Tag: Interest rate

TPG2020 Chapter X paragraph 10.93

Arm’s length interest rates can also be based on the return of realistic alternative transactions with comparable economic characteristics. Depending on the facts and circumstances, realistic alternatives to intra-group loans could be, for instance, bond issuances, loans which are uncontrolled transactions, deposits, convertible debentures, commercial papers, etc. In the evaluation of those alternatives as potential comparables it is important to bear in mind that, based on facts and circumstances, comparability adjustments may be required to eliminate the material effects of differences between the controlled intra-group loan and the selected alternative in terms of, for instance, liquidity, maturity, existence of collateral or currency ... Read more

TPG2020 Chapter X paragraph 10.92

In the search for comparability data, a comparable is not necessarily restricted to a stand-alone entity. In examining commercial loans, where the potentially comparable borrower is a member of an MNE group and has borrowed from an independent lender, provided all other economically relevant conditions are sufficiently similar, a loan to a member of a different MNE group or between members of different MNE groups could be a valid comparable ... Read more

TPG2020 Chapter X paragraph 10.91

The arm’s length interest rate for a tested loan can be benchmarked against publicly available data for other borrowers with the same credit rating for loans with sufficiently similar terms and conditions and other comparability factors. With the extent of competition often present within lending markets, it might be expected that, given the characteristics of the loan (amount, maturity, currency, etc.) and the credit rating of the borrower or the rating of the specific issuance (see Section C.1.1.2.), there would be a single rate at which the borrower could obtain funds and a single rate at which a lender could invest funds to obtain an appropriate reward. In practice, however, there is unlikely to be a single “market rate” but a range of rates although competition between lenders and the availability of pricing information will tend to narrow the range ... Read more

TPG2020 Chapter X paragraph 10.90

The widespread existence of markets for borrowing and lending money and the frequency of such transactions between independent borrowers and lenders, coupled with the widespread availability of information and analysis of loan markets may make it easier to apply the CUP method to financial transactions than may be the case for other types of transactions. Information available often includes details on the characteristics of the loan and the credit rating of the borrower or the rating of the specific issuance. Characteristics which will usually increase the risk for the lender, such as long maturity dates, absence of security, subordination, or application of the loan to a risky project, will tend to increase the interest rate. Characteristics which limit the lender’s risk, such as strong collateral, a high quality guarantee, or restrictions on future behaviour of the borrower, will tend to result in a lower interest rate ... Read more

TPG2020 Chapter X paragraph 10.89

Once the actual transaction has been accurately delineated, arm’s length interest rates can be sought based on consideration of the credit rating of the borrower or the rating of the specific issuance taking into account all of the terms and conditions of the loan and comparability factors ... Read more

TPG2020 Chapter X paragraph 10.88

The following paragraphs present different approaches to pricing intra-group loans. As in any other transfer pricing situation, the selection of the most appropriate method should be consistent with the actual transaction as accurately delineated, in particular, through a functional analysis (see Chapter II) ... Read more
Spain vs "X Iberica SA", October 2019, TEAC, Case No Rec. 6537/2017

Spain vs “X Iberica SA”, October 2019, TEAC, Case No Rec. 6537/2017

“X Iberica SA” is a Spanish subsidiary of a multinational group and also a participant in the group’s cash pooling system, both as a borrower and as a provider of funds. When the group is not able to finance itself, the vehicle called THE X TES US comes into play, which raises these funds from outside the group as a group and on the basis of the group’s credit quality. The objective of cash pooling agreements is to manage the cash positions of the participating entities, optimising the group’s financial results by channelling the excess liquidity of the group companies that generate it to the group companies that need financing, resorting to third-party financing when the group itself is not able to finance itself. This achieves greater efficiency in the use of the group’s funds, as well as improving their profitability and reducing the administrative and general financial costs of the entities participating in the agreement. The tax authorities issued ... Read more
France vs SAS Wheelabrator Group, July 2019, Conseil d’Etat Opinion, No 429426

