Tag: Contribution analysis

An analysis used in the profit split method under which the relevant profits from controlled transactions are divided between the associated enterprises based upon the relative value of the contributions made by each of the associated enterprises participating in those transactions, supplemented where possible by external market data that indicate how independent enterprises would have divided profits in similar circumstances.

TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.166

Profits should be split on an economically valid basis that reflects the relative contributions of the parties to the transaction and thus approximates the division of profits that would have obtained at arm’s length. The relevance of comparable uncontrolled transactions or internal data (see Section C.5.2) and the criteria used to achieve an arm’s length division of the profits depend on the facts and circumstances of the case. It is therefore not desirable to establish a prescriptive list of criteria or profit splitting factors. See paragraphs 2.146-2.148 for general guidance on the consistency of the determination of the splitting factors. In addition, the criteria or splitting factors used to split the profit should be: independent of transfer pricing policy formulation, i.e. they should be based on objective data (e.g. sales to independent parties), not on data relating to the remuneration of controlled transactions (e.g. sales to associated enterprises), verifiable, and supported by comparables data, internal data, or both ...

TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.151

It can be difficult to determine the relative value of the contribution that each of the associated enterprises makes to the relevant profits, and the approach will depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. The determination might be made by comparing the nature and degree of each party’s contribution of differing types (for example, provision of services, development expenses incurred, assets used or contributed, capital invested) and assigning a percentage based upon the relative comparison and external market data. See Section C.5 for a discussion of how to split the relevant profits ...

TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.150

Under a contribution analysis, the relevant profits, which are the total profits from the controlled transactions under examination, are divided between the associated enterprises in order to arrive at a reasonable approximation of the division that independent enterprises would have achieved from engaging in comparable transactions. This division can be supported by comparables data where available. In the absence thereof, it should be based on the relative value of the contributions by each of the associated enterprises participating in the controlled transactions, determined using information internal to the MNE group, as a proxy for the division that independent enterprises would have achieved (see Section C.5.2). In cases where the relative value of the contributions can be measured, it may not be necessary to estimate the actual market value of each party’s contributions ...

TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.149

There are a number of approaches to the application of the transactional profit split method, depending on the characteristics of the controlled transactions, and the information available. As has been described above, the method seeks to split the relevant profits from controlled transactions on an economically valid basis, in order to approximate the results that would have been achieved between independent enterprises in comparable circumstances. This may be done by considering the relative contributions of each party (a “contribution analysisâ€). Where the transactional profit split method is the most appropriate method but at least one party also makes some less complex contributions which are capable of being benchmarked by reference to comparable, uncontrolled transactions, a two-stage “residual analysis†may be appropriate ...

TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.138

Where the contributions are highly inter-related or inter-dependent upon each other, the evaluation of the respective contributions of the parties may need to be done holistically. That is, a high degree of integration may also affect whether contributions by the enterprises are considered to be unique and valuable. For instance, a unique contribution by one party may have a significantly greater value when considered in combination with the particular unique contribution of the other party. Paragraphs 6.93-6.94 discuss this issue in relation to the combination of intangibles. See also Example 9 in Annex II to Chapter II ...

TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.125

The accurate delineation of the actual transaction will be important in determining whether a transactional profit split is potentially applicable. This process should have regard to the commercial and financial relations between the associated enterprises, including an analysis of what each party to the transaction does, and the context in which the controlled transactions take place. That is, the accurate delineation of a transaction requires a two- sided analysis (or a multi-sided analysis of the contributions of more than two associated enterprises, where necessary) irrespective of which transfer pricing method is ultimately found to be the most appropriate. (See Section D.1, and in particularly Section D.1.2 of Chapter I of these Guidelines.) ...

TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.122

A further strength of the transactional profit split method is that all relevant parties to the transaction are directly evaluated as part of the pricing of the transaction, that is, the contributions of each party to the transaction are specifically identified and their relative values measured in order to determine an arm’s length compensation for each party in relation to the transaction ...

TPG2022 Chapter I paragraph 1.182

If important group synergies exist and can be attributed to deliberate concerted group actions, the benefits of such synergies should generally be shared by members of the group in proportion to their contribution to the creation of the synergy. For example, where members of the group take deliberate concerted actions to consolidate purchasing activities to take advantage of economies of scale resulting from high volume purchasing, the benefits of those large scale purchasing synergies, if any exist after an appropriate reward to the party co-ordinating the purchasing activities, should typically be shared by the members of the group in proportion to their purchase volumes ...

