even if there was any receipt or non-receipt of guarantee fee income, it would not have been covered u/s 40A(2)(b). Thus, it is not SDT (u/s 92BA) for HCO.
Case Study 1 (contd)…
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For IndCo41. Interest free loan taken by IndCo4 (having an eligible unit ie SEZ unit u/s 10AA) from HCO (non eligible
unit) and utilized the said loan for its sec 10AA unit.
2. We have to analyze whether the said transaction is falling within the any of the provisions of section 92BA i e whether it is SDT ?
3. As per section 92BA(v) any transaction , referred to in section 10AA to which provisions of section 80IA(10) are applicable is SDT. As per section 80IA(10) where an eligible unit enters into SDT with any other person, then for the purpose of availing benefit under section 80-IA, the transaction recorded in the books of accounts of eligible unit should correspond to the ALP of such goods or services worked out as per section 92C.
4. However, Sec 80IA(10) is attracted only to those transactions in which, when it appears to the AO that, owing to the close connection between the assessee carrying on the eligible business (to which section 80IA applies) and any other person, or for any other reason, the course of business between them is so arranged that the business transacted between them produces to the assessee more than the ordinary profits which might be expected to arise in such eligible business.
5. Thus, it is clear that the onus of proving that provisions of s. 80-IA(10) are attracted and that the business affairs are so arranged that it produces more than ordinary profits is on the AO and AO may deny deduction u/s10AA on the ground that interest free loan given by HCO to IndCo4 was to enable IndCo4 to earn more than ordinary profits by invoking provisions of sec 10AA(9) r.w.s. 80-IA(10) r.w.s. 92BA(v). (contd)…..
Case Study 1 (contd)…
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Case Study 1 (contd)…For IndCo4
1. Therefore, in the given case if the IndCo 4 believes that business transacted with HCO is bonafide and it cannot be considered as tax evading arrangement then such transaction may not be regarded as SDT in terms of s. 92BA(V).Ind Co4 can also take an argument that MAT provisions are applicable to 10AA units also hence there is no incentive to shift profit to 10AA unit by not charging any interest for the loan utilised for 10AA unit. Hence, provisions of section 80IA(10) r.w.s 92BA(V) are not applicable to such transaction.
2. IndCo4 may be exposed to penalty u/s 271G if it has defaulted on maintenance of TP documentation and/or u/s 271BA if it has defaulted on furnishing of TP audit report .
For HCO (w.r.t IndCo4 Transaction)
HCO has given an interest free loan to IndCo4. IndCo4 has utilized interest free loan for its SEZ Unit u/s 10AA. Only expenditure on payment made or to be made to related party is covered u/s 40A(2)(b) and thus even if there was any receipt or non-receipt of interest, it would not have been covered u/s 40A(2)(b). Thus, it is not SDT (u/s 92BA) for HCO.
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For UK Co. No tax effect in the hands of UK Co as UK Co is not to be assessed to tax in India. Hence it is neither covered by SDT no by international transaction u/s 92B.
For HCO (w.r.t UK Co Transaction)HCO has given an interest free loan to UK Co in which HCO has only 21% shareholding.
Therefore, UK Co is not an associated enterprises u/s 92A(2)(b).But UK Co would become a related party (of HCO) u/s 40A(2)(b)(iv) for a loan given to Non-Resident Related Party. Only expenditure on payment made or to be made to related party is covered u/s 40A(2)(b) and thus even if there was any receipt or non-receipt of interest, it would not have been covered u/s 40A(2)(b). Thus, it is not SDT (u/s 92BA) for HCO.
Case Study 1 (contd)…
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CASE STUDY 2
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Case Study 2
Facts• A Co, an Indian company, is engaged in business of polyester films. It has substantial
interest in B Co and has a wholly owned subsidiary D Inc in USA. Both A Co and B Co are units covered u/s 10AA.
• A Co has its own R&D Centre which develops the technology for product research, design and development and enhances efficiency in production of polyester films.
