Ici India Ltd. vs Dcit, Sr-15 on 25 November, 2003
Therefore, we find that it is fair to give an opportunity to
the TPO / AO to apply the ratio of the said judgment and others, if any, and remand
this issue to the file of the AO considering the plethora of orders of the Tribunal
referred above ie the case of Toshiba India (P) Ltd vs. DCIT (supra); (ii) Casio India
Co. (P) Ltd vs. DCIT (supra); (iii) Valvoline Cimmins (P) Ltd vs. DCIT (supra)and (iv)
Reebok India Company vs. DCIT (supra). It is also legally settled issue that the TPO
/ AO are required to adopt „bundled approach‟ in benchmarking the AMP expenses as
well. No contrary decisions are brought to our notice by the Ld DR. They should not
unfairly segregate AMP expenses while benchmarking, when the TPO accepts the
comparables adopted by the assessee as a „bundled transaction‟, treating the AMP
expenses as a separate international transaction, is not proper. Because, the said
comparables are accepted after comparing the various functions performed by the
tested party and the AMP expenses are duly accounted for in such comparing
analysis. Making adjustments to AMP expenses segregated from the „bundled
transactions‟ will only lead to the situation of making additions thereby increasing PLI
unfairly. Regarding the fetters to the AO, we find that the assessee has considered
the benchmarking of the AMP transactions in his TP studies. The TPO‟s order is self-
explanatory regarding the rejection of the said comparables and thrusting of his five
comparables. On these facts, we find that in the remanding proceedings, AO / TPO
8
shall consider the same comparables when resorting to any search in this regard.