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2018 (4) TMI 636 - AT - Income TaxTPA - determination of the ALP of the international transactions - computation of mark up - Re-characterizing the Distribution activities of Appellant to a Service Provider - Held that:- In the case before us, there is no difference between the form and substance of the transaction of distribution to recharacterise the transaction as a service agreement. As per the agreement, the AE is entitled to a specified percentage of the distributor’s sales revenue less operating costs/expenses of the distributor. Since the assessee had no revenue left after reducing the operating cost/expenses, the AE was not paid any percentage. The revenue generated by selling the goods is retained by the assessee. The TPO has instead computed the mark up on the operating cost of the assessee to determine the ALP and brought the notional income to tax which is not justified. Therefore, the additional grounds of appeal are allowed. As regards the applicability of the provisions of section 92(3) is the contention of the assessee that if the transaction is taken as distribution as agreed to between the parties, then the TP analysis would go to increase the loss. If the provisions of section 92(3) would apply, then the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2A) of section 92 would not be attracted. Since, we have already held that the transaction is a distribution transaction and not service agreement, then the TP analysis has to be done afresh and then it has to be seen if the provisions of section 92(3) would apply. Additional grounds of appeal raised by the assessee are allowed and AO/TPO is directed to conduct fresh TP analysis by treating the assessee’s transaction as a distribution agreement and by determining the most appropriate method afresh and after allowing the necessary adjustments. If the loss declared by the assessee is increased by such TP study, then no TP adjustment can be made as provided in section 92(3) of the Act. - Decided partly in favour of assessee
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