Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global...

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Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R & Co.

Transcript of Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global...

Page 1: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment

27 October 2012

Manish BafnaSenior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing ServicesB S R & Co., Mumbai, India

B S R & Co.

Page 2: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Agenda

• Transfer Pricing Rules-Overview

-Practical Experience

-Case Laws

• Penalties

• Transfer Pricing Assessments

• Advance Pricing Agreements - Overview

Page 3: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Transfer Pricing - Rules

Page 4: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10 of the Income-tax Rules, 1962

Meaning of expressions used in computation of ALP10A

Determination of ALP under Section 92C10B &

10 AB

Most Appropriate Method10C

Information / Documentation to be maintained

10D

Advance Pricing Agreements

10E

10 F – 10 T

Accountant’s Report

Page 5: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10A - Meaning of expressions used in computation of ALP

Page 6: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10A – Meaning of expression used in computation of ALP

a) “uncontrolled transaction” means a transaction between enterprises other than associated enterprises, whether resident or non-resident

Associated Enterprises

Third PartyAssessee

Controlled transaction

Uncontrolled transaction

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Rule 10A – Meaning of expression used in computation of ALP

Assessee Principal held

Tecnimont ICB P. Ltd Mumbai ITAT

• All methods of ALP computation and Rule 10A entail comparison with ‘uncontrolled transactions’; Comparable may be internal or external, but its transactions must necessarily be with third parties

Bayer Material Science P. Ltd Mumbai ITAT

• Mumbai ITAT had held that comparables with related party transactions can be considered, in case of inability to find uncontrolled comparable transactions

Avaya India (P) LtdDelhi ITAT

• The Tribunal upheld the TPO’s approach of rejecting companies having related party transactions of more than 15%.

Philips SoftwareBangalore ITAT

• Companies with even a single rupee of transactions with associated enterprises cannot be considered as comparables.

Sony IndiaDelhi ITAT

• The Tribunal held that an entity can be taken as uncontrolled if its related party transaction do not exceed 10 to 15 percent of total revenue.

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Rule 10A – Meaning of expression used in computation of ALP

Assessee Principal held

Star IndiaMumbai ITAT

• Aggregation of different business activities for testing arm’s length price is contrary to the transfer pricing principles.

RanbaxyLaboratoriesDelhi ITAT

• Transactions should not be aggregated unless they are inextricably linked.

UCB India Pvt Ltd.Mumbai ITAT

• International transaction comprised only 50 percent of total sales, and, hence it was held that UCB India’s approach of entity level TNMM is not appropriate.

b) “property” includes goods, articles or things, and intangible property

c) “services” include financial services

d) “transaction” includes a number of closely linked transactions

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Rule 10B – Determination of arm’s length price under section 92C

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Rule 10B & 10 AB – Determination of arm’s length price under section 92C

(1) For the purposes of sub-section (2) of section 92C, the arm’s length price in relation to an international transaction or specified domestic transaction shall be determined by any of the following methods, being the most appropriate method, in the following manner, namely :—

(a) comparable uncontrolled price method (Rule 10 B(1)a)

(b) resale price method (Rule 10 B(1)b)

(c) cost plus method (Rule 10 B(1)c)

(d) profit split method (Rule 10 B(1)d)

(e) transactional net margin method (Rule 10 B(1)e)

(f) any other method (Rule 10 AB)

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Rule 10B(1)(a) - CUP Method

• Most Direct Method for benchmarking

• Requires strict comparability in products, contractual terms, economic terms, etc.

• Two types of CUPs- Internal CUP & External CUP

• Adjustments required for differences which could materially affect the price in the open market e.g.: Difference in

Volume / quality of product

credit terms

Risks assumed

Geographic market

• OECD - Priority to Internal CUP due to higher degree of comparability

Sub Co.

Parent Co.

