Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Arms length principle'

The Formulary Approach to the Taxation of Transnational Corporations: A Realistic Alternative? Synopsis The central hypotheses of this thesis are: that global formulary apportionment is the most appropriate method for the taxation of transnational corporations (TNCs) in lieu of the present system commonly referred to as the separate accounting/arm's length method; and that it is essential, in order to implement the proposed global formulary model, to create an international organisation which would fulfil, in the taxation field, a role equivalent to that of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in international trade. The world economy is fast integrating and is increasingly dominated by the activities of transnational enterprises. These activities create a dual tax problem for various revenue authorities seeking to tax gains derived thereon: Firstly, when two or more countries entertain conflicting tax claims on the same base, there arises what is commonly referred to as a double taxation problem. Secondly, an allocation problem arises when different jurisdictions seek to determine the quantum of the gains to be allocated to each jurisdiction for taxation purposes. The traditional regime for solving both the double taxation and the allocation problem is enshrined in a series of bilateral treaties signed between various nations. These are, in general, based on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Model Treaty.1 It is submitted, in this thesis, that while highly successful in an environment characterised by the coexistence of various national taxation systems, the traditional regime lacks the essential attributes suitable to the emerging 'borderless world'. The central theme of this thesis is the allocation problem. The OECD Model attempts to deal with this issue on a bilateral basis. Currently, the allocation problem is resolved through the application of Articles 7 and 9 of the OECD Model. In both instances the solution is based on the 'separate enterprise' standard, also known as the separate entity theory. This separate accounts/arm's length system was articulated in the 1930s when international trade consisted of flows of raw materials and other natural products as well as flows of finished manufactured goods. Such trade is highly visible and may be adequately valued both at the port of departure or at the port of entry in a country. It follows that within this particular system of international trade the application of the arm's length principle was relatively easy and proved to be extremely important in resolving both the double taxation and apportionment problems. Today, however, the conditions under which international trade is conducted are substantially different from those that prevailed until the 1960s. * Firstly, apart from the significant increase in the volume of traditionally traded goods, trade in services now forms the bulk of international exchanges. In addition, the advent of the information age has dramatically increased the importance of specialised information whose value is notoriously difficult to ascertain for taxation purposes. * Secondly, the globalisation phenomenon which gathered momentum over the last two decades has enabled existing TNCs to extend their global operations and has favoured the emergence of new transnational firms. Thus, intra-firm trade conducted outside market conditions accounts for a substantial part of international trade. * Thirdly, further economic integration has been achieved following the end of the Cold War and the acceleration of the globalisation phenomenon. In this new world economic order only TNCs have the necessary resources to take advantage of emerging opportunities. The very essence of a TNC is 'its ability to achieve higher revenues (or lower costs) from its different subsidiaries as a whole compared to the results that would be achieved under separate management on an arm's length basis.'2 Yet, the prevailing system for the taxation of TNCs overlooks this critical characteristic and is therefore incapable of fully capturing, for taxation purposes, the aggregate gains of TNCs. The potential revenue loss arising from the inability of the present system to account for and to allocate synergy gains is substantial. It follows that the perennial questions of international taxation can no longer be addressed within the constraints of the separate entity theory and a narrow definition of national sovereignty. Indeed, in order to mirror the developments occurring in the economic field, taxation needs to move from a national to an international level. Moreover, a profound reform of the system is imperative in order to avoid harmful tax competition between nations and enhance compliance from TNCs. Such a new international tax system needs to satisfy the test of simplicity, equity, efficiency, and administrative ease. To achieve these objectives international cooperation is essential. The hallmark of international cooperation has been the emergence, after World War II, of a range of international organisations designed to facilitate the achievement of certain goals deemed essential by various nations. The need for an organisation to deal specifically with taxation matters is now overwhelming. Consequently, this thesis recommends the creation of an international organisation to administer the proposed system. The main objective of this international organisation would be to initiate and coordinate the multilateral application of a formulary apportionment system which, it is suggested, would deal in a more realistic way with 'the difficult problems of determining the tax base and allocating it appropriately between jurisdictions'.3 The global formulary apportionment methodology is derived from the unitary entity theory. The unitary theory considers a TNC as a single business which, for convenience, is divided into 'purely formal, separately-incorporated subsidiaries'.4 Under the unitary theory the global income of TNCs needs to be computed, then such income is apportioned between the various component parts of the enterprise by way of a formula which reflects the economic contribution of each part to the derivation of profits. The question that arises is whether the world of international taxation is ready for such a paradigm shift. It is arguable that this shift has already occurred albeit cautiously and in very subtle ways. Thus, the latest of the OECD Guidelines on the transfer pricing question provides that 'MNE [Multinational Enterprise] groups retain the freedom to apply methods not described in this Report to establish prices provided those prices satisfy the arm's length principle in accordance with these Guidelines.'5 Arguably, the globalisation process has created 'the specific situation' allowed for by the OECD. This thesis, therefore, explores the relative obsolescence of the bilateral approach to the taxation of TNCs and then suggests that a multilateral system is better adapted to the emerging globalised economy. The fundamental building blocks of the model proposed in this thesis are the following: * First, the administration and coordination of the proposed system is to be achieved by the creation of a specialised tax organisation, called Intertax, to which member countries would devolve a limited part of their fiscal sovereignty. * Second, in order to enable the centralised calculation of TNC's profits, the proposed system requires the formulation of harmonised methods for the measurement of the global profits of TNCs. Therefore, the efforts of the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) to produce international accounting standards and harmonised consolidation rules must be recognised and, if needs be, refined and ultimately implemented. * Third, the major function of Intertax would be to determine the commercial profits of TNCs on a standardised basis and to apportion the latter to relevant countries by way of an appropriate formula/formulas. Once this is achieved, each country would be free, starting from its share of commercial profits, to determine the taxable income in accordance with the particular tax base that it adopts and, ultimately, the tax payable within its jurisdiction. In the proposed system, therefore, a particular country would be able to independently set whatever depreciation schedules or investment tax credits it chooses, and adopt whatever tax accounting rules it deems fit relative to its policy objectives. Moreover, this thesis argues that the global formulary apportionment model it proposes is not dramatically opposed to the arm's length principle. Indeed, it suggests that the constant assumption to the contrary, even with regard to the usual formulary apportionment methodology, is extravagant because both methodologies are based on a common endeavour, that is, to give a substantially correct reflex of a TNC's true profits. It has often been objected that global formulary apportionment is arbitrary and ignores market conditions. This thesis addresses such concerns by rejecting the application of a single all-purpose formula. Rather, it recognises that TNCs operating in different industries require different treatment and, therefore, suggests the adoption of different formulas to satisfy specific industry requirements. For example, the formula applicable to a financial institution would be different to that applicable to the pharmaceutical industry. Each formula needs to be based on the fundamental necessity to capture the functions, taking into consideration assets used, and risks assumed within that industry. In addition, if the need arises, each formula should be able to be fine-tuned to fit specific situations. Moreover, it is also pertinent to note that the OECD already accepts 'the selected application of a formula developed by both tax administrations in cooperation with a specific taxpayer or MNE group...such as it might be used in a mutual agreement procedure, advance transfer pricing agreement, or other bilateral or multilateral determination.'6 The system proposed in this thesis can thus be easily reconciled with the separate accounting/arm's length which the OECD so vehemently advocates. Both models have the same preoccupations so that what is herein proposed may simply be characterised as an institutionalised version of the system advocated by the OECD. Multilateral formulary apportionment addresses both the double taxation and the allocation problems in international taxation. It resolves the apportionment question 'without depending on an extraordinary degree of goodwill or compliance from taxpayers.'7 It is therefore submitted that, if applied on a multilateral basis with a minimum of central coordination, it also seriously addresses the double taxation problem. Indeed, it is a flexible method given that different formulas may be devised to suit the needs of TNCs operating in different sectors. Consequently, formulary apportionment understood in this sense, is a realistic alternative to the limitations of the present system.

Les prix de transfert sont les prix auxquels les services, les biens corporels et les biens incorporels sont échangés entre parties ayant un lien de dépendance dans le cadre d'opérations transfrontalières. Les prix de transfert des transactions avec les droits de la propriété incorporelle adoptés par un groupe de parties ayant un lien de dépendance ont une incidence directe sur les bénéfices déclarés par chacune de ces parties dans leur pays respectif. Les dispositions législatives françaises et brésiliennes incorporent le principe de pleine concurrence, néanmoins de façon implicite. La question de savoir si un contribuable a respecté le principe de pleine concurrence est une question de fait devant être examinée dans chaque cas
Transfer pricing are the prices to which services, the tangible property and intangibles are exchanged between parties with a link dependency in cross-border operations. The transfer pricing of the transactions with the intangible property rights adopted by a group of parties having a bond of dependence have a direct incidence on the benefit declared by each one as of these parts in their respective country. The French and Brazilian legislative measures incorporate the principle Řarms, however implicitly. The question of whether a taxpayer has respected the principle Řarms, however implicitly is a matter of fact to be examined in each case

Se realiza una investigación comparada de los consejos de las artes de tres regiones subnacionales de países distintos: Cataluña (España), Escocia (Reino Unido) y Jalisco (México) para investigar la aplicación del principio de “arm’s length”, su ejecución, su relación con el contexto cultural y político, así como su inclusión en sistemas institucionales distintos al anglosajón. Con una metodología cualitativa y el uso de estudios de caso, se llevan a cabo trabajos de campo en cada lugar mediante entrevistas, observaciones y trabajo documental, aplicando el canon conjunto de concordancias y diferencias para su análisis. Se concluye que un consejo de las artes no es necesariamente un organismo bajo el principio de “arm’s length” y se reflexiona sobre la influencia que los actores involucrados buscan ejercer a través de sus diversos recursos. La relación entre los consejos y sus contextos muestra las dialécticas entre legitimidad/eficiencia, transparencia/clientelismo y diferenciación/estandarización y tensiones entre centro/periferia. Desde la política se utiliza este principio como argumento retórico, mientras se pretende tener mayor control sobre las decisiones, aunque esto aumente su nivel de responsabilidad. Desde el sector cultural se ignora que el principio busca también mantener su distancia con él para evitar clientelismos. Se evidencia un mimetismo que copia modelos ajenos sin adaptarlos suficientemente al contexto y sin profundizar en experiencias externas ni con reflexiones teóricas, lo cual deja al descubierto algunos errores del proceso.
Titol: Els consells de les arts i el principi d’“arm’s length” en les politiques culturals subnacionals: un estudi comparatiu entre Catalunya (Espanya), Escòcia (Regne Unit) i Jalisco (Mèxic). Resum: Es realitza una investigació comparada dels consells de les arts de tres regions subnacionals de països diversos: Catalunya (Espanya), Escòcia (Regne Unit) i Jalisco (Mèxic) per investigar l'aplicació del principi d’"arm's length", la seva execució, la relació amb el context cultural i polític, així com la seva inclusió en sistemes institucionals diferents a l’anglosaxó. Amb una metodologia qualitativa i l’ús d'estudis de cas, es porten a terme treballs de camp en cada lloc mitjançant entrevistes, observacions i treball documental, aplicant el cànon conjunt de concordances i diferències per a la seva anàlisi. Es conclou que un consell de les arts no és necessàriament un organisme sota el principi d’"arm 's length" i es reflexiona sobre la influència que els actors involucrats busquen exercir a través dels seus diversos recursos. La relació entre els consells i els seus contextos mostra les dialèctiques entre legitimitat/eficiència, transparència/clientelisme, diferenciació/estandardització i tensions entre centre/perifèria. Des de la política s'utilitza aquest principi com argument retòric, mentre es pretén tenir major control sobre les decisions, encara que això augmenti el seu nivell de responsabilitat. Des del sector cultural s'ignora que el principi busca també mantenir la seva distància amb ell per evitar clientelismes. S'evidencia un mimetisme que copia models aliens sense adaptar-los suficientment al context i sense aprofundir en experiències externes ni amb reflexions teòriques, la qual cosa deixa al descobert alguns dels errors del procés.
Title: The arts councils and the arm’s length principle in cultural policy at a subnational level: A comparative study between Catalonia (Spain), Jalisco (Mexico) and Scotland (UK). Abstract: Comparative research on the arts councils of three sub-national regions from different countries, Catalonia (Spain), Jalisco (Mexico) and Scotland (United Kingdom), is carried out to examine the application of the arm's length principle, its performance, its relation to the cultural and politic context and its inclusion in institutional systems other than the Anglo-Saxon system. With a qualitative methodology and case study strategy, fieldwork is performed in each place through interviews, observations and documentary work, applying the joint canon of agreement and difference for analysis. The conclusion reached is that an arts council is not necessarily a body under the arm's length principle and the influence that stakeholders seek to exert through their various resources is reflected upon. The relationship between arts councils and their context shows the dialectics between legitimacy/efficiency, transparency/clientelism and differentiation/standardisation, and the tensions between the centre/periphery. This principle is used from politics as a rhetorical argument, while the aim is to have more control over decisions, even though this increases the level of accountability. The cultural sector is unaware that the principle also seeks to keep its distance from it to avoid clientelism. There is an evident mimicry, copying foreign models without adapting them sufficiently to the context and without delving more deeply into external experiences and theoretical reflections, which reveals some mistakes of the process.

