A situation where Berry ratios can prove useful is for intermediary activities where a taxpayer purchases goods from an associated enterprise and on-sells them to other associated enterprises. In such cases, the resale price method may not be applicable given the absence of uncontrolled sales, and a cost plus method that would provide for a mark-up on the cost of goods sold might not be applicable either where the cost of goods sold consists in controlled purchases. By contrast, operating expenses in the case of an intermediary may be reasonably independent from transfer pricing formulation, unless they are materially affected by controlled transaction costs such as head office charges, rental fees or royalties paid to an associated enterprise, so that, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case, a Berry ratio may be an appropriate indicator, subject to the comments above.
TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.108
Posted on | By OECD
Category: OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines (2022), TPG 2022 Chapter II: Transfer Pricing Methods | Tag: Berry Ratio, Intermediary activities, Net Profit Indicator/Profit Level Indicator (PLI), TNMM, Transfer pricing methods
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