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Timestamp: 2018-03-18 19:53:39
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Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 16', 'art. 16', 'art. 16', 'Art. 16', 'art. 16', 'art. 42']

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1 TRANSFER PRICING IN SPAIN AND INTERNATIONAL RULINGS
2 CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 TRANSFER PRICING IN SPAIN 1. Introduction 1.1 The OECD approach 2. Spanish tax regulations 2.1. Application of the legislation 2.2 Objective and subjective requirements 2.3 Related parties CHAPTER 2 METHODS FOR DETERMINING TRANSFER PRICES 1. Methodological criteria for adjusting transfer prices 2. Arm s length method and price comparison (CUP method) 2.1 Internal and external comparisons 2.2 Comparability analysis 2.3 Use of an arm s length range 3. Cost plus method 4. Resale price method 5. Alternative methods 5.1 Alternative methods provided for by the OECD 6. Inter-company services 6.1 Inter-company services 6.2 Cost sharing agreements 7. Documentation 8. Secondary adjustments 9. Examination practices. Procedure of checking the normal market value. 10. Penalties 2
3 CHAPTER 3 INTERNATIONAL RULINGS 1. Foreword 2. Various forms of dispute prevention and resolution 3. APAs: analysis relating to the OECD TP Guidelines For Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations 4. Unilateral and bilateral APAs 5. From international practise to Spanish legislation. Advanced Price Agreements on transactions between individuals or related parties. 5.1 Previous actions. 5.2 Commencement 5.3 Processing 5.4 Termination and effects of the agreement 5.5 Appeals 5.6 Information about the application of the agreement for the assessment of the operations carried out with related persons or entities 5.7 Modification of the APA 6. Procedure for the agreement on related transactions with other tax administrations. 6.1 Commencement of the procedure 6.2 Processing 6.3 Resolution 6.4 Request from another tax administration 3
4 CHAPTER 1 TRANSFER PRICING IN SPAIN 1. Introduction The international business world in recent years has been characterised by the development and spreading of groups of companies operating in countries with different tax regimes. Therefore, tax authorities of the countries involved in this process were faced with new tax problems related to the presence in their territory of these important companies. As part of this process of trade internationalisation, transfer pricing has taken on an increasingly important role, in relation to the trading of goods and services between companies residing in different countries and belonging to the same group or, in any case, with such close business ties that allows us to presume a single management. In other words, transfer pricing, in its commonly understood sense, means the setting of prices for commercial transactions among companies belonging to the same multinational group. The price set could also be different from that which would be applied if the companies involved were independent of each other. There is no doubt that such an approach can be justified on various economic grounds and lead to the implementation of various business policies such as, for example, lowering profits generated in countries with high political instability, circumventing antidumping regulations, penetration into new markets, limiting exchange rate risk, possibility of using regulations that guarantee banking secrecy, etc. However, when purely tax-related reasons prevail and the group uses transfer pricing with the sole objective of minimising the tax burden, the practice takes on connotations which are clearly aimed at tax avoidance, since the purchase and sale of goods and services becomes dependant on the location of income in countries where the level tax is lower and, vice versa, the location of costs in those countries where tax is higher. The objective of the regulation being examined, therefore, can be linked to the need to ensure that such transactions are conducted under the same terms as those applied between independent subjects, and therefore, at market prices, conflicting with any arbitrages in the conditions applied and the subsequent movement of taxable items from one tax jurisdiction to another. Since the problem of transfer pricing involves the financial administrations of nearly all the main industrialised countries, the regulation governing its content inevitably derives from arrangements made at a supranational level. For this very reason, international bodies, such as the OECD, have established some principles of conduct aimed at both the financial administrations and the companies involved. On the basis of these principles, it is possible to assess and, if necessary, re-tax income that has been reduced by applying tax avoidance mechanisms. 4
5 1.1 The OECD approach Within the OECD, the first document dealing with transfer prices dates back to This document contained indications on the first basic criteria for determining the normal value of transactions undertaken between companies belonging to the same group, in order to provide suitable solutions to reduce conflicts between the various tax authorities and between these authorities and multinational enterprises. In keeping with the need to provide clear rules in an increasingly internationalised market, the document was reviewed and suitably integrated as early as 1984 ( Transfer Pricing and Multinational Enterprises, Three Taxation Issues ). A second revision followed in 1987 leading to the preparation in July 1995 of the new report entitled: Transfer pricing guidelines for multinational enterprises and tax administrations. Originally, the first part of the document consisted of five chapters. Chapter I defined the arm's length (or free competition) principle as the essential tool in achieving congruous evaluations among the various administrations. Chapter II deals with the so-called traditional methods to determine transfer prices (traditional transaction methods), i.e. price comparison, resale price and cost plus. Chapter III illustrates the other methods of evaluation, other than those examined above, i.e. the profit split method and transactional net margin method. Chapter IV examines the administrative and regulatory tools available to prevent