Taxation of International Transactions

Taxation of International Transactions
V. Vikram, Advocate M/s Subbaraya Aiyar, Padmanabhan & Ramamani (S.A.P.R) Advocates

Agenda Part I : Introduction to International Taxation
Part II : Two spheres of International taxation Part III: Indian Income Tax Act vs. DTAA Part IV: Business connection / PE Section 9(1)(i) and Article 7 r.w. Article 5 Part V : Royalty Section 9(1)(vi) and Article 12

Agenda….. Part VI : FTS Section 9(1)(vii) and Article 12/13 Part VII : TDS provisions S.40(a)(i), S.201(1) Part VIII : Transfer Pricing (TP) Introduction to TP & CHAPTER X

Part I. Introduction to International Taxation

Introduction to International Taxation
Money flow between India and abroad is enormous Key question to always keep in mind: “How is the taxation pie shared?” (between the countries) Each country will naturally want their share enhanced and there in lies the rub…. Treaties are negotiated to arrive at sharing of rights

Part II. Two Spheres of International Taxation

Two spheres of International Taxation
Indian Income Tax Act Section 5 – scope of total income Section 9 – deeming provision Double Tax Avoidance Agreements Notified Treaties of India with various Countries Based on OECD/UN/US Model conventions, mutually negotiated between Countries Source vs. Residence country taxation rights

International Taxation under Indian IT Act
Section 5, both for residents in sub-section (1) and for non-residents in sub-section (2),brings within the fold of chargeable total income, all income which is Received or is deemed to be Received in India or Accrues or Arises or is deemed to Accrue or Arise in India to the assessee in particular previous year

International Taxation under Indian IT Act (Section 9 – an Introduction)
Section 9 of the Act defines the term "Income deemed to accrue or arise in India". There are certain income, which generally remains outside the scope of taxable income, by virtue of section 9 comes within the ambit of taxation. Classic example of “deeming provision” CIT v R.D.Aggarwal & Co. and others 56 ITR 20 (SC) - it must in all cases be remembered that the fiction embodied in section 9 does not apply to the income which actually accrues or arises to the assessee in India.

Section 9 – An Introduction
Similar views has been expressed in case of Sakalchand Babulal v ITO 47 ITR 673 (Mad) Annamalais Timber Trust & Co. v CIT 41 ITR 781 (Mad), Turner Morrison & Co. Ltd. v CIT 23 ITR 152 (SC) Hira Mills Ltd. v ITO 14 ITR 417 (All) and Anglo-French Textile Company Ltd. v CIT 25 ITR 27 (SC). The income which has been included in the total income of a person on the basis that it has accrued or arisen or deemed to have accrued or arisen shall not again be included on the basis that it is received or deemed to be received by him in India.

Section 9 – An Introduction
Section 9 enumerates various categories of income which shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India under certain circumstances. The income dealt with in each clause is distinct and independent of the other. In case of specific class of income one must look at the specific clause and not to general provisions of clause (i). Meteor Satellite Ltd. v ITO 121 ITR 311 (Guj) CIT v Copes Vulcan Inc. 167 ITR 884 (Mad)

International Taxation under the DTAA’s
The genesis of individual DTAA’s or Treaties are from the Model Conventions (MCs) The OECD Model Convention, the US Model Convention and the UN Model Convention All Model Conventions, and hence DTAA’s, consists of a number of Articles with each Article In this talk we are concerned with Article 12 (Royalties & FTS) and also Article 7 (Business Profits) r.w. Article 5 (PE)

Articles of Model Convention
Chapter Article Topic covered Chapter I : Scope of Convention Article 1 Persons covered Article 2 Taxes covered Chapter II : Definitions Article 3 Definitions Article 4 Residence Article 5 Permanent Establishment Chapter III : Taxation of Income Article 6 Article 7 Business Profits Article 8 Shipping & air transport Article 9 Associated Enterprises Article 10 Dividends

Chapter Article Topic covered Chapter III: Taxation of Income (contd.) Article 11 Interest Article 12 Royalties & Fees for Technical Services Article 13 Capital Gains Article 14 Independent Personal Services Article 15 Dependent Personal Services Article 16 Director’s Fees Article 17 Artistes and sportsmen Article 18 Pensions Article 19 Government service Article 20 Students Article 21 Other Income

Chapter Article Topic covered Chapter III: Taxation of Income (contd.) Article 22 Capital Chapter IV: Methods for the elimination of double taxation Article 23 Method for elimination of double taxation (tax credit / exemption) Chapter V : Special Provisions Article 24 Non-discrimination Article 25 Mutual Agreement Procedure Article 26 Exchange of Information Article 27 Assistance in collection of taxes Article 28 Diplomatic mission Chapter VI: Final Provisions Article 29 Entry into force Article 30 Termination

Typically income of non-resident is its business income i.e., Article 7 If it is rendered through a P.E in India then Article 7 r.w. Article 5 applies However, if income of non-resident has specific character such as Royalty or FTS etc. , then those specific Articles apply and not Article 7 This is enshrined in Article 7 itself i.e., Article 7(4) which states “Where profits include items of income which are dealt with separately in other Articles of this Convention, then the provisions of those Articles shall not be affected by the provisions of this Article”

Similarly we jump out of Article 12 into Article 7 r.w. Article 5 if there is a P.E involved in providing the Royalties or Fees for Technical Services. This is enshrined in Article 12 itself i.e., Article 12(3) which states “The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the royalties, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State in which the royalties arise through a permanent establishment situated therein and the right or property in respect of which the royalties are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment. In such case the provisions of Article 7 shall apply”

Part III. Indian Income Tax vs. DTAA

Indian Income Tax Act vs DTAA
Section 90(2) “(2) Where the Central Government has entered into an agreement with the Government of any country outside India or specified territory outside India, as the case may be, under sub-section (1) for granting relief of tax, or as the case may be, avoidance of double taxation, then, in relation to the assessee to whom such agreement applies, the provisions of this Act shall apply to the extent they are more beneficial to that assessee”

Income Tax Act vs. DTAA In case of conflicting provisions between DTAA and Act, the more beneficial to the assessee can be taken Confirmed by numerous judgments including UoI vs. Azadi Bachao Andolan [263 ITR 706 SC] CIT vs. Davy Ashmore India Ltd. [190 ITR 626 Cal.] CIT v. Visakhapatnam Port Trust [144 ITR 146 (AP)] Also refer CBDT Circular 333 dated 1982

Part IV. Business connection / PE Section 9(1)(i)

Section 9(1)(i) Income deemed to accrue or arise in India.
9. (1) The following incomes shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India :— (i) all income accruing or arising, whether directly or indirectly, through or from any business connection in India, or through or from any property in India, or through or from any asset or source of income in India, or through the transfer of a capital asset situate in India. [Explanation 1].—For the purposes of this clause— (a) in the case of a business of which all the operations are not carried out in India, the income of the business deemed under this clause to accrue or arise in India shall be only such part of the income as is reasonably attributable to the operations carried out in India; b) in the case of a non-resident, no income shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India to him through or from operations which are confined to the purchase of goods in India for the purpose of export ;

The Vodafone case Issues:
Taxability over Capital Gains on an overseas transaction between 2 foreign companies (having non residential status in India) of sale of investments comprising of shares of an Indian Company; Withholding Tax obligations of the Non Resident Buyer while making payment of lump sum consideration to Non Resident Seller Facts of the Case Vodafone International Holdings BV, Netherlands (“VIH“) entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Hutchison Telecom, Cayman Islands for purchasing equity shares of its subsidiaries CGP, Cayman Islands CGP in turn, directly and indirectly, owned ~52% share capital of Indian Company named as Hutchison Essar Limited (“HEL"). The acquisition meant VIH acquired control over CGP and subsidiaries, including HEL The Revenue Authorities held that the gains were taxable in India as there was transfer of controlling stake / business situated in India and accordingly alleged failure on part of VIH to withhold tax on gains arising to HTIL on the transfer of shares of CGP

Vodafone judgment synopsis
The transaction for transfer of shares of a Foreign Company (though directly or indirectly holds shares of an Indian Company) between two non-residents on principal to principal basis abroad cannot be deemed as “Transfer of Capital Asset” situated in India and accordingly, cannot result into levy of capital gains tax in India. The provisions of Section 9 of Act will be attracted only when capital asset is located / situated in India. The transaction should not be structured in a manner for avoidance of income tax. The investment structure should be examined and seen in a holistic manner. The lumpsum consideration for purchase of an entire investment cannot be allocated or dissected in order to calculate the value of specific rights and entitlements. The withholding tax obligations in India would arise only when such income is taxable in India

Vodafone judgment – Retrospective Amendments in Finance Act 2012
Explanation 4 has been inserted in section 9(1) (i), w.e.f. A.Y to clarify that the expression ‘through’ (used in section 9(1) (i) in relation to any asset or source of income in India) shall mean and include and shall be deemed to have always meant and included “by means of”, “in consequence of” or “by reason of” Explanation 5 has been inserted in section 9(1)(i), w.r.e.f. A. Y to clarify that an asset or a capital asset being any share or interest in a company or entity registered or incorporated outside India shall be deemed to be and shall always be deemed to have been situated in India if the share or interest derives, directly or indirectly, its value substantially from the assets located in India. Consequent to insertion of above explanations, the following explanations have also been added to clarify the meaning of (a) “capital asset” given in section 2(14), (b) “transfer” given in section 2(47) and (c) to widen the scope of section 195(1).

Sanofi Pasteur Holdings SA vs. Dept
Sanofi Pasteur Holdings SA vs. Dept. of Revenue, GOI (WP 1421 of 2010 dated , Andhra HC) Two French companies named “Murieux Alliance” (‘MA’) and “Groupe Industrial Marcel Dassault” (“GIMD”) held shares in another French company named “ShanH”. MA & GIMD acquired shares in an Indian company named “Shantha Biotechnics Ltd” (“Shantha”). The shares in Shantha were transferred to ShanH. MA and GIMD subsequently sold the shares in ShanH to another French company named “Sanofi Pasteur Holding”. The assessees filed an application for advance ruling claiming that as the two French companies had sold the shares of another French company to a third French company, the gains were not chargeable to tax in India. AAR upheld Dept.’s plea and on appeal AP High Court held in favour of assessee that no capital gains was chargeable to tax in India under India-France Treaty, even after Amendments to S.9(1)

Sanofi Pasteur Holdings SA vs. Dept. of Revenue, GOI
Article 14(5) of the India-France DTAA which exempts capital gains from shares representing more than 10% holding from tax in India does not permit a see through on whether the alienation of shares by ShanH is an alienation of the control, management or assets of the Indian company. It cannot be said that an actual alienation of the ShanH shares amounts to a deemed alienation of the Indian company’s shares. The fact that the value of the shares of ShanH was because of the value of the Indian company’s assets is irrelevant; The retrospective amendment to s. 9(1) so as to supersede the verdict in Vodafone International and to tax off-shore transfers does not impact the provisions of the India-France DTAA because the DTAA overrides the Act Hence no capital gains chargeable to tax in India and hence no withholding required

Payments to Foreign Commission Agents (u/S.9(1)(i))
CBDT Circular No.23 of 1969 dt A foreign agent of Indian exporter operates in his own country and no part of his income arises in India. His commission is usually remitted directly to him and is, therefore, not received by him or on his behalf in India. Such an agent is not liable for income tax on this commission. CBDT Circular No.786 dated The deduction of tax at source under s.195 would arise if the payment of commission to the non-resident agent is chargeable to tax in India In this regard attention to CBDT Circular No. 23, dated 23rd July, 1969 is drawn. It had been clarified then that where the non-resident agent operates outside the country no part of his income arises in India. Such payments were therefore, held to be not taxable in India.

Payments to Foreign Commission Agents
CIRCULAR NO. 7 OF 2009, DT. 22ND OCT., 2009 Withdrawal of Circular No. 23 dated 23rd July, 1969, No. 163 dated 29th May, 1975 and No. 786 dated 7th February, 2000 Withdrawal of Circular does not change the statute! Assuming there is ‘business connection’ between principal and foreign agent, there can be no “attribution of income to operations carried out in India” as per Explanation 1 to S.9(1)(i) . In other words there is no PE of foreign agent in India Income not taxable in India and is business profits under Article 7. Hence no TDS ought to be necessary

Payments to Foreign Commission Agents Case Laws
CIT v Toshoku Ltd (125 ITR 525, SC) the Hon’ble Supreme Court held that when a non-resident, with no operation of business in India, rendered services outside India to an Indian concern , then provisions of Section 9 of the I.T Act 1961 are not attracted. CIT vs. Eon Technology (P) Ltd – 343 ITR 366 wherein the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has held that foreign commission agent payments do not require tax withholding CIT vs. Sheraton International Inc ((2009) 313 ITR 267) where the Delhi High Court has reversed the order of Tribunal by holding that the main service rendered by the U.S Company to Indian company was advertisement, publicity and sales promotion and these would neither fall under the category of ‘Royalty’ nor ‘Fees for Technical Service’

CIT vs Indopel Garments (P) Ltd. Vs DCIT ( TTJ Mad 702) where ITAT Chennai held no disallowance under s. 40(a)(i) could be made for commission payment to foreign concern without acting as a selling agent of assessee for canvassing orders outside India DCIT vs. Ardeshi B. Cursetjee & Sons Ltd ( TTJ Mumbai 916) where ITAT Mumbai held commission payment made to non-resident for services rendered outside India not being chargeable to tax in India could not be disallowed under Section 40(a)(i) JCIT vs. George Williamson (Assam) Ltd. ( ITD 328) where in the ITAT Guwahati Bench held that with respect to payment of selling commission, brokerage and other related charges to non-resident agents in respect of sale of tea outside India, no income had accrued or arisen in India either under Section 5(2) or under Section 9 and therefore no tax was deductible under Section 195.

