Other factors listed in § 1.482-1(d)(3) also may be particularly relevant under the comparable profits method. Because operating profit usually is less sensitive than gross profit to product differences, reliability under the comparable profits method is not as dependent on product similarity as the resale price or cost plus method. However, the reliability of profitability measures based on operating profit may be adversely affected by factors that have less effect on results under the comparable uncontrolled price, resale price, and cost plus methods. For example, operating profit may be affected by varying cost structures (as reflected, for example, in the age of plant and equipment), differences in business experience (such as whether the business is in a start-up phase or is mature), or differences in management efficiency (as indicated, for example, by objective evidence such as expanding or contracting sales or executive compensation over time). Accordingly, if material differences in these factors are identified based on objective evidence, the reliability of the analysis may be affected.
§ 1.482-5(c)(2)(iii) Other comparability factors.
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By Internal Revenue Service
Category: US IRC Section 482 on Transfer Pricing, § 1.482-5 Comparable profits method | Tag: Business or product cycle, Comparability, Comparability adjustments, Comparability factors, Comparable Profits Method (CPM), FAR analysis, Sensitivity, Transactional net margin method (TNMM)
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