France vs SAS Wheelabrator Group, July 2019, Conseil d’Etat Opinion, No 429426

In an Opinion issued on 10 July 2019 on request from the Administrative Court of Versailles, the Conseil d’Etat states as a principle that the arm’s length nature of intra-group interest rate can be demonstrated by reference to comparable unrelated transactions, when these loans constitutes realistic alternatives to the intra-group loan. Excerpt from the Opinion “… 5. The rate that the borrowing enterprise could have obtained from independent financial establishments or organizations under similar conditions means, for the purposes of these provisions, the rate that such establishments or organizations would have been susceptible, account given its own characteristics, in particular its risk profile, to grant it for a loan with the same characteristics under arm’s length conditions. 6. This rate cannot, having regard to the difference in nature between a loan from a financial institution or body and financing by bond issue, be that which this enterprise would itself have been able to serve for subscribers if it had chosen to ... Read more
Poland vs "Shopping Centre Developer sp.k.", May 2019, Administrative Court, Case No III SA/Wa 1777/18

Poland vs “Shopping Centre Developer sp.k.”, May 2019, Administrative Court, Case No III SA/Wa 1777/18

A Polish company, “Shopping Centre Lender sp.k.”, had been granted three intra group loans in FY 2013 for EUR 2 million, EUR 115 million and EUR 43.5 million. The interest rate on the loans had been set at 9%. The tax authorities found that the 9% interest rate was higher than the arm’s length rate and carried out its own analysis on the basis of the comparative data from 66 transactions. In addition, data posted on the internet on the website of the National Bank of Poland was consulted. The summary showed that in the aforementioned period, the average interest rates applied by Polish financial institutions for loans granted to enterprises in EUR ranged from 2.4% to 3.6%. Furthermore, by letters in April 2017 the tax authorities requested information from domestic financial institutions regarding the interest rates and commission rates for loans granted to commercial companies in the period from June 2013 to September 2014. The information received showed that ... Read more
Switzerland vs. A GmbH, 12 Sep. 2018,  Administrative Court, Case No. SB.2017.00100

Switzerland vs. A GmbH, 12 Sep. 2018, Administrative Court, Case No. SB.2017.00100

A GmbH, based in Zurich, was a subsidiary of the D group operating mainly in the field of consumer electronics worldwide, headquartered in country E. A GmbH was primarily responsible for acquiring exploitation rights to … and other related activities. The D Group also owned company F in Land H, which was responsible for the global treasury and cash pooling of the Group. On December 1 2008 A GmbH had entered into an agreement with Company F for the short-term deposit of excess capital and short-term borrowing. Under the terms of the agreement, if the balance was in A GmbH’s favor, A GmbH would be credited interest based on the one-month London Interbank Bid Rate (LIBID) minus 6.25 basis points, but not less than 0.05%. Following an audit in relation to the tax periods of 1.4.2009-31.3.2010 and 1.4.2010-31.3.2011, the tax authorities took the view that the cash pool credit contains a proportion of long-term loans to company F and insofar ... Read more
Argentina vs YPF S.A., May 2018, Supreme Court, Case No TF 29.205-1

Argentina vs YPF S.A., May 2018, Supreme Court, Case No TF 29.205-1

The Tax authorities considered that the financial loans made by YPF S.A. to the controlled companies YPF Gas S.A.; Maleic S.A. and Operadora de Estaciones de Servicio constituted a “disposition of income in favor of third parties”, since in the first two cases (loans granted to YPF Gas S.A. and Maleic S.A.) the agreed interest was lower than that provided for in the aforementioned regulations, while in the last case (operation carried out with OPESSA) no interest payment had even been stipulated. Likewise, it estimated that the transfer prices corresponding to gas oil, propane butane exports made to Repsol YPF Trading and Transport S.A. were below the first quartile. Consequently, it made an adjustment to the taxable income. Furthermore, a fine equivalent to 70% of the allegedly omitted tax was issued. At issue before the Supreme Court was only the fine which was set aside. Click here for English Translation YPF FALLO CAF 040460_2012_1_RH001 ... Read more
Norway vs. Exxonmobil Production Norway Inc., January 2018, Lagsmanret no LB-2016-160306