TVS Motor Company vs. ACIT (ITA Nos.697 &757/Mds/2009) where the ITAT Chennai in an order dated 22nd December 2010, amongst other issues, has affirmed that export commission payments made to non-resident agents will not be liable to tax deduction at source and disallowance u/s 40(a)(i) is to be deleted DCIT vs. Sanjiv Gupta ( TTJ Lucknow 641) where the ITAT Lucknow had held that disallowance under Section 40(a)(i) for the A.Y on the commission payments made to non-residents was not called for as the withdrawal of Circulars 23 of 1969 and 786 of 2000 by Circular 7 of 2009 dated was only operative from the date of issue of Circular 7 and did not have retrospective effect

PE under the Act (u/S.9(1)(i))
Concept of “business connection” was explained in CIT vs. R.D.Agarwal (56 ITR 120) “The expression ‘business connection’ undoubtedly means something more than ‘business’. The expression ‘business connection’ postulates a real and intimate relation between the trading activity carried on outside the taxable territories and the trading activity within the territories, the relation between the two contributing to the earning of income by the non-resident in the trading activity” “Reasonably attributable to operations in India” means attributable to Permanent Establishment (PE) in India PE defined in Act u/s S. 92F(iiia) as "permanent establishment", referred to in clause (iii), includes a fixed place of business through which the business of the enterprise is wholly or partly carried on”

PE under the DTAA (Article 5)
Article 5 of MC’s and India’s Treaties deals with Permanent Establishment Article 5(1) “For the purposes of this Convention, the term “permanent establishment” means a fixed place of business through which the business of an enterprise is wholly or partly carried on.” Article 5(2). “The term “permanent establishment” includes especially: (a)A place of management; (b)A branch; (c)An office; (d)A factory; (e)A workshop; (f)A mine, an oil or gas well, a quarry or any other place of extraction of natural resources.”

Article 5(3) “3.The term “permanent establishment” also encompasses: (a) A building site, a construction, assembly or installation project or supervisory activities in connection therewith, but only if such site, project or activities last more than six months; (b) The furnishing of services, including consultancy services, by an enterprise through employees or other personnel engaged by the enterprise for such purpose, but only if activities of that nature continue (for the same or a connected project) within a Contracting State for a period or periods aggregating more than 183 days in any 12-month period commencing or ending in the fiscal year concerned” Certain Treaties also define “Service” PE’s , Dependent Agent PE’s (DAPE’s) , “force of attraction” clauses etc. - highly litigated area!

Note that for a PE, the income minus expenses i.e., net income is taxable (as opposed to say Royalty or FTS where withholding is on gross receipts) The Andhra Pradesh High Court, in CIT v. Visakhapatnam Port Trust(144 ITR 146), held that: "The words "permanent establishment" postulate the existence of a substantial element of an enduring or permanent nature of a foreign enterprise in another country which can be attributed to a fixed place of business in that country. It should be of such a nature that it would amount to a virtual projection of the foreign enterprise of one country into the soil of another country.“

Part V. Royalty

Royalty under the Act

Section 9(1)(vi) – Royalty under IT Act
The key part of the Royalty sub-section is the Explanation 2 which defines Royalty Similar, not identical, to the Model Convention definition found in Article 12(2) and the definition in various Treaties Bottomline: Every word matters (!!) in the Royalty definition as we will find out…..

Explanation 2 – Definition of Royalty
“”“Explanation 2.—For the purposes of this clause, "royalty" means consideration (including any lump sum consideration but excluding any consideration which would be the income of the recipient chargeable under the head "Capital gains") for— (i) the transfer of all or any rights (including the granting of a licence) in respect of a patent, invention, model, design, secret formula or process or trade mark or similar property ; (ii) the imparting of any information concerning the working of, or the use of, a patent, invention, model, design, secret formula or process or trade mark or similar property ;

Explanation 2 (contd..) (iii) the use of any patent, invention, model, design, secret formula or process or trade mark or similar property ; (iv) the imparting of any information concerning technical, industrial, commercial or scientific knowledge, experience or skill ; (iva) the use or right to use any industrial, commercial or scientific equipment but not including the amounts referred to in section 44BB; (v) the transfer of all or any rights (including the granting of a licence) in respect of any copyright, literary, artistic or scientific work including films or video tapes for use in connection with television or tapes for use in connection with radio broadcasting, but not including consideration for the sale, distribution or exhibition of cinematographic films ; or (vi) the rendering of any services in connection with the activities referred to in sub-clauses (i) to (iv), (iva) and (v)

Royalty Cases TOPIC – (AREA OF DISPUTE) ROYALTY CLAUSE
Payments for off-the-shelf software Explanation 2, clause (i) Payments for online access to databases (journal subscriptions, magazines etc.) Fees for use of Satellite Explanation 2, clause (iii), (iv), (iva) Payment for leased line / internet connectivity Payment for know-how, designs, drawings Explanation 2, clause (i), (iv), (vi) Divisibility of contracts, Composite Agreements Explanation 2

Payment for off-the-shelf software
A highly controversial and litigated issue in recent times!! The Department takes view that “the transfer of all or any rights (including the granting of a licence)” includes the right to use by the purchaser and hence these are Royalty payments and not business profits The taxpayers argue that purchase of such software is like buying a book off the shelf and is akin to a sale. When one buys a book, one buys a copyrighted article (i.e., the copyright is embedded in the article which has been bought) and there is no transfer of copyright itself.

In other words, one buys a book (or software) and reads it (or uses it) and has no permission to re-print or reproduce it further for commercial use and hence the payment for such book (or software) cannot be termed as Royalty but merely a payment for buying the book (or software). The fact that software tends to have End-User License Agreements (EULA) which are boilerplate contracts does not change the substance of the issue in question that the transfer is of the copyrighted article and not the transfer of copyright itself. That a backup copy of the software can be made to use in case of emergencies comes under fair use

SECTION 14 of the COPYRIGHT ACT, 1957 states: “14. Meaning of copyright.— For the purposes of this Act, “copyright” means the exclusive right subject to the provisions of this Act, to do or authorize the doing of any of the following acts in respect of a work or any substantial part thereof, namely:— (a) in the case of a literary, dramatic or musical work, not being a computer programme,— (i) to reproduce the work in any material form including the storing of it in any medium by electronic means; (ii) to issue copies of the work to the public not being copies already in circulation; (b) in the case of a computer programme,— (i) to do any of the acts specified in clause (a); (ii) to sell or give on commercial rental or offer for sale or for commercial rental any copy of the computer programme: Provided that such commercial rental does not apply in respect of computer programmes where the programme itself is not the essential object of the rental”

Tata Consultancy Services Vs. State of AP (271 ITR 401 SC) Issue was whether branded software amounts to “goods” (for sales tax). The court held that the moment copies are made and marketed, it becomes goods, which are susceptible to sales tax Motorola Vs. DCIT (2005) 96 TTJ Delhi 1 (SB) An important decision where software supplied was a copyrighted article and not a copyright right the payment received by the assessee in respect of the software cannot be considered as royalty either under the Income‐tax Act or the DTAA. Lucent Technologies Hindustan Ltd. Vs. ITO (120 TTJ (Del.) 929) Software was such that it was customized for each of the machines imported and could not have been duplicated for commercial purpose. The contract also forbids the assessee from copying the software. No copyright in the software could be said to have accrued to assessee

IMPORTANT decision in CIT Vs. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. & Others (245 CTR (Kar) 481) where in Karnataka HC has upheld the view of the Revenue Department that the payments for off- the-shelf software to non-residents is Royalty and hence liable to withholding of taxes in India. Samsung(supra) is a controversial decision for both S.195(2) as well as Royalty for payment to acquire software Overturned multiple decisions wherein the Tribunals and Courts have upheld the distinction between ‘copyright’ and ‘copyrighted article’ and decided in favour of the assessee saying payments made for shrink-wrapped licensed software not to be characterized as Royalty

Payment for off-the-shelf software (Samsung decision - Karnataka HC)
“Accordingly, we hold that right to make a copy of the software and use it for internal business by making copy of the same and storing the same in the hard disk of the designated computer and taking back up copy would itself amount to copyright work under s. 14(1) of the Act and licence is granted to use the software by making copies, which work, but for the licence granted would have constituted infringement of copyright and licencee is in possession of the legal copy of the software under the licence. Therefore, the contention of the learned senior counsel appearing for the respondents that there is no transfer of any part of copyright or copyright and transaction only involves sale of copy of the copyright software cannot be accepted……”

The Delhi Tribunal in Gracemac Vs. ADIT 134 TTJ (Del) 257 held that : The term ‘copyrighted article’ is not defined anywhere OECD Commentary and would not be a correct guide for interpreting domestic provisions TCS case (supra) was in context of sales tax The amended definition of Royalty in the domestic provisions of the Act will override any Treaty definition (relied on Gramophone Company Vs. V.B. Pandey (AIR 1984 SC 667)) The Mumbai Tribunal in ADIT Vs. TII Team Telecom International (60 DTR 177) considered the Gracemac decision (supra) in detail and arrived at a contrary conclusion stating that the software payments were not Royalty

PAYMENTS FOR ONLINE ACCESS TO DATABASE (SUBSCRIPTIONS)
Payment for online access to database (subscriptions, journals etc.) PAYMENTS FOR ONLINE ACCESS TO DATABASE (SUBSCRIPTIONS) The key issue here is whether the payments received for the subscription access to an online database, reports, journal, e-zine etc. came under the ambit of Royalty and hence deemed to be taxable in India. This issue has been consistently litigated in various Tribunals and Courts with disparate results. Few decisions below: CIT Vs. HEG Ltd. (263 ITR 230 MP High Court) : Payment for a compilation of technical information (“Carbon databank”) to a US company cannot be construed as Royalty. In order to withhold tax on payments for information received, the information should have some special features and should not merely be of a pure commercial nature.

Payment for online access to database (subscriptions, journals etc.) PAYMENTS FOR ONLINE ACCESS TO DATABASE (SUBSCRIPTIONS) Similar view was taken by Tribunal in : Gartner Ireland Ltd v. DDIT (ITA No. 452/Mum/08 ) TIS Two Administration(Sing.) Pte Ltd. vs. DDIT (Mumbai ITAT) Hughes Escort Communications Ltd. (HECL) vs. DCIT ( taxmann.com 171) Another well-considered decision was Wipro Ltd. Vs. ITO [2004] 278 ITR 57 (Bang. ITAT) which held that annual subscription for providing access to database through the web by US company is not information or advice given individually and cannot be considered as Royalty.

Payment for online access to database (subscriptions, journals etc.) PAYMENTS FOR ONLINE ACCESS TO DATABASE (SUBSCRIPTIONS) However post-Samsung decision, the Karnataka High Court in Wipro’s case (203 Taxmann 621) reversed decision of ITAT and held: Though subscription access to journal may seem different from software licence, it is in fact nothing but a licence to use ('right to use') the journal and it will come under S.9(1)(vi) of Act! Note also decision of the AAR in Cargo Community Network Pte Ltd (289 ITR 355 AAR) held that payments for online access to travel portal is Royalty

Fees for use of satellite – Whether royalty?
The key issue is whether the payments received for the use of satellite were taxable as royalty under Section 9(1)(vi) . Explanation 2 Clauses (iii), (iv) and (iva) have all been variously used to fight over this issue; The main questions to be answered are: Whether the use of the satellite is a “process”? Whether the use of a satellite transponder for uplinking and downlinking is a use of (or right to use of) commercial, industrial or scientific equipment.

Asia Satellite (85 ITD 478 Delhi ITAT) : Receipts were taxable as Royalty having been paid in respect of a “process” as envisaged in Section 9(1)(vi)(iii). This decision was also applied in ACIT Vs. Sanskar Info. TVP Ltd. (24 SOT 87 Mumbai ITAT) However, in DCIT Vs. PanAmSat International Systems Inc. (9 SOT 100) it was held that : The term “royalty” in Art. 12 of the India-USA DTAA has a ‘comma’ after the words “secret formula or process”! it was only a ‘secret process’ which would qualify as royalty and not what was provided by the assessee.

The Delhi Special Bench in New Skies Satellite N.V. Vs. ADIT (319 ITR 269) was constituted to resolve the conflict and held reversing the PanAmSat decision (supra) that : The transponder provision through which uplink and downlink happens in the desired area is a “process” To constitute “royalty”, it is not necessary that the process should be a “secret process”. The fact there is a ‘comma’ after the words “secret formula or process” in the DTAA does not mean that a different interpretation has to be given to the DTAA as compared to Act To be Royalty it is not necessary that the instruments through which the process is carried on should be in the possession of the payer.

Subsequently, the Delhi High Court in Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Vs. DIT (332 ITR 340) has held that : NO income is deemed to accrue in India from use of satellite outside India to beam TV signals into India even if bulk of revenue arises due to viewers in India The satellite was used by the assessee for providing services to its customers There is a well known distinction between “lease of equipment” and “use of equipment” (ISRO Satellite Centre vs. DIT (307 ITR 59 (AAR)) The transponder was in orbit and merely because its footprint was on India did not mean that the “process” had taken place in India OECD and Klaus Vogel commentaries stating that the use of a satellite is a service and not a rental cannot be discarded because the technical terms in the DTAA are the same as that in s. 9(1)(vi)

Payment for leased line/ connectivity charges
The key issue here is regarding the payment for dedicated internet connectivity typically via ‘leased line’ or dedicated circuits or VSAT (via uplink/downlink) by a non-resident telecom provider. Similar to the issue surrounding lease of transponder as the question is whether there is a use of process and/or use of scientific, commercial or industrial equipment. Moreover, in this issue there is significant overlap between the FTS and Royalty issues because the Revenue’s contention has been two-fold – That there is a technical service provided by the telecom provider to the assessee (AND) That payment is for a process and the payment is for the use of industrial, commercial or scientific equipment.

Infosys Technologies Ltd. Vs. DCIT (139 TTJ (Bang.)(UO) 18) : Payment towards bandwidth charges is not use of or right to use of industrial, commercial or scientific equipment. Wipro Ltd. Vs. ITO (80 TTJ (Bang.) 191) : Held that payment for transmission of data and software through uplink and downlink services is not Royalty as no process has been made available to the assessee and Explanation 2 clause (iii) cannot apply. Dell International Services India (P) Ltd., In Re (305 ITR 37 AAR) hed that providing telecom bandwidth by US company does not mean “the use or right to use any industrial, commercial or scientific equipment” and under the DTAA the term ‘secret’ covers both formula and process and there is no secret process here used by the applicant.

