TMI Blog2015 (11) TMI 64X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... of the net margin as contemplated by the provisions of Sec.92C of the Act, if the Assessee is entitled to such adjustment as a result of exclusion of the comparable companies. - IT(TP)A No.1223/Bang/2013, IT(TP)A Nos.1106/Bang/2013 - - - Dated:- 30-9-2015 - SHRI N.V. VASUDEVAN, JUDICIAL MEMBER AND SHRI ABRAHAM P. GEORGE, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER For The Revenue : Shri G.R. Reddy, CIT-I(DR) For The Assessee : Shri T. Suryanarayana, Advocate ORDER Per N.V. Vasudevan, Judicial Member These are appeals filed by the Revenue as well as the assessee against the order dated 9.5.2013 of CIT(Appeals)-IV, Bangalore relating to assessment year 2008-09. 2. The issue that arises for consideration in these appeals are relating to the addition made to the total income consequent to determination of Arm s Length Price (ALP) in respect of international transaction entered into by the Assessee with it s Associated Enterprises (AE) u/s.92 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 [the Act]. The addition made consequent to determination of ALP by the TPO and addition on account of transfer pricing adjustment was a sum of ₹ 7,20,13,370 which was substantially reduced by the CIT(A) in the ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... 8 Kals Information Systems Ltd. (Seg.) 41.94 9 LGS Global Ltd. 27.52 10 Mindtree Ltd. (Seg) 16.41 11 Persistent Systems Ltd. 20.31 12 Quintegra Solution Ltd. 21.74 13 R Systems International (Seg) 5.30 14 R S Software (India) Ltd. 7.41 15 Sasken Communication Technologies Ltd. (Seg) 7.58 16 Tala Elxsi (Seg) 18.97 17 Thirdware Solution Ltd. 19.35 18 Wipro Ltd. (Seg) 28.45 19 Softsol India Ltd. 17.89 20 Lucid Software Ltd. 16.50 Arithmetic Mean 23.65 6 ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... LGS Global Ltd. 26.66% 25.93% 4 Quintegra Solution Ltd. 23.06% 20.35% 5 R S Software (India) Ltd. 6.46% 7.73% 6 R Systems International Ltd. (Seg.) 16.87% 15.02% 7 Thirdware Solution Ltd. 21.92% 20.11% 8 Softsol India Ltd. 15.16% 13.22% 9 Lucid Software Ltd. 16.88% 16.79% Average 9.36% 15.92% 8. On giving effect to the CIT(A) s order, the Assessee s margin of 10.48% would be within the range of + / - 5% of the working capital adjusted arithmetic mean of the comparables. 9. The grounds primarily urged in the assessee s appeal are as follows:- (i) The CIT(A) erred in not rejecting those companies which are functionally dissimilar to the ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... by the learned Authorised Representative that this company is engaged in e-Business Consulting Services , consisting of Web Strategy Services, I T design services and in Technology Consulting Services including product development consulting services. These services, the learned Authorised Representative contends, are high end ITES normally categorised as knowledge process Outsourcing ( KPO ) services. It is further submitted that this company has not provided segmental data in its Annual Report. The learned Authorised Representative submits that since the Annual Report of the company does not contain detailed descriptive information on the business of the company, the assessee places reliance on the details available on the company s website which should be considered while evaluating the company s functional profile. It is also submitted by the learned Authorised Representative that KPO services are not comparable to software development services and therefore companies rendering KPO services ought not to be considered as comparable to software development companies and relied on the decision of the co-ordinate bench in the case of Capital IQ Information Systems (India) (P) Ltd. ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... tware Solutions Ltd. (supra) and hence on this ground also, the aforesaid three companies should be excluded. 15. We have considered his submission and find that these three companies have been held to be functionally not comparable with a software development service provider such as the Assessee in the case of 3DPLM Software Solutions Ltd. (supra). The following were the relevant observations of the Tribunal: 11.0 Infosys Technologies Ltd. 11.1 This was a comparable selected by the TPO. Before the TPO, the assessee objected to the inclusion of the company in the set of comparables, on the grounds of turnover and brand attributable profit margin. The TPO, however, rejected these objections raised by the assessee on the grounds that turnover and brand aspects were not materially relevant in the software development segment. 11.2 Before us, the learned Authorised Representative contended that this company is not functionally comparable to the assessee in the case on hand. The learned Authorised Representative drew our attention to various parts of the Annual Report of this company to submit that this company commands substantial brand value, owns intellectual property r ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... has brought on record sufficient evidence to establish that this company is functionally dis-similar and different from the assessee and hence is not comparable and the finding rendered in the case of Trilogy E-Business Software India Pvt. Ltd. (supra) for Assessment Year 2007-08 is applicable to this year also. We are inclined to concur with the argument put forth by the assessee that Infosys Technologies Ltd is not functionally comparable since it owns significant intangible and has huge revenues from software products. It is also seen that the break up of revenue from software services and software products is not available. In this view of the matter, we hold that this company ought to be omitted from the set of comparable companies. It is ordered accordingly. 