Transfer Pricing Assessment Procedure in India
Appeal Procedure
Power of Assessing Officer to determine the Arm’s Length Price
Section 92C(3) gives power to AO to determine the arm’s length price in relation to international transaction and specified domestic transaction under the following circumstances : –
a. The price charged or paid in an international transaction has not been determined in accordance with section 92C(1) and 92C(2);
b. Any information and documents relating to an international transaction or specified domestic transaction has not been kept and maintained by the assessee in accordance with the provisions contained in section 92D(1) and the rules made in this behalf (Rule 10D); or
c. Use of unreliable or incorrect information or data in computation of the arm’s length price); or
d. Failure to furnish any information or documents required by a notice issued u/s 92D(3) within the specified time.
Note:-
As per section 92D(3), the Assessing Officer or the Commissioner (Appeals) during the course of assessment proceedings, may require any person to furnish TP information and documents within 30 days.
Power of assessing officer to determine the arm’s length price – No deductions
Points to consider : –
i. Section 92C(4) empowers the Assessing Officer to re-compute total income of assessee where Arm’s length price is determined by him in aforesaid situations.
ii. Proviso to section 92C(4) provides that deduction under section 10A or section 10AA or section 10B or Chapter VI-A shall not be allowed from the additional income computed by Assessing Officer on basis of Arm’s Length Price.
For example : – Total income declared by the assessee in his ITR = 10 lakhs; and
Total income computed by AO applying the arm’s length principle = 13 lakhs.
Difference = 3 lakhs, will not qualify for deduction under section 10AA or Chapter VI-A.
Recomputation of income of counterparty AE
iii. Section 92C further provides that where the total income of an AE is computed on the basis of arm’s length price paid to another Associated Enterprise, from which tax is deducted at source [or deductible at source], the income of the other AE shall not be recomputed on this count.
Power of assessing officer to determine the arm’s length price
Example : –
| Particulars | Amount (Rs.) |
| Sales made by ICO (Indian Company) | 1000 |
| Royalty paid by ICO to its foreign AE (5% of sales) | 50 |
| TDS deducted @ 10% | 5 |
| ALP determined by AO (3% of sales) | 30 |
| Disallowance made by AO (2% of sales) | 20 |
Foreign AE claims that its income should be re-computed on the basis of ALP of Rs. 30 determined by AO, and therefore excess TDS should be refunded (Rs. 2 (i.e. 10% of Rs. 20)).
Analyse the situation ?
Solution : –
As per Section 92C, where the total income of an AE is computed on the basis of ALP paid to another AE, from which tax is deducted at source, the income of the other AE shall not be recomputed on this count.
Therefore, income of foreign AE shall not be recomputed .
Reference to transfer pricing officer [Section 92CA]
Section 92CA provides following procedure for reference by the AO to a TPO for determining the ALP of an international transaction or specified domestic transaction –
Option of making reference to TPO : – The Assessing Officer has the option to make reference to TPO for determining the Arm’s length price of international transaction or specified domestic transaction, if he considers it necessary to do so. Such option is not available to the assessee.
Prior approval : – Approval of the Principal Commissioner of Income-tax(PCIT)/ Commissioner of Income-tax (CIT) is required before making reference to TPO.
Authorisation: – CBDT can authorise any Joint/Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax for appointment as TPO.
Notice to produce evidence by the TPO :- When such reference is made, TPO shall serve notice to the assessee requiring him to produce evidence in support of the computation of ALP determined by him.
Transaction identified during the course of proceedings :-
The TPO can also determine the ALP of other international transactions [other than international transaction referred to TPO] which comes to his notice subsequently in the course of proceedings before him [Sub-section (2A)].
Transaction deemed to be referred to TPO [Sub-Section (2B)] : –
Where the assessee has not furnished the transfer pricing report u/s 92E in respect of an international transaction and such transaction comes to the notice of the TPO during the course of proceeding before him, the transfer pricing provisions shall apply as if such transaction is referred to the TPO by the Assessing Officer u/s 92CA(1) [Sub-section (2B) is applicable with retro-effect from June 1, 2002].
