ACIT v. Sony India Software Centre (P) Ltd. (2025) 233 TTJ 249(Bang)(Trib)

S. 28(iv) : Business income-Value of any benefit or perquisites-Converted in to money or not-No benefit or perquisite is chargeable to tax under section 28(iv) for assets received from AEs on a returnable basis-Independent personal services-Training expenses paid to non-resident fell under Article 14 of the DTAA and not subject to TDS-DTAA-India-Singapore. [Art. 14]

The assessee received certain assets free of cost from its overseas AEs on a returnable basis. These were testing equipment/prototypes provided to ensure software development services met required parameters. Assets were either returned to AEs or destroyed after completion of projects. The assessee had an Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) that already considered depreciation on these assets in the cost base for determining transfer pricing. Training services couldn’t be classified as technical, managerial or consultancy services. These services fell under Article 14 (Independent Personal Services) of India-Singapore DTAA and hence not taxable. (AY. 2017-18)

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