natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
GROUNDS FOR INITIATING THE PROCEDURE
Bez te gornje granice društvo LuxOpCo moglo bi jednostavno povećati svoje troškove kako bi povećalo svoj rezultat.
In its Opening Decision, the Commission explained that it harboured serious doubts as to the compatibility of the contested tax ruling with the internal market.
Budući da je društvo LuxOpCo u razdoblju 2006. – 2013. ostvarivalo prosječnu maržu od [3,5 – 4] % i svake je godine bilo unutar granica interkvartilnog raspona, Luksemburg zaključuje da gornje granice nisu imale stvarni i praktični učinak.
In particular, it expressed several doubts that the transfer pricing arrangement endorsed by the contested tax ruling resulted in an arm's length royalty payment to LuxSCS and an arm's length remuneration for LuxOpCo.
Luksemburg je dalje tvrdio da porezna osnovica nije ograničena i da se povećala u skladu s širenjem društva Amazon i njegovim ulaganjima u EU-u.
First, the Commission criticised the fact that the contested tax ruling appeared to have been granted in the absence of a transfer pricing report.
Marža naknade primijenjena je na sva operativne troškvoe društva LuxOpCo, a ne samo na njegove operativne troškove nastale u Luksemburgu.
It further observed that the ruling had been granted within eleven working days from the receipt of the first letter constituting the ruling request.
U skladu s time, marža se primjenjivala na širu osnovu od operativnih troškova društva LuxOpCo u Luksemburgu jer je uključivala operativne troškove drugih ovisnih društava u EU-u, koji su se u konačnici naplaćivali od društva LuxOpCo.
Second, the Commission criticised the fact that the transfer pricing arrangement endorsed in the contested tax ruling did not seem to be based on any of the generally accepted transfer pricing methods set out in the OECD TP Guidelines.
Da se naknada koju je primilo društvo LuxOpCo izračunavala isključivo u odnosu na njegove operativne troškove u Luksemburgu, imala bi prosječnu maržu od [10 – 15] %.
Third, the Commission criticised the fact that, contrary to recommendations contained in paragraph 6.16 of the 1995 and 2010 OECD TP Guidelines, the royalty payment approved by the contested tax ruling was not related to output, sales or profit.
Brojke koje je dostavio Luksemburg kako bi potkrijepio taj argument navedene su u tablici 18.
Instead, the royalty was calculated as the residual profit from LuxOpCo's intra-group transactions, which was determined by deducting a routine return attributable to LuxOpCo's functions from LuxOpCo's actually recorded profit.
Tablica 18.
Fourth, the Commission questioned whether it was correct to consider LuxOpCo as performing less complex functions when compared to LuxSCS.
Oporeziva dobit društva LuxOpCo izražena u odnosu na operativne troškove tog društva u Luksemburgu (osim troškova koje su ponovno naplatila ovisna društva u EU-u) (a) i u odnosu na operativne troškove tog društva, uključujući troškove naplaćene od ovisnih društava u EU-u (b)
Based on the description of functions performed by LuxOpCo and the risks assumed by it, those functions and risks appeared to be more complex than those performed by LuxSCS.
Godina
The specific functions related to the Intangibles, for which LuxSCS is allegedly remunerated, were not described in the ruling request, nor by the Luxembourg tax administration in the contested tax ruling.
[2006. – 2013.]
Furthermore, although LuxSCS was said to retain all risks associated with the ownership of that IP in the ruling request, the risks to be assumed by LuxSCS while holding the Intangibles were not specified, in particular as compared to the entrepreneurial risks assumed by LuxOpCo.
[10 – 15]
Fifth, at a [4-6] % mark-up on operating expenses, the Commission considered the remuneration endorsed by the contested tax ruling for the functions performed by LuxOpCo to be relatively low, in particular bearing in mind that, among others, the functions of LuxOpCo were presented as central and strategic commercial decision-making, concentrating the business risk of the entire European market.
Luksemburg dodatno objašnjava da je, nakon gospodarske krize 2008., naknada za usporedive djelatnosti (internetska maloprodaja) bile pod znatnim pritiskom i Amazonova operativna marža nastavila se smanjivati.
