Tag: Disallowed deduction

Czech Republic vs TIMA, spol. s r.o. , October 2023, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 2 Afs 132/2020 - 69

Czech Republic vs TIMA, spol. s r.o. , October 2023, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 2 Afs 132/2020 – 69

The subject-matter of the dispute was deduction of cost for the advertisement on Czech Television. The advertisements had been resold by a chain of entities, with the prices for the individual advertisements being multiplied in relation to the prices charged by Czech Television. The Second Chamber of the Supreme Administrative Court referred the case to the Extended Chamber for a ruling on the question whether the finding that the price of the subject-matter of the contract was significantly higher than the normal price, without a satisfactory explanation of the difference, is a sufficient condition for the conclusion that there is a combination of persons for the purpose of reducing the tax base or increasing the tax loss pursuant to Section 23(7)(b)(5) of Act No 586/1992 Coll. on Income Taxes, or whether the tax authorities must prove other facts in the conduct of the taxpayer which indicate that the transaction is unusual. Furthermore, according to the Second Chamber, there was a ... Read more
Italy vs GKN, October 2023, Supreme Court, No 29936/2023

Italy vs GKN, October 2023, Supreme Court, No 29936/2023

The tax authorities had notified the companies GKN Driveline Firenze s.p.a. and GKN Italia s.p.a. of four notices of assessment, relating to the tax periods from 2002 to 2005, as well as 2011. The assessments related to the signing of a leasing contract, concerning a real estate complex, between GKN Driveline Firenze s.p.a. and the company TA. p.a. and the company TAU s.r.l.. A property complex was owned by the company GKN-Birfield s.p.a. of Brunico and was leased on an ordinary lease basis by the company GKN Driveline Firenze s.p.a. Both companies belonged to a multinational group headed by the company GKN-PLC, the parent company of the finance company GKN Finance LTD and the Italian parent company GKN-Birfield s.p.a., which in turn controlled GKN Driveline Firenze s.p.a. and TAU s.r.l. GKN Driveline Firenze s.p.a. expressed interest in acquiring ownership of the real estate complex; the real estate complex, however, was first sold to TAU s. s.r.l. and, on the same ... Read more
Czech Republic vs EVEREST servis s.r.o., September 2023, Regional Court, Case No 54 Af 6/2022 - 233

Czech Republic vs EVEREST servis s.r.o., September 2023, Regional Court, Case No 54 Af 6/2022 – 233

At issue was VAT and tax deduction for costs of media and advertising space that EVEREST allegedly purchased from Koukni and Concept s.r.o. and Concept s.r.o.. A tax assessment was issued to EVEREST based on (1) failure to prove the receipt of the supply of “media and advertising space” to the declared extent and (2) denial of the claimed right to deduct VAT as the tax administrator found that EVEREST knew or should have known that it had engaged in VAT fraud by participating in those arrangements. An appeal was filed by EVEREST claiming that various legal formalities had not been observed by the tax authorities i.e. the tax administrator was not competent to issue the decision at all, the decision suffers from defects which render it manifestly internally inconsistent or legally or factually unworkable; the decision is issued on the basis of another void decision issued by the tax administrator; EVEREST was not a related party in relation to ... Read more
Italy vs Tiger Flex s.r.l., August 2023, Supreme Court, Sez. 5 Num. 25517/2023, 25524/2023 and 25528/2023

Italy vs Tiger Flex s.r.l., August 2023, Supreme Court, Sez. 5 Num. 25517/2023, 25524/2023 and 25528/2023

Tiger Flex was a fully fledged footwear manufacturer that was later restructured as a contract manufacturer for the Gucci Group. It had acquired goodwill which was written off for tax purposes, resulting in zero taxable income. The tax authorities disallowed the depreciation deduction. It found that the acquired goodwill had benefited the group as a whole and not just Tiger Flex. Tiger Flex filed an appeal with the Regional Tax Commission. The Regional Tax Commission decided in favour of Tiger Flex. The tax authorities then filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. Judgement of the Supreme Court The Court set aside the decision of the Regional Tax Commission and refered the case back to the Regional Tax Commission in a different composition. Excerpt “It is not disputed that the Tiger and Bartoli factories were profitable assets, endowed with productive and earning capacity. What is disputed, however, is the recorded purchase value which, legally spread over the decade, anaesthetises any contributory ... Read more
Italy vs Cidiverte S.p.A., June 2023, Supreme Court, no 18206/2023

Italy vs Cidiverte S.p.A., June 2023, Supreme Court, no 18206/2023

Cidiverte S.p.A. is an Italian distributor of video-games. Following an audit, the tax authorities issued Cidiverte S.p.A an assessment of additional income resulting from a reduction of the pricing of costs it had paid to its Italian sister company. Appeals were filed by Cidiverte with the local and regional courts, but the objections were dismissed by reference to a previous judgement of the Supreme Court in Case no. 11949/2012 concerning disallowed costs in the same group. The regional court found that, Cidiverte had failed to prove the existence, pertinence and conformity of the price shown on the invoice with the arm’s length value. A study carried out by Price Waterhouse Coopers on behalf of Cidiverte was considered to be a mere “opinion” and therefore not sufficient evidence to support the deductions in question. An appeal was then filed by Cidiverte with the Supreme Court. Judgement of the Court The Supreme Court set aside the decision of the regional court and ... Read more
Colombia vs Bavaria S.A., June 2023, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No. 25000-23-37-000-2017-00654-01 (25885)

Colombia vs Bavaria S.A., June 2023, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No. 25000-23-37-000-2017-00654-01 (25885)

Bavaria S.A. is part of the SABMiller group – a multinational brewing and beverage group – and in FY2013 the company had deducted costs related to various intra-group transactions – licences, cost of sales, procurement services, administrative services, technical support, other expenses (reimbursements to related parties), etc. Following an audit, the Colombian tax authorities disallowed the deduction of some of these costs. Deductions for investments in productive assets were also disallowed. This resulted in additional taxable income and an assessment was issued together with a substantial penalty. Judgement of the Supreme Administrative Court The Court partially upheld the assessment and partially annulled it. Excerpts “At this point it is necessary to clarify that, although the Administration alleges the violation of the arm’s length principle, insofar as it considers that no independent third party, in a comparable situation, would have paid the commission under the conditions carried out by Bavaria, the truth is that this assertion is only supported by the ... Read more
Malaysia vs Watsons Personal Care Stores Holding Limited,  April 2023, High Court, Case No WA-14-20-06/2020

