Arm's length pricing: multi year ALP option expands certainty and permits roll forward of transfer pricing determinations.
Clause 166 authorises the Assessing Officer to refer international and specified domestic related party transactions to a Transfer Pricing Officer for determination of the arm's length price, subject to prior approval; mandates notice, hearing, prescribed transfer pricing methods, and communication of the TPO order to AO and assessee; empowers the TPO to examine unreported transactions and to validate a taxpayer's option to apply a determined ALP to similar subsequent years, with rectification powers and corresponding AO amendment obligations, and permits issuance of Board guidelines to implement the multi year regime.