In addition, the application of a floor and a cap to determine LuxOpCo's arm's length remuneration, which effectively overrides the transfer pricing arrangement based on operating expenses, was not explained.
U tom kontekstu Luksemburg je smatrao da bi preispitivanje sustava određivanja cijena moglo dovesti do smanjenja naknade društva LuxOpCo.
Finally, the Commission questioned whether the choice of an indirect transfer pricing method to determine LuxOpCo's remuneration was justified.
PRIMJEDBE LUKSEMBURGA NA SPORAZUME O M.COMU, SPORAZUME O LICENCIRANJU UNUTAR GRUPE, SPORAZUME O LICENCIRANJU INTELEKTUALNOG VLASNIŠTVA I OSTALE INFORMACIJE
Sixth, the Commission observed that while the contested tax ruling was granted in 2003, it appeared to be still in force in 2014.
Luksemburg je dostavio svoje primjedbe o sporazumima o M.comu, sporazumima o licenciranju unutar grupe, sporazumima o licenciranju intelektualnog vlasništva između subjekata grupe Amazon i trećih osoba i ostale interne financijske i pravne informacije o društvima LuxOpCo, LuxSCS, AMEU i ASE, kao što su vanjska izvješća o vrednovanju ili izvješća o transfernim cijenama povezana s transakcijama za stjecanje intelektualnog vlasništva, zapisnici sa sastanka odbora i općih sastanaka dioničara društva LuxOpCo.
The Commission expressed doubts whether it was correct to consider the remuneration accepted in the ruling to still be at arm's length more than 10 years later without any review or obligation to notify the administration, should any critical circumstances have changed in the meantime.
Luksemburg je izjavio da se njegova pravila o transfernim cijenama primjenjuju na sve grupe trgovačkih društava, neovisno o tome jesu li domaće ili međunarodne, te da se prema društvu Amazon nije postupalo povoljnije nego prema drugim grupama jer Luksemburg dosljedno primjenjuje svoja pravila o transfernim cijenama.
In light of these criticisms, the Commission came to the provisional conclusion that the contested tax ruling conferred a selective advantage on Amazon in that it resulted in a royalty payment for LuxSCS and a remuneration for LuxOpCo that deviated from an arm's length outcome.
Luksemburg je smatrao upitnim relevantnost sporazuma o M.comu za predmetni slučaj.
Since all the other conditions of Article 107(1) of the Treaty appeared to have been fulfilled and there was no apparent compatibility basis pursuant to Article 107(2) or (3) of the Treaty, the Commission came to the provisional conclusion that the contested tax ruling constituted State aid incompatible with the internal market.
Osim Sporazuma s Targetom, svi sporazumi sklopljeni su nakon što je Luksemburg donio svoje porezno rješenje.
COMMENTS FROM LUXEMBOURG
Nakon preispitivanja sporazuma o M.comu Luksemburg je izjavio da se slaže s Amazonovim stajalištem da se sporazumi o M.comu temelje na poslovnom modelu koji se razlikuje od poslovnog modela između društava LuxSCS i LuxOpCo.
LUXEMBOURG'S COMMENTS ON ALLEGED PROCEDURAL SHORTCOMINGS
Luksemburg je dalje tvrdio da sporazumi društva Amazon unutar grupe također nisu prikladni za analizu CUP jer po definiciji nisu kontrolirani.
Luxembourg alleged that the Opening Decision was adopted in an extremely short period of time and on the basis of insufficient information.
PRIMJEDBE LUKSEMBURGA NA DOKUMENTE KOJE JE DOSTAVILO DRUŠTVO AMAZON O POSTUPKU PRED POREZNIM SUDOM SAD-a
Luxembourg considered the Commission not to have exhausted its possibilities to gather the necessary information to assess the measure during the preliminary investigation.
Luksemburg je 6. srpnja 2017. dostavio svoje primjedbe na Amazonove podneske Komisiji o dokumentima koji su se upotrebljavali u sporu pred Poreznim sudom SAD-a i koji su izrađeni u tu svrhu.
First, Luxembourg argued that the Commission infringed the principles of sincere cooperation and impartiality, in particular by not responding to its offers to meet so as to allow Luxembourg to discuss the information provided before it took the decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure.
