The allocation should be based on an appropriate measure of the usage of the service that is also easy to verify, for example turnover, staff employed, or an activity based key such as orders processed. Whether the allocation method is appropriate may depend on the nature and usage of the service. For example, the usage or provision of payroll services may be more related to the number of staff than to turnover, while the allocation of the stand-by costs of priority computer back-up could be allocated in proportion to relative expenditure on computer equipment by the group members.
Related Guidelines
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.60The examples of allocation keys provided in the previous paragraph are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Depending on the facts and circumstances more sophisticated allocation keys might be used. However, a balance should be struck between theoretical sophistication and practical administration,...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.59The third step in this simplified charge method for low value-adding intra-group service costs is to allocate among members of the group the costs in the cost pool that benefit multiple members of the group. The taxpayer will select one or more allocation...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.24In some cases, an indirect-charge method may be necessary due to the nature of the service being provided. One example is where the proportion of the value of the services rendered to the various relevant entities cannot be quantified except on an approximate...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.18The fact that a payment was made to an associated enterprise for purported services can be useful in determining whether services were in fact provided, but the mere description of a payment as, for example, “management fees” should not be expected to be...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.17These services may be available on call and they may vary in amount and importance from year to year. It is unlikely that an independent enterprise would incur stand-by charges where the potential need for the service was remote, where the advantage of...
- TPG2022 Chapter VII paragraph 7.16Another issue arises with respect to services provided “on call”. The question is whether the availability of such services is itself a separate service for which an arm’s length charge (in addition to any charge for services actually rendered) should be determined. A...
Related Case Law
- Peru vs “Copper Corporation S.A.”, July 2011, Tax Tribunal, Case No 12609-8-2011“Copper Corporation S.A.” had deducted intra-group service payments in it’s taxable income. The Peruvian tax authorities determined that the documentation provided by the company did not sufficiently support the actual provision of these services. Hence, tax deductions for the expenses was denied. The...
- Peru vs “Airline S.A.”, September 2024, Tax Court, Case No 08970-8-2024The case concerns a number of expenses claimed by “Airline S.A.” as deductible payments for intra-group services, in particular aircraft leasing and related costs, which the company argued should be deductible under the transfer pricing rules. “Airline S.A.” claimed that these costs were...
- Peru vs “Airline S.A.”, March 2025, Tax Court, Case No 02374-4-2025“Airline S.A.” claimed various expenses as deductible payments for intra-group services, arguing that these costs were essential and necessary within the corporate group. However, the tax authorities determined that “Airline S.A.” had not provided sufficient documentation to demonstrate that the services were actually...
- Peru vs “Metal S.A.”, February 2023, Tax Court, Case No 01428-1-2023Following an audit, the tax authorities found that “Metal S.A.” had not been remunerated at arm’s length for its distribution activities. In addition, the intra-group services received by “Metal S.A.” were considered to be low value-added services for which the margin could not...
- Italy vs KAI S.r.l. (Shell Italia Aviazione), March 2026, Supreme Court, Case No 5753/2026KAI S.r.l. (formerly Shell Italia Aviazione s.r.l.) is an Italian company operating in the oil sector, specifically in the marketing of aviation fuel (jet fuel) for the Shell Italia group. It was wholly owned by Shell Italia Holding S.p.A. The dispute concerned the...