OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 45

Category: TPG2020 Guidance on the transfer pricing implications of the COVID-19 | Tag: , , , , ,
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Determining whether a renegotiation of a commercial arrangement (including pricing under the arrangement going forward and any potential compensation for the renegotiation itself) represents the best interests of the parties to a transaction requires careful consideration of their options realistically available26 and the long-run effects on the profit potential of the parties.27 For example, an entity may agree to restructure a transaction if the alternative option is losing a key customer or supplier, where it considers that the restructuring will maximise its profits in the long-run. Consideration should also be given to whether the economic impact resulting from the renegotiation may require indemnification (as defined in OECD TPG paragraph 9.75) of the harmed party.28

26  It should be noted that in an uncontrolled transaction one party might attempt to force a renegotiation by threatening to violate the terms of an existing agreement, believing that the other party will not find it worthwhile to seek judicial enforcement of the agreement, whereas this course of action may not realistically be available in the context of a controlled transaction.

27 Paragraphs 9.78-9.97 of Chapter IX of the OECD TPG.

28 Paragraphs 9.78-9.97 of Chapter IX of the OECD TPG.






Related Guidelines

  1. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 42In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, independent parties could seek to renegotiate certain terms in their existing agreements.25 Associated parties may also consider revising their intercompany agreements and/or their conduct in their commercial relationships. Tax administrations should therefore review the agreements and/or the...
  2. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 43Given the current economic environment, it is possible that independent parties may not strictly hold another party to their contractual obligations, particularly if it is in the interest of both parties to renegotiate the contract or to amend certain aspects of their For...
  3. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 44For example, assume that Distributor X purchases products, the controlled transaction, from a related party Company Y, and sells these products to third party customers. Further assume that a major customer of Distributor X does not pay for products purchased within its standard...
  4. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 46The above analysis outlines the factors that should be considered when determining whether associated parties may at arm’s length consider revising their intercompany agreements and/or their conduct in their commercial relationships as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is important to...
  5. OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 10The challenges associated with performing a comparability analysis may vary depending on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economically relevant characteristics of the accurately delineated transaction. For example, if a controlled transaction is covered by a pre-existing intercompany agreement (for example,...
  6. 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...


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