However in Verizon Communications Singapore Pte Ltd. Vs. ITO (45 SOT 263 ITAT Chennai), The Tribunal in a very elaborate decision came to the conclusion that the payment for providing international connectivity services is Royalty under both Act and DTAA as it is for the use of ‘process’. The same has been approved by the Madras High Court in Verizon’s case on 7th Nov, 2013 and the Court has held that: “In the circumstances, we affirm the order of the Tribunal holding that the consideration paid by the customer to the assessee is ‘royalty’ within the meaning of Explanation 2(iva) or in the alternative under Explanation 2(iii) of Section 9(1)(vi) of the Income Tax Act and Article 12(3) of the DTAA between India and Singapore.”

Payment for know-how, designs, engg. drawings etc.
The difference between Sale and Royalty transaction is based on whether the sellor/licensor retains the ownership rights in the property being sold/licensed i.e., is it an outright sale or does it fall under one of the Royalty clauses in Explanation 2 ? CIT Vs. Davy Ashmore India (190 ITR 626) : Sale of know-how cannot be taxed as royalty Pro-Quip Incorporation Vs. CIT (255 ITR 354) : Royalty payment must be in respect of a right to use designs and drawings, and not for the purchase thereof.

CIT Vs. Klayman Porcelains Ltd. (229 ITR 735 AP HC) : Amount paid by Indian company to the non-resident company as payment for technical drawings towards engineering for a kiln would not amount to imparting any information concurring the working of, or the use of patent, invention, model, design, secret formula or process and hence will not constitute Royalty under Section 9(1)(vi) of the Act CIT Vs. Magronic Devices (P) Ltd., 329 ITR 442 HP HC : The foreign company was to supply plant know-how and product know-how. Agreement was concluded & data was delivered abroad. High Court held that the transaction was that of a sale, hence, no income could be deemed to accrue or arise to non-resident.

ADIT Vs. Zimmer AG ( SOT 97 Kol) : Engineering documents were handed to the Indian purchaser company SAPL by the German assessee company outside India under a ‘Know-how and Engineering Agreement’ These documents were an integral part of plant and machinery and the transfer of engineering was complete with the handover of the documents The payment for these documents could not constitute Royalty under the Act or the DTAA as the German assessee sold and transferred ownership, title and risk in the engineering documents to SAPL at Germany for consideration paid outside India

However, the Chandigarh ITAT in DCIT Vs. Majestic Auto Ltd. (51 ITD 313 (CHD)) took a contrary view and held that payment for supply of drawings, designs etc. was taxable as Royalty. ITAT Calcutta Bench in Union Carbide Corporation Vs. Inspecting ACIT (50 TTJ (Cal) 535) held that : The words “similar property” in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of Explanation 2 to Section 9(1)(vi) do not require, to constitute ‘royalty’, that there should be any legally protected right and these words include specialized information and knowledge In other words, the absence of copyright or patent or one-time parting with information does not mean the payment cannot be Royalty under Explanation 2 to Section 9(1)(vi).

Divisibility of Contracts, Composite Agreements and Royalty
In many cases contracts between parties are such that a number of activities are carried both offshore and onsite and are essentially turnkey or EPC contracts. The issues relating to Royalty might be with respect to only one or few components of the overall contract. The agreements and facts of each contract are important The key takeaway is that if it is a composite, indivisible contract the entirety of the transaction ought to be taken. If there are divisible, identifiable parts, it is likely for the Revenue and the Courts thereafter to call for the contract parts to be split and taxed independently on their individual merits.

CIT Vs. Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. (243 ITR 459 Mad HC) : The Court held amount paid by assessee to foreign company under a comprehensive contract for design, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of machinery not involving a transfer of any licence or patent, invention, model or design could not be regarded as Royalty under the Act CIT Vs. DCM Ltd. 336 ITR 599 : Delhi High Court held that payment to UK non-resident for comprehensive technical know-how on non-exclusive basis and supply of equipments with a right to sub- license the technology and know-how subject to the approval of the non-resident is not Royalty under Explanation 2 to Section 9(1)(vi).

DIT Vs. Ericsson A.B (204 Taxman 192 Delhi HC) : The supply contract of a non-resident to an Indian company of a “GSM system” including hardware and software is not divisible separately so as to tax the software component as Royalty The definition of Royalty in the India-Sweden DTAA (Article 13(3)) is narrower than the Act and has to be considered. No part of the payment can be classified as Royalty. It affirmed the decision of Special Bench in Motorola Inc. Vs. DCIT (96 TTJ Del(SB) 1) Roxair Maximum Reservoir Performance WLL (AAR 977/2010) : The contract should be looked at as a whole and not “looked through” following the Vodafone International Holdings BV case (345 ITR 1 SC).

Divisibility of Contracts, Composite Agreements & Royalty
Raytheon Company Vs. DCIT 142 TTJ (Del) 137 : In a turnkey project for supply and installation of equipment, composite contract could be conveniently segregated into different components (milestones) Supply of equipment and software were taxable in the year prior to relevant year as it was earlier milestone but installation contract/services milestone profits were taxable in current year Ansaldo Energia Spa Vs. IT (2009-TIOL-62-HC-MAD-IT) : The Madras HC held that the four contracts which the assessee entered into with Indian JV company under single-bid system were to be consolidated and read as single composite contract and the divisibility into 4 contracts for tax was incorrect!

Amendments made to S.9(1)(vi)
Important amendments made to Section 9(1)(vi) over time starting with Finance Act 2001 up to current Finance Act 2012 Finance Act 2001 amendment W.e.f , clause (iva) was added to Explanation 2 to read as follows: “(iva) the use or right to use any industrial, commercial or scientific equipment but not including the amounts referred to in section 44BB” Use or right to use any equipment is not found in the UN and US MC and the OECD MC also deleted the same in the early 1990’s. However India’s treaties do have this clause present though the India-US, India-UK and India-Singapore treaties provides exclusion clauses for Article 8 related transactions.

Amendments made to S.9(1)(vi) Finance Act 2010
In Finance Act 2010, w.e.f , an Explanation was added which applied to both Royalties and Fees for Technical Services which read: “Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that for the purposes of this section, income of a non-resident shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India under clause (v) or clause (vi) or clause (vii) of sub- section (1) and shall be included in the total income of the non-resident, whether or not,— (i) the non-resident has a residence or place of business or business connection in India; or (ii) the non-resident has rendered services in India.”

Finance Act 2012, w.e.f Explanation 4.— For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the transfer of all or any rights in respect of any right, property or information includes and has always included transfer of all or any right for use or right to use a computer software (including granting of a licence) irrespective of the medium through which such right is transferred

Finance Act 2012, w.e.f Explanation 5.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the royalty includes and has always included consideration in respect of any right, property or information, whether or not— (a) the possession or control of such right, property or information is with the payer; (b) such right, property or information is used directly by the payer; (c) the location of such right, property or information is in India.

Finance Act 2012, w.e.f Explanation 6.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the expression "process" includes and shall be deemed to have always included transmission by satellite (including up-linking, amplification, conversion for down-linking of any signal), cable, optic fibre or by any other similar technology, whether or not such process is secret; These retrospective amendments have been introduced in the Finance Act 2012 w.e.f i.e., the start of the Royalty chapter.

These amendments came after a number of decisions (we have seen already!) to nullify their effect With these amendments, the definition of Royalty under OECD MC and Prof.Klaus Vogel’s treatise differs from India’s stance on Royalty OECD TAG Report specifically sets down criteria which have been addressed by Explanation 5 India is the only country which has reservations against so many of the updated Model Commentary paragraphs under Article 12

Responding to the outcry from the industry, the CBDT has issued a Circular F. No. 500/ FTD-l (Pt.) dated 29th May 2012: “The Finance Act 2012 has introduced certain clarificatory amendments in Section 2 clause (14), Section 2 clause (47), Section 9 and Section 195, of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (“Act”), with retrospective effect from or , whereby meaning of various terms used in these sections have been clarified in order to remove any doubt regarding their interpretations. 2. These amendments have been introduced retrospectively in order to clarify the legislative intent and state the position of law from the date of coming into effect of these sections in the Act

… 4. The Board, after due consideration, hereby directs that in case where assessment proceedings have been completed under section 143(3) of the Act, before the first day of April, 2012, and no notice for reassessment has been issued prior to that date; then such cases shall not be reopened under Section 147/148 of the Act on account of the abovementioned clarificatory amendments introduced by the Finance Act, However, assessment or any other order which stand validated due to the said clarificatory amendments in the Finance Act would of course be enforced…”

Royalty under DTAA’s

Royalty (Article 12) of Model Conventions
OECD MC US MC UN MC 1. Royalties arising in a Contracting State and beneficially owned by a resident of the other Contracting State shall be taxable only in that other State. 1. Royalties arising in a Contracting State and beneficially owned by a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed only in that other State. 1. Royalties arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that Other State. However, such royalties may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which they arise and according to the laws of that State, but if the beneficial owner of the royalties is a resident of the other Contracting State, the tax so charged shall not exceed ___ per cent (the percentage is to be established through bilateral negotiations) of the gross amount of the royalties

Royalty (Article 12) of Model Conventions
Source vs. Residence tax rights The OECD and US MCs are much the same in substance . Both exclude the Source State’s right to tax. Under these models, the Licensor’s State of Residence alone is entitled to tax Royalties On the other hand, the UN MC allows the Source State to impose tax well while restricting its rate of tax In fact, nearly all DTAA’s with developing countries allow some sort of restricted taxation at source It is because of this dichotomy between the Model Conventions on the source vs. residence taxation that the OECD Model has been held to favour the developed countries and the UN Model to favour the developing countries.

Royalty definition under Model Conventions
(Article 12(2) ) OECD MC US MC UN MC 2. The term ‘royalties’ as used in this Article means payments of any kind received as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use, any copyright of literary, artistic or scientific work including cinematograph films, any patent, trade mark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience 2. The term ‘royalties’ as used in this Article means: a) payments of any kind received as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use, any copyright of literary, artistic or scientific or other work (including cinematograph films), any patent, trade mark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience b) gain derived from the alienation of any property described in subparagraph a), to the extent that such gain is contingent on the productivity, use, or disposition of the property. 3. The term “royalties” as used in this article means payments of any kind received as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use, any copyright of literary, artistic or scientific work including cinematograph films, or films or tapes used for radio or television broadcasting, any patent, trademark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for the use of, or the right to use, industrial, commercial or scientific equipment or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience.

A note on the updated OECD Model Commentary
The OECD Model Commentary (OECD MC) provides a detailed explanation of the clauses of the Model Convention. The MC was updated recently in July 2010 India has been one of the countries which have expressed a number of “reservations” over the updates to Article 12 (Royalties). India has expressed a reservation on the interpretation relating to Satellite and transponder leasing, roaming cell network and Spectrum licences The right to use licensed computer software Mere purchase of a software license and using the purchased software will not constitute royalty The transfer of full ownership of rights Exclusive rights in a geographical region, usage consideration etc

Royalty in India’s DTAAs
India has basically adopted the UN Model Convention wherein it provides restricted taxation for the source country i.e., India The main reason for this being that India is a developing country and consumes a huge amount of know-how, technical information, designs & drawings etc. from developed countries as it emerges a world leader. It is dealt with in Article 12 of India’s treaties, except in some cases like the India – UK DTAA, where it is Article 13. Most of the Royalty Articles are combined with the Fees for Technical Services (FTS) and are similar to each other Certain exceptions are found in India-Singapore, India-USA and India-UK treaty relating to additional clauses, definitions/exceptions

Effect of Amendments to S.9(1)(vi)
(Act vs. DTAA) Payment for leased line / connectivity: In B4U International Holdings Ltd. vs. DCIT (ITA No.3326/Mum/2006 dated 28th May 2012) it was held that: “17. Coming to the argument of learned Departmental Representative that the amendment to the Finance Act, 2012 changes the position, we find that there is no change in the DTAA between India and USA. Thus, the amendments have no affect on our decision” Payment for off-the-shelf software ADIT vs. Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 142 ITD 614 (Mumbai HC) Assessee engaged in the business of sale of equipment supplied software embedded in the hardware. Software cannot function independent of the corresponding hardware. Equipment along with the embedded software was sold at a place which is outside India. Did not amount to royalty either under Income-tax Act or DTAA

Effect of Amendments to S.9(1)(vi) (Act vs. DTAA)
DIT Vs Infrasoft Ltd ITA 1034/2009 dt 22nd Nov 2013 (Delhi HC) Clear distinction between royalty paid on transfer of copyright rights and consideration for transfer of copyrighted articles. A non-exclusive and non-transferable licence enabling the use of a copyrighted product cannot be construed as an authority to enjoy any or all of the enumerated rights ingrained in Article 12 of DTAA. Convergys Customer Management Group Inc Vs ADIT dt As regards the taxability of software license fees, the retrospective amendment to s. 9(1)(vi) by the Finance Act, 2012 widens the scope of the term “royalty” but does not impact the provisions of the DTAA in any manner. Consequently, the purchase of software falls within the category of copyrighted article and not towards acquisition of any copyright in software and hence the consideration is not assessable as Royalty

Effect of Amendments to S.9(1)(vi) (Act vs. DTAA)
DIT vs. Nokia Networks OY (ITA 512 of 2007 dated , Delhi HC) Ishikawajima-Harima still good law! Amendments cannot be read into the Treaty (DTAA) Distinction between supply of “copyright” and supply of “copyrighted article” Poompuhar Shipping Corporation Ltd Vs ITO dt 9/10/2013 : Foreign ship hired for transporting coal between Indian ports; usage of ship held as use of equipment. HC held such equipment rental is taxable as “royalty” even if payer does not have control. The retrospective insertion of Explanation 5 to s. 9(1)(vi) is purely clarificatory!! Bottomline: Most judicial forums have held that the retrospective amendments of Finance Act 2012 made to Royalty definition in Act cannot override Treaty!

Part VI. Fees for Technical Services (FTS)

FTS under the Income Tax Act

FTS under the Income Tax Act (Explanation 2 of Section 9(1)(vii))
For the purposes of this clause, "fees for technical services" means any consideration (including any lump sum consideration) for the rendering of any managerial, technical or consultancy services (including the provision of services of technical or other personnel) but does not include consideration for any construction, assembly, mining or like project undertaken by the recipient or consideration which would be income of the recipient chargeable under the head "Salaries".