13. Tata Elxsi Ltd. 13.1 This company was a comparable selected by the TPO. Before the TPO, the assessee had objected to the inclusion of this company in the set of comparables on several counts like, functional dis-similarity, significant R D activity, brand value, size, etc. The TPO, however, rejected the contention put forth by the assessee and included this company in the set of comparables. 13.2 Befor ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... a Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. V ACIT (ITA No.7821/Mum/2011) has held that Tata Elxsi Ltd. is not a software development service provider and therefore it is not functionally comparable. In this context the relevant portion of this order is extracted and reproduced below :- . Tata Elxsi is engaged in development of niche product and development services which is entirely different from the assessee company. We agree with the contention of the learned Authorised Representative that the nature of product developed and services provided by this company are different from the assessee as have been narrated in para 6.6 above. Even the segmental details for revenue sales have not been provided by the TPO so as to consider it as a comparable party for comparing the profit ratio from product and services. Thus, on these facts, we are unable to treat this company as fit for comparability analysis for determining the arm s length price for the assessee, hence, should be excluded from the list of comparable portion. As can be seen from the extracts of the Annual Report of this company produced before us, the facts pertaining to Tata Elxsi have not changed from Assessment Year 2007 ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... statements. 12.3 Per contra, the learned Departmental Representative supported the action of the TPO in including this company in the list of comparables. 12.4 We have heard both parties and carefully perused and considered the material on record. We find merit in the contentions of the assessee for exclusion of this company from the set of comparables. It is seen that this company is engaged both in software development and product development services. There is no information on the segmental bifurcation of revenue from sale of product and software services. The TPO appears to have adopted this company as a comparable without demonstrating how the company satisfies the software development sales 75% of the total revenue filter adopted by him. Another major flaw in the comparability analysis carried out by the TPO is that he adopted comparison of the consolidated financial statements of Wipro with the stand alone financials of the assessee; which is not an appropriate comparison. 12.5 We also find that this company owns intellectual property in the form of registered patents and several pending applications for grant of patents. In this regard, the co-ordinate bench of th ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ference, we may refer to the decision of this Bench in the case of Trilogy e-business Software India Pvt. Ltd. v. DCIT, ITA No.1054/Bang/2011 dated 23.11.2012, the relevant observations therein are as follows:- (1) Turnover Filter 11. The ld. counsel for the assessee submitted that the TPO has applied a lower turnover filter of ₹ 1 crore, but has not chosen to apply any upper turnover limit. In this regard, it was submitted by him that under rule 10B(3) to the Income-tax Rules, it was necessary for comparing an uncontrolled transaction with an international transaction that there should not be any difference between the transactions compared or the enterprises entering into such transaction, which are likely to materially affect the price or cost charged or paid or profit arising from such transaction in the open market. Further it is also necessary to see that wherever there are some differences such differences should be capable of reasonable accurate adjustment in monetary terms to eliminate the effect of such differences. It was his submission that size was an important facet of the comparability exercise. It was submitted that significant differences in size o ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Bench in the case of Genesis Integrating Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. v. DCIT, ITA No.1231/Bang/2010, wherein relying on Dun and Bradstreet s analysis, the turnover of ₹ 1 crore to ₹ 200 crores was held to be proper. The following relevant observations were brought to our notice:- 9. Having heard both the parties and having considered the rival contentions and also the judicial precedents on the issue, we find that the TPO himself has rejected the companies which .ire (sic) making losses as comparables. This shows that there is a limit for the lower end for identifying the comparables. In such a situation, we are unable to understand as to why there should not be an upper limit also. What should be upper limit is another factor to be considered. We agree with the contention of the learned counsel for the assessee that the size matters in business. A big company would be in a position to bargain the price and also attract more customers. It would also have a broad base of skilled employees who are able to give better output. A small company may not have these benefits and therefore, the turnover also would