Category: Transfer Pricing Documentation

In most countries transfer pricing documentation for MNE’s is required by law.

Transfer pricing documentation usually consists of a master file, a local file and a country by country report. These files and reports will provide tax authorities with a detailed description of the MNE and an in depth analysis of prices and terms applied to controlled transactions.

Panama vs "Doc Corp", October 2023,  Administrative Tribunal, Case No TAT-RF-070

Panama vs “Doc Corp”, October 2023, Administrative Tribunal, Case No TAT-RF-070

“Doc Corp” had been issued a penalty for not submitting a Transfer Pricing Report and filed an appeal with the Tax Court. Judgment of the Court The Court ruled in favour of “Doc Corp” and revoked the penalty. Excerpt in English “From the transcribed rules, it is understood that in order for a taxpayer to be under the obligation to file the Transfer Pricing Report – Form 930, the following two assumptions must be met: 1. that the taxpayer has transactions with related parties abroad. 2. that such transactions have effects as income, costs or deductions in the determination of the taxable base, for Income Tax purposes, of the tax period in which the transaction is declared or carried out. In that sense, when the operations of a taxpayer with related parties abroad do not comply with the condition that such operations have effects as ... Continue to full case
Denmark vs "Consulting A/S", August 2023, Eastern High Court, Case No B-0956-16 and BS-52532/2019-OLR (SKM2023.628.ØLR)

Denmark vs “Consulting A/S”, August 2023, Eastern High Court, Case No B-0956-16 and BS-52532/2019-OLR (SKM2023.628.ØLR)

The cases concerned whether the tax authorities had been entitled to exercise an assessment of two types of intra-group transactions made between H1 A/S and a number of group companies. The cases also concerned whether, if so, the tax authorities’ judgement could be set aside. The two types of controlled transactions were employee loans (IAA) and royalty payments for access to and use of intangible assets. The employee loans (IAA) were temporary intra-group loans of “idle” employees who were not in the process of or were about to perform specific tasks for the operating company in which they were employed. To a large extent, these were cross-border employee loans. In the employee loans, the borrowing operating company provided a consultancy service to a customer, and it was also the borrowing operating company that bore the business risk. The TP documentation stated that the lending operating ... Continue to full case
Nigeria vs Check Point Software Technologies B.V NIG LTD, August 2023, Tax Appeal Tribunal, Case No TAT/LZ/CIT/121/2022

Nigeria vs Check Point Software Technologies B.V NIG LTD, August 2023, Tax Appeal Tribunal, Case No TAT/LZ/CIT/121/2022

Check Point Software Technologies was assessed administrative penalties by the tax authorities (FIRS) for failure to file a country-by-country report, and a complaint was filed with the Tax Appeal Tribunal by the company. Decision of the Tribunal The Tax Appeal Tribunal held that the administrative penalties issued by the FIRS in enforcement of the CbCR Regulations were unconstitutional and void because the Board of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, which was legally empowered to make the regulations, did not exist between 2012 and 2020. Since the FIRS Board did not exist during the said period, the exercise of the delegated powers under the provisions of the Nigerian CbCR regulations was not possible – any step, process or action taken in the name of the Board would be null and void. Excerpts “A careful consideration of the provisions of Section 61 as exposed above shows that ... Continue to full case
Netherlands vs "Lux Credit B.V.", July 2023, Court of Hague, Case No AWB - 21_4016  (ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2023:12061)

Netherlands vs “Lux Credit B.V.”, July 2023, Court of Hague, Case No AWB – 21_4016 (ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2023:12061)