Evolution of FTS under the Act (The Ishikawajima-Harima case)
Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Ltd. Vs DIT [(2007) 288 ITR 408 (SC)] The notion of “Territorial Nexus” was expounded by the SC. It ruled that Section 9(1)(vii) envisaged dual condition which need to be met simultaneously namely: 1. Services had to be rendered in India. 2. And the said services should be utilized in India It held that mere “source” of income would not be sufficient to tax an income. The Apex Court held that there should be Direct Link between the services rendered and India.

Evolution of FTS under the Act (Amendment in Finance Bill 2007)
In response to the decision of SC in Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Ltd. Vs DIT which is as follows Explanation.— For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that for the purposes of this section, where income is deemed to accrue or arise in India under clauses (v), (vi) and (vii) of sub-section (1), such income shall be included in the total income of the non-resident, whether or not the non-resident has a residence or place of business or business connection in India

Evolution of FTS under the Act (Post-2007 Amendment)
Not surprisingly, there were many conflicting decisions in the wake of Ishikawajima case and the amendment made thereafter. However at least two High Courts held that twin condition of rendering & utilization still held sway and hence Ishikwajima-Harima holds good even after 2007 amendment Jindal Thermal Power Company Ltd. Vs. DCIT [182 Taxman 252 Karnataka HC] The Karnataka High Court had to decide whether the technical services carried off-shore were FTS even after the amendment to Section 9(1)(vii) by Finance Act, 2007. Clifford Chance Vs. DCIT [176 Taxmann 458 Mumbai HC] In this case, the Bombay HC discussed the SC decision in the case of Ishikawajima-Harima case and the amendment passed in the Finance Act, 2007. Both decisions were in favour of the assesse averring that, even after the 2007 amendment, only income from services rendered and utilized in India is taxable in India.

Evolution of FTS under the Act (Amendment in Finance Bill 2010)
A new revised Amendment in Finance Bill, 2010 was passed. The Memorandum to finance Bill elaborately explained the intention of the legislature which is as follows: The ‘Source Rule’ means the situs of rendering services is irrelevant The interpretation in the case of Ishikawajima was NOT IN accordance with law as it expounded that there should be ‘Territorial Nexus’ to classify a payment as FTS. To clarify the position, an amendment was inserted below Section 9 vide the Finance Act, 2007. However, even after the amendment, the Karnataka HC in the case of Jindal Thermal Power Company Ltd. has held that the amendment does not do away the requirement of rendering services in India

Evolution of FTS (Amendment in Finance Bill 2010)
The new retrospective Explanation which substituted the earlier explanation is as follows: Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that for the purposes of this section, income of a non-resident shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India under clause (v) or clause (vi) or clause (vii) of sub-section (1) and shall be included in the total income of the non-resident, whether or not,— (i) the non-resident has a residence or place of business or business connection in India; or (ii) the non-resident has rendered services in India.

FTS under the DTAA’s

FTS In India’s DTAAs DTAAs having FTS with BROAD Definition
Similar to IT Act. i.e., managerial, technical or consultancy services would have been included under FTS. Typically does not have the ‘make available clause’ DTAAs having FTS/FIS with NARROW definition It will have the ‘make available’ clause. In some cases, managerial services are excluded Therefore, makes the scope of FTS very restricted. DTAAs with US, UK, Switzerland, Singapore, Australia, Netherlands, Finland etc. DTAAs having NO FTS clause The payments will be treated as ‘Business Profits’ (or under Misc. Income Article) DTAAs with Mauritius, UAE, Brazil, Philippines, Indonesia, Egypt, Thailand, Srilanka, etc. Also, Malaysia and Israel DTAAs etc. are few DTAA’s which have embedded FTS in to Royalty Clause.

DTAAs having FTS with broad Definition
Similar to the IT Act definition “The term “fees for technical services” means payment of any kind in consideration for the rendering of any managerial, technical or consultancy services including the provision of services by technical or other personnel but does not include payments for services mentioned in Article 14 and Article 15 of this Agreement.”

DTAA’s having FTS/FIS with narrow definition (Article 12(4) - the “make available” clause)
“Article 12(4): For the purposes of this Article, ‘Fees for Included Services’ means payments of any kind to any person in consideration for the rendering of any technical or consultancy services (including through the provision of services of technical or other personnel) if such services: are ancillary and subsidiary to the application or enjoyment of the right, property or information for which the payments described under paragraph 3 is received. make available of technical knowledge, experience, skill, know-how or process or consist of the development and transfer of technical plan and design. “

Analysis of “make available” clause - India-USA MOU (Article 12(4))
Article 12(4)(b) – the ‘make available’ clause The India – USA MoU concisely defines how to interpret the much talked about and most important ‘make available’ clause. It narrows down the definition provided in Article12(4)(a) because it excludes the service which does not make available the technology to the person who acquires it. “made available” means the person who is acquiring the service should be able to use the service/ apply the technology. Provision of technical input or using a technology embodied product will not be considered as ‘make available’.

The “make available” clause (Article 12(4) & MOU of India-USA DTAA)
In naive terms, the idea of not making available vs. make available can be equated with giving man a fish vs. teaching him to fish! Let us now proceed to the India-USA MoU’s examples: Example 3: Facts: A U.S. wallboard manufacturer sends technicians to an Indian builder to show its engineers the process of manufacturing strong wall board. Are the payments to the U.S. manufacturer considered to be payments for included services?

Analysis The services are of technical nature and it makes available to the Indian company technical knowledge, skill and process. Example 4: Facts: The Indian company hires and provides raw materials to the U.S. manufacturer to produce strong wall boards in its plant using advanced technology. Are the fees paid for these services can be considered as FIS? Analysis: No. Although the services are clearly technical in nature it did make the technology available to the Indian company to produce the wallboard on its own.

Example 5:Facts: An Indian retail outlet engages an U.S. firm to modify its inventory control software to suit its newly expanded business. Are these payments constitute FIS? Analysis: Yes. The U.S. firm clearly performs a technical service and it transfers the technical plan (i.e., computer program) also. Example 6: Facts: An Indian oil manufacturing company engages an U.S. Company modify the formula so as to produce cholesterol free oil and also to train its employees for applying the formula. Whether the payments made for the above service constitutes FIS? Analysis: Yes. It is a technical service and technical knowledge is made available to the Indian company.

Example 7: Facts: The Indian cholesterol free vegetable oil manufacturer engages an U.S. firm to do a computer stimulation of the world market for such oil and advice it on marketing strategies. Analysis: No. Although the U.S. company performs an substantial amount of technical service it did not transfer the skill, technical knowledge or know-how but only the commercial information.

The Indian Judiciary on the ‘make available’ clause
Raymond Ltd. Vs. DCIT [(2003) 86 ITD 791 (Mum)] Commission payments were made to lead managers of a GDR issue and the Mumbai ITAT in its detailed order held that though the services are managerial and consultancy in nature cannot be held as FTS under India –UK DTAA. The term ‘managerial services’ was deliberately excluded from the ambit of technical services in the later DTAA (1993). No technical knowledge was made available to the assessee. MoU of India-USA can be used to understand the scope of FIS.

Diamond Services Intl. Ltd. Vs UOI (2007) 304 UTR 201 Bom. HC) Payments made to Gemological Institute for grading and certification of diamonds. Held that the payments cannot be treated as neither FIS (nor Royalty). because it does impart any technical knowledge, experience, skill, etc. Mahindra & Mahindra Vs. DCIT (2009) 313 ITR 263 (Mum SB) The Mumbai Special Bench held that the management commission cannot be considered as FTS under India- UK DTAA since it did not make available the technical knowledge.

CESC Ltd Vs. DCIT (2003) 80 TTJ 806 (Kol) An UK Company was engaged as a technical advisor to the Indian financial institution who were to hold equity in the Indian company. Held that the UK company did not make available any technology as its role was limited to review and giving opinion rather that providing design and direct the project. Similar type of judgements had been passed in Anapharm Inc. (2008) 305 ITR 394 (AAR) Intertek Testing Services Pvt. Ltd Vs (2008) 307 ITR 418 (AAR) NQA Quality Systems Ltd. Vs. DCIT (2004) 92 TTJ 946 (Del)

DIT Vs Guy Carpenter & Co. Ltd. (2012) 346 ITR 504 (Del. HC) Several Indian insurance company made commission payments to the UK based reinsurance company for arranging rearranging contracts. Held that these payments did not fit in to ‘make available’ under Article 13(4)(c). CIT v. De Beers India Minerals (P) Ltd. [2012] 346 ITR 467 (Kar HC). Payments made to carry out geographical survey i.e., conduct air borne survey for providing high quality, high resolution, geophysical data suitable for kimberlite targets was not FTS. The payments will be considered as FTS only if it satisfies the dual condition i.e., rendering technical service and making that technical available to the payee.

The Indian Judiciary on ‘make available’ clause
Let us now look in to the decisions which are against the assesse: Perfetti Van Melle Holding B.V. (204 Taxman 166 AAR) Held that the support services relating heads of accounting, budgeting and reporting, forex management, global credit facility, etc were in nature of technical services which were made available to the service recipient. ITO Vs. Sinar Mas Pulp And Paper (India) (85 TTJ Delhi 794) Payment for feasibility report under India-Singapore DTAA was FTS. Maruti Suzuki Vs. ADIT (130 TTJ Del. 66) Impact testing fees and fees for testing reports under India-France DTAA was FTS and taxable in India.

Services which are not FTS (Article 12(5))
“Article 12(5): Notwithstanding paragraph 4, “fees for included services” does not include amounts paid : (a) for services that are ancillary and subsidiary, as well as inextricably and essentially linked, to the sale of property other than a sale described in paragraph 3(a) ; (b) for services that are ancillary and subsidiary to the rental of ships, aircraft, containers or other equipment used in connection with the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic ; (c) for teaching in or by educational institutions ; (d) for services for the personal use of the individual or individuals making the payments ; or (e) to an employee of the person making the payments or to any individual or firm of individuals (other than a company) for professional services as defined in Article 15 (Independent Personal Services).”

And again, India-USA MoU provides excellent, self-explanatory examples to bring clarity to the clause. Example 8 Facts: An Indian company purchases the computers from an U.S. Company and the U.S. company agrees to provide installation service such as setting up of the computers and install operating system in order to make the employees use computer and also agrees to provide updates for ten consecutive years as a part of the agreement. Analysis: Installation services cannot be considered as FIS because installing software is inextricably related to the sale of the computers without which computer cannot be used. However, provision for updates will amount to FIS because even without the updates the computers can perform.

Example 9 Facts: The U.S. Company agrees to do initial installation services as well as periodical services for the first two years to the Indian company on purchase of X-ray machines. Also, the U.S. Company agrees to do life-time service to the X-ray machine and also advising hospital new developments in the field for a separate consideration. Analysis: Initial installation services including the periodical services are not FIS but the life-time service and technical advice will be considered as FIS. Example 10 Facts: An Indian helicopter manufacturer sends its engineers to MIT for two years to study aeronautical engineering. Analysis: Fee paid for teaching by an educational institution is not considered as an FIS under Article 12(5)(c).

Example 11 Facts: An Indian university enters in to an agreement with MIT to send its professor of aeronautical engineering as a visiting faculty to the Indian institute. Analysis: No. The payments made for teaching in an educational institution as per Article 12(5)(c). Example 12 Facts: An Indian hires an American company to design the necessary wiring system, adapt standard software and provide instruction for installation of computerised system in his home to control lightning, heating and air-conditioning, a stereo sound system and a burglar and fire alarm system. Analysis: Under normal conditions it would have an FIS. However, because the services are for personal use of the individual making payments, it is not taxable under Article 12(5)(d). i.e., Independent Personal Services.

FTS vs. PE (Article 12(6)) Article 12(6) The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the royalties or fees for included services, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State, in which the royalties or fees for included services arise, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the royalties or fees for included services are attributable to such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case the provisions of Article 7 (Business Profits) or Article 15 (Independent Personal Services), as the case may be shall apply.

FTS case laws S.No TOPIC 1 Payments made for Commission Agents 2
Payments made for technical reports 3 Payments for use of ‘Standard Facility’ 4 Payments for Satellite up linking charges, use of internet bandwidth, etc. 5 Payments for hosting websites abroad, subscribing to online portals, etc. 6 Payments made accreditation, certification, etc. 7 Payments made for mineral oil exploration and related activities 8 Payments towards reimbursement of expenses 9 Payments made for manpower supply outside India 10 Human Intervention Test 11 Re-opening u/s 147 based on FTS 12 Exception clause in Section 9(1)(vii) of the Act

Payments made for Commission Agents (advertising, promotion, publicity, management, referral, underwriting, etc.) Typically most of the payments paid to the foreign agents are for advertising, promotion and publicity activities of Indian companies abroad. The other type of payments are for management, selling, underwriting commission to financial entities abroad and payments made to foreign reinsurance brokers. Sheraton International Vs. DDIT ( ITD 120 Del.) In this case, the ITC Hotels had made commission payments to the assessee (foreign agent) for making room reservations from abroad. The ITAT held that the assessee did not make available the technical knowledge to the Indian hotel chains. Later the decision of ITAT was upheld by the Delhi High Court in DIT Vs. Sheraton International Inc. (313 ITR 267)

Payments made for Commission Agents (advertising, promotion, publicity, management, referral, underwriting, etc.) Raymond International Vs. DCIT ( ITD 791 (Mum)) – In this case, the Mumbai ITAT elaborately discussed the concept of ‘make available’ and held that payments made to lead managers of a GDR issue cannot be called as FTS under make available clause of India-UK DTAA. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Vs. DCIT (122 TTJ 577 (Mum. SB)) – Indian company paid management, selling and underwriting commission to the UK non-resident company for bringing out the FCCB issue. The ITAT held that though the services can be classified as technical service but did not make available the technical knowledge and hence, cannot be termed as FTS. CEAT International SA Vs. CIT (237 ITR 859) – The Bombay HC has held that the assessee did not do technical service u/s 9(1)(vii) of the Act by entering in to non-compete agreement with the Indian company.

