The levying of withholding taxes on the provision of low value-adding intra-group services can prevent the service provider recovering the totality of the costs incurred for rendering the services. When a profit element or mark-up is included in the charge of the services, tax administrations levying withholding tax are encouraged to apply it only to the amount of that profit element or mark-up.
TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.65
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By OECD
Category: OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines (2022), TPG2022 Chapter VII: Special Considerations for Intra-group Services | Tag: Intra-group services, Service fee, Services, Withholding tax, Withholding tax only on profits
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- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.31The method to be used to determine arm’s length transfer pricing for intra-group services should be determined according to the guidelines in Chapters I, II, and III. Often, the application of these guidelines will lead to use of the CUP or a cost-based method (cost plus method or cost-based TNMM)...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.30For example, from the perspective of an independent enterprise seeking a service, the service providers in that market may or may not be willing or able to supply the service at a price that the independent enterprise is prepared to pay. If the service providers can supply the wanted service...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.29In trying to determine the arm’s length price in relation to intra¬group services, the matter should be considered both from the perspective of the service provider and from the perspective of the recipient of the service. In this respect, relevant considerations include the value of the service to the recipient...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.28In identifying arrangements for charging any retainer for the provision of “on call” services (as discussed in paragraphs 7.16 and 7.17), it may be necessary to examine the terms for the actual use of the services since these may include provisions that no charge is made for actual use until...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.27The compensation for services rendered to an associated enterprise may be included in the price for other transfers. For instance, the price for licensing a patent or know-how may include a payment for technical assistance services or centralised services performed for the licensee or for managerial advice on the marketing...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.26When an indirect-charge method is used, the relationship between the charge and the services provided may be obscured and it may become difficult to evaluate the benefit provided. Indeed, it may mean that the enterprise being charged for a service itself has not related the charge to the service. Consequently,...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.25The allocation should be based on an appropriate measure of the usage of the service that is also easy to verify, for example turnover, staff employed, or an activity based key such as orders processed. Whether the allocation method is appropriate may depend on the nature and usage of the...
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