• A Co manufactures raw materials namely, dimethyl terephthalate, terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol and sells it to B Co.
• A Co licenses technical know-how and formulas to B Co for processing of raw materials into finished goods i.e. polyester films.
• B Co processes the raw materials into finished goods i.e. Polyester films and sells the finished goods to A Co at Rs. 100 per sq ft. B Co has also made a miniscule sale to third parties at Rs 120 per sq ft.
• Royalty is charged for (use of tech know how by B Co) by A Co to B Co at the rate of 3% on sale of total polyester films to A Co as well as third parties.
• A Co also purchase polyester films but of substantially different qualities from third parties at Rs. 80 per sq ft.
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• C Co, an agent, provides marketing and sales promotion services to A Co for which it charges commission at 7% of sales made by A Co. A Co cuts polyester films into large master rolls and slit to precision widths before delivery to customer and packages as per customer requirement.
• A Co sells polyester films to Indian customers at Rs. 125 per sq. ft.
• D Inc is the face of A Co in US and overseas markets. A Co sells polyester films to the associated enterprise D Inc (USA) at cost plus 10% mark-up.
• A Co follows Just in Time approach to manage inventory which in turn helps in balanced ‐ ‐production and maintenance of required stock level of raw materials and finished goods.
• Research on various geographical areas where market can be developed is done by C Co. Market development includes focus on existing customers and also on potential customers. Selling and distribution activities as well as after-sales activities are undertaken by C Co.
• A Co and B Co perform administration functions independently for their respective organizations based on policies framed.
Case Study 2 (contd)…
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• All three companies (A Co, B Co and D Inc) deploy its tangible assets in the form of fixed assets and working capital for manufacturing and sale operations. The tangible assets include office facilities, warehouses, material handling equipments, computer hardware, quality control equipments, etc.
• B Co does not have significant exposure to market risk since it is primarily involved in the processing of raw materials to finished goods polyester films. A Co has a significant exposure to market risks in order to meet consumer needs.
• A Co bears a significant exposure to technology risk as the changes of finished goods i.e. quality of polyester films becoming obsolete is high and thus, it is a challenge for the company to keep up with the developments in technology in order to face market competition. Whereas B Co faces almost no technology risk as it uses technology of A Co and processing job has lesser chances of technology becoming obsolete.
• All major credit risks related to sales are borne by A Co whereas B Co faces less / no risk since its major sales are to A Co and a miniscule amount of sales to third parties. A Co is exposed to foreign currency fluctuation risk due to export of polyester films to its associated enterprises abroad.
• Operating Margin on Total Cost for:
• A Co – 8% whereas Comparables – 13% • B Co – 6% whereas Comparables – 9.5%
Case Study 2 (contd)…
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Question
1. Analyze of the applicability of Domestic TP provisions in the hands of B Co in respect of following transactions:-• Purchase of Raw Materials by B Co• Purchase of Polyester films by A Co• Royalty paid by B Co
2. Analyze the applicability of transfer pricing provisions in respect of
international transaction for sale of polyester films by A Co to its associated enterprise D Inc USA.
Case Study 2 (contd)…
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Case Study 2 (contd)…
A CoB Co
(Substantial Interest held by A Co)Sale of Manufactured
Raw Materials
Sale of Polyester Films
D Inc (WOS of A Co)
India
USASale of Polyester Films
Royalty Paid for Tech Know-how
Sale of Polyester
Films
Third Parties
Customers
Sale of Polyester Films
Third Parties
Purchase of Polyester Film of substantially different quality
C Co
Commission Paid @7%
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Case Study 2 (contd)…
Category Level of Intensity
B Co A CoFunctions Performed 1. Market development 2. Product development 3. Manufacturing 4. Quality control5. Post sales activities6. General management functions 7. Corporate strategy determination 8. Finance, accounting, treasury & legal 9. Human resource management
-
-
Assets Employed 1. Tangibles 2. Intangibles
Risks Assumed 1. Market risk 2. Product liability risk 3. Technology risk 4. Research & Development risk 5. Credit risk 6. Inventory risk
--
AnalysisApplicability of Domestic TP - B Co
Transaction 1:- Purchase of Raw Materials by B Co from A Co
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Criteria Analysis Result / comments
Company Profile • Manufactures and markets polyester films• Earns Operating profit margin (entity level) of 6%
Arm’s length nature of revenue to be tested
FAR Analysis • B Co is a manufacturer and seller of polyester films • For benchmarking, the operating profit margins of
comparable companies have been compared with the operating profit margin of B Co at entity level as well as with reference to operating margins earned on the sale transactions with associated enterprises.