The thesis focuses on the transfer pricing questions in the Czech companies. The theoretical part concerns the legislative background, transfer pricing determination methodology and related necessary documentation. The practical part contains the performed questionnaire survey targeted at transfer pricing methods, binding consideration, documentation, and experience with the tax search. A specific manufacturing company is then used to illustrate the manner of transfer pricing determination.

Disertacijoje nagrinėjami sandorių kainodaros teisinio reguliavimo ypatumai Lietuvoje ypatingą dėmesį kreipiant į tarptautinių organizacijų (Ekonominio bendradarbiavimo ir plėtros organizacijos (EBPO) ir Europos Sąjungos) rekomendacijų įtaką jam. Pirmoje disertacijos dalyje pateikiama sandorių kainodaros samprata, sandorių kainodaros reguliavimo raida Lietuvoje ir EBPO bei Europos Sąjungos lygmeniu, tiriama tarptautinių organizacijų rekomendacijų reikšmė sandorių kainodaros reguliavimui, nagrinėjamas EBPO pavyzdinės mokesčių konvencijos dėl pajamų ir kapitalo 9 straipsnis ir jo pagrindu priimtos Lietuvos teisės normos. Ši dalis baigiama „ištiestosios rankos“ principu pagrįstos sandorių kainodaros kritika ir perspektyvomis. Antroje dalyje, skirtoje bendrosioms sandorių kainodaros praktinio taikymo nuostatoms Lietuvoje ir EBPO bei Europos Sąjungos rekomendacijų įtakai joms, tiriama palyginamumo analizė, sandorių kainodaros metodai ir jų parinkimas ir sandorių kainodaros dokumentavimo reikalavimai. Trečioje dalyje analizuojamos tarptautinės ginčų sandorių kainodaros srityje nagrinėjimo galimybės ir jų prevencija tiriant abipusio susitarimo procedūrą pagal minėtą pavyzdinę konvenciją ir sutartis dėl dvigubo apmokestinimo išvengimo, ginčų šioje srityje nagrinėjimą pagal 1990 m. liepos 23 d. Konvenciją 90/436/EEB dėl dvigubo apmokestinimo išvengimo koreguojant asocijuotų įmonių pelną ir šių ginčų prevenciją išankstiniais kainodaros susitarimais.
In the dissertation there are analyzed peculiarities of transfer pricing legal regulation in Lithuania paying a special attention to the influence of international organizations‘ (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and European Union) on it. In the first part there are submitted the concept of transfer pricing, the history of transfer pricing regulation in Lithuania and at the level of OECD and the European Union, there are analyzed impact of recommendations of international organizations to the transfer pricing regulation and Article 9 of OECD Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital and Lithuanian legal provisions adopted basing on this Article. This part is ended by presenting the critics of transfer pricing, based on arm’s length principle, and the perspectives of it. In the second part, which is dedicated to the general provisions of Lithuanian transfer pricing implementation practical issues with regard to the OECD and European Union recommendations, there are examined comparability analysis, transfer pricing methods and the selection of them, as well as transfer pricing documentation requirements. In the third part there are analyzed the legal regulation of the possibilities of international disputes on transfer pricing resolution and their prevention by examining the mutual agreement procedure under the mentioned Model Convention and conventions of double taxation, resolution of disputes according to Convention 90/436/EEC on the... [to full text]

This thesis is based on the regulations found in the OECD model and the OECD TP guidelines concerning the arm’s length principle. The core of the arm’s length principle is that transactions between associated enterprises should be treated the same as transactions between independent enterprises. This principle can be found in Article 9 of the OECD model. One transaction that may fall within the scope of Article 9 of the OECD model is business restructuring. Business restructuring was previously an unregulated TP area but with the new OECD TP guidelines, from 2010, regulations have been formulated. The aim with thesis is therefore to examine how the arm’s length principle should be applied to the new guidelines for business restructurings of intangibles with an uncertain value at the time of the restructuring. In order to answer the question set out in this thesis some of the factors that affect the application of the arm’s length principle have been examined separately. Firstly the arm’s length principle that is the generally accepted TP method used by both taxpayers and tax administrations in order to find a fair price for transactions between associated enterprises. The principle seeks to identify the controlled transaction and thereafter find a comparable uncontrolled transaction that is similar to the transaction performed between the associated enterprises. The second part examined the meaning of the term business restructuring according to the new guidelines since there is no other legal or general definition. Business restructurings are defined as cross-border redeployments of functions assets and risks, performed by MNEs. As long as a transaction falls within this definition it will be subjected to the arm’s length principle for tax purposes. The third part examined intangibles since that also lack a general definition. The identification and valuation of intangibles is a complex and uncertain thing to do for both taxpayers and tax administrations. When applying the arm’s length principle it is however found that the issue of identification of what constitutes and intangible may be unnecessary. The aspect that should be considered is instead the value of the intangible or more precise, the value that independent enterprises would have agreed upon in a similar situation. The applicability of the arm’s length principle to business restructurings of intangibles with an uncertain value at the time of the restructuring should be found by performing a comparability analysis. In order to perform a comparability analysis, the controlled transaction firstly has to be identified. Thereafter, a comparable uncontrolled transaction needs to be found. An equivalent uncontrolled transaction may not be found in all cases and it should in those cases be examined what independent enterprises would have done if they had been in a comparable situation. The arm’s length principle should be applied to business restructurings of intangibles with an uncertain value in the same manner as for any other uncontrolled transaction. The issues for this type of a transaction become the identification of what constitutes a business restructuring and also how to determine a fair value for the intangibles. The OECD TP guidelines lack some guidance as to the issues that can occur when a comparable uncontrolled transaction cannot be found. This creates an unsatisfactory guesswork for both taxpayers and tax administrations when trying to determine what independent enterprises would have done if they had been in a similar situation. This creates an unnecessary uncertainty when trying to apply the arm’s length principle.

Disertacijoje „Sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros modelis mokesčių mokėtojams ir mokesčių administratoriui“ nagrinėjama sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros raida, reglamentavimas bei metodai. Disertacijoje atlikta užsienio šalių mokslininkų sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros teorinių ir empirinių tyrimų analizė. Remiantis sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros teisine baze bei užsienio šalių mokslininkų atliktų tyrimų rezultatais, sudaryta: sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros nustatymo metodiką įmonėms, kurios sudaro kontroliuojamus sandorius, bei sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros įvertinimo bei kontrolės metodiką mokesčių administratoriams. Iš šių dviejų metodikų buvo sudarytas sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų modelis bei pateikiami šio modelio taikymo pavyzdžiai. Disertacijoje pateikiama dažniausiai praktikoje pasitaikančių sandorių (prekių pardavimo, paslaugų teikimo, paskolų suteikimo, nematerialiojo turto perleidimo) kainodaros nustatymo pavyzdžiai Lietuvos įmonėms, o taip pat: disertacijoje buvo atliktas kontroliuojamų sandorių kainodaros reguliavimo efektyvumo Lietuvoje tyrimas.
The analysis of theoretical and empirical researches on transfer pricing was performed in the dissertation. This analysis enabled to distinguish the main transfer pricing areas and to define and supplement the transfer pricing concept. Based on the transfer pricing researches performed by foreign scientists and transfer pricing legislation the transfer pricing model was created and presented in the dissertation. This model can be applied by the tax payers who needs to determine the arm’s length transfer prices in practise (e.g. for sale of goods, provision of services, loans and other inter-company transactions) and for tax administrators who are controlling the compliance of transfer prices with the arm’s length principle in order to ensure that corporate profit tax is paid correctly to the state budget. The transfer pricing model can be used for various inter-company transactions (e.g. sales of goods, services, loans, etc.) for tax payers acting in various industries in countries where OECD guidelines are applied (including Lithuania). Moreover, evaluating the effectiveness of transfer pricing regulation in Lithuania the research was performed. Performing this research the author calculated and compared the taxable income to be received applying the arm’s length principle and the alternative principle – the formulary apportionment. Such research was performed the first time in Lithuania.

The analysis of theoretical and empirical researches on transfer pricing was performed in the dissertation. This analysis enabled to distinguish the main transfer pricing areas and to define and supplement the transfer pricing concept. Based on the transfer pricing researches performed by foreign scientists and transfer pricing legislation the transfer pricing model was created and presented in the dissertation. This model can be applied by the tax payers who needs to determine the arm’s length transfer prices in practise (e.g. for sale of goods, provision of services, loans and other inter-company transactions) and for tax administrators who are controlling the compliance of transfer prices with the arm’s length principle in order to ensure that corporate profit tax is paid correctly to the state budget. The transfer pricing model can be used for various inter-company transactions (e.g. sales of goods, services, loans, etc.) for tax payers acting in various industries in countries where OECD guidelines are applied (including Lithuania). Moreover, evaluating the effectiveness of transfer pricing regulation in Lithuania the research was performed. Performing this research the author calculated and compared the taxable income to be received applying the arm’s length principle and the alternative principle – the formulary apportionment. Such research was performed the first time in Lithuania.
Disertacijoje „Sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros modelis mokesčių mokėtojams ir mokesčių administratoriui“ nagrinėjama sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros raida, reglamentavimas bei metodai. Disertacijoje atlikta užsienio šalių mokslininkų sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros teorinių ir empirinių tyrimų analizė. Remiantis sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros teisine baze bei užsienio šalių mokslininkų atliktų tyrimų rezultatais, sudaryta: sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros nustatymo metodiką įmonėms, kurios sudaro kontroliuojamus sandorius, bei sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų kainodaros įvertinimo bei kontrolės metodiką mokesčių administratoriams. Iš šių dviejų metodikų buvo sudarytas sandorių tarp asocijuotų asmenų modelis bei pateikiami šio modelio taikymo pavyzdžiai. Disertacijoje pateikiama dažniausiai praktikoje pasitaikančių sandorių (prekių pardavimo, paslaugų teikimo, paskolų suteikimo, nematerialiojo turto perleidimo) kainodaros nustatymo pavyzdžiai Lietuvos įmonėms, o taip pat: disertacijoje buvo atliktas kontroliuojamų sandorių kainodaros reguliavimo efektyvumo Lietuvoje tyrimas.

In the most cases the market range of transfer pricing is determined from statistical data from previous years. In case of these data the time delay occurs when these data are collected and these data do not reflect if that are collected for period of economical growth or recession. As a result, the final transfer pricing range can become distorted. For this reason it is essential to be familiar with strategies and procedures that can be applied to "clean up" statistical data from the influence of business cycle fluctuations. These strategies and procedures are discussed in this diploma thesis. In the first theoretical chapter are presented transfer pricing issues, set the basic terms, analyzed basic available resources dealing with transfer pricing, defined methods for determining transfer pricing range and identified consequences of the economic crisis in relation to transfer pricing. The second chapter is focused on the selection of the most appropriate method for determining transfer pricing and comparative of both the theoretical and practical basis. The last chapter presents the strategies and procedures that can be used in a comparative analysis, in order to eliminate distortions of the statistical data from the influence of business cycle fluctuations.