come down reducing profit margin. Thus, as held by the various b ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... rises, and shall include a mutual agreement or arrangement between two or more associated enterprises for the allocation or apportionment of, or any contribution to, any cost or expense incurred or to be incurred in connection with a benefit, service or facility provided or to be provided to any one or more of such enterprises. Sec.92- A defines what is an Associated Enterprise. In the present case there is no dispute that the transaction between the Assessee and its AE was an international transaction attracting the provisions of Sec.92 of the Act. Sec.92C provides the manner of computation of Arm s length price in an international transaction and it provides:- (1) that the arm s length price in relation to an international transaction shall be determined by any of the following methods, being the most appropriate method, having regard to the nature of transaction or class of transaction or class of associated persons or functions performed by such persons or such other relevant factors as the Board may prescribe, namely :- (a) comparable uncontrolled price method; (b) resale price method; (c) cost plus method; (d) profit split method; (e) transactional net margi ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... to with an associated enterprise is computed in relation to costs incurred or sales effected or assets employed or to be employed by the enterprise or having regard to any other relevant base; (ii) the net profit margin realised by the enterprise or by an unrelated enterprise from a comparable uncontrolled transaction or a number of such transactions is computed having regard to the same base; (iii) the net profit margin referred to in subclause (ii) arising in comparable uncontrolled transactions is adjusted to take into account the differences, if any, between the international transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions, or between the enterprises entering into such transactions, which could materially affect the amount of net profit margin in the open market; (iv) the net profit margin realised by the enterprise and referred to in sub-clause (i) is established to be the same as the net profit margin referred to in sub-clause (iii); (v) the net profit margin thus established is then taken into account to arrive at an arm s length price in relation to the international transaction. (2) For the purposes of sub-rule (1), the comparability of an internati ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... is regard we find that the provisions of law pointed out by the ld. counsel for the assessee as well as the decisions referred to by the ld. counsel for the assessee clearly lay down the principle that the turnover filter is an important criteria in choosing the comparables. The assessee s turnover is ₹ 47,46,66,638. It would therefore fall within the category of companies in the range of turnover between 1 crore and 200 crores (as laid down in the case of Genesis Integrating Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. v. DCIT, ITA No.1231/Bang/2010) . Thus, companies having turnover of more than 200 crores have to be eliminated from the list of comparables as laid down in several decisions referred to by the ld. counsel for the assessee. Applying those tests, the following companies will have to be excluded from the list of 26 comparables drawn by the TPO viz., Turnover Rs. (1) Flextronics Software Systems Ltd. 848.66 crores (2) iGate Global Solutions Ltd. 747.27 crores (3) Mindtree Ltd. 590.39 crores ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... the decision of the co-ordinate bench of this Tribunal in the assessee s own case for Assessment Year 2007-08 (supra); (iii) The co-ordinate bench of this Tribunal in its order in the case of Trilogy E-Business Software India Pvt. Ltd. (supra) at para 43 thereof had observed about this company that .. As explained earlier, it is a diversified company and therefore cannot be considered as comparable functionally with the assessee. There has been no attempt to identify, eliminate and make adjustment of the profit margins so that the difference in functional comparability can be eliminated. By not resorting to such a process of making adjustments, the TPO has rendered this company as not qualifying for comparability. We therefore accept the plea of the assessee in this regard. (iv) The rejection / exclusion of this company as a comparable for Assessment Year 2007-08 for software service providers has been upheld by the co-ordinate benches of this Tribunal in the cases of LG Soft India Pvt. Ltd. in ITA No.112/Bang/2011, CSR India Pvt. Ltd. in IT(TP)A No.1119/Bang/2011 and by the ITAT, Delhi Bench in the case of Transwitch India Pvt. Ltd. in ITA No.6083/Del/2010. (v) T ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... td. (supra). In view of the fact that the functional profile of and other parameters of this company have not changed in this year under consideration, which fact has also been demonstrated by the assessee, following the decision of the co-ordinate benches of the Tribunal in the assessee s own case for Assessment Year 2007-08 in ITA No.845/Bang/2011 and Trilogy E-Business Software India Pvt. Ltd. in ITA No.1054/Bang/2011, we hold that this company ought to be omitted form the list of comparables. The A.O./TPO are accordingly directed. 