Regression analysis yields more reliable profit indicators than the linear equation without intercept specified in US and OECD transfer pricing guidelines.

Topics: Profit Indicators tax controversy Transfer Pricing

There are often legitimate concerns with using book value versus market value of assets in applying a Return on Assets approach in transfer pricing. While employing a Return on Costs approach may be a reliable alternative, it must also account for comparability differences in asset intensity.

Topics: Return on Assets Contract Manufacturer CAPM Financial Economics Benchmarking Asset Intensity Adjustment

In this tutorial we introduce you to a tool in the EdgarStat CUFT Loan Agreements Database for estimating the implied credit rating of your tested borrower using the Altman Z”-Score Model.

Topics: Credit Rating CUFT Intercompany Financing

To determine whether the usual financial ratios provide insights into what would represent an arm's length range, any analysis of controlled healthcare distributors must account for the underlying facts surrounding the functions and expenses occurred by the distribution affiliate.

Topics: Pharmaceutical Industry Resale Price Method TNMM/CPM Benchmarking tax controversy

Intercompany financing is a growing area of focus in transfer pricing. CUFT Analytics co-founder and managing director John Hollas provides guidance on using the EdgarStat CUFT Loan Agreements Database to benchmark an arm's length range of interest rates.

Topics: CUFT Intercompany Financing Arm's Length Interest Rates Credit Risk

Interests fluctuate based on market conditions, and analysts must consider whether the market conditions surrounding their data are comparable to those of the tested intercompany transaction when benchmarking an arm's length interest rate in transfer pricing.

Topics: Interest Rates CUFT Intercompany Financing

Dr. Ednaldo Silva illustrates why asset intensity adjustments to the Return on Assets profit indicator are redundant and unviable.

Topics: Return on Assets Asset Intensity Adjustment Profit Indicators

Applied properly, the Comparable Profits Method (CPM) can be a useful approach for well-defined transfer pricing issues, such as the appropriate profitability of a sales affiliate. Unfortunately, CPM is often applied mechanically without regard for economic principles and functional comparability.

Topics: TNMM/CPM State Transfer Pricing Benchmarking Tax Policy Profit Indicators

Brazil’s unique transfer pricing rules have allowed multinationals to shift income to tax havens in certain situations. We explore through the lens of the Macopolo case how Brazil could benefit from adoption of the arm's length standard.

Topics: Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) TNMM/CPM Brazil OECD Guidelines Tax Policy tax controversy

Harold McClure explores intercompany financing issues through the lens of a recent case before the EU General Court and an upcoming battle between Perrigo and the IRS.

Topics: Interest Rates Intercompany Financing United States Europe

International tax law firms are rightfully warning clients of audit risks with respect to intercompany financing in France. Taxpayers can mitigate risk by following new OECD guidance, providing sound economic analysis and avoiding overly aggressive positions on group vs. standalone credit ratings.

Topics: Interest Rates Intercompany Financing France United States

In February 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear the Canadian Revenue Agency's (CRA) appeal in its case against uranium multinational Cameco Corporation. However, this only marked the end of Round 1, as the courts only ruled on 8 of 14 years under review.

Topics: Mining and Extractives Canadian Revenue Agency TNMM/CPM Profit Indicators tax controversy

The Israel Tax Authority is questioning whether costs plus markup models Israeli R&D affiliates are at arm's length. This could present issues for multinationals that have not been giving proper consideration to cost base, asset intensity and ownership of valuable intangibles in their benchmarking.

Topics: Intangibles DEMPE Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Benchmarking Tax Policy

Notwithstanding its acceptance in Coca Cola Co. v. Commissioner of the IRS, Return on Assets is a controversial profit indicator to use in transfer pricing. At the very least it must be subject to economic analysis to corroborate a relationship between operating profit and operating assets.

Topics: Tutorial Return on Assets Profit Indicators tax controversy

A recent article asserted that state tax authorities should use the Comparable Profits Method (CPM) with care in the evaluation of transfer pricing for tangible goods. However, some of the examples cited, including the recent Coca Cola case, in their piece are misplaced for reasons we will address.

Topics: TNMM/CPM State Transfer Pricing Tax Policy tax controversy

Selecting alleged comparable companies with different functions than the tested party is known to open Pandora's Box in transfer pricing controversy, and is often exacerbated by a failure to adjust for material differences between the tested party and the selected comparables.

Topics: Comparability Limited Risk Distributor Profit Indicators tax controversy

Ad hoc adjustments are a risky endeavor in transfer pricing. Using regression analysis, we can test if asset intensity is relevant to explain the behavior of the operating profit markup or profit margin and calculate a reliable adjustment to the profit indicator.

Topics: Tutorial TNMM/CPM Asset Intensity Adjustment Profit Indicators

The prevalent use of quartiles to determine profit indicators often results in a wide (unreliable range) and ad hoc assets adjustments. These problems can be solved by using regression analysis, which produces more defensible statistical ranges of the profit indicator resistant to audit scrutiny.

Topics: Tutorial TNMM/CPM Profit Indicators

Following its neighbor Australia, New Zealand has issued a large assessment to Oracle related to its distribution affiliate. We explore potential comparability and BEPS issues that could play a role in the dispute.

Topics: Comparability Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) TNMM/CPM Profit Indicators

Changes to tax laws are often seen as the primary solution to curb profit shifting. However, proper application of the arm's length principle alongside BEPS CbCR disclosures already offer powerful tools in this endeavor.

Topics: Pharmaceutical Industry Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) TNMM/CPM Tax Policy

Comparability is a key issue in transfer pricing that is often not fully appreciated. However, comparability issues are hardly uncommon in transfer pricing controversies and can create a trickle-down effect that leads to major taxation issues.

Topics: Comparability Limited Risk Distributor TNMM/CPM Profit Indicators