TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
2016 (4) TMI 400
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....t on outstanding receivables from associated enterprises ('AE') (i) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, and in law, the learned AO erred and the Hon'ble DRP further erred in holding outstanding receivables from AE to be an international transaction. (ii) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, and in law, the learned AO has erred and the Hon'ble DRP further erred in characterizing delay in receipts from debtors in ordinary course of sale as extension of credit and termed it as loan and thereby applying an interest. (iii) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, and in law, the learned AO has erred and the Hon'ble DRP further erred in making an adjustment on account of notional interest on outstanding receivables from AE when appellant does not charge any interest to third parties on the delayed receivables. (iv) On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, and in law, the learned AO has erred and the Hon'ble DRP further erred in ignoring the fact that the working capital adjustments has been undertaken so as to take into account and neutralize the impact of embedded interest in the receivables and post the working ca....
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....rnational transactions with an associated enterprises by the name of Doshi Impex Limited, Hong Kong. The sale transactions to this AE were benchmarked on the basis of TNMM. That, however, is not the point of dispute before us. During the course of the proceedings before the Transfer Pricing Officer, it was noticed that as on the balance sheet date, this AE of the assessee owed Rs. 35.76 to assessee whereas assessee's entire exports is Rs. 94 crores. The receivables thus amounted to almost 40% of the entire exports. The TPO further noted that the assessee had paid interest of Rs. 27,07,989 which could have been avoided if the assessee was able to realize the export proceeds from the AE in time. It was in this backdrop that the assessee was required to show cause as to why an interest adjustment not be made, on the basis of average cost of borrowing, plus 3% markup. The submission of the assessee that Section 92B does not apply to the fact situation and other arguments advanced by the assessee were rejected, and the Transfer Pricing Officer proceeded to make arm's length price adjustment on account of delayed realization of debts from the assessee by observing as follows: "However, ....
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....ie receivables and payables. Hence separate adjustment for interest on receivables is not required as otherwise it results into double adjustment. 2. Further, we would like to state that the interest chargeable on outstanding receivable does not fit within the meaning of international transactions, as the transfer pricing adjustment can be made u/s 92 in respect of an "international transaction". A continuing debit balance is not an "international transaction" per se but is a "result" of the international transaction. Even the residuary clause in the definition of 'international transaction' i.e. "any other transaction having a bearing on the profits, incomes, losses or assets of such enterprises" does not apply to a continuing debit balance as there is nothing on record to show that as a result of not realizing the debts from the AE there has been an impact on profits, incomes, losses or assets of the assessee. In view of these discussions, in our considered view, a continuing debit balance per se, in the account of the associated enterprises, does not amount to an international transaction under section 92B in respect of which ALP adjustments can be made. 3. The exports to th....
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....educe to Rs. 14,579,778. 6. While DRP did uphold the adjustment in principle, the interest rate, on the basis of which ALP adjustment was made, was taken as the PLR of the State Bank of India. In effect thus, the mark up on the PLR was deleted. In its brief order, the DRP held as follows: We have carefully considered the submissions made by the assessee and the reasons given by the Assessing Officer/ Transfer Pricing Officer in the order. We agree with the contentions of the Assessing Officer/ Transfer Pricing Officer that interest is leviable from AE. However, (the AO) is directed to restrict the interest on receivable at the SBI PLR. 7. It is in this background that the Assessing Officer has made the impugned arm's length price adjustment in respect of delay in realization of sale proceeds from the AE. None of the parties is satisfied. While the assessee is aggrieved of the adjustment being so made, the Assessing Officer is aggrieved that of the reduction in the arm's length price of the interest rate as the mark up of 3% stands deleted by the DRP. Both the parties are in appeal before us. 8. Learned counsel for the assessee submits that the delay in realization of export p....
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....al, in the case of i-Gate Computer Systems Ltd Vs ACIT and vice versa (ITA No. 2504/PN/2012), wherein it is, inter alia, stated that "the Hon'ble Bombay High Court, in assessee's own case relating to the assessment year 2002-03 in Income Tax Appeal No. 1148/2012, vide judgment dated 28.2.2013, has held that in view of the amendment by the Finance Act 2012 with retrospective effect from 1st April 2002, the said transaction of charging of interest from the AEs is covered under the amended provision of Section 92B(1) of the Act". On the strength of this observation, learned counsel submits, that the delayed realization of debt is an international transaction. Once the delayed realization of debtors being an international transaction is not in dispute- as is the fact situation before us, learned counsel contends, it is imperative that assessee is to determine arm's length price of this transaction. He then submits that wherever necessary inputs for the CUP method are available, the CUP method is to be used for ascertaining the arm's length price of an international transaction, in preference over the TNMM method, as TNMM is an indirect method, a method of last resort and far less relia....
