CF (Pvt) Ltd’s main business was import, distribution and marketing of motor vehicles and spare parts of a specified brand. Following an audit CF had been issued a tax assessment related to the transfer pricing and VAT – import prices, management fees, audit costs etc. Judgement of the High Court The High Court issued a decision predominantly in favor of the tax authorities. In its judgement, the court stated that either the general deduction provision under section 15 (2) or section 24 or section 98 of the Income Tax Act could be employed to deal with transfer pricing matters. Excerpts: “It seems to me that the unsupported persistent assertions maintained by the appellant even after the concession of 14 November 2014 were indicative of both corporate moral dishonesty and a lack of good faith. I therefore find that the appellant through the mind of its management evinced the intention to evade the payment of the correct amount of tax as contemplated by s 46 (6) of the Income Tax Act by claiming the deduction of management fees paid to the intermediary, who was not entitled to such fees. The Court or the Commissioner have no option but to impose a 100% penalty. The penalty imposed by the Commissioner is accordingly confirmed.” “It seems to me that the Commissioner may very well have been justified in invoking the provisions of s 24 of the Income Tax Act by the acts of commission and omission of the appellant in respect of both management fees and goods in transit at the time he did. However, in accordance with the provisions of s 65 (12) of the Income Tax Act I did not find the claim of the Commissioner unreasonable even in respect of the interest issue that the Commissioner conceded at the eleventh hour or the grounds of appeal frivolous. I will therefore make no order of costs against either party other than that each party is to bear its own costs. Disposal Accordingly, it is ordered that: 1. The amended assessments number 20211442 for the year ending 31 December 2009, 20211443 for the year ending 31 December 2010, 202211446 for the year ending 31 December 2011 and 20211448 for the year ending 31 December 2012 that were issued against the appellant by the respondent on 27 June 2014 are hereby set aside. 2. The Commissioner is directed to issue further amended assessments against the appellant in respect of each year of assessment in compliance with this judgment and in doing so shall: a. Add back to income 7% interest on the cost of services rendered by the appellant for the consignment stock in transit to Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania in the sum of US$2 240 for 2009, US$ 2 505.87 for 2010, US$ 2 198.13 for 2011 and US$3 273.20 for 2012 tax years, respectively. b. Add back to income management fees that were deducted by the appellant in each year in the sum of US$130 000 for 2009, US$140 000 for 2010, US$ 256 629 for 2011 and US$ 140 000 for 2012 tax year, respectively. c. Bring to income the provisions for leave pay in the sum of US$10 000 for 2009, US$ 9 960 for 2010, US$2 049 for 2011 and US$ 491 for 2012 tax year. d. Bring to income provisions for audit fees in the sum of US$ 10 199.17 for 2009, US$12 372 for 2010, US$10 575 for 2011 and US$ 1 260 for the 2012 tax year, respectively. e. Discharge the notional interest he sought to impose on loans and advances made to ADI and GS, respectively. 3. The appellant is to pay 100% additional tax on management fees, 4. The appellant shall pay additional penalties of 10% in respect of leave pay and audit fee provisions. 5. The tax amnesty application is dismissed. 6. Each party shall bear its own costs.” Click here for other translation ...

Re-invoicing to a Office Depot France, by the controlling US company Office Depot Inc, of a part of the cost of an audit service, as it related to the internal control procedures of the French company. Office Depot France was audited for the period from 28 December 2003 to 31 December 2005, after which the administration notified it of a VAT reminder and a withholding tax on the re-invoicing by the US company Office Depot Inc. of a portion of the cost of an audit service relating to its own internal control procedures. The cost was not necessary for the operation of Office Depot France and thus not deductible. The charge in question corresponded to an indirect transfer of profits abroad. Click here for translation ...

In the case of Société Office Dépôt France SNC, a US company recharged a portion of audit costs to the French company. The court found that such costs were incurred in the interest of the US company only, and were accordingly not tax deductible in France. Click here for translation ...