En el sistema económico actual, América Latina está conformada por países fundamentalmente exportadores de materias primas, bienes intermedios, bienes a granel o commodities. Tales países son actores relevantes en el abastecimiento de bienes primarios en favor de las economías más grandes del mundo, característica que ha motivado la incorporación de metodologías de precios de transferencia específicas o “a medida”, en las respectivas legislaciones de las jurisdicciones latinoamericanas, con el objeto de que las transacciones involucradas tributen de manera adecuada ante los respectivos fiscos. Tal es el caso del Perú que a partir del 2012 cuenta con la citada legislación conocida como el “Sexto Método”. El objeto de este trabajo de investigación consiste en determinar bajo qué circunstancias el Sexto Método peruano cumple con el principio de libre concurrencia o arm’s length en el caso específico de las transferencias internacionales de minerales producidos en el Perú. En búsqueda de cumplir con ese objetivo, el trabajo parte por analizar en el Capítulo I el principio arm’s length o de libre concurrencia que rige la metodología de precios de transferencia y que se basa en la comparabilidad, así como el papel de las Directrices de Precios de Transferencia de la OCDE y la importancia del soft law en esta materia. El objetivo de este capítulo consiste en demostrar que es indispensable realizar un análisis de comparabilidad para determinar el precio de libre concurrencia, en base al cual deben tributar las transacciones entre partes vinculadas. El Capítulo II analiza el ordenamiento internacional en cuanto a la metodología específica para la fijación de precios de commodities. Así, se formula un análisis crítico de la incursión de la OCDE en su pretendido propósito de aprobar una metodología específica para commodities y se pone especial énfasis en las opiniones a favor y en contra de la metodología propuesta, procedentes de organismos y entidades de todo el mundo, y que son conocidas internacionalmente gracias a la plataforma virtual de la OCDE. Adicionalmente se evalúa la versión final de la modificación a las Directrices y los antecedentes latinoamericanos con relación al método para commodities, resaltando las metodologías vigentes en los casos específicos de Argentina y Brasil. El Capítulo III aborda el análisis del caso particular del Perú en cuanto a las exportaciones de concentrados de minerales producidos en dicho país. Perú, a partir del año 2001 adoptó normas sobre precios de transferencia para las operaciones entre partes vinculadas siguiendo el principio de arm’s length y en el año 2012 incorporó una metodología específica para determinar precios de commodities llamada “Sexto Método”, constituyendo parte medular de esta investigación, determinar si dicha metodología se ajusta al arm´s length. Dicho método estableció un procedimiento de valoración específico para operaciones de importación o exportación de bienes con cotización conocida en el mercado internacional. La investigación demuestra que en el caso del Perú, el problema el Sexto Método vulnera el arm´s length por: (i) el carácter obligatorio para determinadas operaciones de exportación e importación; (ii) la fecha en que la ley decide fijar el valor de cotización; y, (iii) la regulación que comprende respecto de lo que genéricamente se ha venido a denominar “ajustes” al valor de cotización, que lo reduce cotización en razón de las características del producto y de las condiciones de la exportación.
Tesis

This thesis deals with the issue of transfer pricing, current legislation and methods with emphasis on the creation of transfer pricing documentation. The importance of documentation is mainly to show that prices in transactions between related parties do not differ from the prices agreed between independent parties. The thesis is divided into two main parts, theoretical and practical. The first chapter of this part deals with the definition of the concept of transfer pricing. The second chapter describes the current legislation of transfer pricing, both from the perspective of international regulation, but also in terms of the requirements in the Czech Republic. The following chapters are dedicated to the definition of arm's length principle and methods that can be used in the creation of transfer pricing. The following describes the meaning and way of creating transfer pricing documentation. The practical part deals with creating transfer pricing documentation with application to a particular company in order to verify compliance with the arm's length principle.

Transfer pricing (TP) has for a long time been an important tax issue, however it is only within the past decade that it has gotten the attention it deserves. This since more and more corporations becomes globalized. When setting a TP within a multinational enterprise (MNE) it is important to consider the arm’s length principle. The reason for this is that all countries, involved in an internal transaction, are entitled to their fair share of tax revenues. The principle implies that when performing a transaction within a MNE, the price used shall be set on the same circumstances as if the transaction was performed between independent actors. Corporations which do not set their TPs in accordance with the arm’s length principle face the risk of adjustments and future audits. Setting a TP, which is in line with the arm’s length principle is, however, not an easy task, therefore the subject of advance pricing agreement (APA) has emerged. APA has existed since the middle of the 1980’s when it was first implemented in Japan. However, it was as recent as last year, 1st of January 2010, that a legislation concerning APA was implemented in Swedish tax legislation. The legislation implies that corporations which are a part of a MNE can apply for a binding agreement at the Swedish tax authority regarding future TP. This opportunity will provide for a foreseeable tax future. Due to this recent implementation of APA legislation in Sweden, we have chosen to conduct a cross-country analysis concerning regulations of APA, using countries which have had APA legislation for a substantial amount of time. The different countries which legislations we have studied in this thesis are Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the U.S. The purpose with this thesis is to examine if the Swedish legislation concerning APA will provide any advantages for Swedish MNEs. A qualitative research method with the focus on an abductive research approach has been used for this thesis. The abductive approach consists of both deductive and inductive research approaches. The deductive approach is used to answer our research questions and the inductive approach is used to answer the purpose with our thesis. The purpose of this thesis consists of two research questions, what the Swedish APA legislation implies and are there any differences between the Swedish APA legislation and other countries’ APA legislations. After analyzing this new Swedish legislation and performing the cross-country analysis we have come to the conclusion that in general APAs provides substantial benefits for Swedish corporations. With the main advantages being the increased predictability and the reduced administrative burden concerning TP issues. In order for the Swedish legislation to be fully beneficial for the corporations it is, however, in need of some adjustments. If adjustments to the legislation are made we conclude that APAs will only provide benefits for Swedish corporations.

Purpose: The overall purpose of this thesis is to provide an analysis of the effects of the documentation requirements on transfer pricing and provide a clearer picture of the documentation requirements in transfer pricing. Furthermore, the purpose is to analyze whether the chosen method of Superfos is adequate related to the new regulations.

Background: In 2007, new regulations concerning the documentation of transfer pricing was enacted in Swedish law based on OECD guidelines. This change has led to new internal guidelines for companies regarding their transfer pricing work since the requirements apply to both Swedish owned companies and foreign owned companies. Furthermore, with this change, a great uncertainty about the requirements is shared by companies.

Method: This thesis has been conducted as a qualitative case study with Superfos as the case company. A deductive approach has been used and the collection of data consists of both primary and secondary data. Primary in the form of an interview with the finance manager at Superfos and secondary through the use of the Swedish tax authority's stated guidelines concerning transfer pricing as well as books, journals and databases.

Conclusion: In the conclusion we present a clarifying model of the documentation in transfer pricing based on the data collected for this thesis. In six steps, a clarifying picture of the overview, company structure, transactions identification, functional analysis, comparability analysis and results is provided.

This paper aims at providing a comprehensive overview of existing literature on the topic of comparability adjustments. Based on existing literature the most commonly used adjustments can be categorized in two broad categories: "accounting and financial risks adjustments" and "strategic/market adjustments". With the exception of working capital adjustments, the lack of guidance and recognized standardized application will quite possibly lead to continued discrepancies in their use. Taxpayers continue to struggle with the immense amount of documentation as well as justification requirements when it comes to adjustments, as there is no clear path to follow and very few practical application examples, which would unify the application of adjustments. As seen, even though the topic of comparability adjustments has been around since before the first version of the OECD TP Guidelines, the topic is yet to be fully explored in both official guidance as well as literature, research and especially practical tools.
Series: WU International Taxation Research Paper Series

The Master’s thesis is concerned with establishing the transfer price of royalties. The thesis is divided into four parts. The theoretical part contains definitions of key words using international and domestic law. The analytical part includes a description of methods recommended by OECD and their use for royalties transactions. The practical part describes a methodical procedure for establishing the transfer price of royalties, which is then used in the next part for a model example.

This final thesis deals with transfer pricing documentation from the theoretical and practical point of view. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate the settings of transfer prices within fictitious company by using processed documentation The first chapter of the thesis deals with the main principles and approaches to transfer prices to the extent provided by the legal regulations in the Czech Republic. The second chapter deals with the concept of content and composition of the documentation from the point of view of the OECD, EU and CR. In the practical part of the thesis, the intra-group transactions are analyzed in the model documentation, whether they are in accordance with the arm´s length principle.

Les prix de transfert représentent aujourd'hui un enjeu majeur dans l'internationalisation des affaires. Ces transactions intra groupe doivent respecter un principe universellement admis, le principe de pleine concurrence. Cependant, chaque Etat dispose de sa propre règlementation nationale créant ainsi un sentiment d'insécurité juridique. Les Etats ont pris des mesures nationales afin de faire face à un problème par nature international, fragilisant ainsi l'efficacité de la lutte contre l'évasion fiscale. Les pays misent désormais sur la coopération internationale afin de renforcer ces contrôles et d'améliorer la sécurité juridique des entreprises
Multinationals have to respect the arm's length principle. Each state has his own regulation. The states had taken national regulations for an international problem. Now, the coutries try to resolve this by international cooperation

The master thesis deals with the issue of transfer price of a controlled transaction between associated enterprises. Part of the master thesis is definition of basic theoretical concepts associated with the issue of transfer pricing with a focus on domestic, international, and European Union law. The master thesis deals with the analysis of case law, whose subject matter is transfer pricing. The theoretical starting points of the thesis are applied to a practical example, which deals with the issue of determining the transfer price for specific controlled transaction between associated enterprises.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to make a model comparability analysis of controlled transactions within the reinsurance of insurers and to recommend appropriate transfer pricing methods based on defined assumptions. The work is divided into three parts. The first part deals with transfer pricing issues, focusing on comparability analysis and recommended transfer pricing methods according to the Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations formulated by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (Guidelines OECD). The second part describes the basic knowledge and routine practice for the area of reinsurance connected to the transfer of insurance risks. The last part combines the first two chapters, i.e. application of transfer pricing methods in the light of the comparability analysis according to the Guidelines OECD for reinsurance of insurers. The application itself is implemented through the model comparability analysis in order to recommend appropriate transfer pricing methods, i.e. in accordance with the arm's length principle.

Mestrado em Contabilidade, Fiscalidade e Finanças Empresariais
A presente dissertação analisa a forma como as empresas procedem á reestruturação dos negócios, através dos preços de transferência tendo em conta o seu impacto fiscal. O principal objetivo é demonstrar que a OCDE tem um conjunto de boas práticas e normas sobre a reestruturação de empresas. Serão comparadas essas normas e boas práticas com a legislação portuguesa. Em suma, pretende-se verificar se as regras fiscais em Portugal estão em conformidade com as da OCDE.
The present dissertation examines how companies proceed to business restructuring transfer pricing by taking into account its fiscal impact. The main objective is to demonstrate that the OECD has a set of best practices and standards on corporate restructuring. Will be compared these standards and best practices with Portuguese law. In summary, is intended to verify that the tax rules in Portugal are in line with the OECD.

The purpose of this master’s thesis is to explain and analyze whether today’s existing regulations provide sufficient guidance on how to apply the Profit Split Method (PSM) in practice. Since the enterprises’ profits arising from intra-group transactions increases, the tax base for any government also becomes larger and more important. This issue will likely become even more problematic as the globalization branches out and the majority of the global trade is undertaken between associated enterprises.

In order to satisfy all parts and serve the dual objective of securing an appropriate tax base in each jurisdiction and avoiding double taxation, one ambition of the OECD is to harmonize the transfer pricing rules and make them become more uniform. An area in which this goal can be accomplish is at an international level such as the OECD; an important developer in the field of transfer pricing. Different transfer pricing methods has been developed which can be applied by both taxpayers and tax authorities to determine a correct transfer price. Six of these methods has gained international acceptance, although to a more or less extent among various countries, and one of these methods is the PSM. In the years between 1979 and 1995, the OECD had a reluctant standpoint of accepting the application of any transfer pricing method based on profits, such as the PSM. This hesitant viewpoint changed in the existing TPG which explicitly stipulates that the PSM could provide a transfer pricing estimation in accordance with the ALP, which should be accepted in exceptional cases.

There are certain situations where a PSM possibly will provide the most appropriate arm’s length result. Since the principle of economics can create complex business environments of both vertical and horizontal integration, contributions of valuable intangibles on both sides of the cross-border transaction, the PSM might be the only method which can be employed. A relevant issue which need to be enlightened is whether the existing guidance provided by the OECD and USA is sufficient from a practitioners and tax administration point of view, or is more guidance needed to better understand the issues surrounding the concept of the PSM. The fact that OECD insist of using comparables to the highest extent as possible when employing the PSM entails practical problems, since it is rather a rule than an exception that reliable comparables cannot be found when valuable intangibles are involved.

