2015 (11) TMI 1508 - AT - Income Tax

Transfer pricing adjustment - working capital adjustments directed by the DRP - Held that - Considering the grievance posed qua the working capital adjustments directed by the DRP we are of the view that in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case in the face of the above quoted speaking directions the TPO in judicial propriety had no occasion to ignore the directions of the higher forum and was bound to follow the directions issued by the DRP whatever his personal opinion may be. The issue accordingly is restored back to the TPO/AO with the direction to decide the issue in terms of the speaking direction of the DRP and pass a speaking order in accordance with law after giving the assessee a reasonable opportunity of being heard. Infosys Technology Ltd. as a comparable company has to be excluded from the list of comparables. Exclusion of Bodh Tree Consulting Ltd is warranted on facts

Issues Involved:
1. Transfer pricing adjustments
2. Economic analysis rejection
3. Comparable companies inclusion/exclusion
4. Inter-company receivables as international transactions
5. Combined transaction approach rejection
6. Benchmarking method for intra-group services
7. Benefit from intra-group services

Detailed Analysis:

1. Transfer Pricing Adjustments:
The assessee challenged the addition of Rs. 45,525,896 to its total income due to transfer pricing adjustments. The Assessing Officer (AO), Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP), and Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO) were involved in determining these adjustments. The TPO's analysis led to the proposed adjustments, which were partially upheld by the DRP.

2. Economic Analysis Rejection:
The AO/DRP rejected the economic analysis undertaken by the assessee, which was conducted in accordance with the Income Tax Act and Rules. The assessee's analysis, which applied the Transactional Net Margin Method (TNMM) with Operating Profit/Operating Cost (OP/OC) as the Profit Level Indicator (PLI), was not accepted.

3. Comparable Companies Inclusion/Exclusion:
The assessee contested the inclusion and exclusion of certain companies in the final set of comparables for the software development services segment. Specifically, the assessee sought the inclusion of Quintegra Solutions Ltd. and the exclusion of Bodh Tree Consulting Ltd. and Infosys Ltd. The DRP directed the TPO to verify the inclusion of Quintegra Solutions Ltd., which was not carried out. The ITAT directed the TPO to follow the DRP's directions and verify the facts.

4. Inter-Company Receivables as International Transactions:
The AO/DRP held that inter-company receivables constituted an international transaction and benchmarked them using the Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) method. The assessee argued against this characterization and the imputed interest rate applied by the TPO. The ITAT restored the issue to the TPO, directing that any adjustment should be limited to net outstanding receivables.

5. Combined Transaction Approach Rejection:
The AO/DRP rejected the combined transaction approach adopted by the assessee for benchmarking intra-group services. The TPO instead determined the arm's length price for these services on a standalone basis. The ITAT restored the issue to the TPO, allowing the assessee to submit fresh evidence.

6. Benchmarking Method for Intra-Group Services:
The AO/DRP determined the CUP method as the most appropriate method to benchmark the international transaction pertaining to intra-group services, rejecting the TNMM adopted by the assessee. The ITAT restored the issue to the TPO for reconsideration, allowing the assessee to submit additional evidence.

7. Benefit from Intra-Group Services:
The AO/DRP assumed that no benefit was conferred on the assessee from availing intra-group services from its associated enterprises, disregarding the submissions and documents presented. The ITAT restored the issue to the TPO, directing a fresh examination of the evidence.

Separate Judgments:
- The ITAT issued a common order for both assessment years (2009-10 and 2010-11) for the sake of convenience.
- The ITAT restored various issues to the TPO for reconsideration and directed the TPO to follow the DRP's directions, verify facts, and allow the assessee to submit fresh evidence.
- The appeals were partly allowed for statistical purposes, with specific directions for each issue.

Conclusion:
The ITAT's judgment addressed multiple transfer pricing issues raised by the assessee, directing the TPO to follow DRP's directions, verify facts, and allow the assessee to present additional evidence. The appeals were partly allowed for statistical purposes, with detailed directions for each issue.

← Previous Next →