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....n. 12. In our considered view, even if we proceed on the basis that Explanation to Section 92B is indeed retrospective in effect and it does cover delay in realization of debts, as long as sale is benchmarked on TNMM basis, as in this situation before us, there cannot be any occasion to make a separate adjustment for delay in realization of debts. The reason is that the interest income is an integral part of the PBIT inasmuch as interest income, in cases other than finance companies, is required to be included in the 'other income' and thus affects the profit before interest and taxes. While profit before interest and taxes does not take into account 'interest expenditure', it does take into account 'interest income' because the interest income is part of the 'other income', under pre amended as well as post amended schedule VI to the Companies Act, which is duly taken into account into computation of PBIT. In a way PBIT is a misnomer, as while PBIT does not take into account interest expenditure, it does take into account interest income- appearing in the other income. Once the profitability, as per PBIT, is found to be comparable, there cannot be a separate adjustment for intere....
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....ent is required. In case we treat the AMP expenses in case 2 as Rs. 501-, i.e. identical as case 1 and AMP of Rs. 100 as a separate transaction, the position in case 2 would be: Particulars Case 2 Sales 1,000 Purchase Price 500 Gross Margin 500 (50%) Overhead expenses 300 Marketing expenses 50 Net profit 150 (15%) It is obvious that this would not be the correct way and method to compute the arm's length price. The purchase price adjustments/set off would be mandated to arrive at the arm's length price, if the AMP expenses are segregated as an independent international transaction....." 9. By the same logic, even making an adjustment for interest on excess credit allowed on sales to AEs will vitiate the picture, inasmuch as what has already been factored in the TNMM analysis, by taking operating profit figure which incorporate financial impact of the excess credit period allowed, will be adjusted again separately as well. Of course, in the example used by Hon'ble Delhi High Court, the AMP expenses are deductibles in computation of operating profit but that does not make any material difference because the interest levy for late realization of d....
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.... make an addition as long as such a delay is peculiar to the transactions with AEs. The adjustment before us is an adjustment to arrive at an arm's length price and unless there is something, more than sweeping generalizations as implicit in the arguments before us, to at least indicate that such a delay in realization of debts in similar transactions is absent in arm's length transactions, these adjustments cannot be made even when sales are benchmarked on CUP basis. The delay in realization of debts, resulting in a continuing debit balance, is not a standalone international transaction per se, but is a result of the international transaction as it only reflects that the related payment has not been made by the debtor. As for the learned Departmental Representative's stand that "the supplier is entitled to receipt of payment immediately on delivery irrespective of whether the finished goods is sold in the market, get spoiled in manufacturing or is damaged" would probably be valid in the perfect market conditions which are more of a myth than reality. The only other merit of this approach is its simplicity, or, to put it more appropriately, naivety. The real life trade ....
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....se discussions, and respectfully following the decision of the coordinate bench in assessee's own case for the earlier years, we uphold the grievance of the assessee and direct the Assessing Officer to delete the impugned ALP adjustment of Rs. 2,10,95,346. 14. As regards learned Departmental Representative's contention that Sony Ericsson Mobile Corporation decision (supra) will not apply in the case before us in the context of interest on delayed realization of debts for the simple reason that while AMP expenses, as in that case, are taken into account in the computation of the PLI, interest on delayed realization of debts is not taken into account in computation of the PLI, we can only say that it proceeds on the fallacious assumption that interest income is not taken into account in computation of profit before interest and taxes. The profit before tax and interest (PBIT) so computed takes into account interest income because, on the given facts, it is in the nature of 'other income' which is duly included in the PBIT figure. It is only interest expenditure which is not taken into account in the PBIT computation. There is no warrant for the proposition that interest expendi....