Malaysia vs Watsons Personal Care Stores Holding Limited, April 2023, High Court, Case No WA-14-20-06/2020

In 2003, Watsons Personal Care Stores Holding Limited borrowed USD 36,842,335.00 from Watson Labuan in order to acquire a substantial number of shares in Watson Malaysia and in 2012, the Company borrowed another USD 1,276,000.00 from Watson Labuan to finance the acquisition of shares. According to the loan agreement the annual interest rate was 3% plus the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and the principal amount was to be paid on demand by Watson Labuan. In 2013 the tax authorities (DGIR) requested information from Watsons Personal Care Stores Holding Limited relating to cross border transactions for transfer pricing risk assessment purposes and following an audit for FY 2010-2012 the tax authorities informed the Company that the interest would be adjusted under section 140A of the ITA (Malaysian arm’s length provision). Furthermore, the interest expenses paid would not be allowed as a deduction because the transaction as a whole would not have been entered into between unrelated parties. Watsons Personal Care ... Read more
Czech Republic vs LAKUM – KTL, a. s., April 2023, Regional Court, Case No 25 Af 62/2020

Czech Republic vs LAKUM – KTL, a. s., April 2023, Regional Court, Case No 25 Af 62/2020

LAKUM KTL, a. s. had deducted from its taxable income costs for the purchase of advertising and promotional services from PRESSTEX MEDIA and PAMBROKE Media. Following an audit, the tax authorities concluded that LAKUM had entered into a legal relationship with PRESSTEX and PAMBROKE for the purpose of reducing the tax base. The tax authorities established reference prices on the basis that LAKUM could have entered into the contract for advertising and promotional services directly with the club concerned and, from the price range thus established, determined the arm’s length price for the services and increased the tax base accordingly. Decision of the Regional Court The Regional Court ruled in favour of the tax authorities on the pricing issue. Excerpts “37. The applicant first argued that the conditions for the application of the first sentence of Article 23(7) of the Income Tax Act were not met. According to that provision, if the prices agreed between related parties differ from the ... Read more
India vs Mylan Pharmaceuticals Private, December 2022, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ITA No.122/Hyd/2022

India vs Mylan Pharmaceuticals Private, December 2022, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, ITA No.122/Hyd/2022

Mylan Pharmaceuticals is engaged in the business of trading pharmaceutical products in both domestic and export markets. It also provides business support services and research and development activities to other group companies. Following an audit, the tax authorities issued a notice of assessment which partially disallowed deductions for advertising and promotional expenses for the launch of new products. Mylan appealed to the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax where the assessment was subsequently overturned. The tax authorities then appealed to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. Judgement of the ITAT The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal allowed the appeal and set aside the decision of the Commissioner of Income Tax. Excerpts “It has been held in various decisions that for invoking jurisdiction u/s 263 of the I.T. Act, the twin conditions namely, (a) the order is erroneous and (b) the order is prejudicial to the interest of the Revenue must be satisfied. However, in the instant case, the order may be prejudicial to ... Read more
Greece vs "VAT Ltd.", May 2022, Tax Court, Case No 2074/2022

Greece vs “VAT Ltd.”, May 2022, Tax Court, Case No 2074/2022

This case deals with VAT treatment of disallowed deductions for intra-group services. Following an audit, an adjustment of the taxable income was issued to “VAT Ltd.” by the tax authorities where intra-group services had been disallowed and VAT had been adjusted as a result. “VAT Ltd.” disagreed with the adjustment and filed an appeal. Judgement of the Tax Court The Tax Court upheld the assessment of the tax authorities. Click here for English translation gr-ded-ath-2074_2022 ... Read more
US vs Aspro Inc., April 2022, Eight Circuit, No. 21-1996

US vs Aspro Inc., April 2022, Eight Circuit, No. 21-1996

Aspro is an asphalt-paving company. Between 2012 and 2014, the relevant years, Aspro stock was held by: Milton Dakovich, the president of Aspro; Jackson Enterprises Corp.; and Manatt’s Enterprises, Ltd. Aspro has not paid dividends since the 1970s but, except for one year, has paid its shareholders “management fees” for at least twenty years. In addition to receiving management fees, Dakovich received a salary, director fees, and bonuses for each of the relevant years. There were no written agreements between Aspro and its three shareholders regarding fees paid for management services, nor was there an employment contract between Aspro and Dakovich. Aspro claimed deductions on its tax returns for management fees for tax years 2012 through 2014. The tax authorities denied these deductions on the ground that Aspro had failed to establish that it had incurred or paid the management fees for ordinary and necessary business purposes. Aspro took the case to court. Judgement of the Court. The Court upheld ... Read more
Japan vs Universal Music Corp, April 2022, Supreme Court, Case No 令和2(行ヒ)303

Japan vs Universal Music Corp, April 2022, Supreme Court, Case No 令和2(行ヒ)303

An intercompany loan in the form of a so-called international debt pushdown had been issued to Universal Music Japan to acquire the shares of another Japanese group company. The tax authority found that the loan transaction had been entered for the principal purpose of reducing the tax burden in Japan and issued an assessment where deductions of the interest payments on the loan had been disallowed for tax purposes. The Tokyo District Court decided in favour of Universal Music Japan and set aside the assessment. The Court held that the loan did not have the principle purpose of reducing taxes because the overall restructuring was conducted for valid business purposes. Therefore, the tax authorities could not invoke the Japanese anti-avoidance provisions to deny the interest deductions. In 2020 the decision of the district court was upheld by the Tokyo High Court. The tax authorities then filed an appeal with the Supreme Court Decision of the Court The Supreme Court dismissed ... Read more
Norway vs Fortis Petroleum Norway AS, March 2022, Court of Appeal, Case No LB-2021-26379