21. Respectfully following the aforesaid decision, we uphold the order of the CIT(A) excluding the aforesaid companies from the list of comparable companies chosen by the TPO. 22. Grounds No.4 to 6 raised by the revenue do not arise for consideration at all because the CIT(A) did not exclude any of the comparable chosen by the TPO by applying any of the criteria as contended in the aforesaid grounds by the revenue. Hence, these grounds are held to be not arising out of the order of the CIT(A). 23. As far as ground Nos. 7 8 raised by the revenue are concerned it projects the grievance of the revenue in the action of the CIT(A) in excluding ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... was also submitted that this company has been held to be functionally not comparable to the assessee by a co-ordinate bench of this Tribunal in the assessee s own case for Assessment Year 2007-08 in ITA No.845/Bang/2011 dt.22.2.2013. 7.3 The learned Authorised Representative further submitted that the facts pertaining to this company has not changed from the earlier year (i.e. Assessment Year 2007-08) to the period under consideration (i.e. Assessment Year 2008-09). In support of this contention, it was submitted that :- (i) The extract from the Website of the company clearly indicates that it is primarily engaged in development of software products. The extract mentions that this company offers customised solutions and services in different areas; (ii) The Website of this company evidences that this company develops and sells customizable software solutions like DX Change, CARMA, etc. 7.4 The learned Authorised Representative submitted that a co-ordinate bench of the Tribunal in its order in Curram Software International Pvt. Ltd., in its order in ITA No.1280/Bang/2012 dt.31.7.2013 has remanded the matter back to the file of the Assessing Officer / TPO to examine the ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... he year under consideration is similar to that of the earlier Assessment Year 2007-08. In view of facts as discussed above, we deem it fit to remand the matter back to the file of the Assessing Officer / TPO to examine the comparability of this company afresh by considering the above observations. The TPO is directed to make available to the assessee information obtained under section 133(6) of the Act and to afford the assessee adequate opportunity of being heard and to make its submissions in the matter, which shall be duly considered before passing orders thereon. It is ordered accordingly. The learned Authorised Representative submits that this company was selected as a comparable by the TPO not by any FAR analysis or as per the search process conducted by the TPO, but only as an additional comparable for the reason that it was selected as a comparable in the earlier year i.e. Assessment Year 2007-08 on the basis of information obtained under section 133(6) of the Act. In this regard, the learned Authorised Representative took us through the relevant portions of the TP order under section 92CA of the Act and the show cause notices for both the earlier year i.e. Assessment ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... finding excluding it from the list of comparables rendered in the immediately preceding year is applicable in this year also. Since the functional profile and other parameters by this company have not undergone any change during the year under consideration which fact has been demonstrated by the assessee, following the decisions of the co-ordinate benches of this Tribunal in the assessee s own case for Assessment Year 2007-08 in ITA No.845/Bang/2011 dt.22.2.2013, and in the case of Trilogy EBusiness Software India Pvt. Ltd. (ITA No.1054/Bang/2011), we direct the A.O./TPO to omit this company from the list of comparables. .. 10. KALS Information Systems Ltd. 10.1 This is a comparable selected by the TPO. Before the TPO, the assessee had objected to the inclusion of this company in the set of comparables on grounds of functional differences and that the segmental details have not been provided in the Annual Report of the company with respect to software services revenue and software products revenue. The TPO, however, rejected the objections of the assessee observing that the software products and training constitutes only 4.24% of total revenues and the revenue from so ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... herefore there cannot be an assumption that it would continue to be applicable to the year under consideration i.e. A.Y. 2008-09. To this, the counter argument of the learned Authorised Representative is that the functional profile of this company continues to remain the same for the year under consideration also and the same is evident from the details culled out from the Annual Report and quoted above (supra). 10.4 We have heard both parties and perused and carefully considered the material on record. We find from the record that the TPO has drawn conclusions as to the comparability of this company to the assessee based on information obtained u/s.133(6) of the Act. This information which was not in the public domain ought not to have been used by the TPO, more so when the same is contrary to the Annual Report of the company, as pointed out by the learned Authorised Representative. We also find that the co-ordinate benches of this Tribunal in the assessee s own case for Assessment Year 2007-08 (supra) and in the case of Trilogy E-Business Software India Pvt. Ltd. (supra) have held that this company was developing software products and was not purely or mainly a software servic ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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