Transfer P

riceUnrelated Co. X

Internal CUP Outside India

Unrelated Co. Y

Unrelated Co. Z

External C

UP

Outside India

India

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Rule 10B(1)(b) - RPM

• To be applied when a goods purchased or service obtained from an AE is resold to an unrelated enterprise.

• Compares resale gross margin earned by AE with resale gross margin earned by similar independent distributors

• Preferred method for distributor buying purely finished goods from a group company (if no CUP available)

• dependant more on similarity of functions performed & risks assumed rather than product comparability

Sub Co.

Parent Co.

Transfer Price INR 75

Unrelated Co. Y

Resale Price INR 100

Outside India

India

Price paid by Sub Co. to AE is at arm’s length if the 25% resale margin earned by Sub Co. is more than margins earned by

similar Indian distributors`

Page 13: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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• Involves use of gross margins

• Identify the price at which goods / services purchased from AE are resold to non-AE

• Reduce the resale price by normal gross profit margin arising from comparable uncontrolled transactions

• Reduce the expenses incurred in connection with purchase (e.g. custom duty)

• Adjust the resultant price for functional and other differences which could materially affect such gross profit margin in open market

• Adjusted price is considered as ALP

Rule 10B(1)(b) - RPM

Usually used in case where the enterprise is engaged in pure resale, with no value addition

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Rule 10B(1)(c) - CPLM

• Compares mark up (profits) earned on direct and indirect costs incurred with that of comparable independent companies

• Preferred method in case

Semi finished goods sold between related parties

Contract/toll manufacturing agreement

Long term buy/supply arrangements

• Applied in cases of manufacture, assembly / production of tangible products or services that are sold / provided to AEs

• Comparability not dependent on close physical similarity between the products.

• Larger emphasis on functional comparability

Sub Co.

Parent Co.

Co. Y / AE

Outside India

India

Co. Z

Price charged by Sub co to AE is at arm’s length if the 25% mark up on cost is more than that of

similar Indian assemblers

Transfer Price INR 125

Direct cost &

Indirect cost of

Production INR 30

CO

GS IN

R

70

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• Involves use of gross margins

• Identify direct and indirect costs of production of goods / services

• Identify the normal gross profit mark-up arising from comparable uncontrolled transaction

– Mark-up to be computed as per same accounting norms

• Adjust the comparable mark-up for functional and other differences which could materially affect such mark-up in open market

• Add the adjusted mark-up to the identified costs to arrive at the ALP

Rule 10B(1)(c) - CPLM

Used in case where enterprise transfers goods / services to AE after adding substantial value

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• Direct costs would generally include:

– Purchased Material costs (including freight, custom duty, etc.);

– Labour costs and manufacturing overheads

• Indirect costs would generally include:

– Fixed cost of production such as rent & property taxes on manufacturing facilities;

– Variable indirect production costs such as consumables, utilities etc.

• Following costs generally not included

– Selling expenses, including advertising; general and administrative expenses; research & development, etc.

Rule 10B(1)(c) – CPLM…

Page 17: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10B(1)(d) - PSM

• Evaluates allocation of combined profit/loss in controlled integrated transactions

• The contribution made by each party is based upon a functional analysis and valued, if possible, using external comparable data

• To be applied in cases involving transfer of unique intangibles or in multiple international transactions that cannot be evaluated separately

• The two methods discussed by OECD Guidelines: Contribution PSM Analysis

Residual PSM Analysis

US Co A – Technology intangibles

Mfg. Co B

Mkt Co CMarketing intangibles

Outside India

India

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• Two alternate approaches to arrive at ALP

• Relative Contribution approach:

Determine combined net profit of AEs

Split the combined net profit amongst the AEs in proportion to their ‘relative contributions’

Relative contribution made by each of AE to the earning of such combined net profit is based on:

• Functions performed, assets employed and risks assumed by each enterprise taken as basis for such evaluation

• Reliable external market data which indicate how relative contribution would be evaluated by unrelated enterprises