Payments made for Commission Agents (advertising, promotion, publicity, management, referral, underwriting, etc.) Cushman & Wakefield P. Ltd. In re (305 ITR 208) – referral fee received by the Singapore company for referring potential customers to the Indian company is not FTS as it did not make available the technical knowledge to the Indian company. Mckinsey A Co. Inc. (Philippines) Vs ACIT 248 ITR 227 (Mum) – In this case again, the Mumbai ITAT had held that payments are not FTS since there were no material evidence to prove that the technology was made available to the service recipient. Finally, when it comes to FTS and ‘make available’ we turn to CIT Vs. Guy Carpenter [(2012) 346 ITR 504 (Del.HC)] where the HC have held that the commission paid by the Indian insurance companies to the foreign reinsurance companies for arranging reinsurance contracts is not FTS asit did not make available the technology to the service recipient.

Payments made for technical reports (i. e
Payments made for technical reports (i.e., test reports, survey reports, data processing reports, etc.) The second most important aspect of FTS is whether the payments made for technical reports, whether surveys or analysis or detailed scientific or testing reports, constitutes FTS or not? Let us analyze this proposition. CIT Vs De Beers India Minerals P. Ltd. (346 ITR 467) – The Karnataka HC has held that the geophysical airborne conducted and the output provided to the service recipient by the Netherland Co. did not amount to FTS as the Netherland Co. did not make available the technology to the assessee. ACIT Vs Paradigm Geophysical Pty. Ltd (122 ITD 155) – In this case, the Australian Co. processed the seismic data collected by the Reliance India Ltd., Australia and provided output to RIL. The Delhi ITAT has held that the above service amounts to FTS under Section 9(1)(vii) of the IT Act. However, due to the presence of ‘make available’ clause in the DTAA, the payments cannot be treated as FTS.

Payments made for technical reports (i.e., test reports, survey reports, data processing reports, etc.) In Anapharm Inc., In re (305 ITR 394 ARR) – A Canadian company tested efficacy of the drugs developed by the Indian Company using sophisticated bio-analytical processes and provided final output i.e., testing result to the Indian company. In a very clear and well laid out decision, the AAR held that the payments made in this regard are not FTS since the Canadian company did not make available the technology to the assessee. Intertek Testing Services P. Ltd., In re (307 ITR 418 AAR) – another oft-quoted decision relating to ‘make available’ clause, the AAR held that inspection charges paid to foreign associate entities which carried out inspection on behalf of the applicant were not in the nature of fees for technical services.

Payments made for technical reports (i.e., test reports, survey reports, data processing reports, etc.) It is worthwhile to note that most of the services mentioned in the abovementioned case laws were technical services indeed and will fall under FTS u/s 9(1)(vii) of the Act but are saved by the ‘make available’ clause. It is also pertinent to note that not all the DTAAs have ‘make available’ clause and in those circumstances, these will be classified as FTS. Let us see some case laws in the light of above proposition. There are also cases where only the IT Act was in play and not DTAA and the reports prepared by non-residents are held to be taxable as FTS. They are Cochin refineries Ltd. Vs CIT (222 ITR 354), Kerala and Steffen, Robertson & Kirsten Consulting Engineers & Scientists In re. (AAR 359 of 1997)

Payments made for technical reports (i.e., test reports, survey reports, data processing reports, etc.) Maruti Udyog Vs. ADIT (130 TTJ Del. 66) - In this case, the Indian assessee entered into an agreement with a French agreement (UTAC) and had impact testing fees and fees for testing reports. The Delhi ITAT held: The impact tests performed were to be performed so as to pass the quality tests. Therefore, they are in the nature of technical services which enhanced the product development capacity of the Indian Company. And, as reports were used by the Indian Company for modification of its products, it would amount of rendering of technical services. that India-France DTAA is much wider in scope when compared to India-USA & India-UK DTAA . Hence, the amounts paid would be in the nature of fees for technical or consultancy services. Similar decision once again rendered by same Delhi ITAT in ITO Vs. Sinar Mas Pulp And Paper (India) Ltd. (85 TTJ Delhi 794) where it held provision of feasibility report is FTS.

Payments for use of ‘Standard Facility’
Skycell Communications Ltd. Vs. DCIT (251 ITR 53) - The Madras HC held that payments made for providing a cellular mobile phone services was not taxable as FTS because it was a fee for the use of a ‘standard facility’ provided to all those willing to pay and mere collection of such fee for use of standard facility cannot be termed as FTS. CIT Vs Bharti Cellular Ltd. (319 ITR 139) - where the Delhi HC followed the decision of Madras HC in the case of Skycell communications Ltd. (Supra) and has held that the payment of internet charges to MTNL/other telecommunication companies does not come under fees for technical services. Similar view was followed in Pacific Internet (India) P. Ltd. Vs ITO (125 TTJ 966) by the Mumbai ITAT.

Payments for Satellite up linking charges, use of internet bandwidth, etc.
The moot point with regard to the proposition is whether payments made by the Indian telecast operators (TV channels) to the foreign satellite operators to use the satellite located in the Space can be treated as FTS or not? (Of course, the other important question is whether this amounts to Royalty or not? As that aspect was already discussed we will concentrate only of FTS for now.) In Expediators International (India) Pvt. Ltd. Vs. ACIT (2 ITR(Trib.) 153) – the Delhi ITAT held that VSAT up linking is not in the nature of FTS as FTS as well as the mere fact that the service provider has installed sophisticated equipment which the tax payer cane use does not by itself make it FTS. In CIT Vs. Estel Communications (P) Ltd. (318 ITR 185) – the Delhi High Court held that payment for use of internet bandwidth will not amount to FTS and there was no privity of contract between customers of assessee and the US company.

There is a never-ending debate as to how contracts which involve supply of designs, drawings and material with related services thereof have to be interpreted. Should the contracts be split-up or are they indivisible? Is the preponderance of the activity that of a sale and are the services just incidental hence not taxable? In Abishek Developers Vs ITO (110 TTJ (Bang.) 698) – The Bangalore ITAT held that a Singapore Company which had no PE In India and which developed design and drawings for its Indian customers wholly outside India i.e., Singapore and the transferred the same to clients in Singapore was in the nature of sale and not FTS. In SNC-Lavalin International Inc. Vs. DDIT (118 TTJ Del. 802) – It was held in this case that the payments made for furnishing project report covering detailed design for rehabilitation of the existing carriage ways as well as for designing the new carriage ways are FTS as per India-Canada DTAA.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Vs ITO (121 TTJ 242) – The Indian assessee wanted engine and its prototype for its 3 aircrafts. The Russian Company supplied the same but restricted the assessee from using prototypes for any other use. The Delhi ITAT had held that the payments made was for outright purchase of engines and prototypes were only used for testing purposes and cannot be treated as FTS as per 9(1)(vii) and the India-Russia DTAA. CIT Vs Neyveli Lignite Corporation (243 ITR 459 (Madras HC)) – The Madras HC has held that the payments made for manufacturing, design, supply erection and commissioning to the foreign agents are not FTS because all of them are incidental to the sale of machine itself to the Indian Company. CIT Vs Sundwiger EMFG (262 ITR 110) - The payments made to a specialist foreign employee sent on purchase of a capital equipment cannot be considered as FTS as it is a part of sale.

AEG Aktiengesllschaft Vs CIT (267 ITR 209) – payments made for engineering services rendered as enumerated in the Agreement between Indian company and German company could be considered as FTS u/s 9(1)(vii). The court held that payments made for design and drawings cannot, in all circumstances, be treated as cost of plant and machinery. ITO Vs Prasad Productions (125 ITD 263) – Indian company entered in to an agreement with the foreign non-resident company for purchase, installation and maintenance of IMAX theaters as well as train four projectionists. The Chennai Special Bench has held that these were incidental to the sale of the product and cannot be classified as FTS. This decision is also important for another reason that it had held that the application u/s195(2) is not mandatory for the assessee.

GMP International company GmbH, In Re (AAR NO. 837 of 2009) – The applicant was a German company which was selected for supplying the architectural design and diagram for the complex TN legislative assembly. The sub-contractor of the German company followed the diagram and designs of German company. It was held that the payment constitutes FTS. Airports Authority of India, In re (304 ITR 216) – In this case, the USA company supplied hardware, software, software documentation, installation, testing and training to the Indian company. The AAR splitted-up the composite agreement and held as follows: a) supply of hardware amounts to Business Profits, b) supply of software amounts to Royalty and c) installation, testing and training will amount to FTS. Similar type was also rendered in International Tire Engineering Resources LLC, In re (319 ITR 228 AAR)

Payments for hosting websites abroad, subscribing to online portals, etc.
The moot point with regard to this proposition is whether the payments made for website hosting and whether accessing/subscribing to the foreign journals and databases is FTS or not? Millennium Infocom Technologies Ltd. Vs ACIT ( ITD 114) – It was held that the payments made for website hosting is not FTS by following the case of Skycell(supra) where it was held that installation of sophisticated device for allowing customers to avail the benefits of the device will not amount to FTS. TIS Two Administration (Sing.) P Ltd Vs DDIT (ITA NO. 8464/Mum/04) – It was held that subscription fees received for providing information regarding forex, commodity and hence, not taxable under India-Singapore DTAA.

Payments for hosting websites abroad, subscribing to online portals, etc.
Cargo Community Network P. Ltd., In re (AAR No.688 of 2006) – The AAR took a view that payments made for subscribing to a journal will amount to FTS as it amounts to training subscribers and acts as a helpdesk in India. CIT Vs Samsung Electronics (320 ITR 209) – It was held that the payment for use of online database amounts to Royalty and the same has been followed by CIT Vs Wipro Ltd. (203 Taxman 621).

Payments made accreditation, certification, etc.
Value of the Indian company goes up in the minds of general public if it has been accredited and certified by the foreign company. The question here is, whether the payments made to these accreditation providing companies can be termed as FTS or not? NQA Quality Systems Pvt. Ltd Vs DCIT (92 TTJ 946) – It has been held that the accreditation company did not make available the technical knowledge/know-how to the Indian company and hence, cannot be taxable. Joint Accreditation System of Australia and Newzealand, In re (AAR No. 838 of 2009) – The applicant merely evaluates and grants accreditation and does not transfer any technical knowledge to the service recipient. Hence, cannot be taxable as FTS.

Payments made for mineral oil exploration and related activities
In ONGC Vs ACIT (12 SOT 584) – In this case, the non-resident company trained the Indian assessee on ‘ceased hole and production log evaluation’ and ‘ceased hole and production log analysis’. The Delhi ITAT has held that the consideration received was chargeable u/s 44BB (not S.44D) instead of FTS following the CBDT circular No.1862. In CIT Vs ONGC (299 ITR 438) – HC held that non-resident assessee supplied supervisory staff and experts in operation and management of drilling rigs and hence taxable under Section 44D r.w.s 115A of the Act. DIT Vs Rio Tinto Technical Services (278 ITR 599) – Delhi HC has held that the payment made for conducting feasibility reports and evaluating coal and iron ore deposits was FTS and S.44D is applicable as the income earned by assessee is taxable as FTS.

Payments made for mineral oil exploration and related activities
In ABC, In re (234 ITR 371 AAR) – UK company rendered consultancy to Indian oil company under various agreements wherein it gave technical services to ear marked areas to enable the Indian company to perform the job by itself. The payment was considered as FTS and taxable under the provision 44D. Bourbon Offshore Asia P. Ltd., In re (AAR 937 of 2010)- It was held that receipts on account of provision of supply of vessels on hire cannot have the character of FTS u/s 9(1)(vii) of the Act and tax is to be with held under Section 44BB.

Payments towards reimbursement of expenses
The proposition of whether reimbursement of expenses constitutes FTS or not? - is entirely dependent on the facts and circumstances of the case. In IDS Software (India) Pvt. Ltd Vs ITO (122 TTJ 410) - it was held that the reimbursement of salary to the employee seconded by the USA company cannot be brought under FTS as the employee is in the control of USA company. In AT&S India P. Ltd., In re (AAR NO. 670 of 2005) & Cholamandalam General Insurance Co. IN Re (309 ITR 356 AAR)– The AAR in this case basically followed the principle laid down in the IDS Software (Supra) case. However, Verizon Data Services Pvt. Ltd In re (AAR 865 of 2010) – It was held that since the seconded employee performed managerial services, the reimbursement is taxable u/s 9(1)(vii) of the Act and Article 12 of India-USA DTAA

Payments made for manpower supply outside India
In ACIT Vs IIC Systems P. Ltd. (127 TTJ 435)- Assessee company entered in to an agreement with IBM,USA for supply of manpower. ITAT Hyd. held that neither the assessee nor its parent company were engaged in software programming, software development and that the developed work by the manpower supplied did not belong to the assessee or its parent company. Hence, not FIS under India-USA DTAA. In Tekniskil (Sendirian) Berhard Vs CIT (222 ITR 551 AAR) – another case of supplying manpower held in favour of assessee, held as not FTS In Steel Authority of India Ltd Vs ITO (120 TTJ 297)- Held by Delhi ITAT that the payments made for training of employees by foreign company amounts ‘making available’ technical knowledge, know-how and skills to the assessee company. Hence, taxable as FTS.

Human Intervention Test
It has been first held by the Madras HC in the case of Skycell Communications (Supra) that in order to classify a service as technical service under 9(1)(vii) of the Act, presence of human intervention is mandatory otherwise it cannot be taxable as FTS u/s 9 of the Act. Recently, the Mumbai ITAT in the case of Siemens Ltd Vs CIT (ITA No of 2010) has elaborated the term ‘human intervention’ and held that mere presence of human intervention is not enough to classify a service as FTS but there should be substantial involvement of human in that particular service. However, the Agra ITAT in a very recent Judgement of Metro & Metro Vs ACIT (ITA No. 393 of 2012) had held that the liberal interpretation provided in the case of Siemens (Supra) is not correct.

