Advance pricing agreement (APA)

As a direct effect of working in a progressively more regulated and clear business atmosphere, associate enterprises are looking for more assurance in organization their tax risks and possible exposure to risks. Advance pricing agreements (APAs) offer taxpayers with a significant way to reach better assurance.

An APA is a agreement between a taxpayer and at least one tax authority concerning the TP method functional to a taxpayer's inter-company transactions and will usually cover multiple years. Through the APA, the tax authority accept not to look for a TP adjustment for enclosed transactions as long as the taxpayer obey to the terms and conditions as agreed by the APA.

APAs can be one-sided, two-sided, or bilateral. An independent APA concern an agreement between a taxpayer and a solitary tax authority. Two-sided or multilateral APAs occupy connected taxpayers and more than one tax authority, present by joint agreements between the applicable government capable authorities.

APA programs are designed so taxpayers can willingly determine real or possible TP disputes in an honourable, supportive manner, as an option to the traditional assessment process. The potential nature of APAs supply taxpayers greater confidence concerning their TP methods, and support ethical resolution of transfer pricing issues before positions become well-established.

While "advance" agreements, APAs frequently engage declaration of pending transfer pricing issues from previous years. In some cases, APAs can give a successful means for settle existing transfer pricing audits or adjustments.

Acquire an APA can give numerous profits. APAs offer better assurance on the transfer pricing method accepts. As an effect, they ease the possibility of risk and assist the financial reporting of possible tax liabilities. APAs also decrease the incidence of double taxation and costs linked with audit defense and TP documentation preparation.