Luksemburg u svojim primjedbama podržava Amazonove primjedbe i zaključke i stiče da se pri kupnji udjela društva LuxSCS vrednuje samo nematerijalna imovina, odvojeno od sve ostale imovine, zadaća i rizika povezanih s djelatnošću društva Amazon.
Second, Luxembourg alleged that the Commission had not applied either the letter or the spirit of Article 12(2) of the Regulation (EU) 2015/1589, which stipulates that if the Commission finds the reply to its information requests inadequate or incomplete, it should repeat its request or even issue an information injunction.
Luksemburg tvrdi da je analizom Poreznog suda SAD-a utvrđeno da bi [4,5 – 5] % bruto prodaje robe („GMS”) bila prikladna stopa tantijema u skladu s načelom tržišnih uvjeta za nematerijalnu imovinu koja se upotrebljava za poslovanje društva Amazon u Europi, u skladu s najrelevantnijim referentnim vrijednostima.
Luxembourg also referred to Articles 5(2) and 12(3) of Regulation (EU) 2015/1589.
Luksemburg primjećuje da je društvo LuxSCS zaprimilo tantijeme od društva LuxOpCo u iznosu od [3 – 3,5] % GMS-a, što je ispod stope tantijema po tržišnim uvjetima koju je utvrdio Porezni sud SAD-a.
It observed that, in the present case, no reminder or information injunction was sent to Luxembourg.
Stoga bi, ako bi se primijenila stopa Poreznog suda SAD-a, društvo LuxOpCo društvu LuxSCS dugovalo plaćanje tantijema, čime bi se smanjio njegov oporezivi prihod u Luksemburgu.
LUXEMBOURG'S COMMENTS ON ALLEGED LEGAL ERRORS IN THE OPENING DECISION
Luksemburg stoga smatra da porezna osnovica društva LuxOpCo nije neopravdano umanjena kako je Komisija navela u svojoj odluci o pokretanju postupka te zbog toga spornim poreznim rješenjem društvu LuxOpCo nije osigurana selektivna prednost.
Luxembourg considered the Opening Decision to be vitiated by a number of legal errors.
PRIMJEDBE ZAINTERESIRANIH STRANA
First, Luxembourg considered that decision to constitute an interference of its sovereign powers in the area of direct taxation.
PRIMJEDBE DRUŠTVA AMAZON
In particular, it considered the Commission to have exceeded its powers in the field of State aid by developing and imposing its own interpretation of the arm's length principle.
PRIMJEDBE DRUŠTVA AMAZON U POGLEDU NAVODNIH PRAVNIH POGREŠAKA
In this manner, the Commission is seeking to latently harmonise direct taxation rules in breach of Articles 113 and 115 of the Treaty, since the Union can only harmonise substantive law on taxation through unanimously adopted legislative measures.
Amazon je tvrdio je Komisija neispravno utvrdila referentni okvir i da u svojoj odluci o pokretanju postupka nije dokazala selektivnost mjere.
Luxembourg drew particular attention to the specific nature and complexity of transfer pricing.
Amazon tvrdi da bi sporno porezno rješenje trebalo preispitati u odnosu na posebno pravilo nacionalnog prava i/ili administrativnu praksu, a ne u odnosu korporativni porezni sustav u cjelini.
According to the OECD TP Guidelines, the national tax authorities need certain discretion to be able to interpret the tax rules in the context of an individual case and decide whether the transfer pricing methodology used results in an acceptable transfer price.
Stoga je ispravni referentni okvir za ocjenjivanje spornog poreznog rješenja načelo tržišnih uvjeta kako je propisano u članku 164. stavku 3. i članku 18.
Luxembourg claimed that for national tax authorities to ensure legal certainty through tax rulings they need the necessary discretion without being immediately threatened that their judgement will subsequently be declared contrary to the State aid rules.
LIR-a, zajedno s relevantnom administrativnom praksom u kojoj se primjenjuju predmetne odredbe.
Luxembourg argued that it had received confirmation that its tax ruling practice is appropriate and complies with the Code of Conduct for Business Taxation and with the OECD TP Guidelines .