Re-opening u/s 147 based on FTS
Artech Infosystems Pvt. Ltd. Vs CIT (206 Taxman 432) – In this case, the department re-opened the case on the basis that it felt the payments are for FTS and during the assessment proceedings it did not hold so. The Delhi HC held that this amounted to mere change of opinion and quashed the order u/s147 of the Act by relying on CIT VS Kelvinator (320 ITR 723 SC)

Exception clause in Section 9(1)(vii) of the Act
We see that in Section 9(1)(vii)(b) of the Act, there is an exception clause which states that an income by way of FTS is payable by a resident for the purposes of earning income outside India then it will not be treated as FTS deemed to accrue or arise in India. Section 9(1)(vii) income by way of fees for technical services payable by— (a) the Government ; or (b) a person who is a resident, except where the fees are payable in respect of services utilised in a business or profession carried on by such person outside India or for the purposes of making earning any income from any source outside India ;

The exception clause has been subjected to lot of debate and contrasting decisions has been rendered by Tribunals and HCs. CIT Vs. Aktiengesellschaft Kuhnle Kopp & Kausch W.Germany by BHEL (262 ITR 513 Madras HC) where it was held that the exports of goods represented a source outside India. The High Court in this case was concerned with Section 9(1)(vi) of the Act relating to payment of royalty by a person resident in India to a non-resident. Though the said decision was rendered in the context of royalty yet the exception provided from taxability of royalty are the same as in the case of FTS.

Lufthansa Cargo India P. Ltd. Vs DCIT (92 TTJ (Del) 837) – payments made for repair of aircrafts which are used only for international routes only will fall under this exception clause. Titan Industries Ltd Vs ITO (11 SOT 206) – charges incurred for registering the IP rights in Singapore by the associate company (which is located in Singapore) of Indian company can avail this exception clause. The Delhi HC in the case of CIT Vs Havells India Ltd. (73 DTR 57 (Delhi High Court)) dismissed the applicability of the exception clause under Section 9(1)(vii)(b) made from export sales Disagreed with Madras HC decision and held that the export sales is NOT a source of income outside India and that the payments are taxable as FTS u/s 9(1)(vii) of the Act.

Part VII. TDS provisions

TDS provisions Failure to deduct tax
Section 40(a)(i) Section 201(1) and 201(1A) Section 163 Machinery provision for TDS on payments to non-residents (i.e., intl. taxation) Section 195

S.40(a)(i) 40. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 30 to 38, the following amounts shall not be deducted in computing the income chargeable under the head "Profits and gains of business or profession",— (a) in the case of any assessee— (i) any interest (not being interest on a loan issued for public subscription before the 1st day of April, 1938), royalty, fees for technical services or other sum chargeable under this Act, which is payable,— (A) outside India; or (B) in India to a non-resident, not being a company or to a foreign company, on which tax is deductible at source under Chapter XVII-B and such tax has not been deducted or, after deduction, has not been paid during the previous year, or in the subsequent year before the expiry of the time prescribed under sub-section (1) of section 200:

S.40(a)(i) Most payments today made without TDS are disallowed u/s 40(a)(i) HUGE amount of demand and litigation today is centered around this single section! It is a harsh provision which should be read down Entire expenditure is disallowed; not a portion Applies even if recipient has shown the income and paid taxes on it Madras High Court held its twin sister S.40(a)(ia) to be constitutionally valid in Tube Investments of India Ltd [325 ITR 610] Taxpayer looking at 30% disallowance at time of assessment Better to go with 10-15% TDS and apply for NIL withholding (u/s 195(2)) !

Proviso to S.40(a)(i) Provided that where in respect of any such sum, tax has been deducted in any subsequent year or, has been deducted in the previous year but paid in any subsequent year after the expiry of the time prescribed under sub-section (1) of section 200, such sum shall be allowed as a deduction in computing the income of the previous year in which such tax has been paid. Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-clause,— (A) "royalty" shall have the same meaning as in Explanation 2 to clause (vi) of sub-section (1) of section 9; (B) "fees for technical services" shall have the same meaning as in Explanation 2 to clause (vii) of sub-section (1) of section 9;

Proviso S.40(a)(i) Proviso to S.40(a)(i) allows payment after 31st March before IT return due date Similar proviso in S.40(a)(ia) held to be retrospectively applicable in CIT vs. Virgin Creations (Calcutta HC, ITANo.302 of 2011 dated ) What if the payee/recipient had offered inome & paid taxes ? S.40(a)(ia) has been amended by addition of new Proviso which finally tracks S.201(1) status i.e., whether the asessee is an assessee-in-default This should also apply to S.40(a)(i) and be held retrospective in effect!

S.201 – “Assessee in default”
S.201(1) – Failure to deduct or pay Finance Act 2012 w.e.f allows holding of assessee not in default as long as there is prescribed proof of recipient offering & paying tax on the amount paid without withholding Follows from Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (P.) Ltd. v. Joint CIT [2004] 90 ITD 720 (SC) “We have also carefully examined the Circular No. 275, dated , which was relied on by the assessee and appearing at page No. 1 of the compilation and we find that through this circular it has been clarified by the Board that no demand visualized under section 201(1) of the Act should be enforced after the tax depositor has satisfied the official in-charge of the TDS that tax due had been paid by the deductee-assessee”

Non-deduction of TDS vs. RetrospectiveAmendments
Courts have held that such payments (payments affected by retrospective amendment) being already paid cannot be made taxable by virtue of subsequent amendment carried out by Finance Act, 2010. Hence, disallowance u/s 40(a)(i) r.w.s Section 9 cannot be made by virtue of retrospective amendments. The above view was upheld by the following judgements: Sterling Abrasives Ltd. Vs ACIT (140 TTJ 68 Ahd.) Channel Guide India Ltd Vs ACIT (139 ITD 49)

The “paid” vs. “payable” controversy
Controversially, in Merilyn Shipping & Transport vs. ACIT (136 ITD 23 Vizag-SB) it was held that u/s. 40(a)(ia) TDS Disallowance applies only to amounts “payable” as at 31st March and not to amounts already “paid” during the year Upheld by CIT vs. Vector Shipping (P) Ltd. (Allahabad HC); struck down by CIT vs. Sikandhar N.Tunvar (Gujarat HC) and CIT vs. Md. Jakir Hossain Mondal (Calcutta HC) In the case of Metro& Metro vs. ACIT (ITA No.393/Agra/2012) - It has held that the total disallowance u/s 40(a)(i) can be made irrespective of whether the amount has been already paid or not. Decisions in the case of Merilyn Shippings (supra) will not hold good because those decisions has been rendered in the context of S. 40(a)(ia).

Controversy on tax withholding certificate (u/s 195(2) )
U/s.195(2), where the payer considers that the whole of such sum so payable to a non-resident would not be income chargeable of the recipient, he can make an application to the Assessing Officer to determine the appropriate proportion of such sum chargeable to tax, and thereupon shall deduct tax u/s.195(1) only on that proportion of the sum chargeable to tax. Similarly, sections 195(3) and 197 provide for the payee making an application to the Assessing Officer for issue of a certificate that income-tax may be deducted at lower rates of tax or not deducted on payment to be received by him, where such lower rate or non-deduction is justified.

Controversy on tax withholding certificate (u/s 195(2) )
The issue is where payment to nonresident does not comprise any income chargeable to tax in India at all whether the payer has necessarily to apply to tax authorities for certificate u/s.195(2) or whether the payment can be made without any TDS, and without obtaining any such certificate u/s.195(2) or u/s.195(3) or u/s.197? Controversial decision of CIT v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (320 ITR 209) holding S.195(2) certificate was mandatory Reliance was placed on (wrong!) interpretation of the Supreme Court in the case of Transmission Corporation of A.P. Ltd. v. CIT, 239 ITR 587. Controversy set to rest by Apex Court in GE India Technology Centre (P) Ltd. vs CIT (327 ITR 456) (SC). Samsung verdict set aside. Principle explained that when no tax is payable in India there is no necessity for TDS

Part VIII. Transfer Pricing

What is Transfer Pricing?
Global trade consists of international transfers of goods and services, capital and intangibles within an multinational enterprise (MNE) group. Such transfers are called “intra-group transactions” The structure of transactions within an MNE group can be determined by a combination of the market and group driven forces which can differ from the open market conditions operating between independent entities. In such situations, its important to establish appropriate price, called “transfer price” for intra-group transfers of goods and services “Transfer pricing” is the general term for the pricing of cross-border, intra-firm transactions between related parties. Transfer pricing therefore refers to the setting of prices for transactions between associated enterprises involving the transfer of property or services.

Rationale behind Transfer Pricing
When unrelated entities deal with each other, the price of transactions for services or goods are determined by market forces When related entities of a group deal with each other the prices may not be affected by market forces in the same way Hence it is important to arrive at the appropriate “transfer price” for the intra-group transactions between related parties.

Crux of Transfer pricing
The crux of TP is that the transaction between related parties should be at the same price which would have been established if the transaction had happened between two unrelated parties in the open market (i.e., the Arm’s Length Price)

Basic TP Glossary “Associated Enterprises” (AE) – Also called “related parties” wherein there is direct or indirect relationship via management, control or capital between them “Controlled” transactions - Transactions between related parties “Uncontrolled” transactions – Transactions between parties that are not associated i.e., independent parties “Arm’s Length Price” (ALP) – Price of the uncontrolled transactions i.e., price in the open market

Subsidiary company in country B
A TP Example Watch mfg. company In Country A Country B tax authorities want Transfer Price set at $1400 so that $100 profit is brought to tax in country B This approach is a problem for Country A which is already paying tax on $100 profit! Mfg. Cost in country A = $1400 Transfer price $1500 Subsidiary company in country B Distribution cost $100 Retail price $1600

Thumb Rule of Transfer Pricing
Tax authority (of any country!) will seek the answer to the following questions: If you are a taxpayer of that country who exports goods, services, capital or intangibles to a foreign Associated Enterprise (AE), have you received too less of consideration compared to open market? If you are a taxpayer of that country who imports goods, services, capital or intangibles from a foreign Associated Enterprise (AE), have you paid too much consideration compared to open market? Bottomline: Has there been a revenue (and hence tax) deficit due to the intra-group transaction being conducted at a price different from the ALP?

Introduction to basic issues underlying TP
“Transfer price” influences the tax base of the countries involved in cross-border transactions The parties involved are the relevant entities of the MNE group along with the tax authorities involved in the transaction When one country’s tax authority adjusts the profit of a member of the MNE group, this may have an effect on the tax base of another country. In other words, cross-border tax situations involve issues related to jurisdiction, allocation of income and valuation

Jurisdiction issues in TP
Key issue is which government should tax the income of the group entities engaged in the transaction, and what happens if both governments claim the right to tax the same income? If the tax base arises in more than one country, should one of the governments give tax relief to prevent double taxation of the relevant entities’ income, and if so, which one?

Jurisdiction issues in Transfer Pricing
The aim of non-arm’s length transfer pricing in such cases is usually to reduce an MNE’s worldwide taxes. Achieved by shifting profits from AE’s in higher tax countries to AE’s in relatively lower tax countries through either under- charging or over-charging the associated entity for intra-group trade. Parent company ACo (situated in country A with tax rate 30%) Widgets sold by BCo to ACo Subsidiary BCo (situated in country B with tax rate 20%) Price paid by ACo (overcharged by BCo, profits shifted to country B)

Jurisdiction Issues in Transfer Pricing
While most obvious motivation may be to reduce the MNE’s worldwide taxation, other factors may influence transfer pricing decisions Such as imputation of tax benefits in parent company’s country of residence Another motivation for an MNE to engage in such practices is to use a tax benefit (such as a tax loss) in a jurisdiction in which it operates. Maybe current year loss or a loss that has been carried forward from a prior year by an associated company. In some cases an international enterprise may wish to take advantage of an associated company’s tax losses before they expire, in situations where losses can only be carried forward for certain num. of years. Even if there are no restrictions on carrying forward tax losses, there is incentive to use the losses as quickly as possible. In other words profits may sometimes be shifted to certain countries in order to obtain specific tax benefits

Allocation Issues in Transfer Pricing
Perspective of MNE: MNEs are global structures sharing common resources and overheads. From MNE’s perspective these resources need to be allocated with maximum efficiency in an optimal manner. Any trade or taxation barriers in the countries in which MNE operates raise the MNE’s transaction costs while distorting the allocation of resources. Also many of common resources which are a source of competitive advantage to MNE cannot be separated from the income of the MNE’s group members for tax purposes. Perspective of Government: From Governments’ perspective, allocation of costs and income from MNE’s resources is essential in calculating tax payable. There can thus be a dispute between countries in the allocation of costs and resources, owing to their objective of maximizing the tax base in their respective jurisdictions.

Valuation issues in Transfer Pricing
Mere allocation of income and expenses to one or more members of the MNE group is not sufficient; the income and expenses must also be valued. Hence valuation of intra-group transfers is a key TP issue MNE’s are integrated structure with the ability to exploit international differentials and to utilize economies of integration not available to a stand-alone entity Therefore transfer prices within the group are unlikely to be the same prices that unrelated parties would negotiate. TP rules are essential for countries in order to protect their tax base, to eliminate double taxation and to enhance cross-border trade. For developing countries, TP rules essential to provide climate of certainty and environment for increased cross-border trade at the same time ensuring country is not losing out on tax revenue.

