What is Transfer Pricing?
Transfer pricing tax can be defined as the difference in price between goods, services, or assets that are sold between affiliates of the seller and affiliates of the buyer. It is a way for companies to sell products outside of their home country and avoid high taxes on profits. Transfer pricing has long been a controversial issue because it can lead to tax evasion, unfair income distribution among shareholders, and result in a loss of revenue from taxation.
The controversy of transfer pricing
Transfer pricing has long been considered a controversial issue because it allows companies to internally shift profits to low tax jurisdictions while still maintaining the same level of revenue. Also, in the past, transfer pricing permitted companies to avoid paying taxes by disvaluing the prices of goods and services sold between entities. This resulted in a loss of revenue for governments which lead to higher governmental deficits. In effect, countries have been tightening regulations for transfer pricing in an effort of reducing the loss of tax revenues to a nation.
What is the controversy today?
Today, Transfer pricing tax has become more complex because of global trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which have been enacted over decades to reduce tariffs between nations. Today, many companies, particularly multinational corporations (MNCs), use these loopholes to sell their products in low tax countries while staying in a high tax country for operations.
In an effort of reducing this trend, there have been many regulations enacted that prevent MNCs from transferring profits from high tax countries to low tax jurisdictions. This is more often done through the sale of goods and services between entities in different countries. Today, a majority of governments feel as though their tax revenues are being stolen by MNCs, particularly because transfer pricing allows companies to keep profits in high tax jurisdictions while selling in low tax countries.
The impact of transfer pricing
Transfer pricing tax does, however, have its positive effects as well. It allows companies to adjust prices between entities in different countries in order to improve customer service levels. It also allows companies to use the same site, equipment, and supplies all around the world. In addition to these benefits, transfer pricing can be beneficial for small businesses because it allows them to avoid tax on their first $50,000 of revenue per year by partnering with a large conglomerate or corporation. The result is a lower tax burden for small businesses.
Conclusion
The controversy of transfer pricing is likely to continue for a long time, because not only does it allow companies to evade taxes by transferring profits to low tax jurisdictions, but it also results in a loss of revenue from taxation. In an effort of preventing this from occurring, governments have enacted many regulations that have restricted transfer pricing within the past decade. Despite these restrictions, there has been no sign of the controversy ending in the near future. While governments agree that there is a need for more regulation, they must still consider the positive aspects of transfer pricing.
In general, the controversy of transfer pricing will continue to result in a worldwide debate because it has both positive and negative effects on companies, governments, and consumers around the world.
Top 7 Things I Wish People Knew About Transfer Pricing & Tax Treaties.
On one hand, I understand the reasons why people struggle with the concepts of transfer pricing and tax treaties. It is difficult to master, even for a seasoned international tax expert and certainly not for someone who is new in this industry.
On the other hand, I can see the good in transfer pricing and follow the debate whether it is OK or not. So, I am going to clear some confusion so that you will feel more comfortable when you have to face with this topic.
7. Transfer pricing tax is a new concept for many people, even in the international tax world.
Many of the tax treaties and transfer pricing provisions were developed in the 1970’s and 1980’s, which is as late as you can get with a new phenomenon. This means that they have been in existence since long back, but they have not been used much by many big corporations. That is why most of us think that transfer pricing isn’t a problem for them as much as small ones.
6. Transfer pricing is a worldwide phenomenon.
Transfer pricing provisions are a standard part of tax treaties and bilateral tax agreements, which we get to choose while concluding a treaty or agreement with another country. It means that the rules of transfer pricing will apply equally to all the companies having investments in different countries.
5. Transfer pricing tax is a process of setting the price of goods and services that you sell over a period of time in one country against another country, which may be entirely different from your own.
Transfer pricing is the process by which a business decides on the price for products or services that it sells in three different countries. The prices of goods and services are determined to ensure that profits are not artificially inflated or reduced when different tax rates apply.
4. When you have multiple different transactions with an associate or a branch, the transfer pricing provisions will be applied to your global operations, irrespective of whether you sell in one country or another.
The transfer pricing provisions are same for businesses transacting in goods or services with their branches and associates. This means that transfer pricing will be applicable for setting prices for goods/services sold against all other branches/associates.
3. Transfer pricing is a best practices concept and not a law.
Transfer pricing tax is a best practices concept, which can be implemented in the corporate tax structure of a business, irrespective of whether it is governed by tax treaties or not. In other words, transfer pricing will be applied as a way to set prices for sale of goods and services in different countries.
2. It is true that there was some criticism for the Mein hard model developed, which was the basis for many countries to use the transfer pricing provisions.
But, the criticism was not because of doubts in transfer pricing provisions. They used to criticize him for not realizing that the country of source needs to keep its source rules independent of the country that charges tax on it.
1. Transfer pricing is distinctively different from tax treaties, but they are related like a brother and sister.
Transfer pricing tax treaties are two way street between two countries. It means that you will have to honor your country’s treaty obligations in other countries just like your own country will be expected to uphold their obligations in your home market.
