The ITAT directed the AO/TPO to delete the addition for...

The ITAT directed the AO/TPO to delete the addition for corporate guarantee commission assessed at 0.5% and sustained the assessee's appeal. The Tribunal rejected the protective adjustment of 0.5% as a risk-mitigation factor, holding that the assessee's advance to its associated enterprise (AE) carrying interest at 1.9%-matching the bank's rate-was consistent with arm's-length principles. The ITAT found the AO/TPO's determination of ALP flawed for failing to apply any prescribed method under s.92C and for not undertaking a benchmarking exercise or valuing the specific services received from the AE; consequently the impugned transfer pricing adjustments were set aside and the appeal allowed.

---