Evolution of Transfer Pricing
UN “International Income Taxation and Developing Countries” (1988) OECD Report on Transfer Pricing (1979) OECD Report on Transfer Pricing (1984) UNCTAD Report on Transfer Pricing (1999) OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines (1995, 2010) UN Practical Manual on Transfer Pricing (2013) We have to note the importance of the USA Transfer Pricing Regulations (26 USC 482), EU Common Consolidated Tax Base (CCTB) and the EU Council “Codes of Conduct” (2011) in the evolution of TP worldwide

Concepts in Transfer Pricing
The Arm’s Length Principle Applying the Arm’s Length Principle Global Formulary Apportionment - Alternative to ALP

The Arm’s Length Principle
Article 9(1) - UN Model Convention Where: an enterprise of a Contracting State participates directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of the other Contracting State, or the same persons participate directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of a Contracting State and an enterprise of the other Contracting State, and in either case conditions are made or imposed between the two enterprises in their commercial or financial relations which differ from those which would be made between independent enterprises, then any profits which would, but for those conditions, have accrued to one of the enterprises, but, by reason of these conditions, have not so accrued, may be included in the profits of that enterprise and taxed accordingly

The Arm’s Length Principle
Transaction between two related parties must be at ALP ALP is not a term used in Article 9 but it is well accepted by all countries as encapsulating the approach in Article 9 The Arm’s-Length Principle is thus the guiding principle in establishing a transfer price under Article 9 The marketplace comprising independent entities thus is the benchmark for verifying the transfer prices between related parties ALP is claimed to be geographically neutral Conditional on consistent rules and administration of ALP throughout jurisdictions Easy to describe ALP but establishing guidelines on practical application of ALP is a complex task

Need for applying ALP– An Example
PCorp in country A If tax rate of country A > country B, PCorp may want to undercharge SCorp If tax rate of country B > country A, PCorp may want to overcharge SCorp Bottomline: Need to establish the ALP for determining correct transfer price of PCorp to SCorp transaction Car seats sold to SCorp SCorp in country B Car seats sold to public in country B

The Arm’s Length Principle – Assumptions
There are many factors affecting the arm’s length price Government policies, regulations, cash-flow of entities, tax benefits etc. NO implicit assumption should be made that there is profit manipulation by MNE just because there is adjustment to approximate the ALP Also incorrect to assume that commercial or financial transactions between AE’s and the marketplace will ALWAYS be different and at odds with each other MNE’s may even set arm’s-length price to judge true performance of underlying entities! Bottomline: The Arm’s Length Principle has been widely accepted and has found its way into most TP legislation

Applying the Arm’s Length Principle
Comparability analysis Evaluation of transactions Evaluation of separate and combined transactions Use of an arm’s length range or a central point in the range Use of multiple year data Losses Location savings and location rents Intentional set-offs Use of customs valuation. Refer to Chapter 5 of the UN TP Manual for more details

Global Formulary Apportionment – Alternative to ALP
Formulary Apportionment would allocate the global profits of an MNE group amongst the associated enterprises on the basis of a multi-factor weighted formula Using factors such as property, payroll and sales for example, or such other factors as may be defined Current use of Formulary Apportionment Used by some states of USA, cantons of Switzerland and provinces of Canada. Brazilian TP rules sets maximum ceiling on deductible expenses of imports and lays down minimum level for gross income in relation to exports – effectively using set formula to allocate income to Brazil. The EU is also considering a formulary approach, at the option of taxpayers, to harmonize its corporate taxes under the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) initiative

Transfer Pricing Methods
Comparable Uncontrolled Price Method (CUP) Resale Price Method (RPM) Cost-Plus Method (CP) Transactional Net Margin Method (TNMM) Profit-Split Method (PSM) Use of unspecified methods….

Transfer Pricing Methods
First three in the list (CUP, RPM and C+) are called “traditional methods” Last two in the list (TNMM, PSM) are called “transactional profit methods” No hierarchy or preference of methods is formally prescribed. Bottomline: No single TP method is prescribed for every possible situation – depends on the characteristics of the particular transactions involved. Most appropriate method must be found and used

Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP)
Compares the price charged for a property or service transferred in a controlled transaction to the price charged for a comparable property or service transferred in a comparable uncontrolled transaction in comparable circumstances. Maybe “internal” CUP where the tested party has similar transaction with AE as well as non-AE (or) “external” CUP where two unrelated parties have similar transactions with each other

Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP)
ACo & BCo are “related parties” / “associated enterprises” ACo & CCo, DCo & ECo are independent parties BCo CCo BCo ECo Identical Widgets supplied Similar Widgets supplied by both ACo and DCo ACo ACo DCo ALP is the ACo to CCo price ALP is the DCo to ECo price Internal CUP example External CUP example

Resale Price Method (RPM)
Used to determine the price to be paid by a reseller for a product purchased from an associated enterprise and resold to an independent enterprise. The purchase price is set so that the margin earned by the reseller is sufficient to allow it to cover its selling and operating expenses and make an appropriate profit

Cost-Plus Method (CP) Used to determine the appropriate price to be charged by a supplier of property or services to a related purchaser. The price is determined by adding to costs incurred by the supplier an appropriate gross margin so that the supplier will make an appropriate profit in the light of market conditions and functions performed.

Transactional Net Margin Method (TNMM)
TNMM (and Comparable Profits Method of USA TP Regulations) are called “Profit comparison” methods As their name suggests, they seek to determine the level of profits that would have resulted from controlled transactions by reference to the return realized by the comparable independent enterprise. The TNMM determines the net profit margin relative to an appropriate base realized from the controlled transactions by reference to the net profit margin relative to the same appropriate base realized from uncontrolled transactions

Profit Split Method (PSM)
Profit-split methods take the combined profits earned by two related parties from one or a series of transactions and then divide those profits using an economically valid defined basis that aims at replicating the division of profits that would have been anticipated in an agreement made at arm’s length. Arm’s length pricing is therefore derived for both parties by working back from profit to price

Indian Transfer Pricing provisions

Indian TP provisions Indian TP provisions were introduced under “Chapter X : Special Provisions Relating to Avoidance of Tax” Chapter X, Section 92 of the Income Tax Act (1961) and Rule 10A-D of the Income Tax Rules (1962) TP regime was introduced via Finance Bill 2001 w.e.f April 1st 2001. In other words, India is a relatively new entrant into the TP vortex! Birds-eye, one-line overview of Indian TP: OECD-Lite

Indian TP Provisions – Chapter X, Section 92
Sections/Rules Provisions s 92 Computation of Income, expenses, CCA s 92A Associated Enterprises (“AE”) s 92B International Transactions s 92C(1) (Rule 10B, 10C) Computation of Arm’s Length Price (“ALP”) s 92C/92CA Powers of Assessing Officer (“AO”) and Transfer Pricing Officer(“TPO”) s 92CB Power of Board to make Safe Harbor Rules s 92CC Advance Pricing Arrangement (APA) s 92D (Rule 10D) Documentation requirements s 92E (Rule 10E, Form 3CEB) Accountant’s report s 92F (Rule 10A) Definitions s 94A Transactions in notified jurisdictional areas

Transfer Pricing Penal provisions
Reference under the Income-tax Act Particulars Penalty 271AA Failure to maintain documentation 2% of the value of each international transaction 271G Failure to furnish/submit any information / document to the transfer pricing officer 2% of the value of the international transaction for each such failure 271BA Failure to furnish accountant’s report INR 100,000 271(1)(c)(iii) read with Explanation 7 Transfer pricing adjustment considered as concealed income % of amount of tax on adjustments

Indian TP vs. OECD Guidelines
Concepts Indian regulations OECD Guidelines Associated Enterprises Very wide definition Restricted to controlled entities Comparable range (FY 2013)Allows 3% range band on avg. results of comparables Allows for range of comparable data Multiple year data Only allows data for current year (earlier 2 years only in special cases) Permitted Foreign comparables Not permitted in practice Priority of methods “Most appropriate method” rule Originally, a preference for “traditional” methods Use of unspecified method A sixth method….allowing any other method recently prescribed Documentation Stringent Prudent business principles Intangibles Definition added only in Finance Act Lack of guidelines/discussion on Intangibles Definition, discussion, reports, guidance etc.

Indian TP Assessment & Litigation
Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) Assessing Officer (AO) Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO) Dispute Resolution panel (DRP) Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) High Court Supreme Court TP ASSESSMENT TIMELINE EXAMPLE 2011+ 2011+ May 2011 Appeal against CIT(A) order Appeal against Final Asst. Order May 2010 Appeal against Asst. order Appeal against Draft Asst. order Set-aside / Remanded back to AO AO:Dec. 2009 TPO reference TPO: Dec. 2008 TPO Order u/s 92CA(3) Form 3CEB Sept.2006 FY

Few observations about Indian TP
Five (now six!) methods – NO preferred method CUP, Cost-Plus, RPM, TNMM and Profit-split are the FIVE usual suspects and a sixth “method” allowing any other quantifiable method was recently notified TNMM (and CUP) rules the roost in practice ALP is calculated via arithmetic mean of comparable prices Threshold limit of international transactions for reference to TPO reference is Rs.15 crores (Rs.150 million) Prowess™ & CapitalLine™ company databases are used for TP reports by all parties including Revenue Dept. High volume of transfer pricing litigation today; most TP litigations have not reached High Courts/Apex Court “Litigation loop” – many cases remanded back to AO/TPO

Recent TP “earthquakes” Finance Acts 2012 & 2013
Many new TP changes with recent two Finance Acts A reaction to recent judicial rulings! Summary of main changes in Finance Bill 2012/2013 Domestic TP introduced for the first time Increase in scope of powers of Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO) Increased penalty provisions for TP Allow “re-opening” of certain TP assessments Arm’s-length range is restricted to +/- 3% tolerance band Retrospectively enlarge the scope of ‘international transactions’ to include guarantees, any debts, business restructuring etc. GAAR introduced but then postponed to 2016

Bottomline: Evolution and maturing of Indian TP……
Evolution of Indian TP INITIAL YEARS First TP assessments made –ambiguity as it was a new area ALP concept was being understood and put to practice DISPUTE RESOLUTION PANEL (DRP) initiated to handle TP cases TP fundamentals tested and explained by many judgments by DRP and various Tribunals. Controversies on Arm’s-length range, international transactions etc. Comparability analysis (FAR) was deep-dived into CATCHING UP WITH THE WORLD….. GAAR provisions, APA , Safe Harbor Rules …. ERA OF INTANGIBLES : CURRENT PHASE Financial txns: Corporate Guarantee / Interest-free loans to foreign AE BRAND: reimbursement with markup from AE DOMESTIC TRANSFER PRICING INTRODUCED Bottomline: Evolution and maturing of Indian TP……

TP theory meets reality
A look at Indian TP in practice

Issue #1 Comparables: Whither art thou?
There is a lack of comparables in many segments Problem especially acute in developing countries where there are a number of ‘sunrise’ or emerging industries Result of this data paucity is not merely a lack of comparables but the serious consequence of using incorrect comparables in the TP assessment International comparables data is nearly impossible to gather and many times are rejected by Revenue or by Courts It often becomes a case of non-technical people trying to do technical work (classic example - choosing KPO software companies for comparison with BPO assessee, choosing comparables across different software verticals etc.) Bottomline: The whole comparability analysis exercise may at times become unsound and indefensible

Issue #1 Example 1 : Software development industry
Department rejected cost-plus and used TNMM with its set of comparables Comparables in completely different software verticals – an apples to oranges comparison. This is not only a problem with the TP assessment order but also a flaw in the underlying system Comparable search in “software services” may yield these companies! A.E. (USA network security software company) X Cost-plus + 15% Assessee Indian subsidiary (Engaged in network security software development) TPO: Adopt TNMM with third-party Indian software co’s taken as comparables 1. A transport logistics software company 2. A generic application outsourcing co. 3. An ERP (SAP) software vendor 4. Infosys™ - India’s a mega-IT major Bottomline: An apple and orange are both fruits – hence valid comparables under TP!

Issue #2 Adjustments to comparables
TP provisions are vague! “(iii) the net profit margin referred to in sub-clause (ii) arising in comparable uncontrolled transactions is adjusted to take into account the differences, if any, between the international transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions, or between the enterprises entering into such transactions, which could materially affect the amount of net profit margin in the open market” Rule 10B(e)(iii) on TNMM

Issue #2 Adjustments to comparables
TP adjustments in practice is not the same as theory. In India following are observed: Foreign AE’s are typically not accepted as tested party Foreign comparables are almost always not accepted due to data paucity on adjustments What are the adjustments which will be accepted? No specific guidance or certainty on this From practice, adjustments typically disputed by Revenue are: Idle capacity, depreciation, risk, differences in accounting policy etc.. How to quantify any of these TP adjustments? Quantification of adjustments are usually ad-hoc or supported using suitably tweaked formulae. Department and taxpayer spar regularly on this issue in Courts Bottomline: Fundamental lack of clarity & guidance with respect to Transfer Pricing Adjustments

Issue #2 Adjustments to comparables (contd.)
Comparables are rejected using “filters” . Some popular filters used are: Minimum employee cost of 25% over sales Different year ending filter Diminishing revenue filter Related party filter On-site revenue filter Turnover filters Super-profit (& loss-making) filters Functional difference filters These filters are not prescribed in any provision or Rule nor guidance is provided for them.

Issue #2 Example 1: Adjustments to comparables
AE (USA) Internal CUP with company AE as tested party rejected by TPO Typically foreign companies are not allowed as tested parties. No good answers for India vs. Brazil, India vs. Mexico geographical market adjustments TNMM chosen with “Auto ancillaries” Only one proper comparable but no segmental data available Other comparables are in “shock-absorbers”, “battery companies” Moving from one incomplete puzzle (CUP) to an incorrect result (TNMM) is better? Axle raw material import Assessee (Indian automotive axles manufacturer) Mexico and Brazil axle manufacturers

Issue #3 Data sources – TPO data gathering powers
AE (UK) TPO has the “power to call for information” under Section 133(6) of the Act to obtain information from any firm This power is used often in the TP assessment to gather data on comparables Practically speaking, assessee may not be given a chance to analyze or provide rebuttal to the info Also many companies supply information which are prone to wide interpretation This is a common issue across the board in TP assessments in India Third party Indian co’s Tax return Assessee (India) AO/TPO TP study

Issue #3 Data sources – Using customs data
Taxpayer: Internal CUP with Indonesian AE as the tested party was submitted TPO: Rejects Internal CUP and uses External CUP Uses customs data of third-party transactions not in public domain Cherry-picks data and chooses transactions without reference to gross-calorific value (quality) of coal, quantity etc. Assessee requests competitors and obtains few invoices used by TPO which show even CIF vs. FOB difference ignored AE (Indonesia) Non-AE (anywhere) Customs Data AO/TPO Coal import Assessee (Indian co) Third-party Indian cos. Third-party coal importer (India) TP study: Internal CUP External CUP (using customs data)

Issue #4 Multiple year data
Rule 10B(4) states “The data to be used in analysing the comparability of an uncontrolled transaction with an international transaction shall be the data relating to the financial year in which the international transaction has been entered into Provided that data relating to a period not being more than two years prior to such financial year may also be considered if such data reveals facts which could have an influence on the determination of transfer prices in relation to the transactions being compared.” Not accepting multiple year data flies against the face of logic What about business cycles, recessionary effects, gestation period etc. Onus on assessee to prove usefulness of multi-year data…..