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

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, Consema, and later paid a substantial termination fee when the service contract was terminated. The acquisition costs, interest on the loan, costs for services and termination fees had all been deducted in the taxable income of the company for the years in question. Central to this case is the exploration refund scheme on the Norwegian shelf. This essentially means that exploration companies can demand cash payment of the tax value of exploration costs, cf. the Petroleum Tax Act § 3 letter c) fifth paragraph. If the taxpayer does not have income to cover an exploration cost, the company receives payment / refund of the tax ... Read more
Portugal vs "A S.A.", March 2022, CAAD - Administrative Tribunal, Case No : 213/2021-T

Portugal vs “A S.A.”, March 2022, CAAD – Administrative Tribunal, Case No : 213/2021-T

A S.A. is 51% owned by B SA and 49% by C Corp. A S.A is active in development of energy efficiency projects. In 2015 A S.A took out loans from B and C at an annual interest rate of 3.22xEuribor 12 months, plus a spread of 14%. A S.A had also paid for services to related party D. The tax authorities issued an assessment related to the interest rate on the loan and the service purportedly received and paid for. A complaint was filed by A S.A. with the Administrative Tribunal (CAAD). Judgement of the CAAD The complaint of A S.A was dismissed and the assessment upheld. Excerpts regarding the interest rate “Now, regarding the first argument, it falls immediately by the base, since the Applicant has not proved that it had made any effort to finance itself with the bank and that this effort was unsuccessful. On the contrary, it seems to result from the request for arbitration ... Read more
Portugal vs "A SGPS S.A.", March 2022, CAAD - Administrative Tribunal, Case No : P590_2020-T

Portugal vs “A SGPS S.A.”, March 2022, CAAD – Administrative Tribunal, Case No : P590_2020-T

A SGPS S.A. is the parent company of Group A. In 2016, a subsidiary, B S.A., took a loan in a bank, amounting to 1,950,000.00 Euros, and incurred interest costs and Stamp Tax. However, the majority of the loan, an amount of €1,716,256.60, was transferred as an interest free loan to A SGPS S.A. The tax authorities issued an assessment related to costs incurred on the loan and deducted by B S.A. The tax authorities disallowed B S.A.’s deduction of the costs as they were not intended to protect or obtain income, and therefore did not meet the requirements for deductibility under the general provisions of the Tax Code; A complaint was filed by A SGPS S.A. with the Administrative Tribunal. According to A SGPS SA the tax authorities did not justify why it considered that the expenses incurred by B S.A. to an independent bank for a loan that was passed on to the parent company were not deductible ... Read more
Spain vs Sierra Spain Shopping Centers Services S.L.U., January 2022, National Court, Case No SAN 151/2022 - ECLI:ES:AN:2022:151

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

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 additional taxable income. With respect to the strategic business management services, the tax authorities found that there was no contract between the parties. In addition, the authorities found the justification for the actual provision of services was insufficient. With regard to the marketing services, these were contracted by the Portugal-based entity to an external supplier and subsequently re-invoiced to the related parties receiving the service in Portugal, Brazil and Spain. The tax authorities considered that these services were shareholder costs and therefore not deductible in Sierra Spain. Sierra Spain appealed to the Tax Court, which upheld the assessment of the tax authorities. An appeal was ... Read more
Zimbabwe vs IAB Company, January 2022, High Court, Judgement No. HH 32-22 ITC 17/17

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

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 management fees and dismissed the appeal of IAB Company in this regard. Excerpts from the judgement: “In a nutshell the issue here is whether or not the appellant received management services from IAL for the tax years 2010 to 2015. ” (…) “The authorities must not look at the matter from their own view point but that of a prudent business an – SA Builders Ltd v CIT (2006) 289 ITR 26 (SC).  Further, I agree with what was stated by Australia’s Full Federal Court on the function of the tax authorities and fiscal legislation.  In FC of T v BHP Billion Finance Ltd 2010 ... Read more
Zimbabwe vs Delta Beverages Ltd., Supreme Court, Judgement No. SC 3/22

Zimbabwe vs Delta Beverages Ltd., Supreme Court, Judgement No. SC 3/22

Delta Beverages Ltd, a subsidiary of Delta Corporation, had been issued a tax assessment for FY 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 where various fees for service, technology license of trademarks, technology and know-how paid to a group company in the Netherlands (SAB Miller Management BV) had been disallowed by the tax authorities (Zimra) of Zimbabwe resulting in additional taxes of US$42 million which was later reduced to US$30 million. An appeal was filed with the Special Court (for Income Tax Appeals) where, in a judgment dated 11 October 2019, parts of the assessment was set aside. Not satisfied with the result, an appeal (Delta Beverages) and cross-appeal (tax authorities) was filed with the Supreme Court. Judgement of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court set aside the judgement of the Special Court (for Income Tax Appeals) and remanded the case for reconsiderations in relation to the issue of tax avoidance. Excerpts from the Supreme Court judgement regarding deductions for ... Read more
Indonesia vs PT Tech Data Advanced Solutions Indonesia, November 2021, Supreme Court, Case No. 2747/B/PK/Pjk/2021

Indonesia vs PT Tech Data Advanced Solutions Indonesia, November 2021, Supreme Court, Case No. 2747/B/PK/Pjk/2021

PT Tech Data Advanced Solutions Indonesia (formerly PT AVnet Datamation Solutions) had paid service fees to a related party in FY 2013. Following an audit, the tax authorities issued an assessment where these service fees, among other issues, was found to be unsubstantiated by the evidence provided by the company. The Company disagreed and brought the case to court. Judgement of the Supreme Court The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Tax authorities. Excerpts. “That the reasons for the Appellant’s request for reconsideration cannot be justified, because the decision of the Tax Court which partially granted the Appellant’s appeal against the Appellant’s Decision Number KEP-01458/KEB/WPJ.07/2017, dated 5 September 2017, concerning Taxpayer’s Objection to the Tax Assessment Letter for Underpayment of Income Tax for the Tax Year 2013, Number 00005/206/13/056/16, dated 8 June 2016, in the name of the Appellant, NPWP 21.120.445.8- 056.000, so that the calculation of Income Tax for the Tax Year 2013 to be paid is Rp ... Read more
El Salvador vs Corp, June 2021, Tax Court, Case No 096-2021