B Co is simpler and comparable data is available and hence, selected as the tested party
Selection of Methodology
• CUP: Unavailability of internal/external CUP data• RPM: Taxpayer is a manufacturer and not a
reseller of products• PSM: Routine manufacturer hence not applicable• CPM: May be applied if reliable cost data is
available• TNMM: Relatively less stringent comparability
standards and external comparable’s data available on public database
CPM or TNMM could be selected as most appropriate method
Case Study 2 (contd)…Transaction 1:- Purchase of Raw Materials by B Co from A Co
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Transaction 2 :- Purchase of Polyester films by A Co from B Co
Case Study 2 (contd)…
CategoryLevel of Intensity
A Co B CoFunctions Performed 1. Product development 2. Manufacturing 3. Quality control4. Post sales activities5. General management functions 6. Corporate strategy determination 7. Finance, accounting, treasury & legal 8. Human resource management
-
-
Assets Employed 1. Tangibles 2. Intangibles
Risks Assumed 1. Market risk 2. Product liability risk 3. Technology risk 4. Research & Development risk 5. Credit risk 6. Inventory risk
-
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Criteria Analysis Result / commentsCompany Profile (A Co.)
• Trader of polyester films (besides being manufacturer of raw material)
• Earns Operating profit margin (entity level) of 8%
Arm’s length nature of revenue to be tested
FAR Analysis • A Co is a trader of polyester films • For benchmarking, the operating profit margins
of comparable companies have been compared with the operating profit margin of the A Co at entity level
A Co. is simpler and comparable data is available and hence, selected as the tested party
Selection of Methodology
• CUP: Unavailability of internal/external CUP data• RPM: A Co is cutting rolls into different sizes to
make the product marketable and is not making substantial value addition to it and therefore, A Co is a pure reseller of products
• CPM: Unavailability of comparable data at gross level
• PSM: Routine manufacturer/trader hence not applicable
• TNMM: Relatively less stringent comparability standards and external comparable’s data available on public database
RPM or TNMM could be selected as the most appropriate method
Transaction 2 :- Purchase of Polyester films by A Co from B Co
Case Study 2 (contd)…
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Case Study 2 (contd)…
Transaction for royalty paid by B Co to A Co
Since data on uncontrolled comparable transactions (i.e. rates of royalty) is not available in public domain, benchmarking of payment of royalty by B Co to A Co. could be done by applying External TNMM
International transaction for sale of polyester films by A Co to its associated enterprise D Inc USA.
Being an international transaction, all the transfer pricing provisions relating to international transaction would be applicable and the transaction would be benchmarked u/s 92C r.w. Rule 10B and Rule 10 C.
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CASE STUDY 3
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Facts1. US Co is having a permanent establishment (PE) in India, Mr. A, a director of US Co, is
deputed to Indian PE in financial year 2013 – 14 i.e from 1st December 2013.
2. Salary is paid to Mr. A by US Co and PE in India for respective periods worked in both (US Co and Indian PE).
3. Mr. A is a non-resident in India for the financial year 2013-14.
4. Indian PE (taxed on net basis) has claimed deduction for salary paid to Mr. A in its return of income for FY 2013-14.
Question1. Whether domestic transfer pricing provisions are applicable to Indian PE for salary
paid to Mr. A?
2. Assume Indian PE is a subsidiary company of US Co and Mr. A is a non-resident and is also a Director of subsidiary company getting salary from subsidiary company. Whether payments made to director is a specified domestic transaction?