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....e aspect of the matter for which the impugned ALP adjustment must be deleted. 20. In order to explain this line of reasoning, a few material factual developments and the legal analysis will have to be taken note of. We have noted that everything hinges on application of Explanation to Section 92B, vide Finance Act 2012, though with retrospective effect from 1st April 2002. This Explanation provides as follows: Explanation*: - For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that - (*inserted by the Finance Act 2012, though with retrospective effect from 1st April 2002) (i) the expression "international transaction" shall include - (a) the purchase, sale, transfer, lease or use of tangible property including building, transportation vehicle, machinery, equipment, tools, plant, furniture, commodity or any other article, product or thing; (b) the purchase, sale, transfer, lease or use of intangible property, including the transfer of ownership or the provision of use of rights regarding land use, copyrights, patents, trademarks, licences, franchises, customer list, marketing channel, brand, commercial secret, know -how, industrial property right, exterior design or practica....
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....l business going concern value; (k) methods, programmes, systems, procedures, campaigns, surveys, studies, forecasts, estimates, customer lists, or technical data; (l) any other similar item that derives its value from its intellectual content rather than its physical attributes.'. 21. Shortly before the 2012 amendments were brought, a coordinate bench of this Tribunal, in the case of Nimbus Communications Ltd Vs ACIT [(2011) 139 TTJ 214 (Bom)] and speaking through one of us, had observed as follows: 4. It is only elementary, in terms of the provisions of Section 92, any income arising from an international transaction has to be computed having regard to the arm's length price (ALP), and that this exercise includes the allowance for any expense or interest arising from an international transaction as well. That is the only provisions under which ALP adjustments can be made. In other words, therefore, arm's length price adjustments can only be made in respect of an 'international transactions'. The expression 'international transaction', on the other hand, is defined under section 92 B as a transaction between two or more associated enterprises, either....
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....s of payment set out in the transaction arrangement, and not in isolation with the commercial terms on which transaction in respect of which payment is, according to the revenue authorities, delayed. 22. We have noted the learned Departmental Representative's contention that the above decision is no longer good in law since a coordinate bench of this Tribunal, in the case of i-Gate Computer Systems Ltd Vs ACIT and vice versa (ITA No. 2504/PN/2012 has, inter alia, stated that "the Hon'ble Bombay High Court, in assessee's own case relating to the assessment year 2002-03 in Income Tax Appeal No. 1148/2012, vide judgment dated 28.2.2013, has held that in view of the amendment by the Finance Act 2012 with retrospective effect from 1st April 2002, the said transaction of charging of interest from the AEs is covered under the amended provision of Section 92B(1) of the Act". 23. However, when we perused Hon'ble Bombay High Court's judgment referred to in this coordinate bench's order, we found the factual position to be slightly, but very materially, different. 24. The relevant question before Their Lordships, in the said case and as set out at page 2 of this judgment, was "(c) whether....
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....terest on delayed realization of debt is concerned. 29. The amendment so made by the Finance Act 2012, stated to be with retrospective effect 1st April 2002, inserts an Explanation to Section 92 B which, inter alia, that "For the removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that (c) capital financing, including any type of long -term or short -term borrowing, lending or guarantee, purchase or sale of marketable securities or any type of advance, payments or deferred payment or receivable or any other debt arising during the course of business". In plain words, this amendment inter alia implies that capital financing of any type, including by way of "deferred payment or receivable or any other debt arising during the course of business" will constitute an international transaction under section 92B. Going by this definition "any debts arising during the course of business" will constitute an international transaction. A trade debt is, accordingly, covered by this definition. However, since the assessment year that we are dealing with is prior to the assessment year 2012-13, the next important question is whether this amendment could be held to be applicable in the assessment year befo....
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....has to keep in mind the distinction between "lack of inquiry" and "inadequate inquiry". If there was any inquiry, even inadequate that would not by itself give occasion to the CIT to pass orders under s. 263 of the Act, merely because he has different opinion in the matter. It is only in cases of "lack of inquiry" that such a course of action would be open"], it was reiterated that it was only the lack, not the adequacy, of inquiry which could confer jurisdiction under section 263 on the Commissioner. By inserting Explanation 2 to Section 263(1), which inter alia provided that powers under section 263 could also be invoked in the cases where "the order is passed without making inquiries or verification which should have been made", all ratio of all these decisions was nullified. That, however, is done with prospective effect, i.e. with effect from 1st June 2015. As a matter of fact, it is a laudable policy of the present tax administration to stay away from making the retrospective amendments, and thus contribute to greater certainty and congenial business climate. Nothing evidences it better than this subtle, but easily discernible, paradigm shift in the underlying approach to the....