Issue #5 The Indian arm’s-length range controversy
ALP is computed with reference to arithmetic mean of comparables with a uniform tolerance of 5% around the transfer price (Proviso’s to Section 92C(1)) Example: arithmetic mean of comparable PLI of operating profit/total cost is 10% would mean an arm’s-length range of 4.76% to 15.79% It was further interpreted by taxpayers to mean that this +/-5% standard deduction was available to the taxpayer and not a binary band. Example: In case of standard deduction, if net profit margin were 4.75% in the above scenario then only 0.01% is the adjustment and not entire 4.75% as in the case of a band where you are either in the band or out. Number of cases in different Tribunals in favour of and against the assessee

Issue #5 The Indian arm’s-length range controversy
Amendment in Finance Act 2009 tried to rest controversy about arm’s-length range by saying the 5% tolerance is not a standard deduction (as well as changed base of determination of allowable band linking it to transaction price instead of arithmetic mean) However post period also remained ambiguous due to conflicting judicial decisions Retrospective amendment recently in Finance Act 2012 w.e.f 1/4/2002 clarifying the 5% is not a standard deduction (from 1/4/2013 to be 3%) Bottomline: Lots of litigation on simple issues due to lack of clarity

Issue #6 Practical TP oddities - Few nuggets from the field
TNMM Adjustments applied to all transactions of taxpayer enterprise: (Il Jin Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. –Delhi Tribunal) Adjustments resulting in illogical results : Total amount of adjustment made, along with ALP already reported, exceeded total revenues earned by the taxpayer and its AE from dealing with third party clients! (Global VantEdge Pvt. Ltd – Delhi Tribunal) Excess profits being disallowed under regular provisions AO held that excess profits (above ALP) would be disallowed u/s 10B for IT companies in SEZ (Tweezerman India, Chennai ITAT) “Contemporaneous” data used even if not available at specified date : TPO empowered to determine ALP by using public domain data even after “cut-off date” (Kodiak Networks India vs. ACIT –Bangalore Tribunal)

Indian judiciary & TP

Assessee / Taxpayer Judicial forum Short point of ruling DIT vs. Morgan Stanley Supreme Court Once TP analysis is undertaken, no further need to attribute profits to a PE E-Gain Commn. P. Ltd ITAT Pune TNMM may afford a practical solution to otherwise insoluble transfer pricing problems if used sensibly and with appropriate adjustments TNT India ITAT Bangalore For arriving at the net margin of operating income, only op. income & expenses for relevant business activity of assessee to be taken into consideration Aztec Software & Technology ITAT SB All characteristics of controlled transaction which are likely to affects its open market value must be taken into account Mentor Graphics Ltd. ITAT Delhi If one point in arm’s length range is satisfied, onus shifted to Dept. ALP not mean max. price or profit in range UCB India (P) Ltd. Method adopted by assessee is rejected, Revenue duty bound to compute ALP and substantiate and justify use of its method

Assessee / Taxpayer Judicial forum Short point of ruling Schefenacker Motherson Ltd. ITAT Delhi Depreciation cost may be adjusted to eliminate material differences in ‘asset’ profile ACIT vs. Wockhardt Ltd. ITAT Mumbai TNMM refers only to net margin realized by enterprise from international transactions but not operational margins of enterprise as a whole Il Jin Electronics (India) Pvt. Ltd. Proportionate adjustment under TNMM on the ratio of international transactions with AEs to transactions with non-AEs ACIT vs. Frost & Sullivan Pvt. Ltd. No basis for excluding only loss making comparables and not excluding high profit marging comparables or companies which are not at all comparable based on size, turnover and other factors Global Vantedge Pvt. Ltd. Total amount of adjustment made, along with ALP already reported, cannot exceed total revenues earned by the taxpayer and its AE from dealing with third party clients Genisys Integrating Systems ITAT Bangalore TP adjustment restricted to AE segment, exclusion of super-profit making companies, application of upper turnover filter, std. deduction of +/- 5%, capacity utilization adj. granted. Sent-back to TPO Trilogy, Bearing Point, Yodlee, Curam etc. Set of principles being evolved for software companies TP assessment. Standard set of filters approved by ITAT.

Assessee / Taxpayer Judicial forum Short point of ruling Philips Software vs. ACIT ITAT Bangalore Rule 10A(a) means co. having even single rupee of related party txn. not comparable Sony India ITAT Delhi Contractual terms agreement to be looked into, consider cos. with less related party txns & losses too Demag Cranes & Components ITAT Pune Duty of AO/TPO/DRP to minimize/eliminate difference which is likely to materially affect the price Vertex Customer Services No penalty under S.271(1)(c) for bonafide TP adjustments Honeywell Automation India Ltd. Under Indian TP, consideration of subsequent year or average profits not permitted though OECD prescribes the same In Re Dana Corporation AAR No capital gains in a business reorg. if consideration not determinate. TP law does not apply if there is no income SSL-TTK Ltd. ITAT Chennai Penalty under 271G not to be levied for benign reasons in nature of procedural issues Delphi TVS Re-visit by TPO for correctly assessing the prices under CUP for comparison after adj. Ranbaxy Labs & Devel. Consultants Selection of overseas comparable maybe allowed provided such data is available in public domain Quark Systems ITAT Chandigarh (SB) Filters to be based on ‘cogent reasoning’ and not unsound assumptions Agnity Delhi HC Confirmed ITAT use of turnover filter to reject Infosys

Indian TP & Intangibles

Indian TP & Intangibles: BRAND VALUATION OF FOREIGN AE
The current hot-topic of TP discussion & litigation throughout India is about returns to the “brand” (marketing intangible) of the foreign AE due to advertising spend of its branded products by Indian subsidiary in India: VERY common scenario is Indian subsidiary is established by big foreign brand for entering India; Indian subsidiary spends a lot on advertising , marketing & sales promotion (AMP) expenditure in India…. Questions being asked by the Revenue Department Does the foreign company’s brand get enhanced by the advertising & marketing spend (AMP) of its Indian subsidiary? Shouldn’t the foreign AE therefore reimburse its Indian subsidiary with markup the excess AMP spend (or subsidize rates of products supplied to India or reduce Royalty rates)?

Indian TP & Intangibles: The India Govt’s viewpoint
Reply in Chapter X to UN TP Manual spells Indian Govt’s current view clearly: Position is that there should be reimbursement by the foreign AE of excess Advertising & Marketing expenditure (AMP) with a markup High-risk Indian subsidiaries need to get additional returns in the form of reimbursement of AMP “Bright-line test” for marketing intangibles may be used Developer of marketing intangibles having economic ownership IS ENTITLED to ADDITIONAL RETURNS (i.e., the Indian company is entitled to additional returns!)

Indian TP & Intangibles: Reading between the lines…
The Indian Government rationale seems to be as follows: Indian subsidiaries sells millions of branded items but consistently shows losses in India. Thus, no immediate benefit (i.e., taxes paid) to India Main expenditure items for Indian subsidiary seems to be advertising/marketing & sales promotion (AMP) spend Economic owner (typically Indian subsidiary co.) can never become called “owner” of brand – legal owner is “owner” of the brand Economic owner (Indian subsidiary) spends all the money but does not get returns - legal owner (foreign AE) getting benefit but not being shared with Indian subsidiaries Indian companies are actually undertaking high-risk and should get returns on the risk & costs Only available & immediately taxable indicator of value accretion to marketing intangible is the AMP spend –this AMP spend needs to be shared by foreign AE

Indian TP & Intangibles: OECD vs. India
Convergence in theory All parties seem to basically agree that excess of advertising expenditure (AMP) maybe reimbursed OECD Revised Draft on Intangibles (specifically Examples #6, 7) similar to India’s stand Divergence in practice Indian stand on ownership for purpose of intangible returns may not be in line with OECD as Indian Govt. & Court seem to look only at underlying legal owner for determining sharing of returns from intangibles Effective control, beneficial ownership, risk are all bones of contention

Indian TP & Intangibles: Indian Judiciary’s tangible role
The Government stand on brand reimbursement seems to be supported by recent landmark Judicial judgments! Maruti Suzuki vs. ACIT (Delhi HC) L.G.Electronics vs. ACIT (Special Bench Tribunal) Ford India vs. ACIT (Chennai Tribunal) Panasonic India vs. ACIT (Chennai Tribunal) BMW, Diageo India, Glaxo Smithkline, Haier Appliances India, RayBan, Reebok India, Samsung India, Sony India etc.– the list goes on! Thousands of millions of Rupees tax demand for reimbursement by foreign AE on excess AMP spend to Indian subsidiaries currently being litigated!

Indian TP & Intangibles: Maruti-Suzuki case (Delhi Tribunal & HC)
Maruti-Suzuki issue was whether Suzuki™ derives benefit from advertising expenditure incurred by Indian company while promoting the co-branded Marut-Suzuki car in India Court supported the “Bright-line test” of the US judiciary Made a distinction between mandatory and discretionary use of brand name to decide whether AMP expenditure of Indian AE increased brand value of foreign AE Gave due recognition to OECD principles relating to intangibles As usual with TP, no specifics and only general guiding principles outlined and case sent back to lower authorities Supreme Court however set-aside the Maruti-Suzuki judgment! So, is it still good law….?

Indian TP & Intangibles: L.G. Special Bench decision
Elaborate, popular judgment (~300 pages) analyzing the concept of foreign AE returns on its “brand” being promoted in India Underlying theme is that the foreign brand gets exposed to, developed and enhanced in India and hence this accretion of marketing intangible of foreign AE ought to be reimbursed Assessee’s prima facie contention that local advertising expenditure did not amount to an international transaction – Rejected outright

Indian TP & Intangibles: L.G. Special Bench (contd..)
Enumerated 14 questions/principles to determine the nature of the relationship between the AE’s and their use and cost/value of the intangibles shared Held that: Position taken by assessee that economic ownership (based on developer-assistor rule) by the Indian subsidiary leads to it becoming the “owner” of brand is flawed AND Position that the underlying intangible legal owner (foreign AE) does NOT obtain returns on its “brand” is unacceptable Direct selling expenditure may be excluded in calculation of reasonable AMP! What constitutes direct selling as opposed to brand promotion? Confusion still prevails….

Indian TP & Intangibles: Points to ponder....
How can valuation of the marketing intangible be tied directly to excess of AMP spend ALONE? Methods for valuation of intangibles such as Income-Based methods, Super-profit, Replacement-cost, Binomial/non-traditional methods not being used at all. Quality, execution and other factors by Indian subsidiary also matter over time; not just Brand What about intangible value reduction? Consider Blackberry™ which no longer have same brand recall in India; consider companies which have series of flops….. Exception needs to be given for initial years extraordinary advertising and marketing

Indian TP & Intangibles: Few more intangible problems…..
CONTRACT R&D: Indian Govt’s stand (Chapter X – UN TP Manual) Indian subsidiaries are NOT risk-free entities and hence low cost+ can’t be accepted Disputes the ability of parent to control risk remotely when core functions of R&D and services are located in India Holds that Indian entity should be entitled to a higher returns Completely disagrees with CAPM model for risk adjustments Taxpayers are in total disagreement with above viewpoint! No risk / minimal risk borne by Indian entities Indian entities typically used for executing the work given to them at low cost : that is our USP In most cases product vision, design, direction, innovation and control is by foreign AE and not India – we merely get the job done

Indian TP & Intangibles: Few more intangible problems in Indian TP….
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS (Guarantees, loans, debts etc.) Checkered history of litigation with many different Tribunals holding contrary positions Retrospective amendments to include loan, debt & guarantee transactions under definition of “international transaction” (S.92B) was passed in Finance Act 2012 Position is becoming clear now: Notional interest or guarantee fees has to be charged Dispute exist as to what rate interest/fees to be charged: Revenue Department takes view that Prime Lending Rate (PLR) should be taken and NOT LIBROR/EURIBOR rate Safe harbors introduced in this area of financial transactions

Indian TP & Intangibles: Few more intangible problems in Indian TP….
LOCATION SAVINGS Indian Govt. has recognized the need for allocation of location savings and rents between AE’s using profit-split methods. No clarity or TP tax demands on this issue yet INTRA-GROUP SERVICES Biggest challenge is allocation of costs using appropriate keys which are usually disputed by the Revenue Whether or not it is necessary for services provider to make a profit is another key area of dispute No clarity yet but has been identified as high risk area for Indian TP by the Govt.

Streamlining current Indian TP provisions Sector-wide safe harbors
Hue & cry from industry resulted in “N.Rangachari Committee” culminating in publication of Safe Harbor rules by CBDT S.No. International transaction Safe harbor margin 1 Software development 20% or more on oper. expenses 2 BPO 3 KPO 30% or more on oper. expenses 4 Intra-group loan (< INR 500million) State Bank rate basis pts 5 Intra-group loan (> INR 500million State Bank rate basis pts 6 Corporate Guarantee to WOS 2% per annum on amount 7 Software contract R&D 8 Pharma contract R&D 29% or more on oper. expenses 9 Mfg & export of auto components 12% or more on oper. expenses 10 Mfg & export of non-core auto 8.5% or more on oper. Expenses

Streamlining current Indian TP provisions Profit Splits, Formulary Apportionment etc.
Formulary apportionment approach is promising in certain areas and ought to be tried? Attacks the crux of the TP problem that at end of the day it is a tax-sharing formula which all governments want to work out Correct approach of using math to solve an economics problem. Run predictive models, tweak the formula and try again…. Profit-split holds promise when it comes to “intangible” transfer Other methods of valuation of intangibles should be accepted. Good theory but never accepted in practice

Streamlining current Indian TP provisions More points to Ponder….
Allow 3% standard deduction as arm’s-length range Use inter-quartile ranges instead of arithmetic mean Allow multiple year period data across the board Allow foreign comparables, allow foreign AE as tested party Provide clear guidance on adjustments specifically risk, idle capacity, depreciation and working capital Prescribe clear turnover range filters for comparables Do not reject loss-making comparables outright Allow technical expert reference for selecting functionally similar comparables

Streamlining current TP provisions More points to ponder…
Ameliorate the data gathering system by the TPO and mandatorily involve the assessee at every step Use Advance Pricing Arrangements (APAs) as much as possible MAP process should be pursued more and made time-bound and effective Clear guidance on Intangibles and their valuation methods. Need of the hour is more discussion, technical reports, analysis on intangibles. TP assessments should NOT result in a pyrrhic exercise Bottomline: Currently, TP is not art nor science….its magic! Indian TP regime has to change to help both the Department and taxpayer to achieve respective goals

Thanks! Acknowledgments to
V.P.Thangadurai, Advocate Bhavya Rangarajan, Advocate

Taxation of International Transactions

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