Case Study 3
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US COUS CO
Indian PEIndian PE
USA
India
Mr. ADirector of US CO
Mr. ADirector of US CO
Salary paid by US Co (1/4/2013 to 30/11/2013)
Salary paid by Indian PE (1/12/2013 to 31/03/2014)
Case Study 3 (contd)…Where US Co has PE in India
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US COUS CO
Ind Co(WOS)
USA
IndiaMr. A
Director of Ind Co & US CO
Mr. ADirector of Ind Co & US CO
Salary paid
Case Study 3 (contd)…
Salary paid
Where Ind Co is Subsidiary of US Co
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• Salary paid to Mr. A is not an International Transaction in terms of s. 92B r.w.s. 92A since data on shareholding of Mr A is not given. Therefore, Mr.A is not an AE of US Co as defined u/s 92A. But if Mr. A held at least 26% of shares in US Co, it would constitute as an international transaction and any salary paid to Mr. A would be regarded as an international transaction.
• However, if he does not hold any shares still Mr. A is a director of US Co and hence covered as a related party u/s 40A(2)(b)(ii).
• Since payment is made to related party covered by s. 40A(2)(b), the transaction constitutes SDT in terms of s. 92BA(i)
• Being SDT, salary payment to Mr. A will be liable to Domestic TP and PE will be required to benchmark it to ALP, maintain documentation and furnish TP audit report.
• Salary paid to Mr. A is required to reported in TP Audit Report i.e Form 3CEB by Indian PE. Thus, Indian PE may also be exposed to penalty u/s 271G if it has defaulted on maintenance of TP documentation and/or u/s 271BA if it has defaulted on furnishing of TP audit report.
• Million dollar question is how do you demonstrate it to be at Arms Length.
Case Study 3
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CASE STUDY 4
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Case Stu1 – Sale of Fixed Assets, Sale of goods and Marketing Support Services
H-CoH-Co
Ind-Co
A-Co
Outside India
India
40 %
Purchase of raw material INR 4.5 cr Sale of
goods of INR 10 cr
M-Co
22%
50%
Marketing support services of INR 4.5 cr
Purchase of FA of INR 4.5 cr
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Case Study 4 (contd)…
Transaction Mechanism:• H-Co is an overseas company engaged
in manufacturing engineering products and has a shareholding of 40% in Ind-Co.
• Ind-Co is engaged in manufacturing and supply of machinery components locally.
• Ind-Co in turn has 50% shareholding in A-Co which is engaged in manufacturing industrial goods.
• A-Co purchases fixed assets from Ind-Co amounting to INR 4.5 cr.
• M-Co is a company located outside India in which A-Co holds 22 percent stake. M-Co provides marketing support services to A-Co. and the total payment made by A-Co. during the year is INR 4.5 cr.
• A-Co has also purchased raw material from H-Co amounting to INR 4.5 cr.
• A-Co sells raw material of INR 10 cr to Ind-Co which is used in its manufacturing activity.
Case Stu1 – Sale of Fixed Assets, Sale of goods and Marketing Support Services
Key Considerations:
• Identify the related parties and the transactions under the purview of SDT?
• Is the transaction pertaining to purchase of fixed assets by A-Co covered by SDT?
• Will SDT apply to A-Co considering the quantum of transactions?
• How will the identified transactions be benchmarked?
H-CoH-Co
Ind-Co
A-Co
Outside India
India
40 %
Purchase of raw material INR 4.5 cr Sale of
goods of INR 10 cr
M-Co
22%
50%
Marketing support services of INR 4.5 cr
Purchase of FA of INR 4.5 cr
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Case Study 4 (contd)…
CASE STUDY 5
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Case Study 2 – Cross Charge for Royalty
INR 6 Cr INR 4 Cr
INR 7 Cr INR 3 Cr
FCo1
I-Co
FCo2
51 % 21 %
Outside India
SubCo1 SubCo2
51 % 5%
India
0% Royalty0% Royalty
3% Royalty
2% Royalty
Transaction Mechanism:• I-Co is an Indian company which owns a
brand and has a subsidiary SubCo1
• It also has a share holding of 5% in SubCo2
• FCo1 holds 51% in I-Co and FCo2 holds 21%
• All the entities have a substantial marketing spend including I-Co
Key Considerations:• Assuming the brand has no value, what will
be the implication of the royalty transaction under the SDT as well as international transfer pricing? Will the marketing spend be subject to disallowance under sec 37?
