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Business wiki · Income tax

Transfer pricing

The pricing of transactions between related parties, with tax rules requiring covered transactions to be evaluated on an arm's-length basis.

Search terms: TP associated enterprises arm's length

A business example

An Indian company charges its overseas group company for software-support work.

Follow the exampleFictional business scenario
  1. Describe the work

    Record staff functions, resources used and responsibilities undertaken.

  2. Assess the price

    Document the pricing method and relevant comparison evidence.

  3. Reconcile the charge

    Connect the agreement and invoices to the actual services and calculations.

What this shows

A group-approved markup is a starting proposal, not proof by itself that the price meets the applicable arm's-length standard.

What it is often confused with

An internal invoice or group policy does not alone demonstrate an arm's-length price.

What to look at in your business

Identify covered relationships, transaction functions and supporting comparison evidence.

Context and further reading

This entry explains the business term. The related guide below provides the next layer of context; any applicable legal test depends on the transaction and relevant period.

Transfer pricing applicability →

Related terms

PAN

The income-tax identification number assigned to a taxpayer.

TAN

An identification number used in the tax deduction and collection system where required.

TDS

Tax withheld by a payer from specified payments or credits and accounted for under the applicable income-tax rules.