Norway vs. Exxonmobil Production Norway Inc., January 2018, Lagsmanret no LB-2016-160306

An assessment was issued by the Norwegian tax authorities for years 2009 2010 and 2011 concerning the interest on a loan between Exxonmobil Production Norway Inc. (EPNI) as the lender and Exxon Mobile Delaware Holdings Inc. (EMDHI) as the borrower. Both EPNI and EMDHI are subsidiaries in the Exxon Group, where the parent company is domiciled in the United States. The loan agreement between EPNI and EMDHI was entered into in 2009. The loan had a drawing facility of NOK 20 billion. The agreed maturity was 2019, and the interest rate was fixed at 3 months NIBOR plus a margin of 30 basis points. The agreement also contained provisions on quarterly interest rate regulation and a interest adjustment clause allowing the lender to adjust the interest rate on changes in the borrower’s creditworthiness. The dispute concerns the margin of 30 basis points and the importance of the adjustment clause, also referred to as the step-up clause. The Oil Tax office ... Read more
Italy vs Veneto Banca, July 2017, Regional Tax Court, Case No 2691/2017

Italy vs Veneto Banca, July 2017, Regional Tax Court, Case No 2691/2017

In 2014, the tax authorities issued the Italien Bank a notice of assessment with which it reclaimed for taxation IRAP for 2009 part of the interest expense paid by the bank to a company incorporated under Irish law, belonging to the same group which, according to the tax authorities, it also controlled. In particular, the tax authorities noted that the spread on the bond was two points higher than the normal market spread. The Bank appealed the assessment, arguing that there was no subjective requirement, because at the time of the issue of the debenture loan it had not yet become part of the group of which the company that had subscribed to the loan belonged. It also pleaded that the assessment was unlawful because it applied a provision, Article 11(7) TUIR, provided for IRES purposes, the extension of which to IRAP purposes was provided for by Article 1(281) of Law 147/13, a provision, however, of an innovative nature, the ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter I paragraph 1.166

Under these circumstances the interest rate charged on the loan by T to S is an arm’s length interest rate because (i) it is the same rate charged to S by an independent lender in a comparable transaction; and (ii) no payment or comparability adjustment is required for the group synergy benefit that gives rise to the ability of S to borrow from independent enterprises at an interest rate lower than it could were it not a member of the group because the synergistic benefit of being able to borrow arises from S’s group membership alone and not from any deliberate concerted action of members of the MNE group ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter I paragraph 1.165

Assume that S borrows EUR 50 million from an independent lender at the market rate of interest for borrowers with an A credit rating. Assume further that S simultaneously borrows EUR 50 million from T, another subsidiary of P, with similar characteristics as the independent lender, on the same terms and conditions and at the same interest rate charged by the independent lender (i.e. an interest rate premised on the existence of an A credit rating). Assume further that the independent lender, in setting its terms and conditions, was aware of S’s other borrowings including the simultaneous loan to S from T ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter I paragraph 1.164

P is the parent company of an MNE group engaging in a financial services business. The strength of the group’s consolidated balance sheet makes it possible for P to maintain an AAA credit rating on a consistent basis. S is a member of the MNE group engaged in providing the same type of financial services as other group members and does so on a large scale in an important market. On a stand-alone basis, however, the strength of S’s balance sheet would support a credit rating of only Baa. Nevertheless, because of S’s membership in the P group, large independent lenders are willing to lend to it at interest rates that would be charged to independent borrowers with an A rating, i.e. a lower interest rate than would be charged if S were an independent entity with its same balance sheet, but a higher interest rate than would be available to the parent company of the MNE group ... Read more
Peru vs "Holding S.A.", June 2017, Tax Court, Case No 1308-2009

