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19 December 2017 Australian Tax Office releases further guidance regarding Cross-Border Related Party Financing and the Diverted Profit Tax
The PCG 2017/4 (PCG) outlining the ATO compliance approach to cross-border related party financing arrangements is a major document. It has been significantly revised since the initial draft release and consultations with EY and other industry and professional stakeholders. Notwithstanding this, it remains the case that this document is an ATO risk assessment framework tool only and does not necessarily reflect the law. The PCG's effective date (1 July 2017) remains in force but will apply to all related-party financing arrangements on issue from that date. This brings into question the treatment relating to the back years for financing arrangements entered pre 1 July 2017, all of which remain open owing to Division 13's lack of a limited amendment period and Division 815's seven year limited amendment period which only commenced in 2013. 1. The pricing of related-party financing should align with the commercial incentive of achieving the lowest possible "all-in cost" (interest plus guarantee fees, swap costs, etc.) to the borrower. 2. The cost of financing should align with the cost that could be achieved on an arm's-length basis by the parent of the global group to which the borrower and lender both belong. 3. The changed scoring system (as outlined below) which has simplified the interpretation and calculation of a taxpayer's PCG 2017/4 score but has made it (even) easier for taxpayers to be rated "very high risk." 4. The PCG indirectly implements related-party financing documentation and expected reporting requirements (in addition to the current transfer pricing documentation obligations), which include:
The scoring results as before in a risk matrix outcome, which is anticipated to be disclosed by taxpayers to the ATO upon request (unless required to furnish and file a Reportable Tax Positions Schedule), with differential ATO compliance actions initiated depending on the risk score. Importantly, given the holistic approach taken to Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) by the ATO, entry to the APA process (and confirmation from the ATO that they will not review financing with regard to the DPT) is only available for entities with related-party financing in the green zone. As before, taxpayers in the blue, yellow and amber zones may work with the ATO and/or seek alternative dispute resolution methods. Whereas, taxpayers in the red-zone are likely to be reviewed as a matter of priority, are likely to proceed directly to audit, have no access to the APA program and become an increased prospect for litigation. The Diverted Profits Tax (DPT) is expected to impact approximately 1,600 significant global entities (broadly entities with global turnover of AU$1 billion or more). The PSLA outlines the ATO processes and high level approvals required for issuing DPT assessments. As expected, the ATO will require the involvement of the ATO General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR) Panel (similar to the Part IVA processes), which should provide some level of comfort to taxpayers. The draft LCG provides further commentary on various DPT legislative mechanics including the interaction of the DPT with the thin capitalization rules and the determination of foreign tax liabilities for groups of entities. While the ATO has previously indicated that the DPT should generally only be applied as a last resort after the conclusion of traditional transfer pricing dispute resolution, the draft LCG is silent on this point. An additional Practical Compliance Guideline (DPT PCG) is expected in 2018. This is anticipated to provide further practical guidance on the relative DPT risks associated with particular arrangements and the likelihood of ATO review, particularly with regard to the sufficient economic substance test. The DPT PCG will be subject to confidential consultation early in 2018. An ATO officer must obtain approval from the ATO DPT specialist team prior to commencing a DPT analysis. Once approved, the ATO officer is required to engage with the Tax Counsel Network in undertaking the DPT analysis. Other than in exceptional circumstances, the ATO protocols prior to issuing a DPT assessment include the following: Where an ATO officer wishes to issue a DPT assessment contrary to the advice of the ATO GAAR Panel, additional internal consultation is required. Once a DPT assessment has been issued, prior to the conclusion of the 12 month review period the matter must be referred to a GAAR Panel hearing at which the taxpayer may be invited to make written and oral submissions. On finalization of a DPT assessment the taxpayer's right of appeal will be to the Federal Court. Unfortunately, the ATO compliance approach remains challenging and intricate. Taxpayers who may be impacted by the DPT or PCG should review the latest materials provided by the ATO to identify potential impacts on structures and/or pricing, as well as the impact on financial reporting and audit processes. The PCG relating to cross-border related-party financing arrangements will require detailed analysis for inbound and outbound groups including to:
The PCG states that to encourage willing and co-operative future compliance, for a limited period, the Commissioner is willing to settle penalties and interest if taxpayers make a voluntary disclosure in relation to the back years and adjust historic and prospective pricing or level of debt to come within the green zone. The Commissioner's undertaking will remain in place for 18 months from the publication of the PCG or the effective date for any schedule to it. The PCG outlines the process for taxpayers wishing to take up the transitional proposal. Given the significant risk in relation to open back years, taxpayers will need to carefully consider whether to take advantage of these transition provisions.
Document ID: 2017-5050 |