Profit so split is taken into account to arrive at ALP

Rule 10B(1)(d) - PSM

Page 19: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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• Residual Profit approach:

Allocate basic return to each enterprise based on markets returns achieved for comparable uncontrolled transactions

Allocate residual profit based on relative contribution as discussed above

Profit so split is taken into account to arrive at ALP

Rule 10B(1)(d) – PSM…

Used in case of transfer of unique intangibles or multiple interrelated transactions

Page 20: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10B(1)(e) - TNMM

• Examines net operating profit from transactions as a percentage of a certain base (can use different bases i.e. costs, turnover, etc) in respect of similar parties

• Preferred method in India, due to broad level of product comparability and high level of functional comparability

• Internal TNMM preferable –when entity has uncontrolled transactions also

Parent A Unrelated Cos.

Subsidiary B

Net margin 5%

Unrelated Cos.

Net margin 3%

Outside India

India

Page 21: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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• Determine the net profit margin earned by the assessee from the international transaction, as a percentage of an appropriate base (e.g. percentage of costs incurred, sales effected, assets employed, etc.)

• Using the same base, compute net profit margin from a comparable uncontrolled transaction

• Adjust the comparable margin for differences which could materially affect such margin in open market

• Adjusted net profit margin is taken into account to arrive at ALP

Rule 10B(1)(e) - TNMM

Usually regarded as an indirect method, but is most widely used

Page 22: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10B(1) - Summary of Methods

Method Product Comparability

Functional Comparability Approach Remarks

(a) CUP Very High Subsumed in product

Prices are benchmarked

Very difficult to apply as very high degree of

comparability required

(b) RPM High HighGPM

(on sales) benchmarked

Difficult to apply as high degree of comparability

required

(c) CPLM High HighGPM

(on costs) benchmarked

Difficult to apply as high degree of comparability

required

(d) PSM Medium High* Profit Margins

Complex Method, sparingly used

(e) TNMM Medium More tolerant Net Profit Margins

Most commonly used Method

* Relevant for certain parts of the PSM analysis

Page 23: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10 AB – Other Method

• Introduced by CBDT vide notification dated 23-5-2012

• Allows use of any method taking into consideration the price actually charged or would have been charged in an uncontrolled transaction

Whether quotations can be considered as comparable ?

Use of standard rate cards, price lists, etc;

Valuation Report

• Whether the other method can be considered to justify specified domestic transaction ?

• Whether other method can have priority over the five method as specified in Rule 10 B

Page 24: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10B(2) - Comparability Factors

Comparability factors

(a) CharacteristicsDepends on type: tangible,

intangible or service

(b) Functional Analysis

Conduct is best evidence of risk bearing, should be

consistent with control

(d) Economic CircumstancesGeography, size of market, date

and time

(c) Contractual terms

Where not written, deduce from conduct

Page 25: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10B(2) - Comparability Factors

• Practical Experience

– Sources of information and reliability

– Timing issues in comparability

– Documenting a search of comparables

– Identifying comparables having uncontrolled transactions

– Comparability adjustments

– Selecting or rejecting internal / external comparables

– Single year vis-à-vis multiple year data

– Other issues (Loss making companies, companies with extreme results, etc.)

Page 26: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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• An Uncontrolled transaction shall be comparable to international transactions if:

(i) none of the differences between the transactions being compared or between the enterprises entering into such transactions are likely to materially affect the price, or cost charged, or profit arising from, such transactions in the open market; or

(ii) reasonable accurate adjustments can be made to eliminate the material effects of such differences.