and resolve transfer pricing disputes (between the financial administration and taxpayers and also between the tax authorities of the various countries). In this sense, special reference is made to the so-called Secondary Adjustments and Advance Pricing Agreements and to the arbitration procedure. Finally, chapter V deals with documentation. The following year, in 1996, the report was integrated with three additional chapters: chapter VI which sets out the arrangements for evaluating the transactions involving intangible goods, chapter VII dedicated to intra-group services and chapter VIII which analyses the procedure of the so-called cost sharing agreements. The examination of the provisions contained in this document becomes particularly important for businesses which trade with foreign subsidiaries and/or associates, in consideration of the fact that the OECD Council advised Governments of contracting countries to ask their tax authorities, in establishing the transfer price for sale of goods and services among associated companies, to take into account the considerations and methods outlined in the report. The aim is to prevent tax authorities of the various countries to apply inaccurate (therefore weak) and diverging (therefore capable of generating double taxation on profits) operating methods. 5
6 2. Spanish tax regulations The arm s length principle of pricing is one of the key elements around which revolve the issue of transfer pricing, and, consequently the approaches and indications provided by the OECD. This principle is expressly set out in the OECD s model for bilateral double taxation avoidance agreements. Article 9, paragraph 1, letter b) of this agreement states that when conditions are made or imposed between companies in their commercial or financial relations which differ from those which would be made between independent companies, then any profits which would, but for those conditions, have accrued to one of the companies, but, by reason of those conditions, have not so accrued, may be included in the profits of that company and taxed accordingly. Spanish lawmakers introduced these principles into our tax legislation at paragraph 1, art. 16 (entitled Transactions between related parties) of Legislative Royal Decree 4/2004 of Corporate Tax Law, as amended by Law 36/2006 of November the 29th, which states that: Transactions made between individuals or related entities will be assessed according to their normal market value. It will be considered as normal market value the one that would be agreed by independent individuals or entities acting in circumstances of free competition. From the Spanish legislation, it emerges that the arm s length principle is directly related to defining the normal value as it is expressly said in art. 16. The Spanish legislative framework for transfer pricing is completed by Royal Decree 1793/2008 of 3 rd of November of Development of Spanish legislation on transfer pricing As part of the tax reform, lawmakers introduced art. 16 in the Corporate Tax Law (Law 61/1978, of December 27th), according to which the price of transactions between companies belonging to the same group must be determined on the basis of the market value Article 39 of Royal Decree 2631/1982 of October 15 th, referred to transfer pricing rules. A new corporate Law was issued (Law 43/1995 of December the 27 th ) and Art. 16 amended. In accordance to the new Law, the Royal Decree 537/1997 of April 14th was approved. Transfer pricing was regulated in Articles 15 to Application of the legislation From paragraphs 1 and 2, article 16 of the Corporate Tax Law it is clear that, for the purposes of applying the transfer pricing legislation, tax lawmakers expressly identify: 1. An objective requirement, i.e. the transfer of goods or the rendering of services. 2. A subjective requirement, i.e. the presence of one or more Spanish or foreign subjects, or the stable organisation of the latter in Spain. 6
7 3. A requirement relating to the nature of the existing relationship (one of control) between the parties of the transaction. With reference to the latter, particular consideration must be given to the notion of control which, in the tax treatment of transfer pricing, is different from that envisaged by Spanish civil law. 2.2 Objective and subjective requirements Spanish legislation on transfer pricing generally refers to all transactions undertaken involving subjects belonging to the same business group, or between shareholdercompany or directors-company. It may deal with the sale of goods (finished goods, raw materials, intangible goods, etc.) or the supply of general services (financial or strategic consultancy, staff secondments, management fees, concession of rights for using formulas and know how, supply of shared centralised services, head quarter expenses), or even in other kind of transactions like loan interest, salaries, Directors remunerations and so on. In other words, all the transactions made between related parties. With reference to the subjective requirement, art. 16, paragraph 3 of the Corporate Tax Law outlines that Spanish transfer pricing regulations are applicable not only to commercial transactions which are carried out between a company residing in Spain and non-resident companies, but also between Spanish companies and their shareholders, directors and their relatives. 2.3 Related parties. Under the Spanish lawmakers point of view, parties are considered to be related in the following situations: a) A company (entity) and its members b) A company (entity) and its directors or administrators c) A company (entity) and the spouses or persons linked to the members, directors or administrators by familiar relationship, in direct ascending, descending or collateral line, by consanguinity or affinity up to the third grade. d) Two companies (entities) which, in accordance with the provisions of article 42 of the Commercial Code, meet the requirements to form part of a single group of companies. e) A company (entity) and the members of another company, when both companies belong the same group of companies as defined in article 42 of the Commercial Code. f) A company (entity) and the directors or administrators of another company, when both companies belong to the same group of companies as defined in article 42 of the Commercial Code. g) A company (entity) and the spouses or persons linked by familiar relationship -in direct ascending, descending or collateral line, by consanguinity or affinity up to the third grade- of the members or of another company, when both companies belong to the same group of the companies as defined in article 42 of the Commercial Code. 7
