M/S. SHELL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL B.V.,MUMBAI vs. DY CIT (INTERNATIONAL TAXATION)-4(2)(1), MUMBAI

The present appeal has been filed by the assessee against the final assessment order dated 30.04.2021, passed under section 143(3) r/w section 144C(13) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ("the Act") by the Assessing Officer for the assessment year 2017–18.

2. In this appeal, the assessee has raised following grounds:–

M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021

“Based on the facts and circumstances of the case, Shell Information Technology International BV (hereinafter referred to as 'SITI By' or 'the Appellant') craves leave to prefer an appeal against the order passed by the Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (International Taxation), Range - 4(2)(1), Mumbai [hereinafter referred to as the learned AU'] under section 143(3) read with section 144C(13) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act'), in pursuance of the directions issued by the Hon'ble Dispute Resolution Panel-2, (hereinafter referred to as the Hon'ble DRP') on the following grounds , each of which are without prejudice to one another: On the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the learned AU based on the directions of the Hon'ble DRP: General

1. Erred in assessing the total income at Rs. 2,50,20,50,998 as against Rs. NIL total income offered in return of income by the Appellant; Receipts towards IT support services does not constitute income'

2. Erred in holding that the payments received by the Appellant constitutes 'income' without appreciating that the appellant works only on cost - only arrangement and the receipts were reimbursements being in the nature of cost allocation without markup and hence does not constitute income' under section 2(24) of the Act; Receipts towards IT Support services held as 'Fees for Technical Services' ('FTS') under the Act as well as India-Netherlands DTAA

3. Erred in holding that payments of Rs. 2,50,20,50,998 received by the Appellant for IT Support Services constitutes 'FTS' under the provisions of the Act and under Article 12 of the India- Netherlands DTAA;

4. Failed to appreciate that IT support services do not make available any technical knowledge, experience, skill, know-how or processes, etc. to the service recipient under Article 12(5)(b) of the India-Netherlands DTAA and hence not subject to tax in India;

5. Failed to also appreciate that IT support services are not for providing specialized technical inputs or any technical services which are ancillary and subsidiary to the application / enjoyment of the any right / property I information and hence cannot be termed as FTS under Article 12(5)(a) of the India-Netherlands DTAA and hence not subject to tax in India; Receipts towards IT Support services held as 'Royalty' under the Act as well as India-Netherlands DTAA

M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021

6. Erred in holding that payments of Rs. 2,50.20,50,998 received by the Appellant for IT Suppoi Services constitutes 'Royalty' under the provisions of the Act and under Article 12(4) of the India- i Netherlands DTAA without appreciating the fact that receipts towards IT support services are not for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience; 7. Failed to appreciate and ignored the fact, that pursuant to Appellant's objections, the Hon‟ble DRP in its directions have held that IT support services would not fall under Royalty'; Short granting of credit for Tax Deducted at source (TDS) 8. Erred in not granting the TDS credit of Rs. 6,50,837. Interest under section 234B of the Act 9. Erred in levying interest under section 234B of the Act without appreciating the facts and circumstances of the case. The Appellant craves leave to add, alter, omit or substitute any or all of the above grounds of appeal, at any time before or at the time of the appeal.”

M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021 Services like troubleshooting, workstation support, WAN Services, LAN Services, Tele and Video Conference Services, Run and Maintenance Services to Shell Group entities worldwide. During the year under consideration, the assessee, inter–alia, received Rs.250,20,50,998, towards IT support services. During the course of assessment proceedings, the assessee was asked to show cause as to why the receipts towards IT support services should not be treated as Fee for Technical Services under the Act as well as under the DTAA, as has been done in orders for the assessment year 2009–10, till the assessment year 2015–16. In reply, the assessee submitted that it works on a “cost – only” arrangement i.e., the common cost incurred by the company for various support services are charged to Shell entities availing such services. The assessee further submitted that the costs are allocated to the entities availing the services on the basis of appropriate allocation keys depending upon the nature of costs incurred. These costs are not mark–up and are charged to the cost sharers on the basis of actual costs incurred by the assessee. Without prejudice to the aforesaid submissions, the assessee further submitted that income received from Indian customers in respect of services of providing IT Support Services, Help Desk Services and Network Excess and related services provided by the assessee do not fall in the purview of “Royalty” under Article 12(5)(a) of the DTAA. It was also contended that these services do not “make available” technical knowledge experience, etc., to Indian customers to fall in purview of Fee for Technical Services under Article 12(5)(b) of the DTAA. The Assessing Officer vide draft assessment

M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021 order dated 23.12.2019, passed under section 144C(1) of the Act did not agree with the submissions of the assessee and held that the payment received by the assessee towards IT support services are in the nature of Fee for Technical Services as well as in the nature of Royalty under the Act as well as under the DTAA.