The Arthur of this master’s thesis has identified three key conclusions which might facilitate how PSM issues can be handled in the future and improve the existing PSM guidance. These conclusions are the need for a uniform PSM interpretation, the need for additional flexibility and acceptance, and the need for additional TPG guidance.

Master thesis deals with the issue of international taxation of transfer prices between related parties. Diploma thesis defines the basic theoretical concepts of transfer pricing with a focus on international and domestic law. The analytical part of the thesis is devoted to the analysis of the case law, the subject of which is transfer pricing. The practical part is based on acquired knowledge to elaborate a methodological tool to transfer pricing. The present findings are applied to a model example.

This master thesis examines the issues surrounding the pricing of intra-group loans. The main focus of the thesis is the process of establishing an interest rate and the assessment of the credit risk in an intra-group context.  In order to expose the common problems associated with the pricing of intra-group loans the thesis has examined case law from two different jurisdictions, Canada and Sweden, which have been put in relation to the OECD guidelines and Swedish national legislation. The purpose of the master thesis has been to determine whether the establishing of an interest rate and the assessment of the credit risk of an intra-group loan should be made taking into account the parent-subsidiary affiliation or relationship and whether or not this is a deviation of the arm’s length principle. A general assumption is that, if a transaction is carried out between related parties, the price could be different from a price deriving from negotiations between two unrelated parties on the open market, due to their commercial or financial relations. A common feature in case law, regarding the establishing of an appropriate interest rate on intra-group loan, has been whether or not the parent-subsidiary should be included in the assessment of the credit risk. Much of the support available to taxpayers in resolving transfer pricing issues are relating to goods and services and not financing transactions. The main reason is the unique economic profile of financial transactions. Financial transactions are affected by different factors why it is difficult to develop usable transfer pricing policies. Establishing economically justifiable transfer pricing policies while attempting to properly reflect taxable income and prevent penalties from international tax authorities, has resulted in transfer pricing challenges that are unique to intra-group financing. According to Swedish law, interest is regarded as a deductable cost within corporate tax. However, in recent cases, the Swedish tax authorities have been questioning, the deduction right as well as the level of interest on intra-group loans. As of today, there are few national and international guidelines on this area thus it is of interest to examine and address the issues surrounding intra –group loans.

The OECD Guidelines stipulates that a business restructuring resulting in shifted profit potential not automatically implies that compensation should be paid between the restructuring parties. This thesis examines when shifted profit potential should be remunerated from the perspective of the fictive Swedish distributor Enterprise A which is facing a business restructuring. The arm’s length principle does not require any remuneration for the mere shift of profit potential when applying the principle on business restructurings. Instead, the questions are whether there has been a transfer of something of value; or a termination or significant renegotiation of the current agreement. In the context of remuneration for shifted profit potential the questions can be rephrased to whether considerable assets and/or rights have been transferred which carry considerable profit potential that should be remunerated. And, whether the arm’s length principle requires remuneration to be paid by reference to the concept of “options realistically available”. Enterprise A’s shifted profit potential could be remunerated and thus have tax consequences if there are other options realistically available for the entity apart from entering into the business restructuring. Enterprise A’s bargain power would then have been greater and consequently the chances of being remunerated as well. Further, Enterprise A could be remunerated as a result of the shifted profit potential if the entity takes title to transferred marketing intangibles that can be identified and assessed valuable. The shifted profit potential should as well be remunerated and thus have tax consequences if the parties in Corporate Group C have included a compensation clause in their contract, and the clause can be assessed as at arm’s length when considering what independent parties would have agreed upon.

This thesis answers the question “How does the application of the Swedish adjustment rule correspond to the OECD point of view regarding intragroup loans to thinly capitalised companies?” The question is answered by using the traditional legal method and by examining the way the adjustment rule is applied by the Supreme Administrative Court, the Swedish approach when using the arm’s length principle in Swedish law is then compared to the approach recommended by the OECD.

From a tax point of view intragroup prices on commodities and services are of vital importance for multinational enterprises, since these prices in the end affects the total corporate taxation. Also the way of financing a company can have tax implications since it could be an advantage for an MNE to arrange financing of companies within the group through loans rather than contribution of equity capital. A company with a disproportionate debt to equity ratio is considered thinly capitalised and since interest payments are considered deductible expenses, which dividends are not, it provides a way to transfer untaxed profits within a group. This may be an incentive for MNEs to intentionally thinly capitalise companies by providing them with capital through loans instead of equity contributions.

The Swedish provision regulating transfer pricing between associated enterprises is the adjustment rule which expresses the arm’s length principle. The purpose of the rule is to adjust erroneous pricing between associated enterprises and it has four requisites that have to be fulfilled in order to be applicable. In the thesis it is concluded that nothing in the preambles to the adjustment rule points at the provision being applicable to thin capitalisation, on the contrary they indicate that it should have a narrow application. Through case law it has been established that the adjustment rule is not applicable to thin capitalisation situations in the sense that it can not be used to reclassify a loan into equity contribution. The provision is, in such a situation, only applicable to adjust interest rates that deviate from rates on the open market. The arm’s length principle expressed in article 9.1 of the OECD Model Tax Convention however seems to have a broader application than the adjustment rule. It is stated in the commentary to the article that it may be applied to prima facie loans, i.e. it can reclassify a loan into equity contribution if the surrounding circumstances points at it being the true nature of the transaction.

The conclusions drawn when comparing the reasoning of the Supreme Administrative Court with the OECD regarding the application of the arm’s length principle, is that the way the OECD reason regarding the true nature of a transaction is based on the same idea as the reasoning of the Swedish court. The Swedish Supreme Court however uses this type of reasoning when applying the substance over form principle and not when applying the adjustment rule. In other words, the difference is that the adjustment rule is not acknowledged the same scope of application as article 9.1.

Regarding the need to legislate against thin capitalisation in Sweden it is the authors’ opinion that since no examination of the problem has been performed, it is necessary to examine whether thin capitalisation in reality constitutes a problem for the Swedish revenue. Not until it is established if a problem exists should there be a discussion regarding the construction of such a provision.

The purpose of this master’s thesis is to examine and analyse how a transfer pricing adjustment is made and how related parties should handle price adjustments from a customs perspective in Sweden. The examination includes describing the valuation methods available for transfer pricing and customs valuation with regards to related parties. In addition, the differences in connection to the valuation are described and analysed.

Goods imported to Sweden must be cleared through customs: the importer presents a customs declaration to the Swedish Customs and pays customs duty. The customs duty is calculated using a customs value and customs valuation is the system that enables the importer to establish correct customs values on imported goods. Transfer pricing is the determination of prices on transactions taken place between companies belonging to the same group and has a direct effect on the income tax payable. There are six customs valuation methods that are hierarchically applied and six transfer pricing methods that are applied somewhat differently. There are similarities between the methods and most of the customs valuation methods have a corresponding transfer pricing method, or vice versa. Even if there are similarities, many factors make reconciliation of the methods difficult. Such factors are the different time for assessing the value and that the customs valuation methods are applied in a strictly hierarchical way with no possibility to choose the most suitable method.

Customs duties and transfer pricing both share the same valuation concept, although interpreted differently, being that the value shall be based on the price that the parties would arrive at under open market conditions. However, relevant values on the same transaction differ significantly due to trying to be in accordance with respective rules. The differences in expectations and the conflicting interests on the outcome of the valuation lead to problems in the tax field. As a conclusion, customs valuation and transfer pricing can undeniably be described as “the two opposing and necessary sides of the same ‘coin’, whose respective values unavoidably affect the whole balance of a system of closely connected valuation”.

In order for related parties to use the transaction value method, which is the superior customs valuation method, the price must not have been influenced due to their relationship. If one of two tests prescribed by law can prove that the relationship has not influenced the price, the related parties can use the transaction value method to establish the customs value. If the transaction value, for some reason cannot be used, the importer has to address other options on to how to establish the customs value.

The conclusion of this master’s thesis is that related parties should include a price review clause in their contract or pricing policy. The company should notify the Swedish Customs about the provisional price and make an incomplete customs declaration. When information enabling the calculation of the customs value is available, the importer should file a complementary declaration. As an alternative, the importer should declare an open claim to the Swedish Customs arguing that the transaction value cannot be applied and, as a consequence thereof, explain in the customs value declaration why the applied customs value is correct.

This thesis provides three recommendations concerning how to deal with the complications of customs valuation and transfer pricing. The first recommendation is that rules and recommendations surrounding transfer pricing and customs valuation should, to the extent possible, be harmonised. The second recommendation is that co-operation between the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish Customs must improve, for example through advance pricing arrangements for both transfer pricing and customs purposes, documentation requirements, and joint audits. The third recommendation is that related parties should take the same care and documentation approach for customs purposes as it does for transfer pricing. Importing companies should make a price review clause in their contract before the importation and present an incomplete customs declaration. This way, in case of adjustments, the related party is able to uphold an arm’s length standard on the price and has the possibility to use the preferred transaction value for customs purposes, if that is desirable.

Diploma thesis deals with the issue of loan interest taxation between associated enterprises which are Czech residents. The basic theoretical concepts are described in the first part of thesis. The second part is focused on the analysis Czech law connected with interest taxation. The practical part is based on forming methodological tool for associated enterprises. This methodology can help to set the right loan interest rate. There are also practical examples solved in the end of the diploma thesis.

The name of the study means “The short arm - a study in diversity and arm’s length in the cultural collaboration model”. Right now there is a reform in the Swedish cultural administration where the responsibility for handing out state funds and grants to cultural organizations is changing from the state government to the local regional governments. The purpose of this study is to map the organisational changes caused by the reform and investigate how this affects the regional policies concerning cultural diversity and the arm’s length principle. The study has found that the regional governments have mainly adapted existing structures to incorporate the necessary changes for the cultural collaboration model. The exception being the non government organizations that have made considerable changes to their organizations. While cultural diversity is still strong in the model arm’s length principle has been hollowed out.
Just nu pågår en stor reform inom kulturpolitiken där ansvaret för fördelningen av statens medel till kultur förflyttas från staten till regionerna och landstingen. Syftet med uppsatsen är att kartlägga den organisationsomvandling inom det kulturpolitiska fältet som sker på grund av reformen samt undersöka hur detta påverkar regionernas arbete med kulturell mångfald och armlängdsavstånd. Studien har funnit att inga större förändringar har skett i de regionala organisationerna, utan att de anpassat redan existerande organisationsstrukturer. Undantaget har varit intresseorganisationerna som gjort större förändringar i sina organisationer. Även om kulturell mångfald fortfarande är starkt i modellen har principen om armlängds avstånd blivit urholkad.

En 1939, le Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (CEMA) est créé en Grande-Bretagne afin de financer la production artistique. Quatre ans plus tard, sous les pressions du gouvernement de Londres, la même institution est constituée en Irlande du Nord. N’étant pas le fruit d’une volonté politique locale, le CEMA (NI) mettra de longues années à faire accepter le principe d’un soutien public aux arts. Ce travail étudie cette institution, renommée Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) en 1963, dans toutes ses dimensions : politique, économique, sociale, identitaire, culturelle et, bien sûr, artistique. En effet, si les fonctions et le budget du CEMA sont extrêmement restreints en 1943, le Conseil acquiert de nombreuses responsabilités et s’affirme progressivement, même si sa ligne directrice reste très influencée, voire contrôlée, par le gouvernement unioniste. A partir des année 1970, le conflit opposant républicains et loyalistes l’oblige néanmoins à se replier sur lui-même et à se murer dans une politique souvent critiquée comme élitiste, afin de maintenir une neutralité qu’il juge irréprochable. Par la suite, le processus de paix lui confère un réel rôle en termes de promotion de la réconciliation entre les communautés. La création d’un ministère de la Culture en 1998 augmente son intégration dans une politique culturelle menée par un gouvernement local de coalition. La culture, en tant que révélatrice des identités régionales, demeure cependant un point controversé et clivant, certains universitaires allant jusqu’à dire qu’il s’agit maintenant d’une guerre non plus armée, mais culturelle
In 1939, as war had just broken out, the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (CEMA) was created in Great Britain to finance the arts. Four years later, the same organisation was established in Northern Irelad because of the pressure coming from the London government. As it was not born out of regional political conviction, CEMA (NI) struggled for years to get the principle of public support for the arts accepted.The present work studies this organisation, which was renamed Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) in 1963, under various angles: political, economic, social, cultural and, of course, artistic. It will also question the arm’s length principle and the separation between the realm of politics and that of the arts that the Council was supposed to guarantee. Indeed, even though the role and the budget of CEMA were extremely limited in 1943, the Council progressively acquired numerous responsibilities. This did not go unnoticed by the unionist government, which sought to control CEMA/ACNI and how it distributed grants. With the outbreak of the Troubles in the late 1960s, the Council increasingly isolated itself in order to be recognised as neutral in the conflict. However, this also pushed it to put in place a policy that was perceived as elitist and cut out from the population. In the 1990s, the Peace Process gave ACNI a new role in the promotion of reconciliation between the communities. With the creation of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in 1998, the Council was further integrated into the cultural policy framework of the regional and power-sharing government. Nevertheless, culture remained a sore point and a divisive issue in Northern Ireland, with academics going as far as to say that the conflict has now become a cultural war

This master’s thesis compares the OECD transfer pricing recommendations with the transfer pricing rules of the US. The main focus is the ethical pharmaceutical industry and intangible property, in particular marketing intangibles. The Glaxo case is used to illustrate how the US takes advantage of areas of uncertainty to increase the country’s tax revenue. The US shows little consideration for the OECD’s objectives of having a set of universally applicable transfer pricing rules. The purpose of this master’s thesis is to explain and analyze why the IRS took a new approach on marketing intangibles in the Glaxo case, evaluate the global effect of the Glaxo case, and discuss how similar situations should be dealt with in the future.