Društvo Amazon tvrdi da pitanje državne potpore može postojati samo ako sporno porezno rješenje odstupa od uobičajenog tumačenja i primjene načela tržišnih uvjeta u Luksemburgu.
Second, Luxembourg argued that the precedents relied upon by the Commission in the Opening Decision differ from the contested tax ruling in that they concerned schemes which contained elements leading to an advantage irrespective of the individual circumstances of taxpayers.
Društvo Amazon tvrdilo je da raširena uporaba metode rezidualne podijeljene dobiti otkrivena u bazi podataka LuxLeaks Međunarodnog konzorcija istraživačkih novinara pokazuje da sporno porezno rješenje nije odstupalo od administrativne prakse luksemburške porezne uprave.
The advantages offered under those schemes were accessible only to a certain group of companies, whereas the contested tax ruling does not concern the whole tax system, but its application to the individual case of Amazon.
Amazon je tvrdio i da Komisija nije dokazala selektivnost mjere i uputio je na slučajeve u kojima su propisana obilježja neselektivnih mjera.
Third, Luxembourg alleged that the Opening Decision lacks a selectivity analysis and, more specifically, it does not identify the reference tax system or the reference group of taxpayers with regard to which Amazon's tax treatment should be compared.
PRIMJEDBE DRUŠTVA AMAZON O DVOJBAMA NAVEDENIMA U ODLUCI O POKRETANJU POSTUPKA
Consequently, no derogation from the reference tax system applied to Amazon and advantage was identified.
Primjedbe društva Amazon o dvojbama navedenima u odluci o pokretanju postupka većinom se podudaraju s primjedbama Luksemburga jer je i ono tvrdilo da je zahtjev za izdavanje rješenja popraćen izvješćem o transfernim cijenama i da je zahtjev detaljno pregledan.
With regard to the correct reference framework, Luxembourg considered it to be the national tax law, and in particular Articles 164(3) and 18 LIR.
Društvo Amazon dalje je tvrdio da odabrana metoda određivanja transfernih cijena, podjela rezidualne dobiti, u skladu ne samo sa Smjernicama OECD-a o transfernim cijenama već i s pravilima o određivanju transfernih cijena i administrativnom praksom u Luksemburgu.
Although no specific reference is made in Article 164(3) LIR to the OECD TP Guidelines, Luxembourg transfer pricing rules and practices reflect those guidelines.
Društvo Amazon objasnilo je da se nematerijalna imovina koju društvo LuxSCS stavlja na raspolaganje društvu LuxOpCo u skladu sa Sporazumom o licenciranju sastoji od intelektualnog vlasništva, vlasničkih prava i sve druge nematerijalne imovine koja je u vlasništvu društva LuxSCS ili ju je ono razvilo u skladu sa sporazumom s povezanim društvima društva Amazon ili za koju je dobilo licenciju od povezanih društava društva Amazon ili subjekata koji su na neki drugi način povezani s društvom LuxSCS.
Luxembourg considered that national transfer pricing rules serve to ensure that corporate groups and independent enterprises are treated in the same way.
Objasnilo je ulogu društva LuxSCS u odnosu na ulogu društva LuxOpCo i tvrdilo je da je društvo LuxOpCo najmanje složeni subjekt u tom odnosu budući da je ono operativno društvo i nema vlastitih resursa, a društvo LuxSCS posjeduje, održava i razvija jedinstvene ključne pokretače vrijednosti koje je teško vrednovati.
It also pointed out that neither Article 18 nor Article 164(3) LIR differentiates between international and national transactions or between multinational and domestic groups.
Stoga se, u skladu s metodom podjele rezidualne dobiti, metoda TNMM upotrebljava u prvom koraku za utvrđivanje povrata za nejedinstvene doprinose društva LuxOpCo, koje se smatra „ispitanom strankom”.
Luxembourg insisted that the contested tax ruling has to be assessed in the light of the relevant regulatory framework in place and the economic context prevailing at the moment of granting the measure, i.e. in 2003.
Potom se rezidualna dobit u cijelosti dodjeljuje društvu LuxSCS kako bi se uzela u obzir činjenica da je njegov doprinos od ključne važnosti za europsko poslovanje.