“Lux Credit B.V.” took out various credit facilities from related parties [company name 2] s.a.r.l. and [company name 3] s.a.r.l. – both resident in Luxembourg. These were financings whereby “Lux Credit facility B.V.” could draw funds (facilities) up to a pre-agreed maximum amount. In doing so, “Lux Credit B.V.” owed both interest and “commitment fees”. The commitment fees were calculated on the maximum amount of the facility. Interest and commitment fees were owed. The interest payable to [company name 2] and [company name 3], respectively, was calculated by deducting the commitment fees from the interest payable on the amount withdrawn, with interest payable on the amount withdrawn, the commitment fees owed after the due date and the interest owed after the due date. In its returns for the current financial years, “Lux Credit B.V.” charged both interest and commitment fees against taxable profit. Following an ... Continue to full case
Denmark vs "Soy A/S", June 2023, Eastern High Court, SKM2023.316.ØLR

Denmark vs “Soy A/S”, June 2023, Eastern High Court, SKM2023.316.ØLR

Two issues were adressed in this case – transfer pricing and withholding taxes. The transfer pricing issue concerned whether the Danish tax authorities (SKAT) had been entitled to issue an assessment on controlled transactions made between “Soy A/S” and a flow-through company in the group located in a low tax jurisdiction. The withholding tax issue concerned whether the 13 transfers actually constituted taxable dividends under section 31, D of the Danish Corporation Tax Act, which “Soy A/S” was subsequently liable for not having withheld tax at source, cf. section 69(1) of the Danish Withholding Tax Act. Judgement of the High Court In regards of the transfer pricing issue, the High Court found that the company’s TP documentation was subject to a number of deficiencies which meant that the documentation did not provide the tax authorities with a sufficient basis for assessing whether the transactions were ... Continue to full case
Ukrain vs "Forward KT Limited", June 2023, Supreme Court, Case No. 810/4044/15 (proceedings No. K/9901/25021/18)

Ukrain vs “Forward KT Limited”, June 2023, Supreme Court, Case No. 810/4044/15 (proceedings No. K/9901/25021/18)

“Forward KT Limited” submitted a report on controlled transactions for 2013 to the tax authority on 13 May 2015. The tax authority found that Forward KT Limited had failed to submit the report within the filing deadline of 1 October 2014. In an appeal “Forward KT Limited” claimed that within the meaning of Article 39 24 of the Tax Code of Ukraine, transactions where one party is a non-resident registered in a country where the income tax rate is 5 percentage points or more lower than in Ukraine, provided that the amount of such transactions exceeds UAH 50 million during a calendar year, are considered controlled. The Republic of Cyprus was included in the list of such countries from 25 December 2013, and the total amount of transactions with a non-resident for the period from 25 December 2013 to 31 December 2013 was only UAH ... Continue to full case
France vs SAS Weg France, May 2023, CAA, Case N° 21LY03690

France vs SAS Weg France, May 2023, CAA, Case N° 21LY03690

SAS Weg France is owned by the Spanish company Weg Iberia, which in turn is wholly owned by the head company of the Weg Equipamentos Electricos SA group, based in Brazil. At the end of an audit covering the financial years 2010, 2011 and 2012, the tax authorities noted that SAS Weg France, which had not provided any documentation justifying the transfer pricing policy within the group, paid its suppliers, who were members of the group, within a maximum of 30 days of shipment of the goods, whereas delivery times averaged two months from Brazil and three months from China, and that its customers paid its invoices between 45 and 90 days after invoicing. According to the tax authorities SAS Weg France thus performed a gratuitous financial function which constituted an indirect transfer of profits within the meaning of Article 57 of the General Tax ... Continue to full case
Malaysia vs Executive Offshore Shipping SDN BHD, December 2022, High Court, Case No WA-25-388-12/2021

Malaysia vs Executive Offshore Shipping SDN BHD, December 2022, High Court, Case No WA-25-388-12/2021