Peru vs “Holding S.A.”, June 2017, Tax Court, Case No 1308-2009

Following an audit the tax authorities issued an assessment, where the interest rate on a loan had been changed based on application of transfer pricing rules. An appeal was filed by “Holding S.A.” arguing that the transfer pricing rules do not apply to the loan operations observed, since there has not been a lower payment of income tax as required by paragraph a) of article 32-A of the aforementioned tax law, This is also not verified by having obtained losses in the years 2000 to 2005, since being a holding company and only receiving income from dividends, such losses cannot be carried forward, in addition to the fact that the only effect of the objection formulated is to reduce the loss and not to determine a higher tax payable. Judgement of the Tax Court The Tax Court sets aside the assessment and decided in favour Holding S.A. Excerpts “In this sense, it has not been proven that the Administration had ... Read more
Norway vs Hess Norge AS, May 2017, Court of Appeal

Norway vs Hess Norge AS, May 2017, Court of Appeal

A Norwegian subsidiary of an international group (Hess Oil), refinanced an intra-group USD loan two years prior to the loans maturity date. The new loan was denominated in Norwegian kroner and had a significantly higher interest rate. The tax authorities reduced the interest payments of the Norwegian subsidiary pursuant to section 13-1 of the Tax Act for fiscal years 2009 – 2011, thereby increasing taxable income for years in question with a total of kroner 262 million. The Court of Appeal found for the most part in favor of the tax administraion. Under the circumstances of the case, neither the claimed refinancing risk nor the currency risk could sufficiently support it being commercially rational for the subsidiary to enter into the new loan agreement two years prior to the maturity date of the original USD loan. When applying the arm’s length principle, the company’s refinancing risk had to be based on the Norwegian company’s actual situation as a subsidiary in ... Read more
Spain vs McDonald's, March 2017, Spanish Tribunal Supremo, Case no 961-2017

Spain vs McDonald’s, March 2017, Spanish Tribunal Supremo, Case no 961-2017

An adjustments had been made by the tax authorities to a series of loans granted by GOLDEN ARCHES OF SPAIN SA (GAOS), domiciled in Ireland, to RESTAURANTES MC DONALDS, S.A. (RMSA), throughout the period 2000/2004 for amounts ranging between 10,000,000 and 86,650,000 €, at interest rates between 3,450% and 6,020%. The tax administration held that GAOS “has no structure or means to grant the loan and monitor compliance with its conditions … it does not have its own funds to lend, it receives them from other companies in the group”. The Administration refers to a loan received by GAOS from the parent company at a rate of 0%, which is paid in advance to receive another with an interest rate of 3.3%. The Administration indicates that “nobody, under normal market conditions, cancels a loan to constitute another one under clearly worse conditions”. The arm’s length interest rate was determined by reference to the interest rate RMSA would have paid to ... Read more
Switzerland vs. A GmbH, 7 Dec. 2016,  Administrative Court, Case No. SB.2016.00008

Switzerland vs. A GmbH, 7 Dec. 2016, Administrative Court, Case No. SB.2016.00008

The distinction between cash pool receivables and long-term loans. A GmbH is a group company of the global A-group. The A Group also includes company F Ltd, which is responsible for the global treasury and cash pooling of the A Group. In 2008, A GmbH entered into an agreement with F Ltd on the short-term deposit of excess liquidity and short-term borrowing (cash pool). Under the terms of the agreement, if the balance were in A GmbH’s favor, recievables would be credited interest based on the one-month London Interbank Bid Rate (LIBID) less 6 , 25 basis points, but at least 0.05%. The Swiss tax administration argued that a portion of the cash pool receivable had to be treated as a long-term loan bearing higher interest rates. The long-term loan was set to the minimum cash pool receivable balance of each fiscal year. The interest rate on the long-term loan was set to the Swiss „Safe Habor Rates“ according to ... Read more
Italy vs "Lender SpA", October 2016, Regional Tax Commission, Case No 17/10/2016 n. 308/2

Italy vs “Lender SpA”, October 2016, Regional Tax Commission, Case No 17/10/2016 n. 308/2

