Tax Management India. Com
Law and Practice  :  Digital eBook
Research is most exciting & rewarding
  TMI - Tax Management India. Com
Follow us:
  Facebook   Twitter   Linkedin   Telegram

Home Case Index All Cases Income Tax Income Tax + HC Income Tax - 2024 (7) TMI HC This

  • Login
  • Cases Cited
  • Referred In
  • Summary

Forgot password       New User/ Regiser

⇒ Register to get Live Demo



 

2024 (7) TMI 1548 - HC - Income Tax


Issues:
1. Exclusion of Acropetal Technologies Ltd., Eclerx Services Ltd., Infosys BPO Ltd., and TCS E-Serve Ltd. from the list of comparables.

Analysis:
The Revenue appealed against the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal's decision and raised several questions of law regarding the comparability analysis. The first issue questioned the Tribunal's stringent standards in identifying exact replicas for comparability analysis, arguing that flexibility is essential for determining the Arm's Length Price (ALP). The second issue focused on the rejection of M/s Acropetal Technologies Ltd. as a comparable company, emphasizing the nature of services provided by the company. The third issue challenged the rejection of M/s Eclex Services Ltd. as a comparable company, highlighting the concept of KPO vs. BPO in comparability analysis. The fourth issue questioned the rejection of Infosys BPO Limited & TCS E Serve Limited based on turnover, arguing that turnover does not significantly impact margins in the service industry. The fifth issue raised concerns about the exclusion of comparables without satisfying the pre-conditions specified in the Income Tax Rules.

Regarding the exclusion of Infosys BPO Ltd. and TCS E-Serve Ltd., it was acknowledged that they were mega entities and should not have been included as comparables. The case of Acropetal Technologies Ltd. was discussed, noting that the Dispute Resolution Panel and Tribunal excluded it due to its engagement in software development, although a slightly different view was taken for Accentia Technologies Ltd. engaged in similar activities. Eclerx Services Ltd. was considered primarily involved in Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) services, contrasting with the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services provided by the assessee. The Tribunal's findings in Transcend MT Services Pvt. Ltd. v. Income Tax Officer were cited to support the need for a fresh consideration of comparables for a fair assessment.

The Court admitted the appeal specifically on the issue of rejecting M/s Acropetal Technologies Ltd. as a comparable company, considering the Transfer Pricing Officer's ruling on the nature of services provided. The judgment in Transcend MT Services was highlighted, indicating that the views expressed therein were not challenged. The case was scheduled for further proceedings on 30.09.2024.

 

 

 

 

Quick Updates:Latest Updates