5. Being aggrieved, the assessee filed detailed objections before the Learned Dispute Resolution Panel (“learned DRP”). Vide directions dated 17.03.2021, issued under section 144C(5) of the Act, learned DRP, inter– alia, after noting that the facts of the relevant assessment year are similar to the earlier assessment year, rejected the objections raised by the assessee and held that payment towards IT support services is in the nature of Fee for Technical Services under the provisions of the Act and the DTAA, following its directions issued for the assessment year 2016–17. The learned DRP further held that IT support services could not fall under “Royalty” in the instant case.

9. We have considered the rival submissions and perused the material available on record. We find that the Co–ordinate Bench of the Tribunal in assessee‟s own case in Shell Information Technology International, B.V. v/s DCIT, in ITA no.6638/Mum./2019, vide order dated 06.03.2020, for assessment year 2016-17, inter–alia, while holding that the payment received by the assessee towards IT support services does not constitute Fee for Technical Services under the provisions of the Act as well as under Article–12 of the DTAA, observed as under:–

“9. We have perused the material on record including the decisions of the coordinate Benches of the Tribunal relied upon by the Ld. counsel. As pointed out by the Ld. counsel, the coordinate Benches have decided the identical issue in favour of the assessee in the assessee‟s appeals pertaining to the AYs 2011-12 to 2014-15. We further notice that Ground No. 5 and 6 of the present appeal are identical to the assessee‟s appeal for the AY 2015-16 and the coordinate Bench has decided the said issue in favour of the assessee by following the decision of the Tribunal in assessee‟s own appeals pertaining to the earlier assessment years. The findings of the coordinate Bench are as under:- 7. Coming to Ground Nos. 5 and 6 of Grounds of appeal

, Ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that these grounds relates to receipts towards IT support services held as FTS under the Act as well as the India Netherlands DTAA, and it was decided in favour of the assessee for the A.Y.2011-12 to 2014-15 by the Tribunal. Copy of the order is placed on record.

8. Ld. DR vehemently supported the orders of the authorities below.

M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021

Payments towards IT Support fees held in be Fees for Technical Services 'FTS') and royalty.

4. Erred in holding that payments received by the Appellant for IT support DTAA.

5. Failed to appreciate that IT support services do not 'make available any technical knowledge, skill, experience etc.to the services recipient under Article 12 of the India-Netherlands DTAA and hence not subject to tax in India.

6. Erred in alternatively holding that the receipt from IT - support services qualify as Royalty' under the IndiaNetherlands DTAA."

8. The facts and circumstances are exactly identical in both the AYrs i.e. 2009-10 and 2010-11 and also the grounds raised are identically worded hence, we will take- the facts from 2009-10.

9. The learned Counsel for the assessee, first of all, took us through the findings of the DRP on the issue which is recorded in Para 53 as under: "5.3 Discussions and directions of DRP 5.3.1 We have considered the draft assessment order, submissions of assessee and material. We have seen that under the Master Services Agreement, the assessee SITI BV has furnished technical and advisory services to various clients based in India. The delineated services are significantly technical in nature and the resultant fees are liable to be treated as Fees for Technical Services. We are also in agreement with the AO that the Ruling of Hon'ble Authority for Advance Rulings in the case of ARE VA T&D India Limited (A TD/L) is applicable in the case of assessee. In this case, the Aar held as below: "We have noted that under- the IT Agreement, the French company is to provide support services through a central team in the area of Information Technology to the Applicant and to its other subsidiaries in the world. The provision of support services by the French company would 'itself make available, the technical knowledge/ experience to the Applicant.

