CIT (IT) v. Travelport L. P. USA (2023) 153 taxmann.com 175 (Delhi) (HC) Editorial : SLP of Revenue dismissed, CIT (IT) v. Travelport L.P. USA (2023) 294 Taxman 165 (SC)

S. 9(1)(i) : Income deemed to accrue or arise in India-Business connection-Information, reservations, transaction processing and related services to airlines, travel agencies and other travel related entities by utilizing a CRS-Major part of business activities took place in USA-Tribunal is justified in holding that 15 per cent of assessee’s profit was to be attributed to India-DTAA-India-USA. [Art. 5(4)(a), 260A]

 

Assessee is  a tax resident of US and carried on business of providing information, reservations, transaction processing and related services for airlines, travel agencies and other travel related entities by utilizing a Computerized Reservation System (CRS). Assessing Officer held that assessee had a business connection in India under section 9(1)(i) and PE in terms of article 5(4)(a) of Indo-US Treaty and, accordingly, assessee’s income generated in India was chargeable to tax under section 9(1)(i) of the Act.   Tribunal held that computers at desk of travel agent in India were merely connected to extent that it could perform a booking function but were not capable of processing data of all airlines together at one place. No assets were deployed to India. Tribunal  held  that major part of business activities were carried out outside India in USA and only limited activities were attributable to India, 15 per cent of revenue was enough to attribute towards activities done in India.. No substantial question of law. (AY. 2006-07)