8 h) Two company (entities) when one of them indirectly holds at least 25 per cent of the capital stock of the other. i) Two company (entities) in which the same members or their spouses or persons linked by familiar relationship -in direct ascending, descending or collateral line, by consanguinity or affinity up to the third grade hold, directly or indirectly, at least 25 per cent of the capital stock. j) A company (entity) resident in Spanish territory and its permanent establishments abroad. k) A company (entity) resident abroad and its permanent establishments in Spain. l) Two entities (companies) which form part of a group which is taxed under the cooperative society group regime. When the relationship is defined in accordance with the member-company relationship, the interest held must be equal to or greater than 5 per cent, or than 1 per cent in the case of securities listed on an organized secondary market. According to art. 42 of the Commercial Code, a group of companies exists when: A company has or is able to have, directly or indirectly, the control of another company or some others. Particularly, control will be presumed when a company called dominant company - is towards another company called Dependant Company -, in some of the following situations: 1) The first company controls the majority of voting rights. 2) Has the power to appoint or dismiss the majority of the members of the board of directors. 3) Holds, as a result of agreements reached with third parties, a majority of the voting rights. 4) Has appointed with its votes the majority of the members of the board of directors who hold their post at the moment when the consolidated accounts have to be formulated and for the two financial years immediately preceding. In particular, this circumstance will be presumed when the majority of the members of the board of directors of the dependant company are members of the board of directors or senior managers of the dominant company or another dominated by it. This case will not be considered as a formation of a group if the company whose administrators have been appointed is linked to another in either of the cases provided for in the first two letters of this section. For the purposes of this section, to the voting rights of the dominant entity we must add those it may hold through other dependant companies or through persons acting on their own behalf but working for the dominant entity or other dependant entities or those it may hold by agreement with any other person. 8
9 CHAPTER 2 METHODS FOR DETERMINING TRANSFER PRICES 1. Methodological criteria for adjusting transfer prices The verification criteria used by Spanish tax authorities to assess the congruity (normal value) of the considerations applied by parties in related parties transactions (controlled transactions), are set out in the Article 16 of Corporate Tax Law 1. Traditional transaction based methods a) Arm s length method and price comparison b) Cost plus method c) Resale price method 2. Profit based methods d) Method of global profit split e) Method of transaction net margin Before moving to a brief analysis of these criteria, it is worth underlining that all the criteria are in line with those indicated by the OECD. The taxpayer must take into account the provisions of the Spanish regulation which are coincident with the provisions of the OECD. 2. Arm s length method and price comparison (CUP method) This is the main criterion, indicated both by the OECD and the Spanish Tax Authorities, to check the congruity of the values in transactions undertaken by the parties. Arm s length price is the price which would have been stipulated for similar transactions by independent companies. The comparable Uncontrolled Price method determines whether the amount charged in a controlled transaction gives rise to an arm s length result by reference to the amount charged in a comparable uncontrolled transaction. This method can be based on a so-called internal comparison or external comparison. In the first case, the price applied in the inter-company transaction is compared with similar transactions, again carried out between the same subject and independent third parties. In the second case, however, the price applied in the inter-company transaction is compared with the prices applied by independent subjects who have undertaken similar transactions. 9
10 2.1 Internal and external comparisons With internal comparison the prices stipulated in intra-group transactions must be very similarly to those established in transactions with independent operators. Any differences can only be justified when special situations occur, or there are differences in the transactions which have an impact on the final price. For example, transport costs which may be charged to the seller in intra-group transactions, while transport costs in transactions with independent third parties are charged to the buyer. It is clear that, apart from the special aspect mentioned previously, when adopting the internal price comparison criterion, operators will presumably not have to carry out particular analyses of comparability. However, the case where the external price comparison is used is different. This requires goods that are absolutely identical to be identified, since, even small differences in the quality or characteristics of the goods can have a significant impact on the price. The comparability analysis allows sample operations to be correctly identified Comparability analysis The OECD model provides some indications which are necessary for correctly determining the normal value with the use of the external comparison method. There are indications regarding: The reference market According to the OECD model, reference market means the market in which to look for transactions that are comparable to those being checked. The choice of the reference market is particularly important for various reasons. The sale of identical products at different prices could, in fact, be justified