TPG2022 Chapter I paragraph 1.19

Global formulary apportionment has been promoted as an alternative to the arm’s length principle by advocates who claim that it would provide greater administrative convenience and certainty for taxpayers. These advocates also take the position that global formulary apportionment is more in keeping with economic reality. They argue that an MNE group must be considered on a group-wide or consolidated basis to reflect the business realities of the relationships among the associated enterprises in the group. They assert that the separate accounting method is inappropriate for highly integrated groups because it is difficult to determine what contribution each associated enterprise makes to the overall profit of the MNE group ...

THE APPLICATION OF THE PROFIT SPLIT METHOD WITHIN THE EU (2019)

The profit split method (PSM) is one of the five transfer pricing methods in Chapter II of the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines. These methods can be used to establish whether the conditions imposed on the commercial or financial relations between associated enterprises are consistent with the arm’s length principle. The OECD guidelines of 1995 referred to the PSM as a method of “last resortâ€, to be used when other methods could not be reliably applied (para. 3.50). Yet, since the revision of the OECD Guidelines in 2010, the PSM is considered a pricing method to be applied in an equally reliable manner as the other methods in accordance with the “most appropriate method†criterion. Due to the increased integration of multinational enterprises and the globalization of national economies and markets, the clarification of the PSM was one of the priorities identified in the action plan against Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS). Indeed, in order to develop rules that can prevent BEPS resulting from engaging in transactions which would not, or would only very rarely, occur between third parties, Action 10 called for clarification of the application of transfer pricing methods, in particular of the transactional profit split method, in the context of global value chains. In June 2018 the OECD published a Report containing Revised Guidelines on the application of PSM that clarifies and significantly expands the Guidelines on when a profit split may be the most appropriate method. The Guidelines also note that the basic premise that the transactional profit split method is applicable where it is found to be the most appropriate method is unchanged. In addition, the programme of work 2015-2019 of the Joint Transfer Pricing Forum (JTPF) referred to the PSM as one of the topics on which the JTPF should provide output in order to address the problems in the practical application of the PSM. A particular reference is made to the high degree of subjectivity encountered when stakeholders determine how to share the profit. As pointed out in the OECD Guidelines, the main advantage of the PSM is that it can offer solutions in cases where all relevant parties make unique and valuable contributions and/or there is a high degree of integration. In such cases, it is frequent that the reliable information on comparables is insufficient for applying another transfer pricing method although as pointed out by the OECD, lack of external comparable per se should not lead to default use of PSM (para 2.128 and 2.143 of the OECD Guidelines). Secondly, when parties share the assumption of economically significant risks or assume closely related risks, its flexibility allows the determination of an arm’s length profit for the parties according to the actual assumption of the risks. The analysis of the economically relevant characteristics of the transaction and in particular, the functional analysis, supported by the information in the MNE group’s transfer pricing documentation, should reveal: (i) how value is generated by the group as a whole; (ii) the interdependencies between the functions performed by the associated enterprises; and (iii) the contribution that each of the associated enterprises makes to that value creation. In particular, the analysis of risks and the determination of which group entities take the key decisions related to control over risk as well as which of these entities have the financial capacity to assume the risk should help identify the most appropriate way of splitting the relevant profit from the transaction under review. report_on_the_application_of_the_profit_split_method_within_the_eu_en ...

TPG2018 Chapter II paragraph 2.166

Profits should be split on an economically valid basis that reflects the relative contributions of the parties to the transaction and thus approximates the division of profits that would have obtained at arm’s length. The relevance of comparable uncontrolled transactions or internal data (see section C.5.2) and the criteria used to achieve an arm’s length division of the profits depend on the facts and circumstances of the case. It is therefore not desirable to establish a prescriptive list of criteria or profit splitting factors. See paragraphs 2.146-2.148 for general guidance on the consistency of the determination of the splitting factors. In addition, the criteria or splitting factors used to split the profit should: Be independent of transfer pricing policy formulation, i.e. they should be based on objective data (e.g. sales to independent parties), not on data relating to the remuneration of controlled transactions (e.g. sales to associated enterprises), Be verifiable, and Be supported by comparables data, internal data, or both ...

TPG2018 Chapter II paragraph 2.151

It can be difficult to determine the relative value of the contribution that each of the associated enterprises makes to the relevant profits, and the approach will depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. The determination might be made by comparing the nature and degree of each party’s contribution of differing types (for example, provision of services, development expenses incurred, assets used or contributed, capital invested) and assigning a percentage based upon the relative comparison and external market data. See section C.5 for a discussion of how to split the relevant profits ...