• Thus, the Indian regulations expressly require that adjustments to prices/margins should be made

(where appropriate) to enhance comparability

• Practical Experience – Kind of adjustments asked for:

– Working capital adjustment

– Volume adjustment

– Idle capacity adjustment

– Adjustment for difference in risk profile

– Adjustment for differences in accounting policies

– Adjustment for difference in depreciation rates

Rule 10B(3) - Adjustments for Comparability

Page 27: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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• Practical Experience:

– Indian law permits adjustments only to comparables and not tested party

– The TPOs generally reject adjustments inter-alia stating that the assumptions,

approximations and estimations used in computation are not tenable

– Challenge lies in obtaining reliable and adequate data of comparables for

computation of adjustments

– Lack of guidance on computation methodology

– Courts favor adjustments for proper comparability

– Quantification of adjustment is a huge challenge

– Adjustments being accepted - Working capital adjustment, Risk adjustments

Rule 10B(3) - Adjustments for Comparability

Page 28: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10B(3) - Adjustments for Comparability

Assessee Principal held

Diamond Dye Chem. Ltd.

• The ITAT held that adjustment for difference in volume should be allowed to the assessee.

Fiat India Pvt. Ltd.

• The ITAT upheld the assessee’s contention and allowed claim for adjustment on account of under utilization of capacity.

E-GainCommunicationPvt. Limited

• The ITAT upheld the assessee’s contention and allowed claim for adjustment on difference in the depreciation policy.

Mentor Graphics(Noida) Pvt. Ltd.

• The ITAT allowed adjustments for working capital, risk profile and R&D expenses.

Page 29: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10B(4) - Usage of Multiple Year Data

• The data to be used in analysing the comparability of an uncontrolled transaction with an

international transaction shall be the data relating to the financial year in which the

international transaction has been entered into :

Provided that data relating to a period not being more than two years prior to such financial

year may also be considered if such data reveals facts which could have an influence on

the determination of transfer prices in relation to the transactions being compared.

• Use of multiple year data considered useful to even out fluctuations caused by:

Adverse business scenarios,

Economic situation; and

Product life cycle

• Multiple year data widely used due to non-availability of relevant year financial statements of

comparable companies at the time of finalizing TP documentation

Page 30: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10B(4) - Usage of Multiple Year Data

• Practical Experience:

– TPOs follow first leg of rule 10B(4), reject multiple year data

– Adopt only data relating to the relevant financial year and undertake adjustments

– Courts allow usage of multiple year data if proper reasoning in terms of proviso to rule 10B(4)

available

• Case Laws

Assessee Principal held

Aztec SoftwareBangalore ITAT(Five Member Special Bench)

• Multiple-year data may be used if one can demonstrate that such data has an influence on determination of ALP

Skoda Auto India Pvt LtdPune ITAT

• ITAT directed the TPO to consider the impact of product cycle on use of multiple-year data

Page 31: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Assessee Principal held

Customer Services India (P) Ltd. Delhi ITAT

• Mandatory and absolute requirement of law for use of the current financial year data cannot be dispensed with even if the relevant data was not available with the appellant in the electronic data base at the time of preparation of the TP report.

• The TPO is empowered to determine the ALP by using the current financial year data available at the time of transfer pricing proceedings and to conduct the comparability analysis by using such data.

• Multiple year data should be used only when it adds value to the transfer pricing analysis.

Honeywell Automation India LimitedPune ITAT

• Under Indian transfer pricing regulations, for comparability purposes, consideration of subsequent year data or average profits not permitted

• In relation to comparability analysis, the OECD guidelines allowed use of profits for the period under consideration, previous or next year or average of such profits. However, under Rule 10B(4) there is no provision for consideration of data for a subsequent assessment year.

Rule 10B(4) - Usage of Multiple Year Data

Page 32: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10C - Most Appropriate Method

Page 33: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10C - Most Appropriate Method

(1) For the purposes of sub-section (1) of section 92C, the most appropriate method shall be the method which is best suited to the facts and circumstances of each particular international transaction, and which provides the most reliable measure of an arm’s length price in relation to the international transaction.