The Tax Agency had issued some notices of assessment against “Lender SpA” that had provided non-interest bearing loans to two Serbian companies, of which it owned respectively 70 and 80 per cent of the share capital, because it had decided not to recognise such loans, hypothesising a violation of Article 110, paragraph 7 of the Italian Income Tax Code (Tuir), on the subject of transfer pricing. An appeal was filed by Lender SpA with the Provincial Tax Commission where the assessment was set aside. An appeal was then filed by the tax authorities with the Regional Tax Commission. Decision of the Regional Tax Commission The Court, upheld the first instance ruling and affirmed that the non-interest bearing loan cannot be considered an income component, but must be considered a type of financing between affiliated companies. Excerpt “The Office’s appeal is unfounded and the judgment under appeal must therefore be upheld. With a decision that stands out for its clarity and ... Read more
Bulgaria vs "K-Bul", March 2016, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 2690

Bulgaria vs “K-Bul”, March 2016, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No 2690

K-Bul is a Bulgarian subsidiary in the K Group. In the years 2007 to 2013 certain financial intra-group contracts were entered (Two financial service contract – concluded on 02.10.2007 and a Loan agreement concluded on 26.01.2010). Following an audit, the market interest rate was determined by the tax authorities on the basis of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB)’s interest rate statistics published on the Bank’s website, and for the first two contracts a market interest rate of 8.22% was adopted, as reported by the BNB for October 2007 for euro loans to non-financial corporations for a period of one to five years. The loan agreement concluded on 26.01.2010 has a market interest rate of 6,88 %, which corresponds to the BNB interest rate statistics for January 2010 for euro loans to non-financial corporations for a period of up to one year. On that basis the taxable income of K-Bul was restated by amounts representing the difference between the interest charged ... Read more
Switzerland vs A Cash Pool AG, 16. Dezember 2015, Case No.  SB-2015-00005

Switzerland vs A Cash Pool AG, 16. Dezember 2015, Case No. SB-2015-00005

A AG granted loans to group companies as part of a cash pooling system via the parent company. The Swiss tax administration found the interest insufficient, resulting in a hidden profit distribution. According to the Swiss rules and doctrine, transactions between related parties must be consistent with the arm’s length principle. For the third-party comparison, the Court relied on the long-term interest rates, even if the cash pool balances were correctly accounted for as short-term loans. The basis for the third-party comparison for the cash pool interest rate was determined to be the market interest rate measured on the 5-year SWAP rate. The Court decision was partial approval of A AG and refusal to the Tax administration. Click here for English translation. Click here for other translation Swiss SB.2005.00005 ... Read more
Latvia vs SIA Rimi Baltic, November 2014, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No A420607511 SKA – 544/2014

Latvia vs SIA Rimi Baltic, November 2014, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No A420607511 SKA – 544/2014

Following an audit, the tax authorities issued an assessment of additional taxable income to Rimi Baltic for FY 2009. According to the tax authorities Rimi Baltic had not included interest on deposits placed at the disposal of a related Swedish company, ICA Finans AB, in its taxable income. An appeal was filed with the Regional Administrative Court and in a decision issued in February 2014 the court ruled in favour of Rimi Baltic and set aside the assessment of the tax authorities. An appeal was then filed by the tax authorities with the Supreme Administrative Court. Judgement of the Supreme Court The Supreme Court set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal and remanded the case for reconsideration. Excerpts “It should be noted that any money lending/depositing transaction can be viewed as constituting a loan on the one hand and a borrowing on the other. In the case of credit institutions, it is customary to use terms that reflect ... Read more
Switzerland vs Hotel X. SA, Nov. 2013, Courts of Switzerland,  Case No. 2C_291 / 2013 / 2C_292 / 2013

Switzerland vs Hotel X. SA, Nov. 2013, Courts of Switzerland, Case No. 2C_291 / 2013 / 2C_292 / 2013

A loan was granted from a swiss company to its shareholder. The interest rate was fixed at 2,5%. This was found to be a hidden distribution of profit to the shareholder, cf Art. 58 al. 1 letter. b LIFD. Click here for English translation Hotel X vs switzerland ... Read more
Poland vs Lender S.A, October 2013,  Supreme Administrative Court, Case No II FSK 2297/11 - Wyrok NSA

Poland vs Lender S.A, October 2013, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No II FSK 2297/11 – Wyrok NSA