M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021 In Porfetti Van Melle Holdings B.V1 this Authority held the view that the expression 'in available only means that the recipient of the service should be in a position to derive an enduring benefit and be in a position to utilize the knowledge or knowhow in future on his own". Here, information technology relating to design, engineering, manufacturing and supply of electric equipment that help in transmission and distribution of power, commissioning and servicing of tr'1nernv ion and distribution system is provided to the Indian entity Which is applied in running the business of the Applicant and the employees of the Applicant would got equipped to carry on the systems on their own without reference to the French Company, when the IT Agreement comes to an end. It is not as if for making available, the recipient must also be conveyed specifically the right to continue the practice put into effect and adopted under the agreement on its expiry. We are of the view that the services provided under the IT agreement are in the nature of Fees for Technical Services and taxable under' the DTAA as well as under the Act. Though the ruling is technically not binding in the present case, the 7 ratio and logic followed by the Hon'ble Authority have very high degree of persuasive value. in any case, this technical know-how is of an enduring nature and has a direct nexus with the assessees business. 5.3.2 considering the above factual and leg& matrix we are of the opinion that the action of the AO in treating the above receipt is fee for technical services does not require any interference The alternate arguments on taxability of the receipt as royalty do not require any direction from the penal as we have already upheld the taxability of the services as "fees for included service”.

10. The learned Counsel for the assessee explained the facts that the SITI BV is a company registered in the Netherlands. SIT! BV is in the business of providing information technology (IT') support services. During the financial year ended 31.03.2006 SIT! BV provided IT (mobile office) support services, IT helpdesk and network infrastructure related services to: Indian customers. SITI BV is a tax resident of the Netherland and is eligible to claim benefits under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement entered into between India and The Netherlands. He explained that SITI BV is in the business of providing information technology support services SITI BV typically, provides helpdesk services-and network infrastructure services to Shell group companies comprising. Information Technology (II) support for solving any IT related problems faced by users i e any problem faced by users for accessing any application software c-mails, Computer repairs and maintenance etc. desktop laptop and workstation support, Services related to Wide area network ('WAN') arid Local area network ('LAN') for connection to the global servers', and Facilitating teleconferencing and video conferencing services Further, in the event Shell requires IT services from external service providers like WIPRO and IBM SITI BV is engaged in providing the necessary network access

M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021 and related services as well. For this purpose, reference can be made to the scope of services to be rendered by SITI BV to WIPRO under the Services Agreement (copy of which is enclosed in the paper book of the assessee) and from the same Article 3 is reproduced below: Article 3 - Provision of Services SITI BV shall provide the IT Service Provider with the service." Further, 'Service' has been defined in Article I - Definitions as 'the combined Sub-services provided by S/TI BV to she IT Services Provider wider this Agreement, which Sub-services include the (if Services, the STO Services and she provision by S/TI BV to the IT Service Provider and Service Personnel of access to and/or use -of GI software and/or Optional Software….

11. Further, SIT! BV is company incorporated in The Netherlands. SITI BV is a tax resident of The Netherlands eligible to claim the benefits, conferred by the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement entered into between India and The Netherlands (Treaty'). Section 90 of the Act read with the Circulars and several judicial precedents issued thereunder provide that a non-resident taxpayer is eligible to be assessed as per the provisions of the Act or as per the provisions of the relevant double taxation avoidance agreement, whichever is more beneficial. SIT! BV is a nonresident for Indian tax purposes. Accordingly, SITI BV could be assessed as per the provisions of the Actor as per the Treaty, whichever is more beneficial to SIT! By. IN view of the same, the non-taxability of the services rendered by SITI BV has been examined under the provisions of the Treaty. Article 12(4) of the Treaty defines the term. "Payments of any kind received as a consideration for the use, or the right to use, any copyright of literacy, artistic or scientific work including cinematograph films, any patent, trade mark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience.' 12. From the above, it is clear that SITI BV is engaged in providing IT services to Indian entities but does not provide any right to use any copyright of literary, artistic or scientific work including cinematograph films, any patent, trade mark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience. Even under the agreements entered into with WIPRO and IBM, SITI BV only provides them access to the software i.e. computer Programme. SITI BV does not provide them the right to use the copyright embedded in the software. In other words, WIPRO, IBM are not permitted to make copies and sell the software. Under the Services Agreements, WIPRO and IBM-have been granted the mere under the right in the copyrighted software and not the right of, use of copyright'. Whereas use of copyright' encompasses exploitation of the rights embedded in a copyright but a mere user right is a limited right and consideration paid for Such user right cannot be regarded as M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021