(2) In selecting the most appropriate method as specified in sub-rule (1), the following factors shall be taken into account, namely:—

a) Nature and class of international transaction;

b) Class and functions performed by associated enterprises;

c) Availability, coverage and reliability of data;

d) Degree of comparability;

e) Possible adjustments;

f) Nature, extent and reliability of assumptions.

Page 34: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10C - Most Appropriate Method

Assessee Principal held

StarliteMumbai ITAT

• Taxpayer – none of the methods can applied to determined ALP• TPO – selected TNMM as the MAM• ITAT – remanded back the matter to determine fresh assessment in line with the

submissions made by the Assessee

Nimbus Communication LtdMumbai ITAT

• TPO made adjustment without specifying any method;• The ITAT deleted the adjustment stating that arms’ length price needs to be

determined using one of the prescribed methods mandated in section 92C(1) of the Act.

MSS India Pvt Ltd • The most appropriate method adopted by the taxpayer cannot be disturbed unless the revenue authorities are able to demonstrate that a particular method is more appropriate vis-à-vis the method adopted by the taxpayer

Page 35: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10D - Information / Documentation to be maintained

Page 36: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Contemporaneous documentation requirement – Rule 10D

Documentation to be retained for 9 years

No specific documentation requirement if the value of international transactions is less than one crore rupees

Profile of industry

Profile of group

Profile of Indian entity

Profile of associated enterprises

Transaction terms

Functional analysis (functions, assets and risks)

Economic analysis (method selection, comparable benchmarking)

Forecasts, budgets, estimates

Agreements

Invoices

Pricing related

correspondence

(letters, emails etc)

Entity related Price related Transaction related

Rule 10D - Information / Documentation to be maintained

Page 37: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10D - Information / Documentation to be maintained

Assessee Principal held

Philips SoftwareBangalore ITAT

• The ITAT held that the documentation maintained by the assessee to justify arm’s length price based on contemporaneous data cannot be rejected by the TPO without pointing out any deficiency or insufficiency therein.

UCB India Pvt Ltd.Mumbai ITAT

• Substantive compliance should be the criteria and the test should be as to whether non-maintenance/deficiency in maintenance of some records fundamentally effects or distorts the computation of arm’s length price; if it does not make a material difference then the effect is not fatal.

Page 38: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10E - Accountant’s Report

Page 39: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Report from an accountant to be furnished under section 92E.10E. The report from an accountant required to be furnished under section 92E by every person who has entered into an international transaction during a previous year shall be in Form No. 3CEB and be verified in the manner indicated therein.

FORM NO. 3CEB[See rule 10E]

Report from an Accountant to be furnished under section 92E relating tointernational transaction(s)

1. We have examined the accounts and records of <<Entity Name, Postal Address and PAN Number>> relating to the international transactions entered into by the assessee during the previous year ended on 31 March 2012.

2. In our opinion proper information and documents as are prescribed have been kept by the assessee in respect of the international transaction(s) entered into so far as appears from our examination of the records of the assessee.

3. The particulars required to be furnished under section 92E are given in the Annexure to this Form. In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, the particulars given in the Annexure are true and correct.

Rule 10E - Accountant’s Report

Page 40: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Accountant’s Report – Legal Requirement

• Accountant’s Report contains following

disclosures:-

– Nature of international transactions

– Book value and Arm’s length value

of international transactions

– Method adopted for the purpose of

benchmarking

– Documentation to justify arm’s

length nature of international

transactions

Page 41: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Transfer Pricing - Penalties

Page 42: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Penalties

Section Default Penalty

271(1)(c) In case of a post-inquiry adjustment, there is deemed to be a concealment of income

100-300% of tax on the adjusted amount

271AA Failure to maintain documents 2% of the value of eachinternational transaction;

2% of the value of each international transaction for Non-reporting of transaction

271G Failure to furnish documents 2% of the value of the international transaction

271BA Failure to furnish accountant’s report Rs 100,000

However, penalty for concealment of income shall not be levied if the taxpayer demonstrates that price charged or paid has

been determined in ‘good faith’ and with ‘due diligence’.