The natural forum to achieve universally harmonized transfer pricing rules is the OECD. When the OECD fails to provide adequate recommendations, the US and other countries take matters into their own hands by constructing rules deviating from the recommendations of the OECD. These rules tend to put the countries’ interests first creating a competitive international transfer pricing community harmful to MNEs. The consequence is a negative effect on global trade and investment.

In the Glaxo case the US took advantage of the area of uncertainty regarding intangible property and marketing intangibles to serve its own purpose and came up with a new approach on marketing intangibles. This approach has consequences for all MNEs with affiliates in the US and distributors outside the US. The new approach states that the value of a product is attributable to the marketing activities conducted by a US subsidiary rather than to R&D carried out by a UK parent. The new approach may affect distributors outside the US since the value they have can be allocated to a US affiliate conducting marketing and sales activities. The ethical pharmaceutical industry depends on intangible property and R&D is the most important value-driver in this industry. In addition, the characteristics of the ethical pharmaceutical industry are such that ethical pharmaceutical companies are priority targets of the IRS’s audits. If the IRS’s new approach prevails, the negative consequences for the ethical pharmaceutical industry as well as the society as a whole may be severe.

There are three main conclusions and recommendations in this master’s thesis. First, the Member countries of the OECD have to respect the principle of transfer pricing as neutral concept. Second, tax authorities must take into consideration the sound business reasons of MNEs and understand their need for tax predictability. Finally, it is in the interest of all countries to cooperate and establish a uniform interpretation and application of transfer pricing thereby avoiding double taxation and creating a balance in the international transfer pricing community.

Denna magisteruppsats jämför OECD:s rekommendationer gällande internprissättning med de amerikanska internprissättningsreglerna. I uppsatsen fokuserar författarna på internprissättningsproblematiken gällande immateriella tillgångar i läkemedelbranschen, med särskilt fokus på den typ av immateriella tillgångar som uppstår genom försäljning och marknadsföring (marketing intangibles). USA använder sig av områden där rättsläget är osäkert för att öka sina skatteintäkter. För att illustrera detta beskrivs och analyseras Glaxo-fallet. USA visar på så sätt lite hänsyn till ett av OECD:s viktigaste mål; att skapa en universellt harmoniserad tolkning och tillämpning av internprissättning för att motverka dubbelbeskattning och öka möjligheten för multinationella företag att förutse och planera sin skatt. Syftet med denna magisteruppsats är att förklara och analysera varför den amerikanska skattemyndigheten (IRS) valde en ny inställning till marketing intangibles i Glaxo-fallet, utvärdera den globala effekten av Glaxo-fallet och diskutera hur liknande situationer bör hanteras i framtiden.

OECD är det mest lämpliga instrumentet för att skapa en internationell konsensus på internprissättningsområdet. Eftersom internprissättning av transaktioner som involverar immateriella tillgångar och särskilt marketing intangibles utgör ett osäkert område med endast lite vägledning från OECD finns det stort utrymme för länder att skapa egna regler och rättspraxis på området. När länder som USA tar saken i egna händer och skapar sina egna regler inom internprissättning tenderar de att sätta sina egna intressen i första rummet. Konsekvensen blir en internationell internprissättningsmiljö där konkurrensen om de multinationella företagens vinster är stor, vilket skadar den internationella handeln och investeringsviljan hos företag. Det är just detta som skett i Glaxo-fallet.

Resultatet av Glaxo-fallet blev en ny inställning till hanteringen av denna typ av transaktioner, något som USA länge eftersökt för att lösa problemet med en minskande skattebas. Den nya amerikanska inställningen får konsekvenser för alla multinationella företag med företag i intressegemenskap i USA och distributörer utanför USA. USA sänder nu ut en signal att värdet av en produkt inte styrs utav de år av forskning och utveckling som krävdes för att skapa ett patent av det brittiska moderbolaget i Glaxo-fallet. Istället är det de immateriella tillgångar som uppkommer av försäljnings- och marknadsföringsaktiviteter som tillför en produkt det egentliga värdet. I Glaxo-fallet innebar detta att en majoritet av vinsten av försäljningen av läkemedlet Zantac skulle hänföras till det amerikanska dotterbolaget och därmed beskattas i USA. Inställningen innebär att distributörer utanför USA kan komma att påverkas genom att värdet de tillfört genom forskning och utveckling eller andra viktiga funktioner kan bli mindre betydelsefullt än värdet som tillförs av marknadsföring. Läkemedelsbranschen är beroende av immateriella tillgångar för att kunna fungera och forskning och utveckling är den mest betydelsefulla värdeskapande funktionen inom industrin. Företag i läkemedelsbranschen är dessutom mycket benägna att hamna i blickfånget för internprissättningsrevisioner. Om den nya amerikanska inställningen vinner mark är det mycket troligt att konsekvenserna blir allvarliga både för läkemedelsindustrin och för samhället i stort.

I denna magisteruppsats har författarna antagit tre huvudsakliga slutsatser med rekommendationer. Den första är att OECD:s medlemsländer måste respektera principen om en neutral inställning till internprissättning. Som en andra slutsats kan sägas att skattemyndigheter måste beakta de affärsmässiga skälen till de transaktioner som företas av multinationella företag och förstå multinationella företags behov av förutsebarhet beträffande beskattning. Slutligen ligger ett internationellt samarbete i alla länders intresse och en internationell konsensus gällande tolkning och tillämpning av internprissättning skapar balans och motverkar dubbelbeskattning.

När relaterade bolag belägna i olika länder säljer varor och tjänster sinsemellan kan det av olika anledningar ske till ett pris som avviker från det marknadsmässiga. Det kan bero på skatteplanering, men också på diverse andra omständigheter. För att kunna fastställa vilket som är rätt marknadspris och därigenom kunna ta ut rätt skatt är de flesta länder bundna av dubbelbeskattningsavtal, som vanligtvis är utformade efter OECD: s modellavtal. I artikel 9 i detta modellavtal finns regler om internprissättning och där definieras ”Armlängdsprinci-pen”, som säger att prissättningen ska följa de marknadsmässiga principerna. Vid en från marknadspris avvikande prissättning måste det konstateras om bolagen är relaterade eller ej, då reglerna för internprissättning endast gäller relaterade bolag. Enligt OECD: s modellav-tal kan bolag vara relaterade på grund av kontroll genom kapital, ledning eller annan kon-troll, och det är det sista kriteriet, begreppet ”annan kontroll”, som skapar störst förvirring. Varken OECD: s artikel 9 eller modellavtalet som sådant innehåller någon definition av be-greppet och det står inte heller att läsa hur de tre kriterierna förhåller sig till varandra. Vida-re saknas vägledning om vilka situationer som omfattas av artikeln.

Enligt Art 3(2) i modellavtalet ska odefinierade termer tolkas enligt nationell lagstiftning om inte omständigheterna kräver annorlunda. Art. 9 ges ofta en vidare definition än den given i OECD:s modellavtal, vilket kan resultera i en inkorrekt skattesituation. Eftersom dubbelbeskattningsavtalet endast rör justering av dubbelbeskattning, kan en justering inte äga rum genom användande av modellavtalet. Genom att utvidga beskattningsrätten, bryter länderna mot den gyllene regeln, vilken de flesta dubbelbeskattningsavtal bygger på, att ett dubbelbeskattningsavtal aldrig kan användas för att utvidga beskattningsrätten, endast in-skränka denna. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur man kan ge kontrollbegreppet en riktig definition som överensstämmer med Art. 9. Eftersom tolkning via nationell lag kan ge oönskade resultat, kräver omständigheterna ett annorlunda tolkningssätt. Genom att ge kontrollbegreppet en autonom konventions tolkning som reflekterar syftet och bakgrunden till Art. 9, undviks problemet.

When associated enterprises situated in different countries sell goods and services between themselves, the transfer price may, because of different reasons, diverge from the market price. The divergence may be a consequence of tax planning, but it may also arise from other circumstances. To determine the right market price and thereby be able to make a correct taxation, most countries are committed to double taxation agreements, which are usually designed after the OECD Model Convention (hereafter OECD MC). Art. 9 of the convention provides for transfer pricing regulations and in this article the “arm’s length principle” is defined, stating that the pricing should be set according to the market price principles. When the transfer price diverges from the market price it must be established if the enterprises are associated or not, since the transfer pricing regulations only applies to associated enterprises. According to the OECD MC enterprises may be associated through capital, management or control, and it is the last notion, the notion of “control” that creates the greatest confusion. Neither in Art. 9 nor in the rest of the OECD MC, a definition of the notion exists, and it is nowhere stated how the criteria relate to each other. Further-more, guidance is missing describing in which situations the article is meant to be applica-ble.

According to Art. 3(2) OECD MC, undefined terms shall be interpreted according to domestic law, unless the context otherwise requires. Art. 9 is often given a wider definition than the one provided in the OECD MC when domestic interpretation is used, which may result in an incorrect tax situation. Since the double taxation agreement only deals with the adjustment of double taxation, an adjustment cannot be justified by the use of the OECD MC. By broadening the scope of the article, the countries break the golden rule upon which most double taxation agreements rely, that a double taxation agreement may never be used to expand the right of taxation, only restrict it. The purpose of the thesis is to investigate how to give the term control an appropriate definition in line with Art. 9. Since the use of domestic interpretation may give unwanted results, the context requires an alternative way of interpretation. By giving the notion of control an autonomous treaty interpretation that reflects the purpose and context of Art. 9, the problem is avoided.

This article addresses the subject of secondary adjustment on transfer pricing, focusing on its nature and its regulation in Peru. To do this, the author explains the concept and purpose of transfer pricing and also elaborates some terminological precisions concerning adjustments on transfer pricing, defining the primary adjustments, the compensating ones, the correlative ones and, in more depth, the secondary ones. Likewise, the author explains the way secondary adjustments of transfer prices are regulated by the Peruvian Income Tax Law.
El presente artículo aborda la temática del ajuste secundario en materia de precios de transferencia, enfocándose en su naturaleza y su regulación en el Perú. Para ello, el autor explica el concepto y la finalidad de los precios de transferencia, así como también realiza algunas precisiones terminológicas en materia de ajustes de precios de transferencia, definiendo los ajustes primarios, los compensatorios, los correlativos y, con mayor profundidad, los secundarios. Asimismo, el autor explica la manera en que los ajustes secundarios de los precios de transferencia están regulados en la Ley del Impuesto a la Renta peruana.

Master thesis deals with setting a transfer price of controlled transaction between associated enterprises and its impacts on the tax liability of the tax subject. Master thesis defines basic theoretical concepts, legal regulations of transfer pricing, description of methods for setting transfer prices and procedure for determination these prices. Based of this knowledge, an example of the method for setting transfer prices for selected controlled transaction is elaborated. In final part of this thesis, the results are evaluated and recommendations for optimizing the tax liability of the company are determined by modifying the example.