by competitive demands connected to the different location of the receiving business, by specific regulations on prices made by the governing authorities of the country where the receiver of the goods resides, by differences between the national laws regarding marketing, by fluctuations in exchange rates, by local distribution costs, and so on. Characteristics of property or services - Differences in the specific characteristics of property or services often account, at least in part, for differences in their value in the open market. Therefore, comparisons of these features may be useful in determining the comparability of controlled and uncontrolled transactions. In general, similarity in the characteristics of the property or services transferred will matter most when comparing prices of controlled and uncontrolled transactions and less when comparing profit margins. Characteristics that it may be important to consider include the following: in the case of transfers of tangible property, the physical features of the property, its quality and reliability, and the availability and volume of supply; in the case of the provision of services, the nature and extent of the services; and in the case of intangible property, the form of transaction (e.g. licensing or sale), the type of property (e.g. patent, trademark, or know-how), the duration and degree of protection, and the anticipated benefits from the use of the property. Functional analysis - In dealings between two independent enterprises, compensation usually will reflect the functions that each enterprise performs (taking into account assets used and risks assumed). Therefore, in determining whether controlled and uncontrolled 10
11 transactions or entities are comparable, comparison of the functions taken on by the parties is necessary. This comparison is based on a functional analysis, which seeks to identify and to compare the economically significant activities and responsibilities undertaken or to be undertaken by the independent and associated enterprises. For this purpose, particular attention should be paid to the structure and organisation of the group. It will also be relevant to determine in what juridical capacity the taxpayer performs its functions. Functions and risks assumed - The functions that taxpayers and tax administrations might need to identify and compare include, e.g., design, manufacturing, assembling, research and development, servicing, purchasing, distribution, marketing, advertising, transportation, financing, and management. The principal functions performed by the party under examination should be identified. Adjustments should be made for any material differences from the functions undertaken by any independent enterprises with which that party is being compared. While one party may provide a large number of functions relative to that of the other party to the transaction, it is the economic significance of those functions in terms of their frequency, nature, and value to the respective parties to the transactions that is important. It may also be relevant and useful in identifying and comparing the functions performed to consider the assets that are employed or to be employed. This analysis should consider the type of assets used, such as plant and equipment, the use of valuable intangibles, etc., and the nature of the assets used such as the age, market value, location, property right protections available, etc. It may also be relevant and useful in comparing the functions performed to consider the risks assumed by the respective parties. In the open market, the assumption of increased risk will also be compensated by an increase in the expected return. Therefore, controlled and uncontrolled transactions and entities are not comparable if there are significant differences in the risks assumed for which appropriate adjustments cannot be made. Functional analysis is incomplete unless the material risks assumed by each party have been considered since the assumption or allocation of risks would influence the conditions of transactions between the associated enterprises. Theoretically, in the open market, the assumption of increased risk must also be compensated by an increase in the expected return, although the actual return may or may not increase depending on the degree to which the risks are actually realised. The types of risks to consider include market risks, such as input cost and output price fluctuations; risks of loss associated with the investment in and use of property, plant, and equipment; risks of the success or failure of investment in research and development; financial risks such as those caused by currency exchange rate and interest rate variability; credit risks; and so forth. Contractual terms - In arm's length dealings, the contractual terms of a transaction generally define explicitly or implicitly how the responsibilities, risks and benefits are to be divided between the parties. As such, an analysis of contractual terms should be a part of the functional analysis discussed above. The terms of a transaction may also be found in correspondence/communications between the parties other than a written contract. Where no written terms exist, the contractual relationships of the parties must be deduced from 11
12 their conduct and the economic principles that generally govern relationships between independent enterprises. In dealings between independent enterprises, the divergence of interests between the parties ensures that they will ordinarily seek to hold each other to the terms of the contract, and that contractual term will be ignored or modified after the fact generally only if it is in the interests of both parties. The same divergence of interests may not exist in the case of associated enterprises, and it is therefore important to examine whether the conduct of the parties conforms to the terms of the contract or whether the parties' conduct indicates that the contractual terms have not been followed or are a sham. In such cases, further analysis is required to determine the true terms of the transaction. In keeping with the indications provided by the OECD, application of this method is possible in cases where the different characteristics of the two transactions (the one being checked and the sample) can be quantified. Finally, it should be stressed that the price comparison method is the criterion which must be considered first, since it is the method which more than any other allows for a reliable determination of the market value. The other criteria may be considered only when there is proof of the impossibility or unreliability of this method. If it is decided to proceed with alternative methods, then it would be useful to produce and conserve suitable documentation demonstrating the impossibility of adopting this method. 