Page 43: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Transfer Pricing Assessment

Page 44: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Particulars

No. of cases selected for

scrutiny

No of cases

adjusted

% of cases adjusted

Adjustments(In INR Cr)

AY 2002-03 1081 236 22 1403

AY 2003-04 1501 345 23 2631

AY 2004-05 1768 477 27 3947

AY 2005-06 1479 370 25 5060

AY 2006-07 1600 800 50 10,000

AY 2007-08 2301 1138 49 23,237

AY 2008-09 2589 1338 52 44,500

INR 44,500 crores of TP adjustment in recent concluded audit cycle for AY 2008-09

• Seven rounds of TP audits completed – AY 2002-03 to AY 2008-09

Transfer Pricing Litigation Scenario in India

Page 45: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Audit Process

TP Audit

File tax return and Accountant’s Report (30th November)

Reference to be made to TP Officer (‘TPO’) by the Assessing Officer (‘AO’); Compulsory Reference to be made by AO

if international transactions exceed INR 150 million (Internal guidelines)

Appeal can be made against the order of AO as order of TPO included within the

order of the AO

Notice to be issued by the TPO – TPO calls for supporting documents and evidence

Rectification application can bemade against the order of TPO

for apparent mistakes

Based on results of above mentioned procedure assessing officer passes the order

Appeal Procedure

Appeal to CIT(A)

Passes an order

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal

High Court – only on matters related to law

Supreme Court

Constitutional Bench

DRP Mechanism-Finance Act 2009

Page 46: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Transfer Pricing Audit Experience

• Triggers for Detailed Scrutiny

‒ Consistent losses / low margins of the taxpayer attributable to inter-

company transactions

‒ Significant changes in profitability of the taxpayer

‒ High value intra-group services such as royalty / technical payouts, cost

allocations, etc.

‒ Payment of ‘management charges’ and ‘royalty’ not passing the ‘benefit

test’

‒ Net losses incurred by routine distributors

‒ Low mark-ups for services

‒ Significant marketing expenses by manufacturing / distribution companies

• Others

‒ Demanding information on transactions by AE with other AE

‒ Insistence on use of ‘single-year’ data

‒ Exclusion of loss making / low margin companies from the set of

comparables

Page 47: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Contract R & D Services:− Tax authorities require Indian entity to get a share of the global profit earned by the parent entity

on the ground that Indian entity is part owner of the Intellectual Property as majority of R & D work is undertaken by it in India.

− Definition of total cost for the purpose of computing mark-up in case of R & D activities.

3

2

Marketing Intangibles:− Tax authorities require Indian Companies to be compensated for extra ordinary

advertising and marketing expenses – Bright Line Test – “Maruti Suzuki”.

Comparability between branded products and generic products:− Tax authorities generally compare the import price of raw materials used for

branded products with prices prevailing in local market for unbranded generics – “Serdia Pharmaceuticals”

− Use of secret data - data sourced from Customs; Also data sourced by using statutory powers.

1

Management recharges / cost allocation:− Payment of management recharges disallowed unless the same is supported by

robust documentation − Basis of cost allocation scrutinized in detail− Disallowances made on an arbitrary basis

5

Transfer Pricing challenges

Business Restructuring− Rationale for change in business model to be adequately documented− Exit charge and valuation of intangibles

4

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Advance Pricing Agreement - Rule 10F to Rule 10T

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APA Rules – Overview

• APA legislation effective 1 July 2012 & APA Rules notified 30 August 2012

• Types - Unilateral, Bilateral, Multilateral

• Validity – Up to 5 years (renewal possible)

