TMI Blog2023 (1) TMI 258X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ed upon by the learned TPO, these are usual features of legally guarded business quotations, and the presence of such rider do not vitiate the nature of quotation for indicating approximate prevailing rates. Nothing, therefore, turns on this cautious language which is quite common in the commercial documents anyway, either. In this view of the matter, we are unable to see any legally sustainable merits in the objections taken by the authorities below to the yield spread approach adopted by the assessee. The rejection of this method does not, therefore, meet our approval. As for the quotations obtained from HDFC Bank and State Bank of India, these quotations are for the bank guarantees simplicitor and not corporate guarantees given to ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... the assessment year 2013-14. 2. Grievances raised by the parties, which are interconnected and will be taken up together, are as follows:- Grievances raised by the assessee Gurantee Commission charged in respect of corporate gurantee provided on behalf of Associated Enterprises. 1. erred in confirming the order of the AO/TPO in treating the guarantee given by Appellant to banks for giving loan to its Associated Enterprises as International Transaction within the meaning of Section 92B r.w.s. 92(1) of the Act. 2. erred in determining the ALP of gurantee commission at 0.50% p.a. given by the Appellant on behalf of its Associated Enterprises instead of 0.35% as determined by the Appellant. Grievances raised by t ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... e of 0.5% without adopting any of the methods prescribed in Section 92C which is violation of law? 5. The appellant prays that the order of the CIT(A) on the above grounds be set-aside and that of the Assessing Officer be restored. 6. The appellant craves leave to amend or alter any ground or add a new ground which may be necessary. 3. The relevant material facts are as follows. The assessee before us is a company engaged in the business of port infrastructure facilities and engineering, construction and consultancy services etc. During the relevant previous year, the assessee entered into several international transactions with it‟s associated enterprises abroad. When ascertainment of the arm‟s length price came ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... is reiterated that the above does not constitute any commitment or offer by the bank or its affiliates to extend credit to or to arrange financing on these or any other terms. Any such commitment can only be made after obtaining the relevant internal approvals by us, conduct and completion of satisfactory due diligence and documentation. The purpose of this letter is merely to facilitate further discussions between RPTL and the bank. Accordingly, we have the right to change these indicative terms and/or withdraw from further negotiations . 4. The learned Transfer Pricing Officer further noted, in view of the above, the relevant information has been requisitioned from HDFC Bank and State Bank of India which have quoted 1.80% and 1.08% ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... . The issue remained for consideration is as to what would be the arm's length price for issuing the corporate guarantee in question. Appellant has benchmarked the transaction at 35 basis points i.e. 0.35% p.a, based on a letter for quotation from Royal Bank of Scotland, wherein they have stated that potential financing for Appellant's associates is expected to carry an interest pricing differential of 70 basis points to a similar direct facility for Appellant in that jurisdiction. The said interest pricing differential was apportioned between Appellant and its AE in 50:50 ratio, thereby calculating 35 bps. I have perused the said letter and I agree with the contention of the TPO that the same is dated 1s' April 2013 and h ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... on between with guarantee and without guarantee interest rates, and, at the end of the day, the rate differential is an approximation-no matter how scientific or reasonable it is. If the rate differential between these two rates of interest is 70bps at the end of the relevant previous year, it is reasonable to proceed on the basis that such a differential would also prevail during the relevant previous year. The stand of the authorities below on this point, is thus not legally sustainable. As for the riders placed in quote, which have been extracted above and which have been heavily relied upon by the learned TPO, these are usual features of legally guarded business quotations, and the presence of such rider do not vitiate the nature of quo ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
|
