Transfer Pricing Methods and Selection of Most Appropriate Method
Transfer Pricing Methods and Selection of Most Appropriate Method
Overview of Methods
• Any international transaction undertaken between associated enterprises would be subject to transfer
pricing regulations
• The term “international transaction” is widely defined to cover almost all kinds of transactions Domestic
Type of
Product
2 Functions Accounting 4
Performed Practices
Contractual
1 Risk Borne Terms 5
Comparability Rule
To be comparable means
none of the differences (if any) could materially affect the condition being examined
in the methodology (e.g. price or margin), or
that reasonably accurate adjustments can be made to eliminate effect of any such
differences
Other Method
Illustration
• compares the price charged from the a property transferred/service provided in a controlled
transaction with the price charged in the comparable uncontrolled transaction
adjustments are required for material differences between the controlled and
• uncontrolled transactions which have the potential to affect price in the open market,
• regulations do not provide any preference to any particular method CUP still preferred
Rule 10B(1)(a):-
iii.The adjusted price arrived at under sub-clause (ii) is taken to be an arm‟s length price (“ALP”) in respect of
the property transferred or services provided in the international transaction
• As per the Transfer Pricing Guidelines issued by the ICAI, typical transaction in which CUP method may be
adopted are:
•Transfer of Goods
•Provision of Services
•Intangibles
•Interest on loans
•
Applicable
environmentonly
withwhen controllable
adjustable uncontrolled transactions is available in an comparable
differences.
• Difficulty in adjusting the material differences does not prohibit the use of CUP.
• A valid CUP must correspond to the actual price charged in a controllable uncontrolled transaction in similar
economic circumstances,
Any Other Method introduced provides for the use of catalogues, quotations and other indirect evidences
•
• As per the Organization for Economic Co-operation and development (“OECD”) guidelines, it is a TP method which:
•compares the price charged for property or services transferred in a controlled transaction to the
price charged for property or services transferred in a comparable uncontrolled transaction in
comparable circumstances.
CUP method is the most direct and reliable way to apply the arm's length principle.
•
Comparable uncontrolled(iftransaction
•none of the differences can the
any) between be used as CUP being
transactions if one compared
of the following two conditions
or between the is met:
•
enterprises undertaking those transactions could materially affect the price in the open market; or
•reasonably accurate adjustments can be made to eliminate the material effects of such
differences.
levels
• Geographical Market •
Period of Transaction •
Contractual terms
• Economic Conditions •
product similarity
Internal CUP
Co. Y
Co. X Sells
Co. A
Co. X & Co. Y are associated enterprise (AE) and Co. A is an unrelated party. X sells a common product to
both AE as well as to the non related party.
In this case internal CUP can be applied by comparing the price charged from Co. Y with the price charged from Co.
A. However any contractual difference between the two sale contracts must be adjusted
External CUP
Controlled Transaction
Uncontrolled Transaction
Co. X is engaged in sale of a particular product to its AE, i.e. Co. Y. An unrelated entity, co. P sells the identical
product to Co. Q.
In this case external CUP can be applied by comparing the price charged by Co. X with price charged by Co. P. However
adjustments must be made with regard to any differences in volume, geography contractual terms
of RPM
studies
Judicial Precedents
• The resale price method is most appropriate in a situation where the seller adds relatively little value to the
goods.
• The greater the value-added to the goods by the functions performed by the seller, the more
difficult it will be to determine an appropriate resale margin.
• This is especially true in a situation where the seller contributes to the creation or maintenance
of an intangible property, such as a marketing intangible, in its activities.
• While resale price method may require less product comparability, it is a fact that closer
comparability of products will produce better results.
• The factors to be considered in this method are level of costs, value addition at each stage, time-
frame of resale, computation of gross margin, etc.
• Property purchased or services obtained from a related party and resold to an independent party
Rule 10B(1)(b) :-
• The price at which property purchased or services obtained from an AE is resold or provided to
an unrelated enterprise is identified.
• Such resale price is reduced by the amount of a normal gross profit margin…,
• The price so arrived is further reduced by the expenses incurred by the enterprise in
connection with the purchase…
• The price so arrived at is adjusted to take into account the functional and other differences,
including differences in accounting practices, if any, which could materially affect the amount of
gr
oss margin in the open market…
• Inventory Level
• Contractual Terms
• Accounting Practices
Internal RPM may be applied when the same reseller is engaged in trading of similar goods in both controlled and
uncontrolled circumstances.
Co. Y
Co. A
In the illustration above Co. X resells the similar goods procured from a related party (Co. Y) and an
unrelated party (Co. A) to an unrelated party (Co. B).
Internal
with the RPM
gross can bemargin
profit appliedrealized
by comparing theprocured
on goods gross profit
frommargin
Co. Arealized on goods procured from Co. Y
External RPM may be applied when an independent party is engaged in trading of similar goods as traded
by tested party in uncontrolled circumstances.
Controlled Transaction
In the illustration company X resells the goods procured from related party, Co. Y while company P is reselling the
similar goods procured from Co. Q, an unrelated party.
In this case external RPM may be applied by comparing the gross margins realized by Co. P vis-a-vis the gross
margins realized by Co. X
Uncontrolled Transaction
Facts:-
•Product
Development ABC Group
•Quality Control
•Marketing
Distribution •Distribution •Manufacture
garments and sale of readymade
ABC Group •Customer Billing
Customers
Companies •Overall group
management •Its subsidiaries also produce
readymade garmentsand sellABC
under of brands,
Third Party
garments
ABC India
Vendors
•Joint
partiesVenture of ABC US and Indian third
Approach
Comparison of the
US earns from Gross Profit margin
following of ABC
transactions:
Internal RPM
Customer
ABC US
ABC
Third party
India Vendors
Sale
goodsof finished
TPO's Contention
•The TPO rejected the RPM adopted by L'Oreal India, on the grounds that L'Oreal India's pricing policy is not
at arm‟s length since it is consistently incurring losses.
