Court result: Decision in favor of tax authority

Canada vs Deans Knight Income Corporation, May 2023, Supreme Court, Case No. 2023 SCC 16

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In 2007, Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. (now Deans Knight Income Corporation) was a British Columbia-based drug research and nutritional food additive business in financial difficulty. It had accumulated approximately $90 million of unclaimed non-capital losses and other tax credits. Non-capital losses are financial losses resulting from carrying on a business that spends more than it makes […]

Denmark vs Takeda A/S (former Nycomed A/S) and NTC Parent S.à.r.l., May 2023, Supreme Court, Cases 116/2021 and 117/2021

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The cases concerned in particular whether Takeda A/S under voluntary liquidation and NTC Parent S.à.r.l. were obliged to withhold tax on interest on intra-group loans granted by foreign group companies. The cases were to be assessed under Danish tax law, the EU Interest/Royalty Directive and double taxation treaties with the Nordic countries and Luxembourg. In […]

Argentina vs Materia Pampa S.A., April 2023, Tax Court, Case No INLEG-2023-48473748-APN-VOCXXI#TFN

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The Argentinian company Materia Pampa S.A. exported products to a Brazilian company, Companhia De Bedidas Das Americas in Brazil (Ambev), via a related party in Uruguay, Maltería Uruguay S.A. There was a significant difference between the price declared on export to Uruguay and the price used for the subsequent final shipment to Brazil. An assessment […]

Denmark vs “IP ApS”, March 2023, Tax Tribunal, Case No. SKM2023.135.LSR

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The case concerned the valuation of intangible assets transferred from a Danish company to an affiliated foreign company. The Tax Tribunal basically agreed with the valuation of the expert appraisers according to the DCF model, but corrected the assumptions with regard to revenue growth in the budget period and the value of the tax advantage. […]

Netherlands vs “Fertilizer B.V.”, March 2023, Hoge Raad – AG Conclusion, Case No 22/01909 and 22/03307 – ECLI:NL:PHR:2023:226

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“Fertilizer B.V.” is part of a Norwegian group that produces, sells and distributes fertiliser (products). “Fertilizer B.V.” is the parent company of a several subsidiaries, including the intermediate holding company [C] BV and the production company [D] BV. The case before the Dutch Supreme Court involves two points of dispute: (i) is a factually highly […]

France vs SAS Blue Solutions, March 2023, CAA, Case N° 21PA06144 & 21PA06143

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SAS Blue Solutions manufactures electric batteries and accumulators for electric and hybrid vehicles and car-sharing systems. In FY 2012-2014 it granted a related party – Blue Solutions Canada – non-interest-bearing current account advances of EUR 42.9 million, EUR 43 million, and EUR 39 million. The French tax authorities considered that the failure to charge the […]

Poland vs “Cosmetics sp. z o.o.”, March 2023, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No II FSK 2034/20

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“Cosmetics sp. z o.o.” is a Polish distributor of cosmetics. It purchases the goods from a related foreign company. The contract concluded between “Cosmetics sp. z o.o.” and the foreign company contained a provision according to which 3% of the price of the goods purchased was to be paid (in the form of royalties) for […]

Portugal vs “N…S.A.”, March 2023, Tribunal Central Administrativo Sul, Case 762/09.0BESNT

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The tax authorities had issued a notice of assessment which, among other adjustments, disallowed a bad debt loss and certain costs as tax deductible. In addition, royalties paid to the parent company were adjusted on the basis of the arm’s length principle. N…S.A. appealed to the Administrative Court, which partially annulled the assessment. Both the […]

France vs SAS Sames Kremlin, March 2023, CAA de PARIS, Case No 21PA06439

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SAS Sames Kremlin marketed its products abroad through subsidiaries or independent agents, depending on the territory. In Argentina, Brazil, India, Portugal and Russia it sold its products through subsidiaries under either a buy/sell distributor agreement or a commissionaire agreement. In Iran, Turkey and South Korea it sold the goods through independent agents to whom it […]