• Assuming the brand has value in India and is not much popular abroad, what will be the implication of the royalty transaction under the SDT as well as international transfer pricing? Will the marketing spend be subject to disallowance under sec 37?
Case Study 5
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CASE STUDY 6
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Transaction Mechanism:
• Gem-Co is a company engaged in manufacturing, branding and distribution of gem stones.
• Gem-Co performs on a centralised basis and provides various functions such as finance, business development, HR, branding, etc.
• Gem-Co has two units, Unit -1 and Unit - 2. Unit -1 is a tax holiday unit and Unit - 2 is a tax paying unit.
Gem-Co
Unit - 1
(tax holiday)Unit - 2
Corporate over- heads allocated
Key Considerations:
• Whether Gem-Co needs to allocate corporate overhead costs to both Units considering these are necessary for day to day operations?
• How will overheads be allocated?
Case Study 6
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CASE STUDY 7
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Transaction Mechanism:• Tech-Co is a holding company which owns 100%
stake in S-Co and T-Co which are incorporated in India.
• S-CO. is a Technical Consultancy Service company which caters mainly to the IT / Telecom sectors and have many AEs outside India.
• T-CO. is also a Technical Consultancy Service Company which caters to the domestic market.
• S-Co avails tax holiday benefit and T-Co is tax paying entity.
• S-CO. provides services to its AEs as well T-CO. and makes a margin on cost of 25%
Tech-Co
S-Co (tax
holiday unit)T-Co (taxable
entity)
AE1
Export of IT services
Provision of IT services
Outside India
India
AE2
AE3
Key Considerations:• Whether provision of services to both T-Co and
AEs at a margin on cost of 25% can be justified?
• What are the implications for domestic as well as international transactions in the following cases:
– Margin on cost of comparables companies engaged in exports is 20%
– Margins on cost of comparable companies catering to the domestic market is 15%
Case Study 7
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CASE STUDY 8
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Tech-Co
Unit - 1
(tax holiday unit)
Unit - 2
(taxable unit)A
AE1
Export of IT services
Provision of IT services
Outside India
India
AE2
AE3
Cost + 25%
Cost + 25%
Transaction Mechanism:
• Tech-Co is a Technical Consultancy Services company which caters mainly to the IT / Telecom sectors and operates through two units
• Unit - 1 is claiming tax holiday benefit and is engaged in provision of IT services.
• Unit - 2 is a tax paying unit and avails IT services from Unit-1 to develop certain software platforms for use in the telecom industry.
• Thus, Unit - 1 provides the requisite IT services on a cost plus basis to Unit – 2, as well as its AEs based overseas on a cost plus 25% basis.
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Case Study 8
Tech-Co
Unit - 1
(tax holiday unit)
Unit - 2
(taxable unit)A
AE1
Export of IT services
Provision of IT services
Outside India
India
AE2
AE3
Cost + 25%
Cost + 25%
Key Considerations:
• Whether provision of services to both Unit-2 and the AEs at cost plus 25% can be justified?
• What will be the implications in case there is no charge by Unit-1 to Unit-2 and whether the same can also apply to international transactions?
• What are the implications for domestic as well as international transactions if the following is considered to be the ALP:
– ALP for international transaction comes to cost plus 20 percent?
– ALP for domestic transaction comes to cost plus 15 percent?
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Case Study 8 (contd)…
CASE STUDY 9
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Transaction Mechanism:• Tel-Co is a company engaged in providing telecom
support services.
• Tel-Co has two units where Unit - 1 provides IT services in relation to the Telecom Industry to Unit -2.