TPG2018 Chapter II paragraph 2.150

Under a contribution analysis, the relevant profits, which are the total profits from the controlled transactions under examination, are divided between the associated enterprises in order to arrive at a reasonable approximation of the division that independent enterprises would have achieved from engaging in comparable transactions. This division can be supported by comparables data where available. In the absence thereof, it should be based on the relative value of the contributions by each of the associated enterprises participating in the controlled transactions, determined using information internal to the MNE group, as a proxy for the division that independent enterprises would have achieved (see section C.5.2). In cases where the relative value of the contributions can be measured, it may not be necessary to estimate the actual market value of each party’s contributions ...

TPG2018 Chapter II paragraph 2.149

There are a number of approaches to the application of the transactional profit split method, depending on the characteristics of the controlled transactions, and the information available. As has been described above, the method seeks to split the relevant profits from controlled transactions on an economically valid basis, in order to approximate the results that would have been achieved between independent enterprises in comparable circumstances. This may be done by considering the relative contributions of each party (a “contribution analysisâ€). Where the transactional profit split method is the most appropriate method but at least one party also makes some less complex contributions which are capable of being benchmarked by reference to comparable, uncontrolled transactions, a two-stage “residual analysis†may be appropriate ...

TPG2018 Chapter II paragraph 2.138

Where the contributions are highly inter-related or inter-dependent upon each other, the evaluation of the respective contributions of the parties may need to be done holistically. That is, a high degree of integration may also affect whether contributions by the enterprises are considered to be unique and valuable. For instance, a unique contribution by one party may have a significantly greater value when considered in combination with the particular unique contribution of the other party. Paragraphs 6.93–6.94 discuss this issue in relation to the combination of intangibles. See also Example 9 in Annex II to Chapter II ...

TPG2018 Chapter II paragraph 2.125

The accurate delineation of the actual transaction will be important in determining whether a transactional profit split is potentially applicable. This process should have regard to the commercial and financial relations between the associated enterprises, including an analysis of what each party to the transaction does, and the context in which the controlled transactions take place. That is, the accurate delineation of a transaction requires a two-sided analysis (or a multi-sided analysis of the contributions of more than two associated enterprises, where necessary) irrespective of which transfer pricing method is ultimately found to be the most appropriate. (See Section D.1, and in particularly Section D.1.2 of Chapter I of these Guidelines.) ...

TPG2018 Chapter II paragraph 2.122

A further strength of the transactional profit split method is that all relevant parties to the transaction are directly evaluated as part of the pricing of the transaction, that is, the contributions of each party to the transaction are specifically identified and their relative values measured in order to determine an arm’s length compensation for each party in relation to the transaction ...

TPG2018 Chapter II paragraph 2.114

The transactional profit split method seeks to establish arm’s length outcomes or test reported outcomes for controlled transactions in order to approximate the results that would have been achieved between independent enterprises engaging in a comparable transaction or transactions. The method first identifies the profits to be split from the controlled transactions—the relevant profits—and then splits them between the associated enterprises on an economically valid basis that approximates the division of profits that would have been agreed at arm’s length. As is the case with all transfer pricing methods, the aim is to ensure that profits of the associated enterprises are aligned with the value of their contributions and the compensation which would have been agreed in comparable transactions between independent enterprises for those contributions. The transactional profit split method is particularly useful when the compensation to the associated enterprises can be more reliably valued by reference to the relative shares of their contributions to the profits arising in relation to the transaction(s) than by a more direct estimation of the value of those contributions ...

TPG2017 Chapter I paragraph 1.162

If important group synergies exist and can be attributed to deliberate concerted group actions, the benefits of such synergies should generally be shared by members of the group in proportion to their contribution to the creation of the synergy. For example, where members of the group take deliberate concerted actions to consolidate purchasing activities to take advantage of economies of scale resulting from high volume purchasing, the benefits of those large scale purchasing synergies, if any exist after an appropriate reward to the party co-ordinating the purchasing activities, should typically be shared by the members of the group in proportion to their purchase volumes ...

TPG2017 Chapter I paragraph 1.19

Global formulary apportionment has been promoted as an alternative to the arm’s length principle by advocates who claim that it would provide greater administrative convenience and certainty for taxpayers. These advocates also take the position that global formulary apportionment is more in keeping with economic reality. They argue that an MNE group must be considered on a group-wide or consolidated basis to reflect the business realities of the relationships among the associated enterprises in the group. They assert that the separate accounting method is inappropriate for highly integrated groups because it is difficult to determine what contribution each associated enterprise makes to the overall profit of the MNE group ...