Executive Offshore Shipping SDN BHD is in the business of chartering offshore support vessels. It is related to another company, one Eagle High (L) Limited which is a ship-owning company registered in the special tax zone of Labuan where transfer pricing provisions were first introduced in 2020. Eagle High (L) Limited provided (i) charter hire of vessels and (ii) crew management services to Executive Offshore Shipping for the Years of Assessment – 2014 to 2016. In consideration for these services Executive Offshore Shipping paid a cost-plus mark-up rate of 35% as the charter hire and crew management fee. Following an audit the tax authorities asserted that Executive Offshore Shipping SDN BHD had underreported the its taxable income for FY 2014 to 2016. An assessment was issued where additional income of RM19,808,218.39 had been determined by reference to the arm’s length principle. The tax authorities rejected ... Continue to full case
Denmark vs. "C-Advisory Business ApS", November 2022, Supreme Court, Case No BS-22176/2021-HJR (SKM2023.8.HR)

Denmark vs. “C-Advisory Business ApS”, November 2022, Supreme Court, Case No BS-22176/2021-HJR (SKM2023.8.HR)

A was the sole owner of “C-Advisory Business ApS” established in Denmark in 2003. The company advised and represented taxpayers in cases related to tax deductions for land improvements to immovable property. A was also the sole owner of a company established in Dubai in 2006. The Dubai company provided services for “C-Advisory Business ApS” in Denmark and a total of DKK 78,785,549 was expensed in FY 2006-2010 relating to the purchase of these services. The Danish tax authorities considered that the payments had not been at arm’s length and reduced the service fees to the Dubai company to DKK 20 million for the income years in question. This resulted in additional taxable income of “C-Advisory Business ApS” in a total amount of DKK 58,5 million. Following an unsuccessful complaint to the Tax Tribunal, “C-Advisory Business ApS” filed an appeal with the regional court where ... Continue to full case
Germany vs X GmbH & Co. KG, October 2022, European Court of Justice, Case No C-431/21

Germany vs X GmbH & Co. KG, October 2022, European Court of Justice, Case No C-431/21

A Regional Tax Court in Germany had requested a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice on two questions related to German transfer pricing documentation requirements. whether the freedom of establishment (Article 49 TFEU) or the freedom to provide services (Article 56 TFEU) is to be interpreted in such a way that it precludes the obligation to provide transfer pricing documentation for transactions with a foreign related parties (Section 90 (3) AO) and whether the sanctions regulated in section 162(4) AO could be contrary to EU law The Regional Tax Court considered that these provisions establish special documentation requirements for taxpayers with transactions with foreign related parties. In the event of non-compliance with these documentation requirements, section 162(4) AO leads to a sanction in the form of a fine/surcharge. Neither was provided for taxpayers with transactions with domestic related parties. However, such discrimination can ... Continue to full case
France vs Issey Miyake Europe, June 2022, CAA de Paris, Case N° 20PA03807

France vs Issey Miyake Europe, June 2022, CAA de Paris, Case N° 20PA03807

The French company Issey Miyake Europe is owned by the Japanese company, Issey Miyake Inc, which is active in the fashion industry. Following an audit covering the FY 2006 – 2012, the tax authorities issued an assessment of additional income. According to the tax authorities the pricing of controlled transactions was not at arm’s length, resulting in an indirect transfer of profits within the meaning of Article 57 of the General Tax Code. In order to determine the arm’s length results, the tax authorities applied the transactional net margin method. After searching for comparables on the basis of a database and selecting seven companies for the retail business and nine companies for the wholesale business, and then examining the net operating margins, it adjusted the result to the median. It concluded that Issey Miyake Europe’s results as a wholesaler were within the arm’s length range, ... Continue to full case
Czech Republic vs Aisan Industry Czech, s.r.o., April 2022, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 7 Afs 398/2019 - 49

Czech Republic vs Aisan Industry Czech, s.r.o., April 2022, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 7 Afs 398/2019 – 49