2.3 Use of an arm s length range. In some cases it will be possible to apply the arm's length principle to arrive at a single figure (e.g. price or margin) that is the most reliable to establish whether the conditions of a transaction are arm's length. However, because transfer pricing is not an exact science, there will also be many occasions when the application of the most appropriate method or methods produces a range of figures all of which are relatively equally reliable. In these cases, differences in the figures that comprise the range may be caused by the fact that in general the application of the arm's length principle only produces an approximation of conditions that would have been established between independent enterprises. It is also possible that the different points in a range represent the fact that independent enterprises engaged in comparable transactions under comparable circumstances may not establish exactly the same price for the transaction. However, in some cases, not all comparable transactions examined will have a relatively equal degree of comparability. Therefore, the actual determination of the arm's length price necessarily requires exercising good judgment. Use of a range may be particularly appropriate where, as a last resort, the transactional net margin method is applied. Spanish legislation on comparability analysis is set out in Article 16 of the RIS (Corporate Tax Regulation). Despite following the line of the OECD report, Spanish regulation is far sparser in details and confines itself to listing the circumstances that determine whether two or more operations are comparable for the purposes of comparing the circumstances of transactions between related parties with the circumstances between independent companies which might be comparable. The list of circumstances Article 16 says must be taken into account are the following: 12
13 a) The specific characteristics of the goods or services that are the object of the related operations. b) The functions assumed by the parties in relation to the operations that are the object of analysis, identifying the risks assumed and, if necessary, weighting the assets used. c) The terms of the contracts from which the operations may be derived, bearing in mind the liabilities, risks and benefits assumed by each contracting party. d) The characteristics of the markets where the goods are delivered or the services supplied, or other economic factors that may affect the related operations. e) Any other circumstances that may be relevant in each case, such as commercial strategies In case the taxpayer has not taken into account some of the aforementioned circumstances, because in his opinion they are not reliable or trustworthy, he will have to mention the reasons why they are excluded from the analysis and provide documented evidences. All internal or external facts to be considered and on which to base the comparison must be mentioned. When related-party transactions made are tightly tied among them or have been made on a continuous basis, and for this reason their independent appraisal is not adequate, the referred comparative analysis will be made considering all those operations in global. Two or more transactions are comparable when, between them, there are no relevant differences in the circumstances affecting the price of the good, service or the transaction s margin; or if differences do exist, they could be removed by doing the corrections needed. Comparability analysis and information about comparable operations are the factors that, in each case, determine the choice of the most suitable assessment method. Comparability analysis is the key point of the documents the taxpayer has to prepare and have at Tax Authority s disposal. 3. Cost plus method With the cost plus method the appropriateness of the transfer price is assessed based on the overall cost or the full production cost plus a normal profit margin; thus the verification method in question is normally applied in cases where the analysis concerns inter-company transactions of production companies, specially when semi-finished goods are sold between related parties or when the controlled transaction is the provision of services. Once again, the comparison can be made internally or externally. The crucial point in this type of approach is to determine the margin, which can be done in accordance with one of the following criteria: 13
14 1. Comparison of the profit margin on the transaction with the profits made by the business with third parties for similar products and under similar conditions; 2. If the business did not sell any products to third parties, by using the margin made by independent subjects on similar sales in terms of the product and the conditions would be used; 3. If it is impossible to compare sales made by third parties, through comparisons of the functions undertaken by the manufacturer against those undertaken by third parties. The comparability analysis is also fundamental in the application of this method. In this sense, the similarity of the transactions must be assessed in reference to: -The type of product; -The functions carried out by the manufacturer; -The geographical market; -The impact on the price of particular functions, etc. In fact, the objective continues being the complete comparability of the transactions. Example: identification of the normal value for the transaction undertaken by a resident subject called Alfa. Reference parameter: similar transaction undertaken by the subject Beta. In order to consider the two transactions comparable, it is necessary to identify and isolate, for each company, any costs regarding just one of them, such as for example marketing costs and research and development expenses. If, for example, company Alfa, unlike company Beta, did not include research and development