France vs SA Exel Industries, March 2023, CAA de PARIS, Case No 21PA06438

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SA Exel Industries marketed its products abroad through subsidiaries or independent agents, depending on the territory. In Brazil, India, Argentina, Russia and Portugal it sold its products through subsidiaries under either a buy/sell distributor agreement or a commissionaire agreement. In Iran, Turkey and South Korea it sold through independent agents to whom it paid a […]

Canada vs K&D LOGGING LTD, February 2023, Tax Court, Case No. 2023 TCC 23 (941- 2017-4536(IT)G)

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In 1996 K&D Logging Ltd advanced funds to an affiliated company, Interan. In the Loan Agreement the rate of interest was left blank and there were no other agreement or correspondence between the related parties that addresses if or when interest was payable. In the following years K&D in its tax return reported income with […]

Portugal vs J… – GESTÃO DE EMPRESAS DE RETALHO SGPS. S.A., February 2023, Administrative Court of Appeal, Case 657/07.1 BELSB

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The tax authorities had issued a notice of assessment in which royalty payments had been adjusted on the basis of the arm’s length principle. “I_ 3.1.8 – 9,027,469.67 euros – Transfer prices – Royalties After verifying all documentation submitted by dependent companies F…Hipermercados, SA and P…Distribuição Alimentar, SA, at the request of the Tax Administration […]

US vs 3M Company And Subsidiaries, February 2023, US Tax Court, 160 T.C. No. 3 (Docket No. 5816-13)

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“3M Parent” is the parent company of the 3M Group and owns the Group’s trademarks. Other intellectual property, including patents and unpatented technology, is owned by “3M Sub-parent”, a second-tier wholly owned US subsidiary of 3M Parent. “3M Brazil” has used trademarks owned by 3M US in its business operations. 3M Brazil’s use of these […]

Italy vs Dolce & Gabbana S.R.L., November 2022, Supreme Court, Case no 02599/2023

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Italien fashion group, Dolce & Gabbana s.r.l. (hereinafter DG s.r.l.), the licensee of the Dolce&Gabbana trademark, entered into a sub-licensing agreement with its subsidiary Dolce&Gabbana Industria (hereinafter DG Industria or Industria) whereby the former granted to the latter the right to produce, distribute and sell products bearing the well-known trademark throughout the world and undertook […]

Panama vs “Tech Distributor S.A.”, January 2023, Administrative Tax Tribunal, Case No TAT-RF-006 Expediente: 115-19

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The tax authorities issued a transfer pricing adjustment of USD 1.4 million for FY2013, claiming that the remuneration of “Tech Distributor S.A.” had not been determined in accordance with the arm’s length principle. According to the tax authorities, there were inconsistencies between the amounts of controlled transactions reported in the transfer pricing documentation and the […]

Denmark vs NetApp Denmark ApS and TDC A/S, January 2023, Supreme Court, Cases 69/2021, 79/2021 and 70/2021

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The issue in the Danish beneficial ownership cases of NetApp Denmark ApS and TDC A/S was whether the companies were obliged to withhold dividend tax on distributions to foreign parent companies. The first case – NetApp Denmark ApS – concerned two dividend distributions of approximately DKK 566 million and DKK 92 million made in 2005 […]

Bulgaria vs Vivacom Bulgaria EAD, January 2023, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 81/2023

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In 2013, Viva Telecom Bulgaria EAD, as borrower/debtor, entered into a convertible loan agreement with its parent company in Luxembourg, InterV Investment S.a.r.l.. According to the agreement, the loan was non-interest bearing and would eventually be converted into equity. The tax authorities considered the arrangement to be a loan and applied an arm’s length interest […]

France vs Foncière Vélizy Rose, December 2022, Court of Appeal of Paris, Case No 21PA05986

