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2022 (12) TMI 379 - AT - Income Tax


Issues Involved:
1. Transfer Pricing Adjustment on Profit Attributable to Intangible Assets
2. Commission on Corporate Guarantee

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Transfer Pricing Adjustment on Profit Attributable to Intangible Assets:

The assessee, a company engaged in animation and multimedia production, filed its return for the Assessment Year 2014-15. During scrutiny, the Assessing Officer (AO) referred the matter to the Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO) for determining the Arm's Length Price (ALP) of international transactions with its Associated Enterprises (AEs). The TPO noted various international transactions, including product income, consultancy fees, loans, and reimbursements. The TPO made a Transfer Pricing (TP) adjustment of Rs. 2,84,73,482, attributing profit to the assessee company under the Profit Split Method in connection with intangible assets sold to its AE, DQ Ireland.

The Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) confirmed the addition made by the AO/TPO. The assessee appealed to the Tribunal, arguing that the issue was covered by the Tribunal's decision in the assessee's own case for the Assessment Year 2010-11, where it was held that there was no international transaction during the relevant assessment year. The Tribunal, after considering the orders of preceding years, held that the facts of the instant year were identical and directed the AO to delete the addition of Rs. 2,84,73,482 made on account of TP adjustment.

2. Commission on Corporate Guarantee:

The second issue involved an addition of Rs. 1,69,66,363 on account of commission on a corporate guarantee provided by the assessee to its subsidiary, DQ Entertainment (Ireland) Ltd. The assessee argued that providing a corporate guarantee is a shareholder activity and not a service, thus not requiring compensation. The TPO, however, computed the guarantee fee at 1.6% per annum, resulting in the adjustment.

The DRP upheld the TPO's rate, citing the Safe Harbour Rules and CBDT notifications which prescribe a minimum commission of 1% per annum. The DRP noted that the risks assumed by the assessee were significant, justifying the 1.6% rate. The Tribunal, agreeing with the DRP's detailed reasoning, upheld the addition, stating that the provision of a corporate guarantee involves inherent costs and risks, which need to be compensated at ALP.

Conclusion:

The Tribunal allowed the appeal in part. It directed the deletion of the TP adjustment of Rs. 2,84,73,482 related to profit attributable to intangible assets, following its earlier decisions. However, it upheld the addition of Rs. 1,69,66,363 on account of commission on the corporate guarantee, agreeing with the DRP's assessment that the 1.6% rate was fair and reasonable given the risks involved.

 

 

 

 

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