costs in the full cost of production (since they were not incurred), it would be necessary to redefine the production cost incurred by company Alfa by subtracting the portion of costs attributable to research and development expenses. On the basis that the gross margin is 10% of total cost, the normal value of the transfer price would change considerably, as is shown in the following table. Alfa Beta Industrial cost 1,000 1,000 Research and development Marketing costs Administrative costs Finance charges Total 1,300 1,600 10% margin Transfer price 1,430 1, Resale price method This method is mostly used when it is impossible to apply the price comparison method, and, more particularly, in cases where the reseller/buyer only markets the goods purchased. According to this method, the normal value is equal to the (resale) prices at which goods or services, which have been purchased by a subject belonging to the group (the reseller), are resold to an independent party. This price is reduced by a gross margin which also includes, in addition to the reseller s profit, costs incurred by the reseller for every sales activity undertaken. 14
15 This criterion can be effectively used in cases where the reseller/buyer only markets the goods purchased. On the other hand, this criterion cannot be applied if the goods in question were transformed or incorporated into other goods before the resale. The method in question is generally applied when a product is purchased by an associated business and subsequently resold to a third party: imagine, for example, the group company which markets the products. Internal and external resale prices can also be identified for this method. Below is a table briefly summarising the three traditional methods. Comparable Uncontrolled Price Method The suitability of the transaction is assessed by comparing the intra-group sale price with the price which would have been set for similar transactions between independent companies (external comparison) or between a business of the group and an outside company (internal comparison) Cost Plus Method Resale Price Method The sale price is compared The transfer price is with the costs incurred by the compared to the price at supplier of the goods or which a good purchased by services as part of an intergroup transaction, plus the resold to an independent an associated company is gross margin of the supplier, business, less a gross profit charged in relation to the margin, to cover directly objective and subjective attributable costs and a conditions of the transaction portion of general costs 5. Alternative methods Situations may occur when the basic criteria set out above cannot be applied. This may depend on various causes such as, for example, the lack of comparable circumstances or the impossibility of making a reliable comparison between the controlled transaction and another transaction carried out between third parties. In order to meet the operators need to define a suitable transfer price even in these cases, both the OECD and the Spanish Financial administration have provided for alternative criteria as illustrated below. 5.1 Alternative methods provided for by the OECD Contrary to the first OECD report on transfer prices, the 1995 version completely legitimises the use of alternative methods in place of traditional ones, arguing that the arm s length price can be determined, in theory, not only by considering the individual transactions and related prices, but also by using the profits deriving from these transactions as a base. In particular, according to the 1995 Report, there are at least two other acceptable methods: -The Profit Split Method; -The Transaction Net Margin Method. 15
16 These methods should be used in exceptional circumstances, where the complexity of the company s business causes practical difficulties in applying the aforementioned traditional methods (and in particular, the price comparison method). The Profit Split Method is largely based on determining the overall profit realised in a transaction which is subject to control; once this value has been identified, it is split between all the associated companies, by applying a dividing criterion which can reflect as objectively as possible the profit split which would have been envisaged and applied by independent companies, in accordance with the arm s length principle. In determining this profit split, it is necessary to take into consideration the contribution provided by each individual company for achieving the final objective on the basis of the functions carried out by each of them, the risks taken on, the assets used, and any other objective market parameter which is available and reliable. The OECD Report then outlines two distinct criteria to assess the profit split: contribution analysis and residual analysis. The criterion of contribution analysis is based on the split, between the associated companies, of the overall profit originating from intra-group transactions in relation to the value of the functions undertaken by each company, calculated on the basis of the respective market value, if it is impossible to measure it directly. On the other hand, in the case of residual analysis, the total profit arising from the transactions in question is split into two separate stages. In the first stage, each associated company is allocated a share of profits which is appropriate to ensure an adequate basic return for the type of transaction carried out and, usually, determined by using the market yields obtained in similar transactions by independent subjects as a benchmark. In the second stage, any profit (or loss) remaining from the splitting in the first stage, is divided by analysing the facts or circumstances which are useful for understanding how the same residual amount would have been divided among independent subjects. The Transaction Net Margin Method, on the other hand, takes into consideration the net profit margin generate by the business in a transaction subject to verification, defined with reference to an appropriate base (costs, sales, etc.) This criterion operates in a similar way to the classic methods of cost plus and resale price, and follows their application parameters. Basically, the net margin which the associated company gains from the transaction under review must ideally be determined with reference to the net margin which the business itself would produce in comparable and independent transactions. 6.1 Inter-company services An aspect which becomes important in inter-company transactions is the chargeback of services by the parent company or by other companies in the group which are controlled by subsidiaries or associates located in Spain or not. 16