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This case concerns the application of the beneficial ownership rule to dividends paid by a French corporation to its Luxembourg parent. The Luxembourg parent company was not considered to be the beneficial owner of the dividends because it did not carry out any activity other than the receipt and further distribution of dividends, and it […]

Czech Republic vs Hanácká zemÄ›dÄ›lská spoleÄnost JevíÄko, a.s., December 2022, Regional Court , 52 Af 19/2022-82

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In the course of the income tax audit conducted on Hanácká, the tax authorities found that interest expenses had been in its calculation of taxable income, corresponding to a rate of 8.5%. The tax authorities determined the arm’s length interest rate to be 2.46% and an adjustment was issued amounting to the difference between the […]

Hungary vs “IPC manufacturing KtF”, November 2022, Supreme Court, Case No Kfv.VI.35.316/2022/8

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The transfer pricing setup of a group was changed following a business restructuring, and “IPC manufacturing KtF” had deducted 4 invoices issued as a transfer pricing adjustment. The tax authorities disallowed the deduction, since the invoices did not cover any actual costs of materials for the year in question. An appeal was filed by “IPC […]

Poland vs C. spółka z o.o. , November 2022, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No II FSK 974/22

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C. spółka z o.o. is part of a larger group and mainly (95%) sells products (boxes, metal enclosures, etc.) and related services to related parties. According to its transfer pricing documentation the “cost-plus” method had been used to determine the prices of products sold to related parties. The company was audited for FY 2016. According […]

Luxembourg vs “TR Swap SARL”, November 2022, Administrative Tribunal, Case No 43535

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The owner of a buy sell distributor in the pharmaceutical sector had entered into a total return swap with the company and on that basis the company had deducted a commission corresponding to 85% of net profits from its taxable income. The tax authorities disallowed the deduction claiming the swap-arrangement was not at arm’s length. […]

Czech Republic vs ANITA B s.r.o., November 2022, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 4 Afs 381/2021-40

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Following an audit the tax authorities issued an assessment of additional income resulting from an adjustment of the tax deductions related to marketing expenses. According to the tax authorities the price agreed between the related parties for advertising space was excessive and not determined in accordance with the arm’s length principle. ANITA B s.r.o. filed […]

Spain vs Transalliance Iberica SA, November 2022, Audiencia Nacional, Case No SAN 5336/2022 – ECLI:EN:AN:2022:5336

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Transalliance Iberica SA had priced its controlled transactions for the years 2008-2013 by comparing the gross margin achieved on an overall basis with the gross margins of comparable companies. Following an audit, the tax authorities issued a notice of assessment rejecting the method used by the company due to differences in the treatment of cost […]

Greece vs “Pharma Distributor Ltd.”, November 2022, Tax Court, Case No ΔΕΔ 3712/2022

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Following an audit, the Greek tax authorities determined that the profit of “Pharma Distributor Ltd” for sales and service activities had not been determined in accordance with the arm’s length principle. The tax authorities issued an assessment of additional taxable income, rejecting the resale price method used by “Pharma Distributor Ltd” and instead applying the […]

Czech Republic vs DFH Haus CZ s.r.o., November 2022, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 4 Afs 98/2022-45

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In 2013, DFH Haus CZ s.r.o. filed amended tax returns for 2006, 2010, and 2011, following the German tax authority’s adjustment of its transfer prices in 2006, in order to claim the resulting tax loss for 2006 and apply it against its tax liability in the Czech Republic for 2010 and 2011. The tax authorities […]

France vs Electricité de France, November 2022, Conseil d’État, Case No 462383 (ECLI:FR:CECHR:2022:462383.20221116)

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In 2009 the English company EDF Energy UK Ltd (EDFE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAS Electricité de France International (SAS EDFI), issued 66,285 bonds convertible into shares (OCAs) for a unit nominal value of EUR 50,000. SAS EDFI subscribed to all of these OCAs for their nominal value, i.e. a total subscription price of EUR […]