Numa altura em que os preços de transferência são uma das principais fontes de discórdia e conflito entre empresas e autoridades fiscais, uma solução defendida por várias entidades e, ao mesmo tempo, desacreditada por muitos, são os Acordos Prévios de Preços de Transferência (APPT). O presente trabalho consiste num estudo de caso incidindo sobre três multinacionais a laborar em Portugal, com o intuito de perceber qual a sua posição relativamente aos preços de transferência e até que ponto esta ferramenta fiscal (APPT) é considerada, pelas mesmas, uma solução viável para reduzir os conflitos entre Autoridade Tributária e contribuintes em matéria de preços de transferência. A recolha de informação foi efetuada através de questionários elaborados com base na matéria recolhida através de pesquisa exploratória e revisão de literatura multidisciplinar, sendo, posteriormente, complementada através do recurso a entrevistas diretas e online. A análise dos resultados, efetuada recorrendo à metodologia de análise de conteúdo, revela que as empresas estudadas são reticentes quanto à forma como este tipo de acordo poderá ser aplicado pela Administração Fiscal e, embora lhe reconheçam algumas virtudes, em última análise, não acreditam que o mesmo represente uma solução para os problemas provenientes dos preços de transferência, não manifestando intenção de aplicá-lo no médio prazo; The Potential of Advance ### Pricing Agreements from the Perspective of Companies – Multiple Case Study Abstract: At a time when transfer prices are a major source of discord and conflict between companies and tax authorities, a solution advocated by various entities and, at the same time, discredited by many, are the Advance Pricing Agreements. This paper is a case study focusing on three multinational companies operating in Portugal, which aims to understand how far this fiscal tool is considered, by them, an improvement over traditional methods of transfer pricing and a viable solution to this problem. The data collection was done using questionnaires based on information collected through exploratory research and multidisciplinary literature review, and subsequently supplemented by the use of direct and online interviews. The analysis, conducted using the content analysis method, shows that the involved companies are reticent as to how this type of agreement may be applied by the Tax Administration and that, although they recognize that it has some virtues, ultimately, they don’t believe that it represents a solution to the problems related to transfer pricing and don’t intend to resort to this kind of agreement in the medium term.

Mestrado em Economia e Estudos Europeus
A Problemática dos “ Preços de Transferência “, numa perspectiva fiscal tem sido objecto de diversos estudos levados a cabo pela Comissão Europeia. Tendo em conta as caracterís-ticas extremamente diversas dos regimes fiscais dos Estados – Membros, bem como as diferentes preferências nacionais, levantamos duas questões que são analisadas na presente dissertação, através de um Case Study de uma empresa multinacional do sector alimentar e que constituem os dois eixos da dissertação: 1º - Será a Harmonização Fiscal da Tributação Directa necessária ou desejável; 2º - Os “Preços de Transferência” nos Bens Intangíveis e o seu impacto nos resultados apurados para efeitos de tributação; Assim, a presente disserta-ção é dedicada à análise da definição e quantificação de “Preço “ nos bens intangíveis – Royalties numa empresa multinacional cuja empresa mãe se situa num outro Estado Mem-bro com uma diferente taxa de tributação sobre o imposto das sociedades. A análise empí-rica realizada numa empresa multinacional, permitiu verificar a complexidade na quantifi-cação do “Preço de Transferência “ no pagamento de Royalties, a aplicação do “Princípio de Plena Concorrência “ e a morosidade do processo na resolução de conflitos quando sur-ge a Dupla Tributação. Assim: Harmonização, Preço de Transferência, Princípio de Plena Concorrência, Royalties e a forma como estes conceitos interagem, constituem para o case study os grandes temas de análise.
The process of “Transfer Pricing”, from the fiscal perspective has been subject of many studies by the European Commission. According to the different caracteristics of the fiscal regimes of member states, and with regards to the different national preferences, we need to pose two questions which will be analysed in this dissertation. We will be using a case study by a multinacional firm in the food industry sector which constitues two major sec-tions of the dissertation. 1º Will Fiscal Harmonization make direct taxation necessary or desirable? 2º The “Transfer Pricing” in the intangibles property and its impact on the results of the effects on taxation. It is the objective of this dissertation to analyse the definition and quantification of the term “ price” in the Intangibles such as Royalties , within a multinational companies whose headquarters are located in another member state with a different form of taxation or corporate income tax. The empirical analysis realised in a multinacional company, permitted us to check the complexity in quantification of the “transfer pricing”, royalty payments and the application of the “arm´s of length principle”, the long process in the resolution of conflicts when there double taxation occurs. Harmoni-zation, Transfer Pricing, the arm´s of length principle, royalties, and the ways that these concepts interact, contribute for the analysis of this case study

This master´s thesis deals with setting a transfer price of controlled transaction between associated enterprises. The goal is to choose the appropriate method for setting transfer prices for controlled transaction of selected associated enterprises and to compare the set transfer prices with prearranged transfer prices stated in the contract between selected associated enterprises. The thesis contains the theoretical basis and legal regulations for transfer prices, possible solutions to the problem of the setting transfer price, procedure for determining transfer price and recommendations for companies on the subject. The final part of the thesis reviews findings from the practical part and offers arising from the reviewed findings.

The master´s thesis deals with the issue of setting transfer prices for management services between associated enterprises. The thesis contains a theoretical definition of basic concepts and analysis of legislation. The content of the analytical part of the thesis is the analysis of the current state and analysis of case law. The theoretical background is applied in the practical part to a model example which is determined by setting transfer price for management services between internal associated enterprises.

Le terme de « prix de transfert » désigne le prix des transactions conclues entre les filiales d’une même entreprise multinationale. La thèse traite, sous un angle essentiellement normatif, de la problématique de réglementation de ces prix, c'est-à-dire de la détermination du mode de partage optimal du profit d’un groupe entre ses filiales. La thèse s’attache tout d’abord à montrer l’effet de la réglementation des prix de transfert sur les décisions de production et d’investissement des entreprises, puis sur le bien-être mondial. Sur la base des résultats obtenus, les objectifs qu’un dictateur bienveillant international devrait assigner à ce type de réglementation sont ensuite établis. Ce double travail permet de tracer le contour d’un projet de réglementation optimale, fondé sur le concept d’équité inter-nations, et dont l’application conduirait à attribuer à chaque filiale sa valeur de Shapley dans un jeu préalablement défini. La thèse éclaire également le débat contemporain en proposant un protocole permettant de comparer le principe de pleine concurrence avec la méthode d’allocation forfaitaire
The prices of the transactions set between subsidiaries of a multinational corporation are usually called « transfer prices ». The dissertation deals with the normative questions raised by the regulation of such prices, particularly the optimal way of distributing the profit of a multinational between its subsidiaries. The dissertation first shows how the transfer prices regulation can influence corporate production and investment decisions, thereby impacting worldwide welfare. Based upon these results, the objectives that an international benevolent dictator would pursue through such a regulation are then identified. This program allows for the sketching of an optimal transfer prices regulation, which relies strongly upon the inter-nation equity concept, and which application would grant each subsidiary its Shapley value in a certain game. The dissertation also makes a contribution to the current debate by proposing a protocol to compare the arm’s length principle with the formulary apportionment method

Världsekonomin är i ständig tillväxt. Till följd av globaliseringen av ekonomin har allt fler multinationella koncerner etablerats. För att kunna effektivisera och vinstmaximera inom sina organisationer har multinationella bolag utnyttjat olika länders skattesystem. Det genom att förflytta sina vinster till skatteparadis eller andra länder med längre skatt för att på så vis uppnå ett högre resultat för koncernen i helhet. Det leder till att skattebaserna i länder med höga skattesatser eroderas. Av den anledningen har ett behov av en global accepterad standard rörande internprissättning uppkommit. Organisation for Economic Co-oporation and Development har gett ut riktlinjer som de anslutande medlemsländerna ska följa vilka går under namnet Transfer Pricing Gudelines For Multinational Enterprises And Tax Authorities. Riktlinjerna behandlar de viktigaste områdena inom internprissättning och består av totalt nio kapitel.Studien syftar till att undersöka om svensk respektive amerikansk lagstiftning och hänvisningar inom området internprissättning är harmoniserade. Detta med hänsyn till OECDs riktlinjer. För att ta reda på om länderna är harmoniserade inom området har en komparativ studie genomförts. I uppsatsen har en undersökning av kapitel 1, 2, 5, 8 ur OECDs riktlinjer utförts, vilka berör armlängdsprincipen, CCA, prissättningsmetoder och dokumentation. För att kunna avgöra om harmonisering råder inom samtliga områden har en kvalitativ metod använts för att kunna studera ekonomisk och juridisk litteratur. Det för att kunna lägga grund till den slutgiltiga analysen av empiri i form av lagtext och hänvisningar.Studien har bidragit med ökad kunskap för hur OECDs riktlinjer är utformade inom området. Genom djupare förståelse för dess utformning har det bidragit med en inblick i hur OECDs riktlinjer påverkar medlemsländernas utformning av sina hänvisningar och lagstiftningar inom internprissättning. Vid granskning av OECDs utformning inom samtliga områden som tas med i studien har en analys kunnat genomföras för att se hur dessa implementerats inom de två medlemsländerna som är utvalda i studien. Studien har dessutom bidragit med en ökad förståelse för hur de svenska respektive amerikanska hänvisningarna och lagstiftningarna ser ut inom området.Uppsatsen resulterar i att harmonisering råder mellan Sverige och USA inom området internprissättning. Genom analysering av lagar och hänvisningar har stora likheter kunnat urskiljas i enighet med OECDs riktlinjer. Vid genomförandet av studien har viss olikhet och differentiering i utformandet kunnat identifieras men inte i tillräckligt stor utsträckning för att kunna påverka vår slutsats om att det råder harmonisering mellan Sverige och USA i enighet med OECD.
The world economy is in constant growth. As a result of the globalization of the economy, more multinational enterprises have established. In order to streamline and maximize profits within their organizations, multinational companies have exploited various countries tax bases. By moving their profits to tax havens or other countries with lower tax rates they achieve higher earnings for the business as a group. Which leads to that the tax bases in countries with high tax rates will be eroded. Because of this a need for a globally accepted standard on Transfer pricing arise. Organisation for Economic Co-oporation and Development has issued guidelines that acceding member states should follow which is known as Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Authorities. The OECD guidelines consist of nine chapters and address the key areas of Transfer pricing.This study aims to examine the Swedish and US laws and references to see if they are harmonized in the field of transfer pricing in regard with the OECD guidelines. To find out if the countries are harmonized within the region a comparative study has been select. In the study, a survey of Chapters 1, 2, 5, 8 of the OECD Guidelines were performed, which contains the arm's length principle, CCA, transfer pricing methods and documentation. In order to determine whether harmonization exists, a qualitative method has been used to study economic and legal literatures to lay the foundation for the final analysis of empirical data in the form of legal texts and references.This study has contributed to increased knowledge of how the OECD Guidelines are designed in the area. Through a deeper understanding of its design, it has given a glimpse of how the OECD guidelines affect the member countries design on their references and laws in the area of transfer pricing. Upon review of the OECDs guidelines of all the areas included in the study, an analysis has been carried out to see how these are implemented in the two member states that are selected in this thesis. The study has also contributed to a better understanding of how the Swedish and American references and legislation are implemented in the field.The thesis results in that harmonization exists between Sweden and the United States within the area of transfer pricing. By analyzing the laws and references great similarities have discernible in unity with the OECD guidelines. In the implementation of the study some diversity and differentiation in the design have been identified, but not sufficiently to affect our conclusion that there is harmonization between the United States and Sweden in unity with the OECD guidelines.This paper is hereinafter written in Swedish.

The result of the global integration of the world economy are globally operating corporations. Multinational enterprises operate in different countries whose economic policies are different from each other. These differences have considerable impact on tax policy. Taxes are the subject of conflicting interests of the international business and tax policy. One of the current objectives of the MNEs is to reduce the total cost in order to achieving competitive advantage in the global market as well as to minimize the global tax liability through its optimization. To achieve these objectives the international tax planning is a widely used means. International tax planning uses tax havens and their favourable tax conditions to divert profits. Minimizing tax liability often leads to tax avoidance or tax evasion. Different legislative adjustments and mutual meeting of local and international legislation gradually uncover gaps and weaknesses enabling reduction and shedding of profits. Consequently, states are deprived of significant tax revenue. One of the most common and most important methods to minimize the tax liability of MNEs is transfer pricing. Transfer prices are to be determined in accordance with the arm's length principle, using comparative analysis and an appropriate method of assessment. Transactions carried out between associated enterprises may be regarded as a risk area which gets to the fore states and tax administrations. The first part of thesis focuses on tax policy in terms of international taxation of income and international tax planning. The second part presents a transfer pricing. The third and last part describes the practices of MNEs in transfer pricing and corresponding initiatives of national and international organizations.