El Salvador vs Corp, June 2021, Tax Court, Case No 096-2021

Following an audit the tax authorities issued an assessment regarding interest payments on intra group loans and tax deductions for the costs for various services. An appeal was filed by the company. Judgement of the Tax Court The court upheld the assessment and decided in favour of the tax authorities. Click here for English translation TAIIA-R1704012TM ... Read more
Czech Republic vs. LCN GROUP s.r.o., July 2021, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 2 Afs 148/2020 - 37

Czech Republic vs. LCN GROUP s.r.o., July 2021, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 2 Afs 148/2020 – 37

LCN Group had deducted costs in its taxable income for marketing services provided by related parties – PRESSTEX MEDIA SE and TARDEM Media s.r.o. and PAPILIO. The claimed advertising costs from PRESSTEX in FY 2012 was produced and implemented by PAPILIO and subsequently invoiced to LCN Group, virtually unchanged, at a price 23 times higher than the price of the advertising, without the corresponding value added being justified. In relation to FY 2013, LCN Group claimed advertising costs from TARDEM in a similar pattern where the price was increased by up to 56 times. In both tax periods, LCN Group’s advertising/promotion costs were related to sporting events (gymnastics world cup, tennis tournament and golf tournaments). The tax authorities concluded that the prices agreed between the parties was not at arm’s length and issued an assessment. The Regional Court annulled the assessment. It argued that the tax authorities had not sufficiently dealt with the identification and description of the conditions under ... Read more
Netherlands vs X B.V., July 2021, Supreme Court, Case No ECLI:NL:2021:1102

Netherlands vs X B.V., July 2021, Supreme Court, Case No ECLI:NL:2021:1102

X B.V., a private limited company established in the Netherlands, is part of a globally operating group (hereafter: the Group). In the years under review, the head office, which was also the top holding company, was located in the USA. Until 1 February 2008, the X B.V. was, together with BV 1 and BV 2, included in a fiscal unity for corporate income tax with the Interested Party as the parent company. As of 1 February 2008, a number of companies were added to the fiscal unity, including BV 3 and BV 4. X B.V. is considered transparent for tax purposes according to US standards. Its parent company is a company domiciled in the USA, as further described in 2.1.8 below. In 2006, BV 1 borrowed € 195,000,000 under a Euro Credit Facility (ECF), a head office guaranteed credit facility with a syndicate of sixteen banks. BV 1 contributed this amount in 2007 as share premium to BV 2. BV ... Read more
Romania vs A. Romania S.R.L., April 2021, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 2644/2021

Romania vs A. Romania S.R.L., April 2021, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 2644/2021

A. Romania S.R.L. had purchased services from A. Nederland BV and A. CZ Holding sro, and the costs of the services had been deducted for tax purposes. At issue was whether these services had actually been provided to the benefit of A. Romania S.R.L. and if so whether the costs were deductible under Romanian tax provisions. According to the tax authorities it was not possible to identify the services actually provided, as the documentation provided was only general data on the types of services invoiced, such as: group services, taxes and contributions, other group services. No supporting documents had been submitted to show that the services were actually provided. Furthermore, according to Romanian tax provisions – paragraph 41 of H.G. no. 44/2004 – the costs of administration, management, control, consultancy or similar functions are borne by the parent company and no remuneration can be claimed for these activities from the affiliated persons, thus the expenses are not deductible for tax ... Read more
Romania vs S.C. A., March 2021, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 1955/2021

Romania vs S.C. A., March 2021, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 1955/2021

S.C. A. had paid for intra group services in FY 2013 and 2014 and deducted the costs for tax purposes. The purchases of services were made on the basis of a management services contract concluded with related party C. S.A. and a production service contract, logistics service contract, product management service contract and service contract concluded with related party B. The tax authorities had issued an assessment where deductions for the costs had been denied. The court of first instance set aside the tax assessment. Judgement of Supreme Administrative Court The Supreme Administrative Court upheld the decision from the court of first instance and decided in favor of S.C. A. Excerpts “As regards the necessity of providing the services The High Court finds that the expert held, with regard to that aspect, that by the contracts concluded, C. S.A. and B. undertook to carry out for the applicant multiple and complex activities requiring the allocation of a large amount of ... Read more
Spain vs EPSON IBÉRICA S.A.U., March 2021, Supreme Court, Case No 390:2021

Spain vs EPSON IBÉRICA S.A.U., March 2021, Supreme Court, Case No 390:2021

The SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION is a multinational group of Japanese origin active in among others areas, production and sale of computer products. The group is present in Spain, EPSON IBÉRICA, but has its European HQ in the Netherlands, EPSON EUROPE BV. The main shareholder and sole director of EPSON IBÉRICA S.A.U. was initially Mr. Jose Augusto. However, following a capital increase on 24 April 1986, EPSON IBÉRICA SAU became the subsidiary of the EPSON Group in Spain and Mr. Jose Augusto became a member of its Board of Directors. Mr. Jose Augusto held positions in both EPSON IBERICA and the Dutch parent company EPSON EUROPA until he left on 31 August 2007. As part of his emoluments, EPSON IBERICA made contributions to a pension plan since 1999, totalling EUR 2,842,047.55, including an extraordinary contribution of EUR 2,200,000.00, which was agreed by its Board of Directors on 22 September 2004 and paid to the insurance company managing the pension plan on ... Read more
France vs. SMAP, March 2021, Administrative Court of Appeal, Case No. 19VE01161

France vs. SMAP, March 2021, Administrative Court of Appeal, Case No. 19VE01161

The French company SMAP carries out activities in the area of advertising management and organisation of trade fairs. Following an audit of the company for FY 2008 to 2011 and assessment was issued where deduction of costs for certain intra group “services” had been denied, resulting in additional value added tax, corporate income tax surcharges, apprenticeship tax and business value added tax. The company held that the tax administration had disregarded fiscal procedures, and that the reality of the services – and deductibility of the costs – cannot be disregarded on mere presumptions. Decision of the Court The Appeal of SARL SMAP was rejected by the Court. “Firstly, the administration notes that by virtue of a Lebanese legislative decree n° 46 of 24th June 1983, companies governed by Lebanese law … carrying out their essential activities outside the national territory are considered as offshore companies and as such benefit from a privileged tax regime. In particular, Article 4 of this ... Read more
Spain vs DIGITEX INFORMÁTICA S.L., February 2021, National Court, Case No 2021:629