Czech Republic vs DFH Haus CZ s.r.o., November 2022, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 4 Afs 287/2020-54

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In 2013, DFH Haus CZ s.r.o. filed amended tax returns for 2006, 2010, and 2011, following the German tax authority’s adjustment of its transfer prices in 2006, in order to claim the resulting tax loss for 2006 and apply it against its tax liability in the Czech Republic for 2010 and 2011. The tax authorities […]

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

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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” […]

Netherlands vs “Tobacco B.V.”, October 2022, Rechtbank Noord-Holland, Case No ECLI:NL:RBNHO:2022:8936

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“Tobacco B.V.” is a Dutch company belonging to an international tobacco group. Following an audit an assessment of additional taxable income of €196,001,385, €220,624,304 and €179,896,349 for FY 2008-2010 was issued to “Tobacco B.V.”, and a penalty for non-compliance for FY 2010 of €477,624 was imposed. The dispute focused on whether the fees charged by […]

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

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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 […]

New Zealand vs Frucor Suntory, September 2022, Supreme Court, Case No [2022] NZSC 113

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Frucor Suntory (FHNZ) had deducted purported interest expenses that had arisen in the context of a tax scheme involving, among other steps, its issue of a Convertible Note to Deutsche Bank, New Zealand Branch (DBNZ), and a forward purchase of the shares DBNZ could call for under the Note by FHNZ’s Singapore based parent Danone […]

Netherlands vs “Agri B.V.”, September 2022, Court of Appeal, Case No AWB-16_5664 (ECLI:NL:RBNHO:2022:9062)

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“Agri B.V.” is a Dutch subsidiary in an international group processing agricultural products. Following a restructuring in 2009 “Agri B.V.” had declared a profit of € 35 million, including € 2 million in exit profits. In an assessment issued by the tax authorities this amount had been adjusted to more than € 350 million. Judgement […]

Argentina vs Empresa Distribuidora La Plata S.A., September 2022, Tax Court, Case No 46.121-1, INLEG-2022-103065548-APN-VOCV#TFN

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The issue was whether the benefits provided by the Argentina-Spain DTC were available to Empresa Distribuidora La Plata S.A., which was owned by two Spanish holding companies, Inversora AES Holding and Zargas Participaciones SL, whose shareholders were Uruguayan holding companies. The Argentine Personal Assets Tax provided that participations in Argentine companies held by non-resident aliens […]

India vs Akzo Nobel India Pvt Ltd, September 2022, High Court of Delhi, ITA 370/2022

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The tax authorities had disallowed deductions for purported administrative services paid for by Akzo Nobel India to a group company in Singapore. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal upheld the assessment in a Judgement issued in February 2022. An appeal was then filed by Akzo Nobel India with the High Court. Judgement of the High Court […]

France vs HCL Maître Pierre, September 2022, Conseil d’État, Case No. 455651 (ECLI:FR:CECHR:2022:455651.20220920)

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On 1 July 2013, HCL Maître Pierre issued a ten-year bond which were convertible into shares and bore interest at a rate of 12%, the accrued amount of which was capitalised annually until the date of redemption or conversion, together with a non-conversion premium at a rate of 3%, if applicable. This loan was subscribed […]

US vs Medtronic, August 2022, U.S. Tax Court, T.C. Memo. 2022-84

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Medtronic had used the comparable uncontrolled transactions (CUT) method to determine the arm’s length royalty rates received from its manufacturing subsidiary in Puerto Rico for use of IP under an inter-group license agreement. The tax authorities found that Medtronic left too much profit in Puerto Rico. Using a “modified CPM” the IRS concluded that at […]

Hungary vs “Meat Processing KtF” August 2022, case no K.700777/2022/18 (6-KJ-2022-786)