La fixation du prix de pleine concurrence par les administrations fiscales des pays en développement soulève des questions singulières. L’objectif fondamental recherché à travers la fixation des prix de transfert est l’affectation de la juste assiette de l’impôt à chaque État concerné par les transactions intragroupes, c’est-à-dire au sein des groupes multinationaux de sociétés. L’OCDE et ses pays membres estiment que le meilleur moyen pour parvenir à cet objectif est de vérifier que le prix de transfert en cause respecte le principe de pleine concurrence, lequel repose sur une comparaison entre les prix pratiqués par les sociétés appartenant à un même groupe et ceux pratiqués pour des opérations similaires, par des entreprises indépendantes. Toutefois, cet objectif n’est pas toujours atteint dans la pratique. Favorisé par l'OCDE, le principe de pleine concurrence suppose la mise en œuvre d’une analyse des faits et circonstances des transactions de chaque contribuable. L’OCDE recommande cinq méthodes pour cette analyse, jugée très subjective, donnant aux multinationales une grande liberté pour se structurer afin de minimiser les coûts fiscaux qu'elles encourent. A l’issu du projet BEPS de l'OCDE/G20, le principe de pleine concurrence continue d’être le standard international pour l'évaluation des prix de transfert. Toutefois, ce principe n’est pas suffisamment pragmatique pour les administrations fiscales que l’on peut considérer comme faibles, car il comporte de nombreuses échappatoires qui peuvent compromettre la détermination de l'assiettefiscale.Pour une imposition effective des groupes multinationaux de sociétés, notre thèse suggère deux arguments principaux. D’abord, elle propose des mesures à court terme qui reposent sur la simplification des règles actuelles afin de permettre aux administrations fiscales de collecter des recettes fiscales avec les moyens dont elles disposent. Néanmoins, ces mesures sont provisoires et transitoires étant donné qu’elles reposent sur des méthodes unilatérales jugées défaillantes. Ensuite, notre thèse soutient l’idée que la taxation unitaire avec la répartition formulaire est, à long terme, la meilleure solution, car elle est plus équitable pour toutes les parties
Our thesis addresses taxation of transfer pricing and the arm’s length principle (ALP) in developing countries. Transfer pricing rules aim to accurately reflect the economic contribution of a multinational company (MNC) in each of the various jurisdictions in which it operates. The objective of the TP rules is to ensure that the various entities of an MNC report the real corresponding taxable profits in their jurisdiction.However, this objective is not always attained in practice. Favored by the OECD, the ALP approach requires an individual analysis of the facts and the situation of each taxpayer. There are five approved methods for this analysis, therefore it is eventually highly subjective, giving MNCs much freedom to structure themselves to minimize the tax costs they incur. Following the OECD/G20 BEPS Project, ALP has continued to be the international standard for assessing TP. However, the ALP is not a practical approach for developing countries, as it has many loopholes that can jeopardize the tax base. This thesis has two main arguments. First, it proposes some short-term strategies to make the ALP framework workable for developing countries’ tax administrations, although they are only a stopgate solution since they are still based on a flawed approach. Second, this chapter supports the judgment that unitary taxation with Formulary Apportionment (FA) is the best long-term solution that is fair to all parties

Den fortsatt snabba tillväxten av internationell handel och den ökade globaliseringen harresulterat i en ökning av användandet av internprissättning inom koncerner. Detta har i sin turuppmärksammat multinationella företag, som till följd av detta hamnat i mitten av en storm avstridigheter. I takt med att transaktioner ökat, har det uppstått problem med internprissättning.Internprissättningen används som ett viktigt verktyg av globala företag för att uppnå optimalavinster, där det kan uppstå manipulation av internpriser. Internprissättning förklaras därförofta som fenomenet att vinstmaximera genom att utnyttja andra länders skattesystem ochkringgå statliga regleringar. Mobiliseringen av internprissättning i syfte av skatteflykt är nästintill osynligt för allmänheten och ytterst svårt för tillsynsmyndigheter att upptäcka. För attkomma till underfund med detta problem och samtidigt hjälpa skattemyndigheter ochmultinationella företag har organisationen Organisation for Economic Co-operation andDevelopment (OECD) tagit fram ett antal riktlinjer.Syftet med vår studie är att genomföra en komparativ undersökning för att pröva om det finnsen skillnad mellan tillämpningen av OECD:s riktlinjer, mellan länder med anglosaxiskrespektive kontinental redovisningstradition. Därför sker den komparativa studien mellan detkontinentala Tyskland och det anglosaxiska Storbritannien. För att undersöka potentiellaskillnader används kapitel I, II och IV i OECD:s riktlinjer för internprissättning (OECDTransfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations 2010).Dessa kapitel innehåller armlängdsprincipen, internprissättningsmetoder och dokumentation.För att kunna bedöma om det finns några skillnader i tillämpningen av OECD:s riktlinjermellan Tyskland och Storbritannien har vi kvalitativt granskat lagtexter och riktlinjer frånländernas skattemyndigheter. Vidare har vi använt oss av kvalificerad juridisk och ekonomisklitteratur.Vi har kommit fram till att det finns en skillnad mellan tillämpningen av OECD:s riktlinjermellan Storbritannien och Tyskland. Trots likheter som identifierats finns även storaskillnader mellan de två länderna. Dessa olikheter har varit av sådan omfattning att slutsatsenom att det råder skillnader i tillämpningen av OECD:s riktlinjer mellan ett anglosaxiskt ochkontinentalt land, kunnat dras. Studien bidrar till ökad kunskap om hur skattelagstiftningen ärutformad i Storbritannien och Tyskland. Den bidrar även med kunskap om hur OECD:sriktlinjer är utformade och hur dess utformning påverkar andra länders internprissättning. Vårstudie bidrar vidare med litteratur om Tysklands och Storbritanniens implementering avOECD:s riktlinjer samt OECD:s påverkan på utformning av länders skatteregler inominternprissättning.
The continued rapid growth of international trade and the increased globalization has resultedin an increase of use of transfer pricing within corporate groups. This has, further attractedattention to multinational companies that, as a consequence, have ended in the midst of astorm of debates. As transactions increased the problem of transfer pricing arose. Transferpricing is used as an important tool of global companies to achieve optimal profits, whereinternal prices may be manipulated. Transfer pricing is therefore often explained as thephenomenon of maximizing profit by utilizing other countries' tax systems and bypassinggovernment regulations. The mobilization of internal pricing for tax evasion is almostinvisible to the public and extremely difficult for regulatory authorities to detect. In order toaddress this problem while helping tax authorities and multinational companies, theOrganization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has developed a numberof guidelines.The purpose of our study is to carry out a comparative study to determine if there is adifference between the application of the OECD guidelines, between countries with Anglo-Saxon and Continental Accounting tradition. Hence, the comparative study takes placebetween the Anglo-Saxon United Kingdom and the Continental Germany. To investigatepotential differences, chapters I, II and IV are used in the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelinesfor Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administration 2010. These chapters include the arm'slength principle, transfer pricing methods and documentation. In order to assess whether thereis any difference in the application of the OECD guidelines between United Kingdom andGermany, we have qualitatively reviewed legal texts and guidelines from the tax authorities ofthe countries. Furthermore, we have used qualified legal and economic literature.We have found that there is a difference between the application of the OECD guidelinesbetween United Kingdom and Germany. Despite similarities identified, there are also majordifferences between the two countries. These differences have been of such, that theconclusion that there are differences in the application of the OECD guidelines between anAnglo-Saxon and Continental country, could be drawn. The study contributes with increasedknowledge of how tax law is designed in the United Kingdom and Germany. It alsocontributes with knowledge of how the OECD guidelines are designed and how its designaffects other countries' transfer pricing. Our study further contributes literature on UnitedKingdom’s and Germany's implementation of the OECD Guidelines, as well as the OECD'simpact on the design of countries' tax rules in transfer pricing.This paper is hereinafter written in Swedish.

The theme of my thesis „Determination of Transfer Prices in OEZ group“ is determination the way of creation transfer prices for business iterrelations between affined companies. Work is focused on theoretic knowledge from areas of transfer prices whose pillar is „The Arm´s Length Principle“. With it relating tax correlation and required production of documentation for transparence for financing organs. Final recommendation are target to how (in the concrete and also generally) above all on problems resulting from current economic situation. Of binding force recommendation touche above all areas cover binding appreciation about correctness of creation transfer prices.

Multinational enterprises have been widely accused of using aggressive tax planning schemes to avoid paying tax all over the world. The purpose of this study is to analyse the methods used by multinational enterprises in the context of business restructurings to shift profits from high to low tax jurisdictions. Transactions between associated entities have generally been manipulated by applying non-arm’s length prices to these transactions, as well as devising agreements where the economic substance varies from the form of the transaction. The study aims to investigate some of the practical challenges faced by tax administrators in the application of the arm’s length principle. The study was conducted based on a literature review, as well as analysing specific examples reported in newspapers where multinational enterprises have used aggressive tax planning schemes to shift profits. International case law was also analysed to evaluate some of the factors considered by the courts in the determination of the arm’s length price. It was found that multinational enterprises definitely use aggressive tax planning schemes to shift profits. The practical challenges in the determination of arm’s length prices, complexity of the transactions involved, as well as a lack of resources, especially in the developing nations, are some of the factors that cause tax administrators to battle to find a solution to deter and detect these schemes. Other methods such as the unitary taxation method and the country by country reporting concept have been brought forward as alternatives to the arm’s length principle. These alternatives have been proposed in an effort to find a solution to the challenges posed by the arm’s length principle. Specific measures have also been recommended for developing nations’ tax administrators to resolve the issues that they currently experience in this context.
Thesis (MCom (South African and International Taxation))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

My research concluded by the dissertation thesis focused on transfer pricing in financial management. The aim of this paper was to analyze the use of contracts for cost-sharing, contracts for contributing to the cost and service level agreements in a group of related persons of multinational companies. The work is divided into three logical parts. The first part of my dissertation analyzed the available scientific work and literature. A number of publications deals with the issue but only marginally. I thus drew upon mainly legal texts. I assumed the potential for practical use based on my finding that about 72 % of companies doing business in research and development operate in clusters of related persons. The second part of the paper deals with contracts for cost-sharing and cost contribution agreements. The basic problem of both agreements is reasonable estimation of the expected benefits. I suggested a procedure for estimation of benefit sharing among participants and also what indicators to use for measuring. Then I defined the share of costs. I suggested a definition of K.O. criteria for other than the U.S. legislation for incorrectly estimated shares. In this theoretical treatise on the weighted cost of capital I have found that companies that are not part of a group of related persons have a lower WACC. I pointed to the significant impact of agreements on avoidance of double taxation. As an alternative to the above contracts in the Czech Republic I presented a contract of association under the Civil Code. The third part of this work is dedicated to the Service Level Agreement. I conclude that it is necessary in certain ways to measure benefits, as it is a very important factor for the recipient of services. The benefits, however, cannot be measured directly, but through auxiliary variables, when the determining will always be influenced by the applied accounting standards. The second examined aspect was the allocation of costs to the service provider. Here, I conclude that there is no universally correct way. However, essential for these costs are only the actual relevant costs incurred in connection with the provision of intangible assets. Lastly, I focused on the usual profit margin surcharge over the cost provider of intangible assets. I conclude that when setting profit margins in accordance with the arm's length principle one should build on the level of normal returns on the invested assets of the provider.