At issue in this case is the choice of method for determening interest rates on an intra group loan – More precisely whether or not internal comparables existed that were in fact independent. It is also discussed whether a intra group loan is comparable to a bank loan or not. Click here for translation II FSK 2297-11 - Wyrok ... Read more
Denmark vs. Bombardier, October 2013, Administrative Tax Court, SKM2014.53.LSR

Denmark vs. Bombardier, October 2013, Administrative Tax Court, SKM2014.53.LSR

The issue in the case was whether the applicable rates under the cash pool arrangement were on arm’s length, i.e. in accordance with the transfer pricing requirements. The Administrative Tax Court upheld most of the conclusions of the tax authorities. First, the Court found that the tax authorities were allowed to assess an arm’s length rate due to the lack of transfer pricing documentation. Second, the financial service fee of 0.25% was upheld. Third, the Court concluded that the rate on the short-term deposits and the corresponding loans (borrowed due to insufficient liquidity management) should be the same. The Administrative Tax Court observed that there was very little or no creditor risk on these gross corresponding loans/deposits because of the possibility of offsetting the balance. Hence, according to the Court, there was no basis for a spread on the gross balance. However, the rate spread on the net balance of the deposits was lowered from +1.18% to + 1.15%, equal ... Read more
France vs. France Immobilier Group, Nov. 2012, CE no 328670

France vs. France Immobilier Group, Nov. 2012, CE no 328670

In the France Immobilier Group decision, the Court found that the interest rate should be based on the financing conditions the lender could have obtained from a third-party bank. Click here for translation France vs. France Immobilier Group_07_11_2012_CE no 328670 ... Read more
Türkiye vs Lender, April 2012, Danıştay Üçüncü Dairesi, E. 2011/5165, K. 2012/1247, UYAP, 12.04.2012

Türkiye vs Lender, April 2012, Danıştay Üçüncü Dairesi, E. 2011/5165, K. 2012/1247, UYAP, 12.04.2012

A Turkish company located in a tax free zone had obtained interest income based on the interest rate applied to foreign currency loans, although the company had lent money to its partner in Turkish Lira. Normally interest income is considered taxable, but within the tax free zone, income from listed activities is exempt. Click here for translation Turkey Case e-2011-5165-k-2012-1247-t-12-4-2012 ... Read more
Korea vs Finance Corp, December 2010, Seoul High Court, Case No 2009누39126

Korea vs Finance Corp, December 2010, Seoul High Court, Case No 2009누39126

At issue in this case is the determination of arm’s length interest rates. Click here for translation Click here for alternative translation 2009누39126 ... Read more
Finland vs. Corp. November 2010, Supreme Administrative Court HFD 2010:73

Finland vs. Corp. November 2010, Supreme Administrative Court HFD 2010:73

A company, which belonged to a Nordic group, had until August 2005, two loans with an independent party outside the group. The interest of the loans was 3.135 to 3.25 percent. The company’s long-term loans amounted to over EUR 36 million and the guarantees granted by the Company for its loans amounted to about 41 million. In August 2005 the financing of the entire group was re organised. A Ltd paid off old bank loans and took up a new loan from the Swedish company B AB, which belonged to the group. For loans between the group companies was 9.5 percent interest rate. The interest rate had been affected by interest rate percentages on unrelated loans , risk loans and loans from shareholders. After the change in funding A Ltd’s long-term debt totaled just over EUR 38 million and the guarantees granted by the Company for the group was around 300 million euros. A Ltd’s capital structure was not affected ... Read more
Czech Republic vs. DATON technology, spol. s.r.o., August 2010, Supreme Administrative Court , Case No 2 Afs 53/2010 – 63

Czech Republic vs. DATON technology, spol. s.r.o., August 2010, Supreme Administrative Court , Case No 2 Afs 53/2010 – 63