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....al position of the courts in this regard is where the purpose of a special interpretive statute is to correct a judicial interpretation of a prior law, which the legislature considers inaccurate, the effect is prospective. Any other result would make the legislature a court of last resort. United States v. Gilmore 8 Wall [(75 US) 330, 19L Ed 396 (1869)] Peony Park v. O'Malley [223 F2d 668 (8th Cir 1955)]. It does not mean that the legislature does not have the power to override judicial decisions which in its opinion it deems as incorrect, however to respect the separation of legal powers and to avoid making a legislature a court of last resort, the amendments can be made prospective only [Ref County of Sacramento v State (134 Cal App 3d 428) and In re Marriage of Davies (105 III App 3d 66)] (Emphasis, by underlining, supplied by us) 34. Quite clearly, in view of the law so laid down by Their Lordships, just because a provision is stated to be clarificatory, it does not become entitled to be treated as 'clarificatory' by the judicial forums as well. 35. Legislature may describe an amendment as 'clarificatory' in nature, but a call will have to be taken by the judiciary whether ....
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....l position, Hon'ble Supreme Court has, in the case of Krishnaswamy S Pd Vs Union of India [(2006) 281 ITR 305 (SC)], observed as follows: The other relevant maxim is, lex non cogit ad impossibilia-the law does not compel a man to do what he cannot possibly perform. The law itself and its administration is understood to disclaim as it does in its general aphorisms, all intention of compelling impossibilities, and the administration of law must adopt that general exception in the consideration of particular cases. [See : U.P.S.R.T.C. vs. Imtiaz Hussain 2006 (1) SCC 380, Shaikh Salim Haji Abdul Khayumsab vs. Kumar & Ors. 2006 (1) SCC 46, Mohammod Gazi vs. State of M.P. & Ors. 2000 (4) SCC 342 and Gursharan Singh vs. New Delhi Municipal Committee 1996 (2) SCC 459]. 39. It is for this reason that the Explanation to Section 92 B, though stated to be clarificatory and stated to be effective from 1st April 2002, has to be necessarily treated as effective from at best the assessment year 2013-14. In addition to this reason, in the light of Hon'ble Delhi High Court's guidance in the case of New Skies Satellite BV (supra) also, the amendment in the definition of international transaction u....
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....s have taken into account income embedded in these payments, paid due taxes thereon and filed income tax returns in accordance with the law. As a corollary to this proposition, in our considered view, declining deduction in respect of expenditure relating to the payments of this nature cannot be treated as an "intended consequence" of Section 40(a)(ia). If it is not an intended consequence i.e. if it is an unintended consequence, even going by Bharti Shipyard decision (supra), "removing unintended consequences to make the provisions workable has to be treated as retrospective notwithstanding the fact that the amendment has been given effect prospectively". Revenue, thus, does not derive any advantage from special bench decision in the case Bharti Shipyard (supra). 9. On a conceptual note, primary justification for such a disallowance is that such a denial of deduction is to compensate for the loss of revenue by corresponding income not being taken into account in computation of taxable income in the hands of the recipients of the payments. Such a policy motivated deduction restrictions should, therefore, not come into play when an assessee is able to establish that there is no act....
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.... for the detailed reasons set out earlier, we cannot subscribe to the view that it could have been an "intended consequence" to punish the assessee's for non deduction of tax at source by declining the deduction in respect of related payments, even when the corresponding income is duly brought to tax. That will be going much beyond the obvious intention of the section. Accordingly, we hold that the insertion of second proviso to Section 40(a)(ia) is declaratory and curative in nature and it has retrospective effect from 1st April, 2005, being the date from which sub clause (ia) of section 40(a) was inserted by the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2004. 42. While approving this approach, and upholding the decision of the Tribunal do read these provisions as effective from 1st April 2005, Hon'ble Delhi High Court, in case of CIT Vs Ansal Landmark Townships Pvt Ltd [(2015) 377 ITR 635 (Del)], has observed as follows: 14. The Court is of the view that the above reasoning of the Agra Bench of ITAT as regards the rationale behind the insertion of the second proviso to Section 40(a) (ia) of the Act and its conclusion that the said proviso is declaratory and curative and has retrospective effect fro....