Luxembourg noted that in 2003 the 2010 OECD TP Guidelines did not exist and no reference was made in Luxembourg law to the 1995 OECD TP Guidelines.
Društvo Amazon dodalo je da se doprinosi društva LuxSCS, za koje je dobilo naknadu kao rezultat sustava određivanja transfernih cijena odobrenog spornim poreznim rješenjem, sastoje ne samo od podlicenciranja nematerijalne imovine već i od preuzimanja rizika povezanih s radom društva LuxOpCo.
Luxembourg also specifically addressed the doubts expressed by the Commission in the Opening Decision regarding the contested tax ruling's compliance with the arm's length principle.
Stoga ono ne mora imati zaposlenike.
First, in response to the Commission's criticism that the contested tax ruling was approved in only 11 working days, Luxembourg argued that the process took much longer and involved meetings with Amazon representatives on 9 and 11 September 2003 as well as scrupulous examination by the tax authorities of the approach, Amazon's letters of 23 and 31 October 2003, and the transfer pricing report submitted by Amazon's tax adviser.
Nadalje, u situaciji u kojoj bi društvo LuxOpCo moglo imati gubitke, nematerijalna imovina licencirala bi se drugom trgovačkom društvu te stoga društvo LuxSCS ima stvarnu kontrolu nad iskorištavanjem nematerijalne imovine.
Second, Luxembourg argued that the Commission's concern that the contested tax ruling was granted in the absence of the required economic analysis is unfounded.
Naposljetku, kao vlasnik vrlo vrijedne nematerijalne imovine, društvo LuxSCS ima financijsku sposobnost apsorbirati rizike, ako bi se oni ostvarili.
A transfer pricing report was prepared to substantiate the transfer pricing arrangement proposed in the ruling request.
Društvo LuxSCS može se oslanjati i na priljev očekivanih prihoda od tantijema za financiranje budućih ulaganja u održavanje i nadogradnju nematerijalne imovine.
It contains such standard elements as a functional analysis of both parties to the transaction (LuxOpCo and LuxSCS), the description of the underlying transaction and the relevant intellectual property, as well as selection of the transfer pricing methods and an assessment of the arm's length price.
Društvo Amazon dalje je tvrdilo da bi se primjenom metode CUP na utvrđivanje fiksne stope tantijema dobili nepouzdaniji rezultati i društvo LuxOpCo izložilo bi se riziku od gubitaka te se stoga od nje odustalo.
Luxembourg explained that when the contested tax ruling was approved in 2003, Amazon's activities were new and increasing rapidly, with priority being given to long-term investment over short-term profitability.
U svakom slučaju, luksemburška porezna uprava mora početi analizu transfernih cijena na temelju metodologije koju je odabrao porezni obveznik.
In 2003, Amazon recorded a loss and it was envisaged that Amazon would continue to invest heavily in technology for the immediate future.
Društvo Amazon podsjetilo je da se primjenom metode određivanja transfernih cijena u načelu dobiva raspon brojki koje su sve jednako pouzdane.
Since online retail is an activity with low margins subject to fierce competition, Amazon's strategy was to differentiate itself through technological innovation.
Određivanje transfernih cijena nije precizna znanost i analizom transfernih cijena dobit će se niz rezultata koji su skladu s načelom tržišnih uvjeta i zaključak o jednoj cijeni po tržišnim uvjetima, a ne o jedinoj cijeni po tržišnim uvjetima.
As a consequence, the Intangibles were considered to be the essential source of value in Amazon's activities.
Nadalje, upućujući na Smjernice OECD-a o transfernim cijenama društvo Amazon tvrdilo je da je za određivanje transfernih cijena potrebno prosuđivanje.
The technology needed for the processes is highly sophisticated and continually improved through significant investment by LuxSCS.
Stoga je za izvedivost sustava oporezivanja dobiti poduzeća od ključne važnosti uključiti određeni stupanj prosudbe.
According to the functional analysis presented in the TP Report, LuxSCS is responsible for maintaining and continually developing the Intangibles; LuxOpCo manages, operates and develops the retail trade and service activities through the EU websites using the Intangibles licensed from LuxSCS.