Spain vs DIGITEX INFORMÁTICA S.L., February 2021, National Court, Case No 2021:629

DIGITEX INFORMATICA S.L. had entered into a substantial service contract with an unrelated party in Latin America, Telefonica, according to which the DIGITEX group would provide certain services for Telefonica. The contract originally entered by DIGITEX INFORMATICA S.L. was later transferred to DIGITEX’s Latin American subsidiaries. But after the transfer, cost and amortizations related to the contract were still paid – and deducted for tax purposes – by DIGITEX in Spain. The tax authorities found that costs (amortizations, interest payments etc.) related to the Telefonica contract – after the contract had been transferred to the subsidiaries – should have been reinvoiced to the subsidiaries, and an assessment was issued to DIGITEX for FY 2010 and 2011 where these deductions had been disallowed. DIGITEX on its side argued that by not re-invoicing the costs to the subsidiaries the income received from the subsidiaries increased. According to the intercompany contract, DIGITEX would invoice related entities 1% of the turnover of its own ... Read more
Czech Republic vs. STARCOM INTERNATIONAL s.r.o., February 2021, Regional Court , Case No 25Af 18/2019 - 118

Czech Republic vs. STARCOM INTERNATIONAL s.r.o., February 2021, Regional Court , Case No 25Af 18/2019 – 118

A tax assessment had been issued for FY 2013 resulting in additional taxes of to CZK 227,162,210. At first the tax administration disputed that the applicant had purchased 1 TB SSDs for the purpose of earning, maintaining and securing income. It therefore concluded that the Starcom Internatioal had not proved that the conditions for tax deductions were met. On appeal, the tax administrator changed its position and accepted that all the conditions for tax deductions were met, but now instead concluded that Starcom Internatioal was a connected party to its supplier AZ Group Czech s.r.o. It also concluded that the transfer prices had been set mainly for the purpose of reducing the tax base within the meaning of Section 23(7)(b)(5) of the ITA. It was thus for the tax authorities to prove that Starcom Internatioal and AZ Group Czech s.r.o. (‘AZ’) were ‘otherwise connected persons’ and that the prices agreed between them differed from those which would have been agreed ... Read more
Italy vs "Plastic Pipes s.p.a.", January 2021, Supreme Court, Case 230-2021

Italy vs “Plastic Pipes s.p.a.”, January 2021, Supreme Court, Case 230-2021

Plastic Pipes s.p.a. produces and sells flexible plastic pipes, via foreign subsidiaries, to which it supplies the product to be resold to foreign customers and it operates abroad, selling the product directly to customers, also in foreign countries where it has a subsidiary. The tax authorities had issued a notice of assessment for FY 2006 claiming that Plastic Pipes s.p.a. had incurred (and deducted) marketing costs in the interest of its subsidiaries, without recharging their share of the expenses. The Court of first instance set aside the assessment of the tax authorities. Judgement of the Supreme Court. The supreme Court dismissed the appeal of the tax authorities. Excerps “…the burden of proof on the tax authorities is limited to providing evidence of the existence of the intra-group transaction and of the agreement of a consideration lower than the normal market value; the taxpayer who intends to contest the tax claim must instead provide evidence that the agreed consideration, or the ... Read more
Taiwan vs Weitian Technology Co. Ltd. December 2020, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 109 Pan Tzu No. 661

Taiwan vs Weitian Technology Co. Ltd. December 2020, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 109 Pan Tzu No. 661

Weitian Technology Co. Ltd (AKA ProLight Opto Technology Corp), a Taiwanese company active in the global LED industry, claimed that factors affecting market prices had not been fully considered while determining the prices of products sold to its subsidiary in Shanghai, and that this had caused major losses in the subsidiary. To account for these losses, at the end of 2015, a year end adjustment was made, which was reported as a tax deductible sales allowance in the tax returns. The tax authorities denied the deduction. An appeal was filed by the company with the Supreme Administrative Court in 2019. Judgement of the Supreme Administrative Court The court dismissed the appeal. Deductions for the year end adjustment could not be allowed in this case for the following reasons: A year end adjustment is a mechanism provided to MNEs to achieve an arm’s-length result when the agreed terms and conditions pertaining to the price-relevant factors are changed. Documents must demonstrate the ... Read more
El Salvador vs "E-S. Sales Corp", December 2020, Tax Court, Case No R1705038.TM

El Salvador vs “E-S. Sales Corp”, December 2020, Tax Court, Case No R1705038.TM

Following an audit the tax authorities issued an assessment regarding various intra group costs of sales deducted for tax purposes by “E-S. Sales Corp”. An appeal was filed by the company. Judgement of the Tax Court The court partially upheld the assessment, but in regards of application of the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines, the assessment was set aside. For the years in question the OECD guidelines had not yet been implemented by El Salvador. Excerpt “In this regard, it should be noted that the seventh paragraph of the aforementioned article provides that “””If, for any reason, the market price cannot be determined, the Tax Administration shall establish it by adopting the price or the amount of the consideration that the taxpayer under audit has received from purchasers of goods or providers of unrelated services other than those to whom it transferred goods or provided services at a price lower or higher than the market price”””. Therefore, if it had been ... Read more
Singapore vs Intevac Asia Pte Ltd, October 2020, High Court, Case No [2020] SGHC 218, Tax Appeal No 3 of 2020

Singapore vs Intevac Asia Pte Ltd, October 2020, High Court, Case No [2020] SGHC 218, Tax Appeal No 3 of 2020