17 These inter-company services can take various forms and cover various types of services, such as labour, financial services, management services, marketing and advertising services, general consultancy services, etc. In reference to the possibility of deducting these costs for intra-group services, it should be noted that the indications provided by the Spanish Financial administration in this regard are specially cautious. In general, the Spanish Financial administration has stated that in order to be deducted, the charge-backed costs must be congruent and must satisfy the principles set out in article 16.5 of the Corporate Tax Law, i.e.: -Deduction of expenses for inter-company services will be conditional on the services supplied producing or being able to produce an advantage or utility for the receiver. -When they are services supplied jointly to several related people or companies, and provided that it is not possible to individualize the service received or to quantify the decisive elements of the remuneration, it will be possible to distribute the total amount among the persons or entities benefiting according to split rules that respond to rational criteria. -This criterion will be understood to have been achieved when, in addition to the nature of the service and the circumstances in which it is supplied, the method applied takes into account the benefits obtained or which can be obtained by the persons or entities receiving them. 6.2 Cost sharing agreements Cost sharing agreements are agreements signed by groups of related parties which regulate the charge-back operations of costs for intra-group services. These cost sharing agreements are covered in the OECD report in chapter VIII; whilst the reference is still article 16 of Corporate Tax Law for the Spanish legislation. According to this Law, expenses related can be deducted under certain conditions, i.e.: -The operations must be done at market prices. -The participant persons or entities that sign the agreement must have access to the property or other right that has similar economic consequences for the assets or rights that may be the object of acquisition, production or development as a result of the agreement. -The contribution of each participant person or entity must take into account the uses or advantages each of them expects to obtain from the agreement according to rational criteria. -The agreement must envisage a variation in its circumstances or the participant persons or entities and establish any compensatory settlements and adjustments that may be considered necessary. - These kinds of agreements are those which normally have a very wide scope, and which are able to include various types of costs including: -The use (licence right) of patents, trademarks and other rights relating to intangible goods available within the Group; -The use of the results obtained from the research and developments inside the Group; -Technical assistance; -Administrative and accounting assistance; 17
18 -Marketing assistance. These agreements may include various types of costs linked to some extent to services which the company provides in the interest of the entire Group. Imagine, for example, the case of costs relating to employees who are working on a software project which, once implemented, will be used by all the companies belonging to the Group. Spanish legislation and the aforementioned OECD Report require the use of a written agreement made prior to the starting date of the joint activity. Each party involved, should have full access to all the details of the activities which will be developed during the agreement, to the forecasts based on which the contributions are made and the expected profits are determined, as well as the expected and actual costs for the activities covered by the agreement. These documents and information flows are useful for two reasons: 1. They represent an instrument to control and rationalise dealings within the Group; 2. They are valuable for controls made by the Financial administration. The principles previously shown with reference to the deductibility of costs for intercompany services remain valid, and therefore: 1. The services must be provided to benefit the subsidiary and not the parent company as shareholder; 2. The subsidiary for which the services are provided must actually benefit from them or at least have the prospect of benefiting from them; 3. The costs must be supported by adequate documentation and a written agreement. According to article 17 of Royal Decree 1793/2008, it is necessary to prepare the following specific documentation: 1. Identification of the other participant persons or entities -Name and surname or entity name -Fiscal residence -Tax Identity Number (VAT number) -Detailed description of the operations carried out -Nature -Characteristics -Amount 2. The sphere of the specific activities and projects covered by the agreements. 3. Term of the agreements. 4. Criteria for quantifying the split of the expected profits among the participants. 5. The way of calculating their respective contributions. 6. Specification of the participants tasks and responsibilities. 7. Consequences of the participants joining or withdrawing. 8. Any other provision that envisages adapting the terms of the agreement to reflect a modification in the economic circumstances. 7. Documentation The issue of the documentation to be shown during the verification of transfer prices is particularly delicate, since the production and preservation of documents aimed at proving the criteria applicable for determining the normal value could enable the taxpayer to resolve possible tax disputes quickly and cheaply. 18