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Meat Processing KtF recorded “advance receivables” from related companies in FY 2016. The tax authority found that the invoices received by Meat Processing KtF did not contain any reference to the advance payment, the creation and repayment of the receivables were not linked to the ordering or receipt of specific goods, the payment and repayment […]

France vs Ferragamo France, June 2022, Administrative Court of Appeal (CAA), Case No 20PA03601

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Ferragamo France, which was set up in 1992 and is wholly owned by the Dutch company Ferragamo International BV, which in turn is owned by the Italian company Salvatore Ferragamo Spa, carries on the business of retailing shoes, leather goods and luxury accessories and distributes, in shops in France, products under the ‘Salvatore Ferragamo’ brand, […]

Korea vs “IP developer”, June 2022, Tax Court, Case No 2022-0014

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The issue was whether “technical fees” received after a purported “transfer of patent rights” instead constituted business income – royalties – earned from continuous and recurring activities for profit and therefore subject to a higher income tax and VAT. During an audit, the tax authority found that “IP developer” had entered into a “technology transfer […]

Greece vs “Clothing Distributor Ltd.”, June 2022, Tax Court, Case No 2400/2022

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Following an audit, the Greek tax authorities determined that the remuneration of a Greek Clothing Distributor had not been determined in accordance with the arm’s length principle. On that basis an upwards adjustment of the taxable income was issued. An appeal was filed by “Clothing Distributor Ltd.” Judgement of the Court The court dismissed the […]

Germany vs “C GmbH”, June 2022, Finanzgericht Köln, Case No 10 K 1406/18

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In 2014 a profit transfer agreement was effectively concluded between the plaintiff, C GmbH (controlled company), and its sole shareholder A. The profits to be transferred and interest to be paid for the disputed years 2009-2011 were subsequently booked to a “liabilities to shareholders†clearing account, but counterclaims or lump sum payments were not booked. […]

Poland vs C. spółka z o.o. , June 2022, Administrative Court, Case No I SA/Go 103/22

C. spółka z o.o. is part of a larger group and mainly (95%) sells products (metal containers) and related services to related parties. According to its transfer pricing documentation the “cost-plus” method had been used to determine the prices of products sold to related parties. The company was audited for FY 2016. According to the […]

Austria vs “Lamps AG”, June 2022, Bundesfinanzgericht, Case No RV/7102082/2021

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“Lamps AG” had various transactions with related parties. These included outstanding trade receivables from a sister company for which no interest was charged, product transactions for which the price had been adjusted, and guarantee commissions paid to the parent company in connection with a shareholder loan. Following an audit, the tax authorities issued a notice […]

Malaysia vs Keysight Technologies Malaysia, May 2022, High Court, Case No WA-144-03-2020

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Keysight Technologies Malaysia Sdn Bhd (KTM) was incorporated in 1998 and active as a full-fledged manufacturer of various microwave devices and test instruments in which capacity it had also developed valuable intangibles. In 2008, KTM was converted into a contract manufacturer under an agreement with Agilent Technologies International s.a.r.l. and at the same time KLM […]

Netherlands vs “Fertilizer BV”, April 2022, Court of Appeal, Case No. ECLI:NL:GHSHE:2022:1198

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In 2016 Fertilizer BV had been issued a tax assessment for FY 2012 in which the tax authorities had imposed additional taxable income of €133,076,615. In November 2019 the district court ruled predominantly in favor of the tax authorities but reduced the adjustment to €78.294.312. An appel was filed by Fertilizer BV with the Court […]

Netherlands vs “Dividend B.V.”, May 2022, District Court, Case No AWB-21_2426 (ECLI:NL:RBZWB:2022:2432)

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“Dividend B.V.” is the legal successor of a BV that has made (dividend) distributions. With respect to the distributions to a Luxembourg company (LuxCo), no Dutch dividend tax was withheld on the basis of the withholding tax exemption. Prior to the first distribution, the relevant shares in the BV were held by a limited partnership […]

