M/S TRIANZ HOLDINGS PVT LTD,BANGALORE vs. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX CIRCLE-7(1)(1), BANGALORE

This appeal at the instance of the assessee is directed against final assessment order dated 27.09.2017 passed u/s 143(3) r.w.s. 144C(13) of the I.T.Act. The relevant assessment year is 2013-2014.

The brief facts of the case are as follow: The assessee is a company engaged in the business of providing information technology services. For the assessment year 2013-2014, the return of income was filed on 19.11.2013 declaring loss of Rs.5,55,17,930. The assessment was taken up for scrutiny by issuing of notice u/s 143(2) of the I.T.Act. During the course of assessment proceedings, the matter was referred to the Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO) for determining the Arm’s Length Price (ALP) of International Transaction undertaken by the assessee with its holding company in U.S.A.

Aggrieved by the final assessment order, the assessee has filed this appeal before the Tribunal. Though several grounds are raised, the learned AR by referring to ground No.3, submitted that identical ground was raised in assessment year 2014-2015 and the Tribunal had restored the transfer pricing issue for de novo consideration to TPO / AO.

The learned AR has filed a brief written submission as regards various aspects of the TP adjustment. The learned Departmental Representative, however, in the written submission, did not refer to the ITAT order in assessee’s own case for assessment year 2014-2015.

We have heard the rival submissions and perused the material on record. The primary and only issue argued in this case is that transfer pricing adjustment has been made without properly appreciating the business model of the assessee. This issue was there in the appeal for the assessment year 2014- 2015, wherein the Tribunal in IT(TP)A No.3136/Bang/ 2018

We are therefore of opinion that, adjustment made by Ld.AO on the proposed adjustment by Ld.TPO should be revisited de novo. Accordingly, we set aside all issues raised by assessee on transfer pricing issues to Ld.AO/TPO. LD.AO/TPO is directed to carry out transfer pricing analysis having regard to the business model of assessee. It is also directed that comparables selected should be functionally similar with assessee, having similar business model like assessee.

Assessee is directed to produce all relevant documents to bring out its role in providing services to the parties situated outside India. Ld.TPO is also directed to grand working capital adjustments in comparables in actual where ever necessary, for computing correct margins of comparables. Needless to say, that assessee shall be granted proper opportunity of being represented.”

Since the facts for the assessment year 2012-2013 is identical with regard to the facts considered by the Tribunal for assessment year 2014-2015, we restore the entire transfer

In the result, the appeal filed by the assessee is allowed for statistical purposes.