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“bright line test”

Transfer PricingSection 92CSection 92C120 judgments

The decision most relied on for bright line test is Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications India Pvt. Ltd. v. CIT (374 ITR 118), cited in 499 judgments on BharatTax.

Leading authorities on bright line test

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications India Pvt. Ltd. v. CIT
374 ITR 118 · 2015 · High Court
499
citing judgments

The existence of an international transaction for Advertising and Marketing Promotion (AMP) expenditure requires the revenue to discharge the burden of proof. An explanation inserted under Section 92B does not automatically make AMP expenditure an international transaction.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. v. CIT
381 ITR 117 · 2016 · High Court
220
citing judgments

The Bright Line Test (BLT) is not a recognized method under the Income-tax Act and Rules for benchmarking advertising, marketing, and promotion (AMP) expenses or for determining the existence of an international transaction or its Arm's Length Price. The Revenue must first establish the existence and price of an international transaction before seeking an ALP adjustment.

Bausch & Lomb Eye Care (India) Pvt. Ltd. v. Additional CIT
381 ITR 227 · 2016 · High Court
127
citing judgments

The existence of an international transaction must be established before its arm's length price can be determined. An alleged 'excessive' AMP expenditure cannot unilaterally expand the scope of an international transaction if its existence is contested.

Whirlpool of India Ltd. v. DCIT
381 ITR 154 · 2016 · High Court
119
citing judgments

Advertisement, Marketing, and Promotion (AMP) expenditure incurred by an Indian entity directly benefits its own business and cannot be automatically treated as an international transaction for global brand building by associated enterprises without specific statutory provisions or proper analysis.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) v. Addl. CIT, TPO
328 ITR 210 · 2010 · High Court
39
citing judgments

AMP expenditure is not an international transaction. The Bright Line Test is not a valid basis for determining the existence of an international transaction or computing the arm's length price.

LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. v. ACIT
29 Taxmann.com 300 · 2013 · High Court
37
citing judgments

The 'bright line test' is not an appropriate method for determining the existence of an international transaction for calculating arm's length price. This ruling overrules prior special bench decisions on AMP expenses.

308 ITR 199 (Del) and CIT v. Spice Distribution Ltd.
374 ITR 30 · 2015 · High Court
28
citing judgments

Expenditure on advertisement and sales promotion is generally treated as business expenditure allowable under section 37 of the Income-tax Act. The Assessing Officer cannot treat revenue expenditure as deferred revenue expenditure as the Act does not have such a concept.

LG Electronics v. ACIT
22 ITR 1 · 2013 · Supreme Court
23
citing judgments

The Special Bench decision in LG Electronics v. ACIT affirmed the applicability of the 'Bright Line Test' for determining international transactions related to advertising, marketing, and promotion (AMP) expenses.

Judgments citing bright line test

Assistant Commissioner of Income-Tax, Corporate Circle 1(1), Chennai vs. Dormakaba India Private Limited, Kancheepuram

ITA 3299/CHNY/2024[2008]Status: DisposedITAT Chennai19 Jan 2026

Bench: Shri Manu Kumar Giri & Shri S. R. Raghunathaआयकर अपील सं./Ita No.:3299/Chny/2024 निर्धारण वर्ष / Assessment Year: 2008-09 Acit, Corporate Circle -1(1), Chennai. Dormakaba India Private Limited, Plot No.48/3, Mahindra World City, 8Th Avenue, Anjur Village, Paranur Anjur Village, Chengalpattu Taluk, Kancheepuram District – 603 002. [Pan:Aaacd-3980-D] (अपीलार्थी/Appellant) (प्रत्यर्थी/Respondent) अपीलार्थी की ओर से/Appellant By : Shri. Vikram Vijayaraghavan, Advocate प्रत्यर्थी की ओर से/Respondent By : Shri. Saddik Ahmed, J.C.I.T. सुनवाई की तारीख /Date Of Hearing : 18.12.2025 घोषणा की तारीख/Date Of Pronouncement : 19.01.2026 आदेश /O R Der Per S. R. Raghunatha, Am: This Appeal Is Filed By The Revenue Against The Order Of Learned Commissioner Of Income Tax (Appeals), Chennai (In Short “Ld.Cit(A)”) Dated 30.09.2024, Arising Out Of The Assessment Order Passed By The Deputy Commissioner Of Income Tax, Corporate Circle – 1(1), Chennai (In Short “Ao”) U/S.143(3) R.W.S. 254 Of The Income Tax Act, 1961 (Hereinafter The ‘The Act') For The Assessment Year (A.Y.) 2008-09 Dated 01.03.2022. :-2-:

For Appellant: Shri. Vikram Vijayaraghavan, AdvocateFor Respondent: Shri. Saddik Ahmed, J.C.I.T
Section 143(3)Section 14ASection 153Section 92B

and/or disallowing the excess AMP expense. Accordingly, we hold that there is no requirement to disallow the excess AMP expense. Therefore, Bright Line Test of AMP expenses per se cannot be considered as an independent international transaction. Further, we also note that once the all the expenses are tested under

Sony India Private Limited, Delhi vs. ACIT Circle 22(2), Delhi

In the result, appeal filed by the assessee is partly allowed as indicated above

ITA 3851/DEL/2024[AY 2020-21]Status: DisposedITAT Delhi12 Nov 2025

Bench: Shri S. Rifaur Rahman & Ms. Madhumita Roysony India Private Limited, Vs. Acit, Circle 22 (2), A – 18, Mohan Cooperative Indl. Area, New Delhi. Mathura Road, New Delhi – 110 044. (Pan :Aabcs1571Q) (Appellant) (Respondent) Assessee By : Shri Nageshwar Rao, Advocate Shri Parth, Advocate Revenue By : Shri S.K. Jadhav, Cit Dr Date Of Hearing : 23.09.2025 Date Of Order : 12.11.2025 O R D E R Per S. Rifaur Rahman: 1. This Appealpreferred By The Assesseeis Directed Against The Assessment Order Dated 30.07.2024Passed By The Assessment Unit, Income Tax Department Under Section 143(3) Read With Section 144C(13) R.W.S. 144Bof The Income-Tax Act, 1961 (For Short ‘The Act”) For Assessment Year 2020- 21Pursuant To The Directions Of The Dispute Resolution Panel U/S 144C(5) Of The Act Raising Following Grounds Of Appeal :-

For Appellant: Shri Nageshwar Rao, AdvocateFor Respondent: Shri S.K. Jadhav, CIT DR
Section 143(3)Section 144C(13)Section 144C(5)

making 'intensity adjustment' to adjust net 3 profit margin of comparable companies purportedly to equalise functions. 'Intensity adjustment' is mirror image of Bright Line Test (BLT) both are already invalidated by Hon'ble Courts. 7. Without prejudice to all other grounds, impugned order errs in quantifying AMP expense of appellant ... import of finished goods. Protective Transfer Pricing Adjustment in respect of international transaction for Marketing and Market Development functions ("MMDF") based on Bright Line Test ("BLT") approach In law and facts of present case: 4 15. Impugned order errs in retaining protective assessment based on BLT Contrary