Sweden vs Swedish Match Intellectual Property AB, May 2022, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No MÃ¥l: 5264–5267-20, 5269-20

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At issue was whether the acquisition value of an inventory acquired from a related company should be adjusted on the basis of Swedish arm’s length provisions or alternatively tax avoidance provisions According to the arm’s length rule in Chapter 18, Section 11 of the Income Tax Act, the acquisition value is to be adjusted to […]

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

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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 […]

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

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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 […]

Bulgaria vs Rubbertek Bulgaria EOOD, April 2022, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 3453

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By judgment of 22 May 2020, the Administrative Court upheld the complaint filed by “Rubbertek Bulgaria” and set aside an assessment for FY 2015-2016 issued by the tax authorities on the determination of the arm’s length income resulting from related party transactions. According to the Administrative court, the tax assessment was unfounded and unsubstantiated. An […]

Luxembourg vs “AB SARL”, March 2022, Administrative Court, Case No 46132C

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“AB SARL” had in its tax return treated mandatory redeemable preferred shares (MRPS) as debt and the payments made under the MRPS as deductible interest. The tax authorities disagreed and qualified the MRPS as equity and the payments as non-deductible dividends. On that basis an assessment was issued. Judgement of the Administrative Court The Court […]

Costa Rica vs British Tobacco Centroamérica S.A. March 2022, Supreme Court, Case No 750-2022

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The tax authorities had started investigating a sales contract that British Tobacco Centroamérica S.A. had with a related company abroad for the import of goods. The historical price of the imported goods was compared to the price contained in the later sales contract. In the customs forms, the company declared one value, but in its […]

Norway vs Fortis Petroleum Norway AS, March 2022, Court of Appeal, Case No LB-2021-26379

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In 2009-2011 Fortis Petroleum Norway AS (FPN) bought seismic data related to oil exploration in the North Sea from a related party, Petroleum GeoServices AS (PGS), for NKR 95.000.000. FBN paid the amount by way of a convertible intra-group loan from PGS in the same amount. FPN also purchased administrative services from another related party, […]

Norway vs ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS, March 2022, Court of Appeal, Case No LG-2021-38180

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ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS (COPSAS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Norwegian branch of ConocoPhillips Norway, which is registered in Delaware, USA. ConocoPhillips Norway, which does not conduct special taxable business, is a wholly owned company in the ConocoPhillips Group. The group’s headquarters are in Houston, Texas, USA. The question at issue was whether the […]

Costa Rica vs GlaxoSmithKline Costa Rica S.A., February 2022, Supreme Court, Case No 383-2022 (4-001638-1027-CA)

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GlaxoSmithKline Costa Rica S.A. manufactures pharma products which is sold to both independent customers in the region and to group companies abroad. For FY 2004 and 2005 pricing of the controlled transactions had been determined based on the TNMM method using return on total costs (ROTC) as PLI. GSK said the range of return on […]

Spain vs Delsey España S.A, February 2022, Tribunal Superior de Justicia, Case No 483/2022 (Roj: STSJ CAT 1467/2022 – ECLI:ES:TSJCAT:2022:1467)

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DELSEY España distributes and sells suitcases and other travel accessories of the DESLEY brand on the Spanish market and belongs to the French multinational group of the same name. The Spanish distributor had declared losses for FY 2005-2010 and was subject to a transfer pricing audit for FY 2011 to 2014. Based on the audit, the […]

US vs TBL LICENSING LLC, January 2022, U.S. Tax Court, Case No. 158 T.C. No 1 (Docket No. 21146-15)

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A restructuring that followed the acquisition of Timberland by VF Enterprises in 2011 resulted in an intra-group transfer of ownership to valuable intangibles to a Swiss corporation, TBL Investment Holdings. The IRS was of the opinion that gains from the transfer was taxable. Judgement of the US Tax Court The tax court upheld the assessment […]

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

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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. […]