•The TPO also observed that the comparable's gross margins cannot be relied upon because of product
differences, and that the FAR comparison of L'Oreal India vis-à-vis comparable companies is sufficient only
CIT's Contentions
•The CIT(A) deleted the entire addition made by the TPO and considered taxpayer‟s contentions
•Reliance was placed on the OECD guidelines and guidance note issued by ICAI.
ITAT Judgment
•The Tribunal agreed with the CIT(A) that there is no order of priority of methods to determine ALP.
• The Tribunal observed that RPM, being one of the standard methods, is the most appropriate method for
distributing and marketing activities when the goods are purchased from AEs and resold to unrelated parties. The Tribunal
• also noted that this view was supported by OECD guidelines.
The main grounds before the High Court and its verdict are as under:
of CPM
studies
• CPM is applicable in the case of manufacturers or service providers engaged in supply of a property or
provision of services to its related party
•
CPM compares the gross profit mark-up on the costs incurred by the tested party in the supply
of property or provision of services to the related party with the gross profits realized on supply
of similar property or provision of similar services by the tested party/comparable entities in
uncontrolled transactions
Rule 10B(1)(c)
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
uncontrolled transaction, or services
or a number of suchbytransactions,
the enterprise, or by an unrelated enterprise, in a comparable
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;
• Most useful in the case of transfer of semi finished goods, where long term arrangements
have been entered between related parties, provision of services
• Not applicable in the case of receipt of a property or receipt of services from related party
Fewer
productadjustments
differences required onLess
than CUP. account of by
vitiated
indirect expenses
• illustrative adjustments:
―level of market
―Accounting practices
―contractual terms
Internal CPM may be applied when the same reseller is engaged in trading of similar goods in both controlled and
uncontrolled circumstances.
Co. A
Co. Y
In the illustration above Co. X manufactures a certain commodity and supplies the same both to the related party (Co. Y)
and unrelated party (Co. A)
Internal CPM
gross profit can berealized
margin appliedon
bygoods
comparing the to
supplied gross
Co. profit
A margin realized on goods supplied to Co. Y with the
External CPM may be applied when an independent party is engaged in manufacture and supply of similar
products as supplied by tested party in uncontrolled circumstances.
In the illustration company X is supplying the goods to related party, Co. Y while company P is supplying the goods to
Co. Q, an unrelated party.
In thismarkup
gross case external CPM
realized mayXbe applied by comparing the gross markup realized by Co. P vis-a-vis the
by Co.
manufacture and
Co. X Co. A
supply
Controlled Transaction
Co. P Co. Q
manufacture and
supply
Uncontrolled Transaction
© Grant Thornton India LLP. All rights reserved. 41
Profit Split Method (PSM)
Contents
Introduction
Types of PSM
precedents-global
• PSM determines arm‟s length profit based on combined profits derived by related parties
PSM is relevant
• –where different related parties are doing typical activity in value chain and
external
Rule 10B(1)(d)
i.the combined net profit of the associated enterprises arising from the
international transaction in which they are engaged, is determined;
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
Residual Contribution
Analysis Analysis
available.
• The profit is attributed to the routine functions and the arm‟s length character is first applied to this part of the profit.
The residual profit, if attributable to the non-routine / entrepreneurial functions is split on the basis as
• considered appropriate depending on the character of the profit
• A common issue with this method is that there is often a very thin line between routine and nonroutine
functions, risks and assets.
• This method is the most commonly used profit split method, particularly popular in automotive, consumer
electronics and financial services industries.
Strengths Weakness
• Offers solutions for integrated operations • Difficulty in application Necessitating
not offered by one-sided methods
• application of similar
accounting policies and standards
Helps share profits for unique
• intangibles contributed
• Allocation of costs
Less dependant on comparables • Reluctance of tax authorities to accept
•
Less likely to leave any party to the
• transaction with extreme profitability as Voluminous data
both parties are evaluated •
• Generally the default method for use in the absence sufficient info for other methods
• Selection of the right comparables and PLI are critical factors Most
Rule 10B(1)(e)
i the net profit margin realized 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
• No specific guidance is provided on when this method is reliable except rule 10C(2)
• However typical transactions in respect of which the Transactional Net Margin method may be
adopted are:
Transfer of goods
Provision of services
Purchase of goods
•
Factors of Comparability to be considered while selecting TNMM
Functions Performed (taking into account assets used and risks assumed)
Contractual terms
Conditions prevailing in the markets, location, laws in force etc.
Business Strategies
How it is applied?
Nature of International Transactions
FAR Analysis
Strengths
•Net profit indicators are less affected by transactional differences than is the case with
price, as used in the CUP method.
•Net profit indicators are also more tolerant to some functional differences between the
controlled and uncontrolled transactions than gross profit margins.
Weaknesses
•Information on uncontrolled transactions may not be available at the time of the
controlled transactions.
- for the same or similar uncontrolled transaction, with or between non- associated
Turnover
Comparable Uncontrolled Price
(Cost of sales)
Gross profit
Resale Price Method Cost Plus Method
(administration, Marketing,
Selling and Distribution
expenses)
Traditional methods