consideration for use of or right to use a copyright. In view of the above, the learned Counsel for the assessee stated that the issue is fully covered by the decision of Hon'ble Delhi High Court in the case of DIT Vs Guy Carpenter & Co Ltd (2012) 20 taxmann.com 807 (DelHC), wherein India-UK DTAA was under consideration of Hon„ble Delhi High Court and Hon'ble High Court after considering the Article 13 of the DTAA of India-UK and also the facts of the assessee finally held the concept of 'make available' of technical services that such receipts would not amount to fee for technical services so as to the "concept of make available clause' contained in Article l3(4)() of the treaty has not been satisfied In the given facts and circumstances of the case Hon„ble Delhi High Court vide Para 8 to 13 held as under: - "8. Before we go on to examine the findings of the Tribunal it would be pertinent to refer to article 13 of the DTAA to the extent it is relevant :- "ARTICLE 13- Royalties and fees for technical services-

1. 1. Royalties and fees for technical services arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

2. However, such royalties and fees for technical services may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which they arise and according to the law of that Stale; but if the beneficial owner of the royalties or fees for technical services is a resident of the other Contracting State, the tax so charged shall not exceed: (a) In the case of royalties within paragraph 3 (a) of this Articles, and fees for technical services within paragraphs 4 (a) and (c) of this Article,- (i) during the first five years for which this Convention has effect; (aa) 15% of the gross amount of such royalties or fees for technical services when the payer of the royalties or fees for technical services is the Govern rent of the first mentioned Contracting State or a political sub-division of that State and (bb) 20% of the gross amount of such royalties or fees for technical services in all other cases; and ( ii) during subsequent years 15% of the gross amount of such royalties or fees for technical services; and (b) in the case of royalties within paragraph 3(b) of this Article and fees for technical services defined in paragraph 4(b) of this Article, 10% of the gross amount of such royalties and fees for technical services.

3** ** **

(4) For the purpose of paragraph 2 of this Article, and subject to paragraph 5, of this Article, the term "fees for technical services" means payments of any kind of any person in consideration for the rendering of any technical or consultancy services (including the provision of services of a technical or other personnel) which: 10

M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021 (a) are ancillary and subsidiary to the application of enjoyment of the right, property or information for which a payment described in paragraph 3(a) of this article is received; or b) are ancillary and subsidiary to the enjoyment of the property for which a payment described in paragraph 3(b) of this Article is received, or Make available technical knowledge, experience, skill, knowhow or processes, or consist of the development and transfer of a technical plan or technical design.

(6), (7), 7 and (9) ** **

9. A plain reading of Article 13(4)(c) of the DTAA indicates that 'fees for technical services' would mean payments of any kind to any person in consideration for the rendering of any technical or consultancy services which, inter alia, "makes available" technical knowledge, experience, skill, know-how or processes, or consist of the development and transfer of a technical plan or technical design. According to the Tribunal this make available condition has not been satisfied inasmuch as no technical knowledge, experience, skill, know- how, processes, have been made dye/lab/c by the assessee to the insurance companies operating in India. It also does not consist of the development and transfer of any technical plan or technical design. – 10. The Tribunal examined the evidence available on record in order to return a finding on the issue as to whether the payments received by the assessee from the insurance companies operating in India would fall within the expression 'fees for technical services' as appearing in 11