Aisan Industry Czech, s.r.o. is a subsidiary within the Japanese Aisan Industry Group which manufactures various engine components – fuel-pump modules, throttle bodies, carburetors for independent car manufactures such as Renault and Toyota. According to the original transfer pricing documentation the Czech company was classified as a limited risk contract manufacturer within the group, but yet it had suffered operating losses for several years. Following a tax audit an assessment was issued resulting in additional corporate income tax for FY 2011 in the amount of CZK 11 897 090, and on top of that a penalty in the amount of CZK 2 379 418. The assessment resulted from application of arm’s length provisions where the profitability of Aisan Industry Czech, s.r.o. had been determined on the basis of the profitability of comparable companies – TNMM method. An appeal was filed by Aisan Industry Czech, s.r.o ... Continue to full case
India vs Olympus Medical Systems India Pvt. Ltd., April 2022, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal - New Delhi, Case No 838/DEL/2021

India vs Olympus Medical Systems India Pvt. Ltd., April 2022, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal – New Delhi, Case No 838/DEL/2021

Olympus Medical Systems India is a subsidiary of Olympus Corp and engaged in the import, sale and maintenance of medical equipment in India. For FY 2012 and 2013 the company reported losses. An transfer pricing audit was initiated by the tax authorities and later an assessment was issued. Since Olympus India had failed to provide audited financials of its associated enterprises to determine the overall profits of the group, it adopted the Resale Price Method using the Bright Line Test approach. An appeal was then filed by Olympus with the Tax Appellate Tribunal. Olympus India argued that the tax authorities was erroneous in adopting the Residual Profit Split Method in determining the arm’s length price of the AMP expenses and furthermore that the tax authorities could not make an adjustment without having information on the total profits of the group. Judgement of the Tax Appellate ... Continue to full case
Poland vs A. Sp. z o. o., February 2022, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No II FSK 1475/19

Poland vs A. Sp. z o. o., February 2022, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No II FSK 1475/19

A. Sp. z o.o. was established to carry out an investment project consisting in construction of a shopping center. In order to raise funds, the company concluded a loan agreement. The loan agreement was guaranteed by shareholders and other related parties. By virtue of the guarantees, the guarantors became solitarily liable for the Applicant’s obligations. The guarantees were granted free of charge. A. Sp. z o.o. was not obliged to pay any remuneration or provide any other mutual benefit to the guarantors. In connection with the above description, the following questions were asked: (1) Will A. Sp. z o.o. be obliged to prepare transfer pricing documentation in connection with the gratuitous service received, and if so, both for the year in which the surety is granted to the Applicant or also for subsequent tax years during the term of the security? (2) Will A. Sp ... Continue to full case
Colombia vs Petroleum Exploration International Sucursal Colombia S.A., November 2021, The Administrative Court, Case No. 25000-23-37-000-2016-01988-01(24028)

Colombia vs Petroleum Exploration International Sucursal Colombia S.A., November 2021, The Administrative Court, Case No. 25000-23-37-000-2016-01988-01(24028)

Article 260-8 of the Colombian Tax Statute established which taxpayers were obliged to file Transfer pricing documentation. The rule established two requirements for income taxpayers to be obliged to file DIIPT in the year 2010, the first is to have obtained a gross equity on 31 December of the taxable period of 100.100,000 UVT ($2,455,500,000) or gross income of 61,000 UVT ($1,497,855,000), and the second is to have carried out operations with economic associates or related parties domiciled abroad. In the present case, a Colombian branch of Petroleum Exploration International S.A presented a total gross income of $18,496,716,000 in the income tax return for 2010, and therefore complied with the first requirement. As for the second requirement, it is noted that according to the certificate of existence and legal representation of Colombian branch, it is a branch of the company Petroleum Exploration International S.A. whose ... Continue to full case
Greece vs "Diary Distributor Ltd.", November 2021, Tax Court, Case No 579/2021

Greece vs “Diary Distributor Ltd.”, November 2021, Tax Court, Case No 579/2021

This case deals with arm’s length remuneration of a Greek Diary Distributor. Following an audit of “Diary Distributor Ltd.”, the Greek tax authorities determined that the prices paid to related parties for FY 2017 had been above the arm’s length price. On that basis an upwards adjustment of the taxable income was issued. An appeal was filed by “Diary Distributor Ltd.” Judgement of the Court The court dismissed the appeal of “Diary Distributor Ltd.” and upheld the assessment of the tax authorities Click here for English translation Click here for other translation gr-ded-2021-579_en_ath-579_2021 ... Continue to full case
Denmark vs. "Advisory business ApS", June 2021, High Court, Case No SKM2021.335.OLR