• Unit - 1 claims tax holiday unit whereas Unit - 2 is a tax paying unit.
• Unit – 1 also provides IT services on a cost plus basis to third party customers as well as Unit-2
Tel-Co
Unit-1(tax holiday unit)
Unit-2
(taxable unit)
3rd party customers
Export of IT
services
Provision of IT services
Outside India
IndiaCost + 25% Key Considerations:• Does Unit-1 need to provide services to Unit-2 at
cost plus 40 percent? What would be the implications if Unit-1 provides services to Unit-2 at cost plus 25%?
• What is the benchmarking methodology for the transaction between Unit-1 and Unit-2? What would be the appropriate tested party?
Case Study 9
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CASE STUDY 10
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Transaction Mechanism:• Tel-Co is a company engaged in providing telecom
support services.
• Tel-Co has two subsidiaries where I-Co provides IT services in relation to the Telecom Industry to L-Co.
• I-Co and L-Co both enjoy tax holidays
• I-Co provides IT services on a cost plus 10% basis to L-Co
Tel-Co
I-Co
(Tax Holiday unit)
L-Co
(Tax Holiday unit)
Provision of IT services
Key Considerations:• What would be the implications for the transaction
between I-Co and L-Co considering the ALP comes to 15%?
• What would be the implications for the transaction between I-Co and L-Co considering the ALP comes to 8%?
• What will be the benchmarking methodology for the transaction?
Case Study 10
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CASE STUDY 11
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Transaction mechanism:
• Z-Co is into manufacturing of Soaps and is an industrial undertaking claiming tax benefit u/s 80 IC.
• Z-Co is holding 20% shares in R-Co which is a distributor company and a tax paying entity.
• Z-Co undertakes sale of finished goods to R-Co and its AE overseas.
• R-Co in turn distributes the acquired finished goods in the domestic market where as the AE brands the acquired goods and distributes the same under its own brand name in the overseas market.
• Z-Co’s profit margin for sale to AE is 15 per cent and for sale to R-Co is 20 percent. The industry margin for an entity engaged in a similar business is 12 percent.
Z-Co
(80 IC Unit)
AE
R-Co
Outside India
India
Sale of finished goods
Sale of finished goods
Key Considerations:
• What would be the implications for the transaction between Z-Co and R-Co?
Case Study 11
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CASE STUDY 12
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T.P.Ostwal & Associates 100
Case Study 12
A LTD.
B LTD.A LTD.
B LTD.100%
R&D services
For the period of 01.04.2012 to 30.09.2012
- Indian Co.- Software development- SEZ 10AA benefit- OP/OC 40% (TNMM)
Payment based on Cost + 20% to B Ltd
- Foreign Co.
- Indian Co.- Software development- SEZ 10AA benefit- OP/OC 40%- ALP 17%
Payment based on Cost + 20% to B Ltd
25%
- Foreign Co.
Change in shareholding from 01.10.2012 to 31.03.2013(Close Connection established)
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Facts :
• A Ltd. Is an Indian company engaged in software development and eligible for section 10AA benefit.
• B Ltd. Is a wholly-owned subsidiary of A Ltd. Situated in china and provides R & D services to A Ltd.
• B Ltd. Charges cost plus 20% mark-up for providing R & D services to A Ltd.• With effect from 01.10.2012, shareholding of A Ltd. was reduced to 25%.• A Ltd. Has earned OP/OC of 40% from 01.04.2012 to 30.09.2012 as well as from
01.10.2012 to 31.03.2013. Arm’s length OP/OC is 17%.
Issues:
• During F.Y. 2012-13, whether A Ltd. will be subject to International TP or Domestic TP or both ?
• In Domestic TP, whether transactions will be covered u/s 40A(2) or 80-IA(10) or both?• Whether any upward adjustment can be made for A Ltd. by the AO under Domestic TP
Provisions even though there is a mere change in the shareholding without any change in the pricing mechanism of transaction s with the related party?
Case Study 12 (contd)…
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