19 The OECD believes that, given the special nature of the various types of transfer price, it is not possible to identify a set standard for documentation, i.e. of an absolute value. Nonetheless, Chapter V of the 1995 report, which is devoted to documentation, emphasises that: taxpayers must... be aware of the fact that good accounting and voluntary production of documents makes it easier to examine and resolve any transfer pricing problems. The taxpayer is, therefore, required to prepare all the information needed to show the efforts made towards respecting the arm s length principle. In addition, the documentation which is produced will also be useful for preparing the annual tax returns, enabling any auditing to be more streamlined and straightforward. It also states that in particular cases of transfer pricing, there may be useful information regarding each business involved in the transactions being examined, such as: A description of the activity; The structure of the organization; The ownership relationships within the multinational group; The level of sales and the operating results in the years preceding the transaction; The level of the transactions undertaken by the taxpayer with the foreign associated company, for example the level of sales of stock inventories, the supply of services, the rent of tangible goods, the use and transfer of intangible goods and interest on loans. Paragraph 5.28 states that taxpayers should make reasonable efforts at the time transfer pricing is established to determine whether the transfer pricing is appropriate for tax purposes in accordance with the arm's length principle. Tax administrations should have the right to obtain the documentation prepared or referred to in this process as a means of verifying compliance with the arm's length principle. However, the extensiveness of this process should be determined in accordance with the same prudent business management principles that would govern the process of evaluating a business decision of a similar level of complexity and importance. Moreover, the need for the documents should be balanced by the costs and administrative burdens, particularly where this process suggests the creation of documents that would not otherwise be prepared or referred to in the absence of tax considerations. Documentation requirements should not impose on taxpayers costs and burdens disproportionate to the circumstances. Taxpayers should nonetheless recognize that adequate record-keeping practices and voluntary production of documents facilitate examinations and the resolution of transfer pricing issues that arise Paragraph 5.29 also states that tax administrations and taxpayers alike should commit themselves to a greater level of cooperation in addressing documentation issues, in order to avoid excessive documentation requirements while at the same time providing for adequate information to apply the arm's length principle reliably. Taxpayers should be forthcoming with relevant information in their possession, and tax administrations should recognize that they can avail themselves of exchange of information articles in certain cases so that less need be asked of the taxpayer in the context of an examination. The Committee on Fiscal Affairs intends to study the issue of documentation further to develop additional guidance that might be given to assist taxpayers and tax administrations in this area. 19
20 In Spanish legislation documentation requirements are set out in Article 16.2 of the Corporate Tax Law, which refers us to the Tax Regulations. For their part, the Tax Regulations distinguish between two types of documentation: the kind corresponding to the group to which the taxpayer belongs and the kind relating to the taxpayer himself. These obligations are inspired both by the Code of Conduct on documentation related to transfer prices required to the associated companies in the European Union, (EU directive of 28 July 2006) which has been the result of the activities of the EU Joint Transfer Pricing Forum in the sphere of associated company tax in the European Union, as in Spanish Law itself. The requirements for documentation obligations have been modulated according to two criteria: the characteristics of the business groups and the risk of economic damage for the Spanish tax administration, in such a way that for the smaller companies and individuals such obligations are simplified to the maximum, except in the case of special risk operations, in which case the documentation corresponding to the nature of the operations in question is required. And so documentation obligations are simplified in the following cases: -Transactions between small or medium sized companies (SME). For this purpose Small or Medium companies are considered to be those which, within a group of companies, have a turnover of less than 8 million euro a year. It should be emphasised that the idea of group in Article 108 of the Corporate Tax Law is broader than the one regulated by Article 42 of the Commercial Code. -Transactions between individuals who pay tax in the special regime of evaluating results by signals, index and modules and the companies in which such individuals own 25% or more of the shares. -Transfers of businesses, stocks or shares which are not quoted on the stock exchange when one of the parties is an SME. -Transfers of real estate or intangibles when one of the parties is an SME. -Transactions carried out between a company and related individuals. -Payments received by professional shareholders of a Professional Company SME. Each of the situations listed has a different level of requirement. For other transactions between related companies, that is to say, the ones that are carried out between companies from the same national or international group and which cannot be considered as SMEs, the documentation required is divided into two broad groups: the master file and the specific file. The master file is the documentation related to the group of companies to which the taxpayer belongs and includes the following (Article 19 RIS): a)-description of the organisational, legal and operational structure of the group. -Description of any major changes in that structure. b)-identification of the different entities of the group that carry out operations with the taxpayer. c)-description of those operations. Nature, amounts and flows. d)-description of the functions exercised and the risks assumed by the different entities of the group insofar as they affect the operations performed by the taxpayer. 20
VOLUME 42, NUMBER 2 >>>
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