2013 (5) TMI 906 - AT - Income Tax

Summary

Issues involved: Dispute over transfer pricing adjustment made by AO for assessment year 2007-08.

Transfer Pricing Adjustment Issue:
The appeal by the revenue challenged the deletion of a transfer pricing adjustment of Rs. 8,96,69,219 made by the AO. The assessee, engaged in jewellery and diamond business, had sales to both associate enterprise (AE) and non-AE parties. The AO referred the matter to the TPO, who calculated an arms length profit resulting in the adjustment. The assessee contended that no adjustment was needed as the margin on operating cost for AE sales was higher than non-AE sales. CIT(A) agreed, directing the deletion of the addition, leading to the revenue's appeal before the tribunal.

Arguments and Decision:
The assessee argued that no adjustment was necessary as the margin for AE sales exceeded that of non-AE sales. Additionally, the TPO's method of calculating the adjustment based on total operating cost was incorrect. The tribunal found that the assessee's margin for AE sales was higher, indicating no need for adjustment. Even when considering the comparables selected by the TPO, the margin was within an acceptable range. The adjustment made by the TPO/AO was deemed incorrect as it should have been based solely on the operating cost related to AE sales. Consequently, the tribunal upheld CIT(A)'s decision to delete the addition, dismissing the revenue's appeal.

Conclusion:
The tribunal dismissed the revenue's appeal, upholding CIT(A)'s decision to delete the transfer pricing adjustment, emphasizing the correct assessment based on operating costs related to AE sales.