Denmark vs. “Advisory business ApS”, June 2021, High Court, Case No SKM2021.335.OLR

The case concerned a Danish company that provided legal services regarding tax deductions for improvements to real estate, etc. In 2006, the owner of the Danish company moved to Y2 city and in the process established a company in Y2 city, which would then provide services to the Danish sister company, including legal advice. The tax authorities had increased the Danish company’s taxable income by an estimated total of approximately DKK 58.4 million, as the tax authorities considered that the company’s transfer pricing documentation was sufficiently deficient, in accordance with Section 3 B(8) of the Tax Control Act, cf. Section 5(3), and that the service agreements were not concluded at arm’s length in breach Danish arm’s length provisions. Judgement of the High Court The tax authorities were entitled to exercise discretion over pricing of the controlled transactions as the transactions had not been priced at ... Continue to full case
Denmark vs Tetra Pak Processing Systems A/S, April 2021, Supreme Court, Case No BS-19502/2020-HJR

Denmark vs Tetra Pak Processing Systems A/S, April 2021, Supreme Court, Case No BS-19502/2020-HJR

The Danish tax authorities had made a discretionary assessment on the taxable income of Tetra Pak Processing Systems A/S due to inadequate transfer pricing documentation and ongoing losses. The Supreme Court’s ruling. The Supreme Court found that the TP documentation provided by the company did not meet the required standards. The TP documentation did not show how the prices between Tetra Pak and the sales companies had been determined and did not contain a comparability analysis as required by the current § 3 B, para. 5 of the Tax Control Act and Section 6 of the Danish administrative regulation on transfer pricing documentation. Against this background, the Supreme Court found that the TP documentation was deficient to such an extent that it had to be equated with a lack of documentation. The Supreme Court agreed that Tetra Pak’s taxable income for the years 2005-2009 could ... Continue to full case
Hungary vs "GW Logistics", March 2021, Appeals Court Curia, Case No. Kfv.I.35.320/2020/6

Hungary vs “GW Logistics”, March 2021, Appeals Court Curia, Case No. Kfv.I.35.320/2020/6

GW Logistics was engaged in the activity of transport management (shipping and Logistics) and a member og the German Gebrüder Weiss Group. The tax authorities carried out an audit of the tax returns for the years 2010-2011 and increased GW Logistics’s taxable profit by HUF 189 159 000 for 2010 and by HUF 53 373 000 for 2011, because of the difference between the consideration paid by the applicant for related party transactions and the open market price. Since GW Logistics had not prepared transfer pricing documentation for its maritime transport activities in 2010 and 2011, the tax authority imposed a default fine of HUF 1 500 000. The tax authority applied the TNMM method to determine the arm’s length profitability. In the course of the audit, the tax authority informed GW Logistics that the data provided were not suitable for obtaining transaction-level profitability information ... Continue to full case
Poland vs Q. F. sp. z o.o., January 2021, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No II FSK 2514

Poland vs Q. F. sp. z o.o., January 2021, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No II FSK 2514

A request for an interpretation was submitted by a company in regards to financial transactions (loans and guarantees) with related parties. The requested interpretation was relevant in determining the amount of the controlled transactions and on that basis whether the taxpayer was required to prepare TP documentation or not. The company held that in determining the value of a loan transaction, only the value of interest should be taken into account. The tax authorities held that both the amount of interest and the amount of capital were to be included in amount of the transaction. Judgement of the Supreme Administrative Court The Court decided in favour of the tax authorities. Applying a linguistic interpretation, the court found no support for excluding the capital part of a loan transaction from the amount of the transaction. Click here for English Translation Click here for other translation II ... Continue to full case
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