In applying a cost-based transactional net margin method, fully loaded costs are often used, including all the direct and indirect costs attributable to the activity or transaction, together with an appropriate allocation in respect of the overheads of the business. The question can arise whether and to what extent it is acceptable at arm’s length to treat a significant portion of the taxpayer’s costs as pass-through costs to which no profit element is attributed (i.e. as costs which are potentially excludable from the denominator of the net profit indicator). This depends on the extent to which an independent party in comparable circumstances would agree not to earn a mark-up on part of the costs it incurs. The response should not be based on the classification of costs as “internal” or “external” costs, but rather on a comparability (including functional) analysis. See paragraph 7.34.
TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.99
Category: B. Transactional net margin method | Tag: Denominator - costs, Denominator - full costs, Key is to compare like with like, Net Profit Indicator (NPI)/Profit Level Indicator (PLI), Pass-through costs, Transactional net margin method (TNMM), Transactional profit methods, Transfer pricing methods
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- TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.100Where treating costs as pass-through costs is found to be arm’s length, a second question arises as to the consequences on comparability and on the determination of the arm’s length range. Because it is necessary to compare like with like, if pass-through costs...
- TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.102The use of budgeted costs can also raise a number of concerns where large differences between actual costs and budgeted costs result. Independent parties are not likely to set prices on the basis of budgeted costs without agreeing on what factors are to...
- TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.98Cost-based indicators should only be used in those cases where costs are a relevant indicator of the value of the functions performed, assets used and risks assumed by the tested party. In addition, the determination of what costs should be included in the...
- TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.97One question that arises in cases where the net profit indicator is weighted against sales is how to account for rebates and discounts that may be granted to customers by the taxpayer or the comparables. Depending on the accounting standards, rebates and discounts...
- TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.93The denominator should be focussed on the relevant indicator(s) of the value of the functions performed by the tested party in the transaction under review, taking account of its assets used and risks assumed. Typically, and subject to a review of the facts...
- TPG2022 Chapter II paragraph 2.88Whether foreign exchange gains and losses should be included or excluded from the determination of the net profit indicator raises a number of difficult comparability issues. First, it needs to be considered whether the foreign exchange gains and losses are of a trading...
- IRS – APA Study Guide issued in early 2000sIn the early 2000s the IRS issued a “APA study guide” where guidance is provided in relation to various practical issues in the area of transfer pricing. The study guide is part of a large collection of IRS practices and statistics from working...
Related Case Law
- Spain vs MAHOU (SAN MIGUEL) S.A., December 2021, Audiencia Nacional, Case No SAN 5537/2021 – ECLI:ES:AN:2021:5537The Mahou (SAN MIGUEL) S.A Group is active in brewing and sale of beers. Penibética de cervezas y bebidas SL and Andaluza de cervezas y bebidas SL are wholly owned by Cervezas Alhambra SL, which again is owned by MAHOU (SAN MIGUEL) S.A....
- Spain vs Universal Pictures International Spain SL, December 2022, Audiencia Nacional, Case No SAN 5855/2022 – ECLI:EN:AN:2022:5855Universal Pictures International Spain SL is a distributor of films on the Spanish Market. It distributes films both from related parties (Universal Pictures) and from unrelated parties. Following an audit, the Spanish tax authorities issued an assessment where the remuneration received for distribution...
- India vs Cheil Communications India Pvt. Ltd., November 2010, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Case No. ITA No.712/Del/2010Cheil Communications India Pvt. Ltd. is a subsidiary of a Korean based advertising agency, Cheil Communications. The Indian affiliate had excluded pass-through costs from its cost base when determining the arm’s length remuneration for its activities. The tax authority included the the pass-through...
- Spain vs Ferroli España, S.L.U., May 2023, Audiencia Nacional, Case No 3400/2023 – ECLI:EN:AN:2023:3400Ferroli España, S.L.U. is a Spanish manufacturer manufacture of cookers and heaters. In FY 2010 and 2011 the company had various transactions with other companies in the Ferroli Group and reported negative profit margins on these transactions. According to the company this was...
- Slovakia vs Ferplast Slovakia s.r.o., January 2021, Supreme Court, Case No. 6Sžfk/50/2019 (ECLI:SK:NSSR:2021:4017200732.1)Ferplast Slovakia s.r.o. is a contract manufacturer of the Italian FIVAC Group. In the reporting years, it sold 90% of its products to related parties and the remaining 10% to unrelated parties. In 2013 a royalty agreement was concluded with Ferplast SpA, according...