M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021 article,. 13(4)'(c) of the DTAA read with section 9(1)(vii) of the said Act. While doing so the Tribunal, inter alia, found that the assessee company was an international reinsurance intermediary (broker) and was a tax resident of United Kingdom. Further, that it was a recognized broker by the financial services authority of United Kingdom, it was also an admitted position that the assessee did not maintain any office in India and mat it had a referral relationship with J B Boda reinsurance (Broker) Pvt. Ltd of Mumbai and that J. B. Boda was duly licenced by the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority to transact reinsurance business in India 11 The Tribunal also observed as under. – “27. In the illustrative transaction, New India Insurance Co. Ltd in India has entered into an agreement to reinsure on an Excess Loss basis the catastrophe risk arising from its primary insurance cover in conjunction with J.B. Boda and Alsford Page and gems Ltd. (the reinsurance brokers). The terms of the agreement specifies that the assessee in conjunction with J.B. Bode are recognized as intermediary, through whom all communications relating to this agreement shall pass. The terms of the agreement further provides that the assessee will provide all the details of agreed endorsements to the reinsurers by e-mail or facsimile and shall submit the slip policy to XIS (Lloyd's processing market) for signing. The assessee will act as a claim administrator and Will submit claims advices to relevant market systems. For the services rendered, the assessee along with the other reinsurance brokers acting as an intermediary in the reinsurance process for New India Assurance Co. will be entitled to 10% brokerage. From the role played by the assessee in the reinsurance process as discussed above, it is evident- to us that the assessee was rendering only intermediary services while acting as an intermediary/facilitator in getting the reinsurance cover for New India Insurance Co. There exists no material or basis on the basis of which, it Would be said that the assessee was rendering any kind of technical/consultancy service within the meaning of Article 13 of Indo-UK treaty. The consideration received by the assessee acting as an intermediary in the reinsurance process cannot, by any stretch of imagination, be qualified as a consideration received for rendering any financial analysis related consultancy services rating agency advisory services, risk based capital analysis etc. as alleged by the A.O." The Tribunal also noted the process by which the transactions takes place It has been pointed out that the originating insurer in India would contact J. B. Boda/ M, B. Boda for placing identified risks/ class of risks with international reinsurers. J.B. Boda, in turn, would contact one or more international firm(s) of reinsurance broker(s) like the assessee for competitive proposals from the international reinsurer. Then, the international reinsurance brokers like the assessee would contact other primary brokers and various syndicates in the Lloyds market for competitive proposals. Based on the various offers or proposals given by the- international reinsurance brokers, like the assessee, to J.B. Boda, the latter would present various options to the originating insurer in India, which would take a final-decision in the matter. Based on the decision of the originating insurer in India, the M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021 policy terms would then be agreed upon and the risk would be placed with the international reinsurer it was also pointed out that as per the normal industry practice, tea reinsurance premium net of brokerage al 10% as per the policy contract is remitted to the assessee, i.e., reinsurance brokers, for onward transmission to international reinsurers. The intermediation fee which is another word for brokerage is paid separately by the originating insurance in India to J.B. Bodo, the international reinsurance brokers like the assessee and other intermediaries, based on a mutually agreed ratio which accounts for their relative contribution in the reinsurance process.

13. In our view, the Tribunal has arrived at these conclusions purely on assessing the factual matrix of the case at hand. The findings are in, the nature of factual findings and, therefore, according to us, no substantial question of law arises for our consideration, particularly, because the learned counsel for the Revenue was unable to point out any perversity in the recording of such findings. As such no substantial question of law arises for our consideration. The appeal is dismissed. There shall be. no order as to costs."

10. Facts being identical, respectfully following the said decision of the Tribunal we allow Ground Nos. 5 and 6 of the assessee.

11. In so far as Ground No.2 is concerned the Ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that since it was held in favour of the assessee on Royalty and FTS ground, the ground raised

by the assessee in respect of receipts towards access to use software and IT support services does not constitute “income” may be kept open. Accordingly, this ground is kept open which may be contested as and when the situation arises.

12. The rest of the grounds are only consequential in nature and the same are restored to the file of the Assessing Officer for adjudication in accordance with law.”

10. The coordinate Bench has decided the identical issue in favour of the assessee in assessee‟s own appeal AY 2015-16 by following the decisions of the coordinate Benches rendered in assessee‟s own appeals pertaining to the AY 2011-12 to 2014-15 and AY 2015-16. Since there is no change in the facts of the present case and since the findings of the AO are not in accordance with the decision of coordinate Benches discussed above, we respectfully following the decision of the coordinate Bench, set aside the impugned order and allow ground No. 5 and 6 of the assessee‟s appeal.”

12. Insofar as ground no.2, raised in assessee‟s appeal is concerned, the same is kept open by respectfully following the order passed by the Co– ordinate Bench of the Tribunal in assessee‟s own case cited supra.

13. Further, as regards ground no.8, pertaining to short grant of TDS credit, the Assessing Officer is directed to verify the details and grant the same in accordance with law. As a result, ground no.8 raised in assessee‟s appeal, is allowed for statistical purpose.

M/s. Shell Information Technology International B.V. ITA No.1245/Mum./2021

14. The levy of interest u/s 234B of the Act is consequential in nature. Accordingly, ground no.9 raised in assessee‟s appeal, is allowed for statistical purpose.