Tribunal excludes companies for transfer pricing adjustments, computes deductions unit-wise, and allows deductions for income from IPSA.

Accenture Services (P.) Ltd. Versus Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Range 3 (1), Mumbai

Accenture Services (P.) Ltd. Versus Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, Range 3 (1), Mumbai - TMI Issues Involved:
1. Transfer Pricing Adjustments
2. Deduction under Section 10A of the Income-tax Act
3. Disallowance under Section 40(a)(ia) of the Income-tax Act

Detailed Analysis:

1. Transfer Pricing Adjustments:
Selection/Rejection of Comparables:
- Acropetal Technologies Ltd. and R.S. Software (India) Ltd.:
- The Tribunal found that Acropetal Technologies Ltd. had substantial on-site development expenses and foreign currency expenditure, indicating significant on-site development activities. This failed the on-site revenue filter of 60% and employee cost filter of 25% applied by the Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO). Similarly, R.S. Software (India) Ltd. was rejected by the TPO for having substantial on-site revenue. The Tribunal directed the exclusion of both companies from the list of comparables.

- KALS Information System Ltd.:
- The Tribunal observed that KALS Information System Ltd. was engaged in software development and sale of proprietary products, making it functionally different from the assessee. The Tribunal directed the exclusion of this company from the list of comparables.

- Thirdware Solutions Ltd.:
- The Tribunal noted that Thirdware Solutions Ltd. was involved in both software services and sale of software products. Given its functional dissimilarity and the lack of complete financial data, the Tribunal directed its exclusion from the list of comparables.

- E-Zest Solutions Ltd.:
- The Tribunal found that E-Zest Solutions Ltd. was engaged in high-end technical services and product development, classifying it as a Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) service provider. The Tribunal directed its exclusion from the list of comparables.

- Other Comparables:
- The Tribunal refrained from deliberating on the acceptability of Avani Simcon Technologies Ltd., E-Infochips Ltd., SIP Technologies and Exports Ltd., Wipro Ltd. (SEG), and Infosys Technologies Ltd., as the exclusion of the previously mentioned comparables already brought the assessee’s margin within the acceptable range.

ITES/BPO Segment:
- Genesys International Corporation Ltd. and Nucleus Netsoft and GIS India Ltd. (SEG):
- The Tribunal found that both companies were engaged in KPO services, making them functionally different from the assessee. Following the Tribunal’s decision in the assessee’s own case for the previous year, both companies were excluded from the list of comparables.

- E-Clerx Services Ltd.:
- The Tribunal noted that E-Clerx Services Ltd. provided high-end KPO services and directed its exclusion from the list of comparables.

- Cross Domain Solutions Ltd.:
- The Tribunal found that Cross Domain Solutions Ltd. provided KPO services and lacked segmental details. It directed the exclusion of this company from the list of comparables.

- Allsec Technologies Ltd.:
- The Tribunal observed that Allsec Technologies Ltd. continued its operations post-merger and was wrongly rejected by the TPO. However, due to the lack of clear impact of the merger on profitability, the Tribunal did not include this company as a comparable.

- Accentia Technologies Ltd.:
- The Tribunal noted that Accentia Technologies Ltd. had undergone mergers which could impact its financial results. The Tribunal directed its exclusion from the list of comparables.

Other Issues:
- Working Capital Adjustment:
- The Tribunal directed the TPO to consider the assessee’s claim for working capital adjustment, as allowed in the subsequent assessment year.

- Departmental Representative’s Contentions:
- The Tribunal rejected the Departmental Representative’s plea to challenge the comparables selected by the TPO and restore the issue to the TPO for fresh analysis, citing the Tribunal’s and High Court’s decisions that the Department cannot challenge the TPO’s selections in the assessee’s appeal.

2. Deduction under Section 10A:
Computation of Deduction:
- The Tribunal directed the Assessing Officer (AO) to compute the deduction under Section 10A unit-wise before setting off losses, in line with the Supreme Court’s decision in CIT v. Yokogawa India Ltd.

Income from IPSA:
- The Tribunal found that the income from the Intellectual Property Services Agreement (IPSA) was classified by the TPO as ITES and directed the AO to allow the deduction under Section 10A for this income.

3. Disallowance under Section 40(a)(ia):
Provision for Expenditure:
- The Tribunal noted that the provision for expenditure was based on estimation and required verification of whether it had crystallized during the year. The Tribunal directed the AO to examine the assessee’s claim that the payee was not identifiable and verify the reversal of the provision in the subsequent year.

Deduction under Section 10A:
- The Tribunal directed the AO to allow deduction under Section 10A on the enhanced profit due to disallowance under Section 40(a)(ia), subject to factual verification.

Additional Grounds:
- The Tribunal admitted additional grounds related to the computation of disallowance under Section 10A and restored them to the AO for fresh adjudication.

Conclusion:
The Tribunal’s detailed analysis and directions on various issues, including the selection/rejection of comparables, computation of deduction under Section 10A, and disallowance under Section 40(a)(ia), provide a comprehensive resolution of the disputes raised in the appeal.