• Coverage – Existing/ongoing transactions & New transactions

• Mandatory Pre-Filing Application & Consultation – option to remain anonymous

• APA Directorate to include panel of experts - Economists, Statisticians, etc

• Annual APA Compliance Report & Compliance Audit

• Fees (only at APA Application stage):Transaction Value Fees

Up to Rs 1 billion / approx US$ 20 million

Rs 1 million / approx US$ 20,000

Up to Rs 2 billion / approx US$ 40 million

Rs 1.5 million / approx US$ 30,000

Over Rs 2 billion / approx US$ 40 million

Rs 2 million / approx US$ 40,000

Page 50: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Questions

Page 51: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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BangaloreSolitaire, 139/26, 3rd Floor, Inner Ring Road,Koramangala,Bangalore 560071Tel +91 80 3980 6000Fax +91 80 3980 6999

ChandigarhSCO 22-231st floor. Sector 8 CMadhya MargChandigarh 160019Tel : 0172 3935778Fax 0172 3935780

ChennaiNo. 10, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Nungambakam, Chennai 600 034Tel +91 40 3914 5000Fax +91 40 3914 5999

Delhi Building No.10, Tower B, 8th Floor, DLF Cyber City, Phase – IIGurgaon 122002 HaryanaTel +91 124 3074000Fax +91 124 2549101

Hyderabad8-2-618/2Reliance Humsafar, 4th FloorRoad No. 11, Banjara HillsHyderabad 500 034Tel +91 40 6630 5000Fax +91 40 6630 5299

Kochi4/F, Palal Towers,M. G. Road,Ravipuram, Kochi 682016Tel +91 (484) 302 7000Fax +91 (484) 302 7001

Kolkata Infinity Benchmark, Plot No.G-1, 10th floor, Block - EP & GP, Sector - V, Salt Lake CityKolkata 700091Tel: +91 33 44034066Fax: +91 33 4403 4199

Mumbai Lodha Excelus, 1st Floor, Apollo Mills Compound, N.M. Joshi Marg, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai 400 011Tel +9122 39896000 Fax +91 22 39836000

Pune 703, Godrej Castlemaine Bund Garden Pune 411 001Tel: +91 20 3058 5764/ 65Fax: +91 20 30585775

Thank You !!

Presenter’s contact detailsManish BafnaSenior ManagerB S R &Co., Mumbai, India

Phone : +91 (22) 3090 2230E-mail : [email protected]

Page 52: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10 B - Reproduced

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Rule 10B(1)(a) - CUP Method…

(a) comparable uncontrolled price method, by which,—

(i) the price charged or paid for property transferred or services provided in a comparable uncontrolled transaction, or a number of such transactions, is identified;

(ii) such price is adjusted to account for differences, if any, between the international transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions or between the enterprises entering into such transactions, which could materially affect the price in the open market;

(iii) the adjusted price arrived at under sub-clause (ii) is taken to be an arm’s length price in respect of the property transferred or services provided in the international transaction;

Page 54: Transfer Pricing Rules and TP Assessment 27 October 2012 Manish Bafna Senior Manager, Global Transfer Pricing Services B S R & Co., Mumbai, India B S R.

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Rule 10B(1)(b) – RPM…

(b) resale price method, by which,—

(i) the price at which property purchased or services obtained by the enterprise from an associated enterprise is resold or are provided to an unrelated enterprise, is identified;

(ii) such resale price is reduced by the amount of a normal gross profit margin accruing to the enterprise or to an unrelated enterprise from the purchase and resale of the same or similar property or from obtaining and providing the same or similar services, in a comparable uncontrolled transaction, or a number of such transactions;

(iii) the price so arrived at is further reduced by the expenses incurred by the enterprise in connection with the purchase of property or obtaining of services;

(iv) the price so arrived at is adjusted to take into account the functional and other differences, including differences in accounting practices, if any, between the international transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions, or between the enterprises entering into such transactions, which could materially affect the amount of gross profit margin in the open market;