The Intevac group initially focused on designing and producing thin-film production systems for the manufacturing of hard disk drives (“HDD”). However, sometime in or around the mid-2000s, Intevac Asia Pte Ltd received a purchase order for a tool designed for the manufacturing of solar cells. Intevac Asia Pte Ltd did not possess the relevant R&D capabilities to develop such a tool and therefore entered into a Research and Development Services Agreement with Intevac US dated 1 October 2008 (“the RDSA”). The RDSA provided that Intevac US would undertake R&D activities in the US for the benefit of Intevac Asia Pte Ltd. In 2009, the management of the Intevac group decided to plan for the possibility that Intevac Asia Pte Ltd would expand its R&D capabilities in relation to non-HDD products. Accordingly, Intevac Asia Pte Ltd and Intevac US entered into a Cost-Sharing Agreement dated 1 November 2009 (“the CSA”), which superseded the RDSA. The purpose of the CSA was to ... Read more
Chile vs Wallmart Chile S.A, October 2020, Tax Court, Case N° RUC N° 76.042.014K

Chile vs Wallmart Chile S.A, October 2020, Tax Court, Case N° RUC N° 76.042.014K

In 2009, Walmart acquired a majority in Distribución y Servicio D&S S.A., Chile’s leading food retailer. With headquarters in Santiago, Walmart Chile operates several formats including hypermarkets, supermarkets and discount stores. Following an audit by the tax authorities related to FY 2015, deduction of interest payments in the amount of CH$8.958,304,857.- on an “intra-group loan” was denied resulting in a tax payable of Ch$1,786,488,290. According to Wallmart, the interest payments related to debt in the form of future dividend payments/profit distributions. Decision of the Tax court “…this Court concludes that the claimant has not been able to prove the existence of a current account between Inversiones Walmart and Walmart Chile, nor has it been able to prove the appropriateness of the reduction in expenses in the amount of CH$8.958,304,857.- for interest paid to its related company, because it did not justify the need for such disbursement for the purpose of getting into debt in order to distribute profits among the ... Read more
Denmark vs. Adecco A/S, June 2020, Supreme Court, Case No SKM2020.303.HR

Denmark vs. Adecco A/S, June 2020, Supreme Court, Case No SKM2020.303.HR

The question in this case was whether royalty payments from a loss making Danish subsidiary Adecco A/S (H1 A/S in the decision) to its Swiss parent company Adecco SA (G1 SA in the decision – an international provider of temporary and permanent employment services active throughout the entire range of sectors in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia – for use of trademarks and trade names, knowhow, international network intangibles and business concept were deductible expenses for tax purposes or not. In 2013, the Danish tax authorities (SKAT) had amended Adecco A/S’s taxable income for the years 2006-2009 by a total of DKK 82 million. Adecco A/S submitted that the company’s royalty payments were operating expenses deductible under section 6 (a) of the State Tax Act and that it was entitled to tax deductions for royalty payments of 1.5% of the company’s turnover in the first half of 2006 and 2% up to and including 2009, as these prices ... Read more
Czech Republic vs. LCN Group s.r.o., April 2020, Regional Court, Case No 25 Af 76/2019 - 42

Czech Republic vs. LCN Group s.r.o., April 2020, Regional Court, Case No 25 Af 76/2019 – 42

LCN Group s.r.o. had deducted costs in its taxable income for marketing services provided by related parties. Following an audit, the tax authorities concluded that the prices agreed between the parties was not at arm’s length and issued an assessment. Decision of the Regional Court The Regional Court annulled the assessment and decided in favor of the LNC Group. The court held that the tax authorities had not sufficiently dealt with the identification and description of the conditions under which the prices of the controlled transactions had been agreed. The tax authorities had not considered the “commercial strength” and “advertising capacity” of the parties. Click here for English Translation Click here for other translation Czech 25Af_76_20200609112810.2019_prevedeno ... Read more
Zimbabwe vs LCF Zimbabwe LTD, March 2020, Special Court for Income Tax Appeals, Case No. HH 227-20

Zimbabwe vs LCF Zimbabwe LTD, March 2020, Special Court for Income Tax Appeals, Case No. HH 227-20

LCF Zimbabwe LTD manufactures cement and similar products from limestone extracted at a mine in Zimbabwe. It also manufactures adhesives and adhesive paints and decorative paints, construction chemicals and agricultural lime. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of a large European group, which manufactures and sells building and construction materials. The issues in this case concerned tax deductibility of “master branding fees”, consumable spare parts not utilised at the tax year end, quarry overburden expenses and computer software. Furthermore there were also the question of levying penalties. Judgement of the Tax Court The Court decided in favour of the tax authorities. Excerpts: “The corollary to the finding of indivisibility is that the disallowance by the Commissioner of the 1.5% master branding fees of US$ 863 252.70 in the 2012 tax year and US$ 1 140 000 in the 2013 tax year was correct while the split of the 2% rate in respect of the first franchise agreement was wrong. I ... Read more
Italy vs "Lender" SpA, February 2020, Regional Tax Tribunal for Umbria, Case No 18/02/2020 n. 56/01

Italy vs “Lender” SpA, February 2020, Regional Tax Tribunal for Umbria, Case No 18/02/2020 n. 56/01

An Italian parent company “Lender SpA” had granted interest free loans to foreign subsidiaries. Lender SpA had also paid subsidiaries for services rendered. The Italian tax authorities held that interest should be paid on the loans and that the company had not sufficiently demonstrated the conditions to justify the deductibility of costs of services. The regional Court found in favor of the tax authorities and dismissed the appeal of Lender SpA. “For these loans, which took place on the initiative of the Managing Director and in the absence of a resolution of the Shareholders’ Meeting, the Company partly used its available liquidity and partly resorted to the credit market. In this situation, contrary to what was claimed by the company xxxxx, the principle established by the aforementioned art. 110, paragraph 7 of the Consolidated Income Tax Act should have been applied and, therefore, the Italian company should have valued the financing services provided to its foreign subsidiaries at the same ... Read more
Poland vs K. sp. z o.o., January 2020, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No II FSK 191/19 - Wyrok

Poland vs K. sp. z o.o., January 2020, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No II FSK 191/19 – Wyrok