Czech Republic vs Avon Cosmetics Ltd, February 2022, Municipal Court, Case No 6 Af 36/2020 – 42

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In 2016 the British company Avon Cosmetics Limited (ACL) became the sole licensor of intellectual property rights for Europe, Africa and the Middle East within the Avon Cosmetics Group and was authorised to issue sub-licences to other group companies, including the Czech subsidiary, Avon Cosmetics spol. s r.o.. ACL charged a fee for issuing a […]

Spain vs Narcea Producciones y Promociones S.L., January 2022, Tribunal Superior, Case No STSJ M 122/2022 – ECLI:ES:TSJM:2022:122

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Narcea Producciones y Promociones, S.L. (Narcea S.L.) had as shareholders Mr. Emiliano and Mrs. Filomena and their son, Mr. Ismael, a professional footballer, who had an employment relationship with the football club Hércules CF SAD of Alicante. Narcea S.L. purportedly managed the economic rights, the representation fees and the image and TV rights of Mr. […]

Sweden vs Flir Commercial Systems AB, January 2022, Administrative Court of Appeal, Case No 2434–2436-20

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In 2012, Flir Commercial Systems AB sold intangible assets from a branch in Belgium and subsequently claimed a tax relief of more than SEK 2 billion in fictitious Belgian tax due to the sale. The Swedish Tax Agency decided not to allow relief for the Belgian “taxâ€, and issued a tax assessment where the relief […]

Spain vs Sierra Spain Shopping Centers Services S.L.U., January 2022, National Court, Case No SAN 151/2022 – ECLI:ES:AN:2022:151

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Sierra Spain Shopping Centers Services S.L.U. is part of a multinational group that manages shopping centres. Sierra Spain had deducted expenses for services rendered from a related party in Portugal. According to Sierra Spain, the services were related to strategic management and marketing. The tax authorities considered the expenses non-deductible and issued an assessment of […]

Zimbabwe vs IAB Company, January 2022, High Court, Judgement No. HH 32-22 ITC 17/17

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IAB Company had deducted fees paid for services to its parent, IAL. Following an audit the tax authorities denied these deductions as sufficient evidence had not been provided for provision of the services. An appeal was filed by IAB Company. Judgement of the High Court. The Court upheld the assessment of the tax authorities concerning […]

Netherlands – Crop Tax Advisers, January 2022, Court of Appeal, Case No. 200.192.332/01, ECLI:NL:GHARL:2022:343

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The question at issue was whether a Crop tax adviser had acted in accordance with the requirements of a reasonably competent and reasonably acting adviser when advising on the so-called royalty routing and its implementation. Judgement of the Court of Appeal “Crop is liable for the damages arising from the shortcoming. For the assessment of […]

Italy vs Burckert Contromatic Italiana S.p.A., November 2021, Corte di Cassazione, Sez. 5 Num. 1417 Anno 2022

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Burkert Contromatic Italiana s.p.a. is engaged in sale and services of fluid control systems. The italian company is a subsidiary of the German Bürkert Group. Following a tax audit, the Italian tax authorities issued a notice of assessment for FY 2007 on the grounds that the cost resulting from the transactions with its parent company […]

Germany vs Z Group, January 2022, Finanzgericht Cologne, Case No 2 V 827/21

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Z-Group had been subject to a joint transfer pricing audit by the tax administrations of Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Germany in order to examine the appropriateness of the franchise fee charged between the group companies. Z Group filed a complaint where it disputed the German tax administration’s entitlement to cooperate in a coordinated […]

Greece vs “Marine Fuel Ltd”, January 2022, Dispute Settlement Board, Case No 36/2022

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“Marine Fuel Ltd” was audited for FY 2015 and an assessment was issued by the tax authorities, where the taxable income had been increased due to a transfer pricing adjustment. The tax authorities had dismissed the CUP method chosen by the group and instead applied the transactional net margin method (TNMM). Not satisfied with the […]

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