The tax authorities had increased the amount of the tax due to a change in the calculation of interest on loans granted by DATON technology to its partners (managing directors). At issue was whether the amount of the normal interest on loans granted by DATON technology to its managing directors should be determined on the basis of a fixed interest rate for the entire period of the loan or whether changes in the interest rate should be taken into account when calculating the interest as a monetary benefit – income from employment. Judgement of the Court The Supreme Administrative Court did not find that the pleaded ground of appeal was met and therefore dismissed the appeal. In failing to take account of changes in interest rates in 1998, the year for which it imposed the tax, when calculating the interest on the interest-free loan granted by the applicant (in its capacity as ’employer’) to the managing directors (in their capacity ... Read more
France vs. SOCIETE D'ACQUISITIONS IMMOBILIERES, Jan 2010, CE, No. 313868

France vs. SOCIETE D’ACQUISITIONS IMMOBILIERES, Jan 2010, CE, No. 313868

In the Société d’acquisitions immobilières case the interest rate charged to a subsidiary was considered comparable with the interest rate the French entity would receive from a third party bank for an investment similar in terms and risk. The Court decided that the cash advance granted by a sub-subsidiary to its ultimate parent with which it had no business relations could constitute an “abnormal act of management” if the amount lent is clearly disproportionate to the creditworthiness of the borrowing company. Click here for translation France vs SOCIETE D'ACQUISITIONS IMMOBILIERES 22 Jan 2010 CE no 313868 ... Read more
France vs SA Andritz, December 2003, Conseil d_État, Case No 233894

France vs SA Andritz, December 2003, Conseil d_État, Case No 233894

In this case the French Supreme Court states that the provisions of article 57 of the general tax code (arm’s length principle) do not have the object or effect of authorising the tax authorities to assess the normal nature of the choice made by a foreign company to finance by granting a loan, in preference to a contribution of own funds, the activity of a French company that it owns or controls and to draw, if necessary, any tax consequences from this. Excerpt “Considering, secondly, that the Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry maintains, in the last part of his pleadings, that the disputed taxes can be legally based on the provisions of the first paragraph of Article 57 of the General Tax Code, under the terms of which : For the purpose of determining the income tax due by companies which are dependent on or control companies located outside France, the profits indirectly transferred to the latter, either ... Read more
Netherlands vs "Dutch Low Risk Treasury B.V.", August 2003, District Court, Case No 01/04083, ECLI:NL:GHAMS:2003:AJ6865

Netherlands vs “Dutch Low Risk Treasury B.V.”, August 2003, District Court, Case No 01/04083, ECLI:NL:GHAMS:2003:AJ6865

This case concerns a Dutch treasury company with a low risk intra-group borrowing and on-lending activity. The interested party was incorporated on 5 August 1995 by a legal person named V Limited, under Canadian law. Its subscribed and paid-up capital amounted to NLG 40,000 in the years under review. The claimant is part of the V group. Its actual activities are described in its “Declaration of data on business start-ups” submitted to the tax authorities as “intra-group financing”. It maintained a bank account with the Bank of Montreal. In the financial years in question, the interested party lent substantial amounts of pounds sterling to its sister company Y Plc, incorporated under the laws of the United Kingdom, in the form of promissory notes and a revolving credit facility with effect from 31 January and 1 February 1996 respectively. The stakeholder obtained the necessary pounds by way of a loan from its sister company Z B.V. The funds borrowed and lent ... Read more
France vs. Montlaur Sakakini, Oct 1995, Administrative Court of Appeal, No 95LY00427

France vs. Montlaur Sakakini, Oct 1995, Administrative Court of Appeal, No 95LY00427

In the case of Montlaur Sakakini the tax authorities had issued an adjustment where the arm’s length interest rate on deposits had been determined to be between 10-12%. The company held that the interest rate should be 4.5%. Judgement of the Court The court decided in favour of the company as no proof of the validity of an interest rate higher than the 4.5% had been provided by the authorities. Excerpt “…in order to justify the interest rates of 12.5%, 12.5%, 11.79% and 10.63% which the tax authorities retained, respectively for the financial years …, 1984 and 1985 respectively on the advances still in dispute with the MONTLAUR company, the Minister of the Economy and Finance refers to the rates at which certain financial establishments would have remunerated twelve-month deposits of more than 500,000 francs and three-month deposits of 100,000 francs, as well as to the average rates charged on the interbank market ; that none of these investments is ... Read more
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