Društvo Amazon dostavilo je ex post istraživanje o uslugama upravljanja koje je naručilo 2014. i u kojem se uspoređuju europska trgovačka društva koja obavljaju djelatnosti slične Amazonovoj usluzi upravljanja unutar društva („Istraživanje iz 2014.”).
According to Luxembourg, the economic life of the Intangibles was limited and required continual improvement and significant investment.
U Istraživanju iz 2014. tražila su se usporediva trgovačka društva koja obavljaju djelatnosti središta i djelatnosti savjetovanja u vezi s upravljanjem.
Luxembourg added that LuxOpCo has not held and does not hold any intangible assets on its own.
Traženjem usporedivih trgovačkih društava u bazi podataka Amadeus primjenom kriterija za odabir povezanih sa zemljopisnom regijom, neovisnošću trgovačkog društva, neodgovarajućim financijskim podacima i traženjem ključnih riječi u ograničenjima iz opisa poslovanja pronađeno je jedanaest trgovačkih društava za koja je porezni savjetnik smatrao da su dostatno usporediva s društvom LuxOpCo.
Under the terms of the IP License Agreement, any derived intangible asset developed by LuxOpCo is legally attributed and held by LuxSCS.
Analizom financijskih podataka odabranih trgovačkih društava za razdoblje od 2010. do 2012. utvrđen je sljedeći interkvartilni raspon pokazatelja razine dobiti, koji se definira kao operativna dobit podijeljena s ukupnim troškovima: od 1,8 % do 12,0 % sa srednjom vrijednošću od 7,0 %.
Luxembourg submitted that the contested tax ruling endorses a transfer pricing arrangement based on the TNMM to determine the level of the arm's length royalty paid by LuxOpCo to LuxSCS.
Društvo Amazon smatra da je u Istraživanju iz 2014. potvrđeno da je naknada društva LuxOpCo odobrena spornim poreznim rješenjem u skladu s tržišnim uvjetima jer se marža društva LuxOpCo kao postotak operativnih troškova samo u Luksemburgu kretala u tom rasponu tijekom cijelog predmetnog razdoblja.
The TNMM is a transfer pricing method which corresponds to Luxembourg transfer pricing rules and administrative practice.
Društvo Amazon branilo je i trajanje valjanosti spornog poreznog rješenja.
It is commonly used in tax rulings in Luxembourg and accepted by the 1995 OECD TP Guidelines.
Kako bi potkrijepilo svoju tvrdnju da bi nakon financijske krize iz 2008. preispitivanje rješenja najvjerojatnije dovelo do smanjenja naknade društva LuxOpCo, društvo Amazon dostavilo je ex post izvješće o transfernim cijenama koje je naručilo 2012. („ex post izvješće o transfernim cijenama iz 2012.”) u kojem su navedeni financijski rezultati trgovačkih društava koja su se koristila tijekom traženja usporedivih društava iz Izvješća o transfernim cijenama.
The acceptance of the TNMM by the Luxembourg tax administration reflected the functional analysis included in the transfer pricing report: LuxSCS holds, maintains and develops the business' most strategic elements, namely the Intangibles, which are hard to value.
Tri trgovačka društva iz izvornog skupa usporedivih trgovačkih društava koja su se koristila u Izvješću o transfernim cijenama kasnije više nisu postojala, a sljedeća tri nisu se smatrala usporedivima ili o njima nije bilo dosta podataka.
Luxembourg further argues that according to the License Agreement LuxOpCo only has limited rights and responsibilities with regards to the Intangibles and does not hold any IP itself.
Na temelju tih rezultata društvo Amazon tvrdilo je da je naknada društva LuxOpCo tijekom predmetnog razdoblja bila u rasponu po tržišnim uvjetima.
As a consequence, LuxSCS has viable alternatives for using the Intangibles to create a prosperous business; LuxOpCo, on the other hand, does not have any such alternatives.
Naposljetku, društvo Amazon tvrdilo je da, čak i ako Komisija zaključi da porezno rješenje čini državnu potvrdu, neće postojati pravna osnova za povrat navodne potpore od društva Amazon.