Fees for Included Services under Article 12(4)(a)/(b) of the...

Fees for Included Services under Article 12(4)(a)/(b) of the India-USA DTAA were examined: consultancy and support services receipts were held not to constitute FIS where the foreign supplier did not make available technical expertise or skills but transferred commercial information or provided non-manufacturing support; accordingly additions were deleted. Subscription fees were held not to be 'royalty' as they provide use of a copyrighted article rather than a right to exploit copyright. TDS credit is allowable to the taxpayer provided the corresponding income is offered to tax and the AO considers available TDS proof when determining liability.

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