Document Fragment View

Matching Fragments

8. The Ld. Counsel for the assessee reiterated what has been stated during the course of the Transfer Pricing proceedings and also before the DRP. The Ld. Counsel straightaway drew our attention to the copies of Softex form filed by the assessee with the STPI authorities. It is the say of the Ld. Counsel that this evidence clearly show that the services are merely in the nature of Software Development Services. In support of his contention, the Ld. Counsel filed a complete set of documents to substantiate his claim of Software Development Services provider.
10. We have given a thoughtful consideration to the rival submissions and have carefully perused the orders of the authorities below. We have also considered the relevant documentary evidences brought on record. In our considered opinion, the entire dispute revolves around the nature of business of the assessee. The assessee claims itself to be a Software Development Service Provider whereas the TPO has treated the assessee as engaged in providing contract Research & Development Services. This dispute gets strength from the nomenclature used by the assessee in Form No. 3CEB and also in its Transfer Pricing Study Report. However, the documentary evidences filed in the form of copies of Softex Forms and the order of the STPI authorities paint an altogether different picture. In our considered opinion, these documents have not been properly appreciated by the Revenue authorities. Had these documents been examined qua the nature of business of the assessee, the resultant product would have been different. Therefore, in the interest of justice and fair play, we restore this issue to the file of the TPO. The TPO is directed to re-examine the entire issue by denovo assessment. The TPO is directed to decide the issue on the basis of Softex Form filed with the STPI authorities and related orders of the STPI authorities. The assessee is directed to furnish necessary details and the TPO is directed to examine the same after giving reasonable opportunity of being heard to the assessee. Needless to mention, the TPO shall also decide all other related issues with the TP adjustments relating to working capital adjustments and differences in the risks. Ground No. 4,5 & 6 are treated as allowed for statistical purpose".