K. sp. z o.o. is a Polish company belonging to an international group. The main activity of K is local sale of goods purchased from a intra group supplier. K is best characterized as a limited risk distributor and as such should achieve an certain predetermined level of profitability as a result of its activities. In order to achieve the determined level of profitability, the group had established that, if the operating margin actually achieved by the distributor during a given period is less or more than the assumed level of profit, it will be adjusted. The year-end adjustment will not be directly related to the prices of goods purchased from the intra-group supplier and will be made after the end of each financial year. The Administrative Court decided that the year-end adjustment is not sufficiently linked to obtaining, maintaining or securing the company’s income. Hence the adjustment cannot be recognized as a deductible cost within the meaning of Article 15 ... Read more
France vs SAS Groupe Lagasse Europe, January 2020, CCA de VERSAILLES, Case No. 18VE00059 18VE02329

France vs SAS Groupe Lagasse Europe, January 2020, CCA de VERSAILLES, Case No. 18VE00059 18VE02329

A French subsidiary, SAS Groupe Lagasse Europe, of the Canadian Legasse Group had paid service fees to another Canadian group company, Gestion Portland Vimy. The French tax authorities held that the basis for the payments of service fees had not been established, and that there was no benefit to the French subsidiary. The payments constituted an indirect transfer of profits within the meaning of the ‘article 57 of the general tax code; Excerps from the judgement of the Court: “11. Under the terms of article 57 of the general tax code, applicable in matters of corporate tax under article 209 of the same code: “For the establishment of income tax due by the companies which are dependent or have control of companies located outside of France, the profits indirectly transferred to the latter, either by increasing or decreasing the purchase or sale prices, or by any other means, are incorporated into the results recognized by the accounts (…) “. These ... Read more
Denmark vs Adecco A/S, Oct 2019, High Court, Case No SKM2019.537.OLR

Denmark vs Adecco A/S, Oct 2019, High Court, Case No SKM2019.537.OLR

The question in this case was whether royalty payments from a loss making Danish subsidiary Adecco A/S (H1 A/S in the decision) to its Swiss parent company Adecco SA (G1 SA in the decision – an international provider of temporary and permanent employment services active throughout the entire range of sectors in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia – for use of trademarks and trade names, knowhow, international network intangibles, and business concept were deductible expenses for tax purposes or not. In  2013, the Danish tax authorities (SKAT) had amended Adecco A/S’s taxable income for the years 2006-2009 by a total of DKK 82 million. “Section 2 of the Tax Assessment Act. Paragraph 1 states that, when calculating the taxable income, group affiliates must apply prices and terms for commercial or economic transactions in accordance with what could have been agreed if the transactions had been concluded between independent parties. SKAT does not consider it in accordance with section ... Read more
Zimbabwe vs Delta Beverages LTD, Special Court (for Income Tax Appeals), Case No HH664-19

Zimbabwe vs Delta Beverages LTD, Special Court (for Income Tax Appeals), Case No HH664-19

Delta Beverages LTD had been issued a tax assessment where various fees for service, technology license of trademarks, technology and know-how had been disallowed by the tax authorities (Zimra) of Zimbabwe. Among the issues contented by the tax authorities were technical service fees calculated as 1.5 %  of turnover. “The sole witness confirmed the advice proffered to the holding company’s board of directors in the minutes of 17 May 2002 that such an approach was common place across the world. This was confirmed by the approvals granted by exchange control authority to these charges. It was further confirmed by the very detailed 19 page Internal Comparable Analysis Report dated 5 October 2010 conducted by a reputable international firm of chartered  accountants, which was commissioned by the Dutch Company to assess internal compliance with the arm’s length principles in its transfer pricing policy for trademark royalties of its cross border brands. The commissioned firm looked at 20 comparative agreements, which were ... Read more
Spain vs ARW Enterprise Computin Solution SA, September 2019, Tribunal Superior de Justicia, Case No STSJ M 7038/2019 - ECLI: ES:TSJM:2019:7038

Spain vs ARW Enterprise Computin Solution SA, September 2019, Tribunal Superior de Justicia, Case No STSJ M 7038/2019 – ECLI: ES:TSJM:2019:7038

A Spanish subsidiary, ARW Enterprise Computin Solution SA, had deducted intra-group management fees paid according to two service contracts with two french group companies – Distrilogie SA and DCC France Holding SAS. For an expense to be deductible it is required not only that invoice, account, payments have been imputed correctly, but also that the expense have been held for obtaining income and to the direct benefit of the subsidiary. The Spanish tax authorities found, that these requirements had not been sufficiently proved by Computin Solution SA and issued a tax assessment. Click here for other translation Spain vs Computin STSJ_M_7038_2019 ... Read more
Norway vs A/S Norske Shell, September 2019, Borgarting lagmannsrett, Case No LB-2018-79168 – UTV-2019-807

Norway vs A/S Norske Shell, September 2019, Borgarting lagmannsrett, Case No LB-2018-79168 – UTV-2019-807

A/S Norske Shell – an entity within the Dutch Shell group – had operations on the Norwegian continental shelf and conducted research and development (R&D) through a subsidiary. All R&D costs were deducted in Norway. The Norwegian tax authority applied the arms length principle and issued a tax assessment. It was assumed that the R&D expense was due to a joint interest with the other upstream companies in the Shell group. The Court of Appeal found that the R&D conducted in Norway also constituted an advantage for the foreign companies within the group for which an independent company would demand compensation. The resulting reduction in revenue provided the basis for determining the company’s income on a discretionary basis in accordance with section 13-1 of the Tax Act. The tax authorities determination of the amount of the income reduction had not based on an incorrect or incomplete fact, nor did the result appear arbitrary or unreasonable. The Court of Appeal concluded ... Read more
Brazil vs "CCA group", September 2019, COSIT, SC No. 276-2019

Brazil vs “CCA group”, September 2019, COSIT, SC No. 276-2019

In a public ruling, the General Tax Coordination Office in Brazil (COSIT) found that a transaction labled as a “cost sharing agreement” between a foreign group and its Brazilian subsidiary, was in fact a mere agreement for provision of services. COSIT pointed to the key characteristics of cost sharing agreements. These had been listed in a prior ruling from 2012: Segregation of costs and risks inherent in the development, production or acquisition of goods, services or rights; Consistent contribution by each entity with expected and effectively-received benefits by each entity; Identification of the benefit to each participant entity; Mandatory reimbursement of costs incurred with no mark-up; Advantages offered to all participating group entities; and Payments for support activities whether such activities were actually used. < COSIT also pointed to the guidance provided in the 2017 Transfer Pricing Guidelines, Chapter VIII. Click here for translation SC_Cosit_n_276-2019 ... Read more
Tanzania vs Alliance One Tobacco T. Ltd, August 2019, Court of Appeal, Case No.118 of 2018, TZCA 208