Power given under Section 92CA(2B) to be exercised for pending cases: –
Nothing contained in sub-section (2B) of Section 92CA
shall empower the AO, either to assess or reassess u/s 147 or
pass an order enhancing the assessment or
reducing a refund or otherwise increasing the liability of the assessee u/s 154,
for any assessment year
the proceedings for which have been completed before 1st July, 2012. [Sub-section (2C)].
Order of TPO : – The TPO shall pass an order in writing determining the arm’s length price after considering the evidence, documents, etc. produced by the assessee and after considering the material gathered by him. TPO has to send a copy of his order to Assessing Officer and Assessee.
Order of TPO binding on AO : – The order of the Transfer Pricing Officer determining the arm’s length price of an international transaction or specified domestic transaction is binding on the Assessing Officer.
Computation of income on the basis of ALP : – On receipt of order of TPO, Assessing Officer shall proceed to compute the total income in conformity with the arm’s length price determined by the Transfer Pricing Officer [Sub-section (4)].
Reference to Transfer Pricing Officer – [Section 92CA] – Time limit for passing order
ALP shall be determined by TPO at least 60 days before the expiry of the time limit for completion of assessment by Assessing Officer u/s 153 or u/s 153B (Section 92CA(3A)).
Reference to Transfer Pricing Officer [Section 92CA]
Example : –
During scrutiny assessment, the AO has referred the case to TPO to determine the arm’s length price of international transaction of assessee for AY 2018-19. Determine the time-limit for TPO to pass order determining the arm’s length price of international transaction ?
Solution : –
Arm’s length price shall be determined by TPO at least 60 days before the expiry of the time limit for completion of assessment by Assessing Officer.
As per Section 153, the Assessing Officer has to complete scrutiny assessment within 18 months from the end of AY in which income was first assessable. However, in case of reference to TPO such time limit would be extended by 12 months. Thus, normal time limit for completion of assessment is September 30, 2021 (i.e., 18 months + 12 months).
Accordingly, the TPO shall pass order till August 1, 2021 (i.e., 60 days earlier than the due date of completion of assessment).
Exclusions in computing time limit for passing the order by TPO : –
Where the Competent Authority seeks information from foreign jurisdictions under an agreement referred to in Section 90/90A
for the purpose of determining the arm’s length price or
where proceedings before the TPO are stayed by a court order,
proviso to section 92(3A) provides that,
if the time available to the TPO for making an order [after excluding the time for which assessment proceedings were stayed or the time taken for receipt of information,
as the case may be,]
is less than 60 days, then,
such remaining period shall be extended to 60 days.
Rectification of TPO Order
Where any mistake apparent from the record is noticed by the TPO, he has the power to rectify his order under section 154. If such rectification is made, the AO has to rectify the assessment order to bring it in conformity with the same.
Rectification of TPO Order – Example
On July 1, 2017, TPO passed the order, determining the arm’s length price of an international transaction for AY 2014-15. Determine the time-limit for passing rectification order by TPO if there is an apparent mistake in such order ?
Solution : –
TPO can make rectification in his order in case of apparent mistake, within 4 years from the end of FY in which order sought to be amended was passed. In this case, TPO wants to rectify his order passed on July 1, 2017. Accordingly, he can make rectification within 4 years from the end of FY 2017-18. Thus, rectification can be made by TPO till March 31, 2022.
Powers of TPO
Where reference is made to TPO, he can exercise all or any of the powers specified in clause (a) to (d) of section 131(1) or section 133(6) or section 133A for determination of arm’s length price.
Note : –
- Section 131(1) specifies following powers:
-
- Discovery and inspection;
- Enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
- Compelling the production of books of account and other documents; and
- Issuing commissions.
- Section 133(6) – TPO may require any person to furnish such information which will be useful for the purpose of enquiry under the IT Act.
- Section 133A – TPO may exercise power to impound books of account, place identification marks, etc.
Time limit for AO to complete assessment proceedings
Time limit for TPO to pass order
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