Friday, March 25, 2016

No action could be taken against foreign parent Co. by issuing notices to its Indian group Co.

Facts:
a)        Ingram Micro Asia Holdings Inc., a company incorporated in USA and part of US based Ingram Group, acquired shares of assessee-company (Techpac Holdings Ltd.), a company incorporated in Bermuda and ultimate holding co. of Techpac Group.
b)       After the aforesaid acquisition, the Indian entity of the Ingram Group [Ingram Micro India Pvt. Ltd.] was merged into the Indian entity of the Techpac Group [Tech Pacific India] and post-merger, the name of Tech Pacific India was changed to Ingram Micro India Ltd.
c)        During the search and seizure proceedings carried out at the premises of Ingram Micro India Ltd. [previously known as Tech Pacific India] (hereinafter referred to as ‘Ingram Micro India’), Assessing Officer (AO) found share purchase agreement under which shares of assessee-company (i.e., Techpac Holdings Ltd.) were transferred to Ingram Micro Asia Holdings Inc.

d)       It was contended by AO that by virtue of the said agreement, assessee had transferred all the assets and liabilities of its Indian Group Company (i.e., Tech Pacific India) to Ingram Micro Asia Holdings Inc. Hence, there was a clear transfer of capital asset in India and, therefore, by virtue of the provisions of Section 9 of the Income-tax Act (‘Act’), the income from such transfer was deemed to accrue in India.