Den ökade globalisering som råder gynnar internationell handel på många plan, vilket även har bidragit till att internprissättning blivit en allt mer central fråga. Däremot ställs det högre krav på att adressera de problem som systemet resulterar i. Detta med hänsyn till att ett internpris är av påverkande karaktär på organisationens resultat på grund av skattemässiga motiv och incitament från ledningen. Även om OECD:s riktlinjer TPG är utformade av det politiskt styrande organet i respektive medlemsland är dessa riktlinjer inte tvingande. Systemet möjliggör subjektivitet i internprissättning. Problematiken belyses i synnerhet när redovisningstraditioner och deras eventuella påverkan på internprissättningen i Sverige och Storbritannien tas i beaktning.Studien har som syfte att genom en komparativ analys undersöka hur Sveriges och Storbritanniens redovisningstraditioner påverkar respektive lands tolkning av TPG. Ländernas skattemyndigheter, Skatteverket och HMRC, har gett ut en handledning respektive en intern manual rörande internprissättning där myndighetens tolkning av TPG framgår.Studien är en innehållsanalys av kvalitativ karaktär och datamaterialet som har använts är textutdrag från myndigheternas handledning och manual samt respektive lands lagstiftning på vissa områden. Studien har som ambition att undersöka fyra områden avseende internprissättning, myndigheternas referering till gällande rätt, armlängdsprincipen, metoder för prissättning och bevisförfarande. Tolkningsmodellen som har använts i studien har utvecklats fram ifrån Johanssons (2010) modell avseende substance over form. Tolkningsmodellen tillsammans med den teoretiska referensramen har fungerat som ett verktyg i analysen kring hur redovisningstraditionerna i respektive land påverkar tolkningen av TPG.Studiens slutsats indikerar att det finns inslag av redovisningstraditionerna i respektive lands tolkning av TPG. Både Storbritannien och Sverige refererar till OECD kontinuerligt men studien har resulterat i vissa skillnader som belyser det faktum att länderna har olika redovisningstraditioner. I Skatteverkets handledning identifierar resultatet vissa inslag av den kontinentala redovisningstradition som Sverige präglas av, det påträffas även inslag av det regelbaserade synsättet samt spår av det rättssystem som karaktäriserar Sverige, code law. Resultatet visar även att Storbritanniens redovisningstraditioner framträder i HMRC:s tolkning av TPG. Det återfinns inslag av den anglosaxiska traditionen, det principbaserade synsättet och även här syns spår av deras rättssystem, common law. Studien bidrar med en ökad förståelse kring hur nationella redovisningstraditioner påverkar tolkningen av internationella riktlinjer. Den bidrar även med en praktisk kunskap för företag, myndigheter och internationella verkställande organ.
Increased globalization stimulates international trade in many ways. It has led to increased importance of transfer pricing. However, there is a need to address several issues that have arisen since a transfer price affects the organization's profit or loss due to tax consequences and incentives from management. Although the guidelines known as TPG are drafted by the governments in members’ states, these guidelines are not mandatory. The system allows for subjectivity in transfer pricing. The problem is can be demonstrated by comparing the accounting traditions and their possible impact on transfer pricing in Sweden and the UK.The purpose of the study is to investigate how Sweden's and Britain's accounting traditions affect the countries' interpretation of the TPG. The tax authorities of these countries, the Swedish Tax Agency and HMRC, have each issued a guide and an internal manual on transfer pricing, which explains the authorities’ interpretation of the TPG. The aim of the study is to make a comparative analysis of these guides and internal manuals to see if and how the countries’ interpretation of the TPG differ due to the countries’ accounting traditions. Further, the study is a content analysis of qualitative nature and the data used has been extracted from the authorities' guide and internal manual, as well as the legislation of each country in certain areas. The aim of the study is to investigate four areas of transfer pricing, the authorities' reference to current law, the arm's length principle, pricing methods and evidence procedures. The research model used in this study has been developed from Johanssons (2010) model regarding substance over form. The resarch model together with the theoretical reference framework have served as a tool in the analysis of how accounting traditions in each country affect the interpretation of TPG.The study’s conclusion indicates that there are elements of accounting traditions in each country’s interpretation of TPG. Both the UK and Sweden refer to the OECD repeatedly but the study has resulted in some differences highlighting the fact that the countries have different accounting traditions. In the Swedish Tax Agency’s guidance, the result identifies certain elements of the continental accounting tradition that Sweden is characterized by, it also finds elements of the rule-based approach as well as traces of the legal system code law that characterizes Sweden. Likewise, the result also shows that Britain's accounting traditions appear in HMRC's interpretation of TPG. There are elements of Anglo-Saxon tradition, the principle-based approach, and also traces of their legal system common law. The study contributes to an increased understanding of how national accounting traditions affect the interpretation of international guidelines. It also provides useful information for companies, authorities and international executive agencies.This paper is hereinafter written in Swedish.

The focus of this thesis is alternative methods used to determine transfer pricing in practice, mainly in the environment where there is a lack of available comparable information in the market. The paper is divided into four chapters. The first lists basic terminology, available relevant legislation and briefly outlines particular methods of determining a transfer pricing as recommended by OECD directives and the use of those. The second chapter focuses mostly on identifying of an interval for transfer pricing acceptable for tax authorities under a sale of an enterprise or its part. The third chapter mentions further alternative methods for which the underlying asset for determining of transfer price are financial derivatives. The last chapter discusses the results of carried out analyses and presents recommendations to using alternative methods. The thesis contents are supported by a designed computer program, which is a key element for using the alternative methods in practice.

Internprissättning anses vara ett av de mest kritiska problemen när det kommer till nationell och internationell beskattning. Den växande globaliseringen har resulterat i uppkomsten av många nya multinationella verksamheter, vilket även har till följd att transaktioner mellan företag med verksamhet i olika länder ökat. För att uppnå maximal global vinst flyttar multinationella företag vinster från högskatteländer till lågskatteländer och utnyttjar därmed länders olika skattesystem. Till följd av detta har fokus ökat från skattemyndigheter världen över, med incitament om att skydda sitt lands skattebas. Regler i syfte att begränsa internationell skatteflykt har blivit alltmer betydelsefulla, därmed har ett behov av en global accepterad standard avseende internprissättning uppkommit. Organisationen Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) har tagit fram ett antal riktlinjer som behandlar internprissättning. Syftet med studien är att redogöra om det finns skillnader eller likheter mellan implementeringen av OECDs riktlinjer avseende internprissättning mellan Sverige, som är medlem i OECD, samt Kina och Singapore som inte är medlemmar. Vidare syftar studien till att verifiera eller falsifiera följande hypotes; att skillnader i implementeringen och utformning av internprissättning i respektive länders lagar och riktlinjer kan förklaras av kulturella dimensioner i landet. Därav genomfördes en komparativ studie mellan Sverige, Kina och Singapore lagtexter och riktlinjer samt OECDs riktlinjer. Studien omfattar en undersökning av OECDs riktlinjer för internprissättning, OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations 2017, avseende kapitel I. Armlängdsprincipen, kapitel II. Prismetoder och kapitel IV. Dokumentation. Slutsatsen av studien är att såväl medlemsländer samt icke-medlemsländer följer OECDs riktlinjer för internprissättning men att det förekommer variationer i omfattning. Vi finner likheter i såväl ländernas lagstiftning som riktlinjer avseende syfte och innehåll inom de undersökta områdena. Studien identifierar även skillnader i ländernas internprissättningsreglering vilka till största del utgörs av vilken omfattning länderna har anpassat sina riktlinjer efter OECDs riktlinjer. Vår slutsats är att harmonisering råder, men i olika utsträckning, även utanför OECD som institution och att ett medlemskap i organisationen inte är en nödvändighet för att likhet i internprissättning ska existera. Vår studie visar samtidigt att utformningen av internprissättningsregler beror på kulturella dimensioner i högre utsträckning än institutionella influenser. Vår hypotes har genom studien kunnat verifieras och ger därför stöd åt att skillnader i internprissättning i respektive länders lagar och riktlinjer kan förklaras av kulturella dimensioner i landet. Studien bidrar till ökad förståelse av respektive länders lagstiftningar och riktlinjer för internprissättning samt dess likhet med OECDs riktlinjer. Vidare bidrar studien med kunskap i hur kulturella dimensioner, i samspel med OECD, påverkat både medlemsländer samt icke-medlemsländers implementering och utformning av sina lagar och riktlinjer inom internprissättning.
Transfer pricing is considered one of the most critical issues regarding national and international taxation. The growing globalization has resulted in the creation of a multiplicity of new multinational corporations, which in turn has led to an increase in financial transactions between companies with business in different countries. To maximize global profit, multinational corporations move profit from high tax countries to low tax countries by using other countries tax systems. As a consequence, focus on this issue has increased from tax departments all over the world, with the intent to protect their nations’ tax base. Regulation with the purpose of minimizing international tax avoidance have become increasingly important and thus a need for a globally accepted standard considering transfer pricing, has ascended. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has developed a number of guidelines regarding transfer pricing. The purpose of the study is to present differences and similarities in the implementation of OECDs guidelines regarding transfer pricing between Sweden, a member in OECD, as well as China and Singapore who are not members in the OECD. Further the study aims to verify or falsify the hypothesis: that differences in the implementation and design of transfer pricing in the respective countries’ national regulation and guidelines can be explained by cultural dimensions within the countries. Hence a comparative study was executed between Sweden, China and Singapore’s legal texts and guidelines, along with the OECD guidelines. The study contains an examination of transfer pricing in the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administration 2017 of Chapter I. Arm's Length Principle, Chapter II. Price Methods and Chapter IV. Documentation. The study concludes that both member states as well as non-member states follow the OECD guidelines for transfer pricing but that variations between the nations exist. We find similarities in the nations’ regulation and guidelines regarding purpose and content within the examined areas. The study also identifies differences in the transfer pricing regulation between the nations, largely regarding the extent to which the nations has adapted the legal texts and guidelines to the OECD guidelines. Our conclusion is that visible harmonization exist, but in a varying extent, even outside the OECD as an institution, and that membership in the organisation is not a necessity for similarities in transfer pricing guidelines to occur. The study also indicates that the structure of transfer pricing regulation is influenced by cultural dimensions to a larger extent than institutional influences, hence our hypothesis verify that differences in transfer pricing in the respective countries’ national regulation and guidelines can be explained by cultural dimensions within the countries, is supported. The contribution of the study is increased understanding of the examined nations’ regulation and guidelines regarding transfer pricing and their similarities with OECD guidelines for transfer pricing. Further the study contribute to knowledge of how the cultural dimensions within the nations, in combination with OECD, influence the implementation and structuring of regulation and guidelines regarding transfer pricing in both member states and non-member states of the OECD.

Avec la mondialisation, les groupes de sociétés ont multiplié les transactions internationales et, de fait, les phénomènes d'optimisation fiscale internationale. La nécessité de fixer des prix de transfert « objectifs » afin de permettre une juste répartition de la manne fiscale entre les États s'est très vite imposée. La remise en cause des prix de transfert conduit à une double imposition économique.Aujourd'hui, le principe de pleine concurrence est la norme internationale utilisée comme norme de référence pour la fixation de prix de transfert « objectifs ». Toutefois, cette norme est perfectible. Aussi, la communauté internationale cherche et expérimente des alternatives à la norme du prix du marché. Dès lors, les réglementations étatiques et internationales sont amenées à repenser la problématique des prix de transfert dans sa dimension économique et non plus dans un but exclusivement fiscal.L'évolution majeure de ces dernières années est la nouvelle approche de la relation administration fiscale/entreprise. L'entreprise doit fixer ses prix de transfert en accord avec l'administration pour réduire le risque de double imposition économique. Le souci d'assurer une juste répartition des recettes fiscales entre les États et de garantir la sécurité juridique au développement du commerce mondial, constituent les défis de demain
As a result of globalization, multinational companies have increased their international transactions, and in consequence, international tax planning. The need to determine "objective" transfer pricing in order to ensure the fair allocation of tax revenue between States quickly became a global necessity. However, the readjustment of transfer pricing as carried out by tax administrations leads to double taxation.At present, the arm's length principle is the international standard used as a reference norm to determine "objective" transfer pricing. However, this standard is perfectible and so the international community has been looking for and trying out alternatives to the norm of arm's length pricing. Consequently, both domestic and international rules and regulations need to be reassessed with regard to the problems of transfer pricing so that transfer pricing issues can be addressed not only from the perspective of tax revenue but also taking into account their overall economic dimension.The major evolution over last few years is the new approach to the tax administration/company relationship. The company must determine its transfer pricing in agreement with the tax administration in order to reduce the risk of economic double taxation. This aims to make sure that a fair share of income tax is apportioned between States and also guarantees a secure legal framework for the future allowing international trade to continue to develop and rise to meet the challenges that lie ahead