Tanzania vs Alliance One Tobacco T. Ltd, August 2019, Court of Appeal, Case No.118 of 2018, TZCA 208

In 2005 the tax authorities conducted an audit of Alliance One Tobacco T. Ltd and on that basis issued a notices of assessment for FY 2003 and 2004. In 2011 the tax authorities conducted another audit for the years of income 2009 and 2010 and issued an additional assessment. In the assessments, the tax authorities disallowed several corporate tax items relating to capital expenditure, inventory costs, loss of input stock and bad debt written off. Moreover, a significant transfer pricing adjustment was made on the price from Alliance One Tobacco to its sister company Alliance One International AGA. Judgement of the Court of Appeal The court ruled in favour of the tax authorities. “...in view of the reasons we have stated above with respect to the sole ground of appeal, we have to conclude that this appeal is bound to fail.” The court observed that: “In the circumstances, if the intention of the appellant from the outset was to challenge the ... Read more
Peru vs. Telefonica, July 2019, Supreme Court, Case No 11111-2016, Lima

Peru vs. Telefonica, July 2019, Supreme Court, Case No 11111-2016, Lima

Telefónica brought before the Supreme Court of Peru the following issues related to a long lasting dispute with SUNAT – the Peruvian tax authorities: 1: Financial Charges – Carve Out 2: Withdrawal of assets of majority shareholder Telefónica del Perú S.A.A. 3: Depreciation of fixed assets transferred 4: Tax deduction for “Overhead” 5: Provision for doubtful debt collection The Supreme Court agreed with the tax authorities on issues 1 and 4 (carve out financial charges, related to the way in which they were financed; and the overhead tax deduction, which the tax authorities considered to be an incorrect application of accounting standards). The remaining three issues are still awaiting final determination. Click here for English Translation Click here for other translation New1 Corte Suprema de Justicia de la República ... Read more
Japan vs. Universal Music Corp, June 2019, Tokyo District Court, Case No 平成27(行ウ)468

Japan vs. Universal Music Corp, June 2019, Tokyo District Court, Case No 平成27(行ウ)468

An intercompany loan in the form of a so-called international debt pushdown had been issued to Universal Music Japan to acquire the shares of another Japanese group company. The tax authority found that the loan transaction had been entered for the principal purpose of reducing the tax burden in Japan and issued an assessment where deductions of the interest payments on the loan had been disallowed for tax purposes. Decision of the Court The Tokyo District Court decided in favour of Universal Music Japan and set aside the assessment. The Court held that the loan did not have the principle purpose of reducing taxes because the overall restructuring was conducted for valid business purposes. Therefore, the tax authorities could not invoke the Japanese anti-avoidance provisions to deny the interest deductions. The case is now pending at the Tokyo High Court awaiting a final decision. Click here for English Translation Jap UM 2019 ... Read more
Czech Republic vs. J.V., May 2019, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 2 Afs 131/2018 - 59

Czech Republic vs. J.V., May 2019, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 2 Afs 131/2018 – 59

For FY 2007, 2008 and 2009, JV had deducted expenses consisting in the payment for services pursuant to invoices issued by BP Property s.r.o. and TOP ZONEVIEW. The services consisted in the provision and implementation of an advertising campaign. Following an audit the tax authorities adjusted JV’s taxable income by the difference found, since pursuant to Article 23(7)(b)(5) of the Income Tax Act, the prices agreed differed from the prices which would have been agreed between unrelated parties in normal commercial relations under the same or similar conditions. JV contested the decision of the tax authorities but the appeal was dismissed by the Regional Court. The Regional Court held that the applicant’s objection – that he did not know and could not have known about the chain because he had dealt only with the managing director of Property Praha or B.V. – was unfounded. Section 23(7)(b)(5) of the Income Tax Act does not require proof of active conduct of all ... Read more
Italy vs Christian Fishbacher S.p.A, May 2019, Corte di Cassazione No 9615 Anno 2019

Italy vs Christian Fishbacher S.p.A, May 2019, Corte di Cassazione No 9615 Anno 2019

According to the Tax Authorities, the content of Christian Fishbacher S.p.A’s contract with the Swiss parent of the Group, granting limited right of use of the trademark, did not justify a royalty of 3.5%, to which an additional 1.6% was added as a contribution to the investments for the promotion and development of the brand. The appellate judge held that exceeding the values taken as “normal” by the circular 32 of 09/22/1980 not it were justified in the light of the concrete elements of the case is that correctly the Office had re-determined the value of the services within 2%, following the aforementioned Circular, which incorporated the indications of the report drawn up by the OECD in 1979. The circular identifies three levels for assessing the normal value of royalties: the first, not suspected, up to 2%; the second from 2% to 5%, determined on the basis of technical data firm and to the content of the contract , in ... Read more
Spain vs Acer Computer Ibérica S.A., March 2019, AUDIENCIA NACIONAL, Case No 125:2017, NFJ073359

Spain vs Acer Computer Ibérica S.A., March 2019, AUDIENCIA NACIONAL, Case No 125:2017, NFJ073359

Acer Computer Ibérica S.A. (ACI) is part of the multinational ACER group, which manufactures and distributes personal computers and other electronic devices. Acer Europe AG (AEAG), a group entity in Switzerland, centralises the procurement of the subsidiaries established in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and acts as the regional management centre for that geographical area. ACI is responsible for the wholesale marketing of electronic equipment and material, as well as in the provision of technical service related to these products in Spain and Portugal. ACI is characterized as a limited risk distributor by the group. At issue was deductibility of payments resulting from factoring agreements undertaken ACI with unrelated banks, adopted to manage liquidity risks arising from timing mismatches between its accounts payable and accounts receivable. Based on an interpretation of the limited risk agreement signed between ACI and its principal AEAG, the tax authorities disregarded the allocation of the risk – and hence allocation of the relevant costs ... Read more