(v) the adjusted price arrived at under sub-clause (iv) is taken to be an arm’s length price in respect of the purchase of the property or obtaining of the services by the enterprise from the associated enterprise;

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Rule 10B(1)(c) – CPLM…

(c) cost plus method, by which,—

(i) the direct and indirect costs of production incurred by the enterprise in respect of property transferred or services provided to an associated enterprise, are determined;

(ii) the amount of a normal gross profit mark-up to such costs (computed according to the same accounting norms) arising from the transfer or provision of the same or similar property or services by the enterprise, or by an unrelated enterprise, in a comparable uncontrolled transaction, or a number of such transactions, is determined;

(iii) the normal gross profit mark-up referred to in sub-clause (ii) is adjusted to take into account the functional and other differences, if any, between the international transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions, or between the enterprises entering into such transactions, which could materially affect such profit mark-up in the open market;

(iv) the costs referred to in sub-clause (i) are increased by the adjusted profit mark-up arrived at under sub-clause (iii);

(v) the sum so arrived at is taken to be an arm’s length price in relation to the supply of the property or provision of services by the enterprise;

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Rule 10B(1)(d) – PSM…

(d) profit split method, which may be applicable mainly in international transactions involving transfer of unique intangibles or in multiple international transactions which are so interrelated that they cannot be evaluated separately for the purpose of determining the arm’s length price of any one transaction, by which—

(i) the combined net profit of the associated enterprises arising from the international transaction in which they are engaged, is determined;

(ii) the relative contribution made by each of the associated enterprises to the earning of such combined net profit, is then evaluated on the basis of the functions performed, assets employed or to be employed and risks assumed by each enterprise and on the basis of reliable external market data which indicates how such contribution would be evaluated by unrelated enterprises performing comparable functions in similar circumstances;

(iii) the combined net profit is then split amongst the enterprises in proportion to their relative contributions, as evaluated under sub-clause (ii);

(iv) the profit thus apportioned to the assessee is taken into account to arrive at an arm’s length price in relation to the international transaction :

Provided that the combined net profit referred to in sub-clause (i) may, in the first instance, be partially allocated to each enterprise so as to provide it with a basic return appropriate for the type of international transaction in which it is engaged, with reference to market returns achieved for similar types of transactions by independent enterprises, and thereafter, the residual net profit remaining after such allocation may be split amongst the enterprises in proportion to their relative contribution in the manner specified under sub-clauses (ii) and (iii), and in such a case the aggregate of the net profit allocated to the enterprise in the first instance together with the residual net profit apportioned to that enterprise on the basis of its relative contribution shall be taken to be the net profit arising to that enterprise from the international transaction;

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Rule 10B(1)(e) – TNMM…

(e) transactional net margin method, by which,—

(i) the net profit margin realised by the enterprise from an international transaction entered into with an associated enterprise is computed in relation to costs incurred or sales effected or assets employed or to be employed by the enterprise or having regard to any other relevant base;

(ii) the net profit margin realised by the enterprise or by an unrelated enterprise from a comparable uncontrolled transaction or a number of such transactions is computed having regard to the same base;

(iii) the net profit margin referred to in sub-clause (ii) arising in comparable uncontrolled transactions is adjusted to take into account the differences, if any, between the international transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions, or between the enterprises entering into such transactions, which could materially affect the amount of net profit margin in the open market;

(iv) the net profit margin realised by the enterprise and referred to in sub-clause (i) is established to be the same as the net profit margin referred to in sub-clause (iii);

(v) the net profit margin thus established is then taken into account to arrive at an arm’s length price in relation to the international transaction.

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Rule 10AB – Any other transaction……

• For the purposes of clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 92C, the other method for determination of the arms' length price in relation to an international transaction shall be any method which takes into account the price which has been charged or paid, or would have been charged or paid, for the same or similar uncontrolled transaction, with or between non associated enterprises, under similar circumstances, considering all the relevant facts.”