OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 39

Category: TPG2020 Guidance on the transfer pricing implications of the COVID-19 | Tag: , , , , , , ,
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In all circumstances it will be necessary to consider the specific facts and circumstances when determining whether a so-called “limited-risk” entity could incur losses at arm’s length. This is reflected in the OECD TPG which states that “simple or low risk functions in particular are not expected to generate losses for a long period of time”,22 and therefore holds open the possibility that simple or low risk functions may incur losses in the short-run. In particular, when examining the specific facts and circumstances, the analysis should be informed by the accurate delineation of the transaction and the performance of a robust comparability analysis. For example, where the losses incurred by third parties reflect a level of risks that is not comparable to the one assumed by the taxpayer in its controlled transaction then such a comparable should be excluded from the list of comparables (see paragraph 3.65 of the OECD TPG).

 

22  Paragraph 3.64 of Chapter III of the OECD TPG.






Related Guidelines

  1. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 38When performing transfer pricing analyses, the activities performed by an entity may lead it to be characterised as “limited-risk” where it has a relatively lower level of functions and risks. 20 Though the term “limited-risk” is commonly used, since the term is not...
  2. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 37Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic has created conditions in which associated parties may consider whether they have the option to apply force majeure clauses, revoke or otherwise revise their intercompany agreements. This may impact the allocation of losses and COVID-19 specific costs between associated...
  3. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 40In determining whether or not a “limited-risk” entity may incur losses, the risks assumed by an entity will be particularly important. This reflects the fact that at arm’s length, the allocation of risks between the parties to an arrangement affects how profits or...
  4. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 34During the COVID-19 pandemic, many MNE groups have incurred losses due to a decrease in demand, inability to obtain or supply products or services or as a result of exceptional, non-recurring operating costs.17 The allocation of losses between associated entities can give rise...
  5. TPG2022 Chapter III paragraph 3.65Generally speaking, a loss-making uncontrolled transaction should trigger further investigation in order to establish whether or not it can be a comparable. Circumstances in which loss-making transactions/ enterprises should be excluded from the list of comparables include cases where losses do not reflect...
  6. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 41When considering the risks assumed by a party to a controlled transaction, tax administrations should carefully consider the commercial rationale for any purported change in the risks assumed by a party before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 (and taking into consideration the...
  7. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 32For example, assume that geographic comparability is deemed as the most relevant comparability factor given the nature of the effects of COVID-19 in a particular market. In these circumstances, in order to obtain reliable data from a particular market it may potentially be...
  8. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 79In the absence of reliable comparables or other reliable information (such as a robust analysis of the economically relevant characteristics described in paragraph 74) regarding how independent parties would allocate government assistance, caution should be exercised in assessing whether a purported sharing of...
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  2. EU Report on Improving the Functioning of the Arbitration Convention (2015)In April 2015 the Forum agreed on a Report on Improving the Functioning of the Arbitration Convention including a revised Code of Conduct for the effective implementation of the Arbitration Convention. The report and the revised Code of Conduct are the result of...

Related Case Law

  1. Austria vs. “Yogo Food-Distributor”, August 2021, Bundesfinanzgericht, Case No RV/3100163/2018“Yogo Food-Distributor” is a subsidiary in the “Yogo Group” and trades in spices and canned meat and vegetables from the territory of the former Yugoslavia. The main sales markets are Austria and Germany (90%), the remainder being distributed among France, Scandinavia, Great Britain...
  2. Bulgaria vs Yazaki Bulgaria Ltd, January 2023, Administrative Court, Case No 22/2022Yazaki Bulgaria Ltd is active in the automotive industry and is part of the Japanese Yazaki Group. It had used the transactional net margin method (TNMM) to demonstrate that prices for the sale of products to related parties were at arm’s length. Following...
  3. Denmark vs Maersk Oil and Gas A/S (TotalEnergies EP Danmark A/S), September 2023, Supreme Court, Case No BS-15265/2022-HJR and BS-16812/2022-HJRMaersk Oil and Gas A/S (later TotalEnergies EP Danmark A/S) continued to make operating losses, although the group’s combined oil and gas operations were highly profitable. Following an audit of Maersk Oil, the tax authorities considered that three items did not comply with...
  4. Greece vs “Agri Ltd”, july 2020, Court, Case No A 1514A Greek MNE Group, “Agri Ltd”, was active and specialised in wholesale trade of agricultural machinery, parts and tools. In 2012 a German company was established by the group to distribute products in the Central European region. The pricing of the goods sold...