International Tax Compliance

Transfer Pricing Study & Form 3CEB

Comprehensive transfer pricing documentation for Indian entities with cross-border related-party transactions. OECD-aligned benchmarking, Form 3CEB certification, and APA support — all before the 30 November deadline.

92–92F

Section

3CEB

Form

Intl. Txns ≥ ₹1 Crore

Threshold

30 November

Due Date

CUP/RPM/CPM/TNMM/PSM

Methods

2% of Txn Value

Penalty

Overview

What is Transfer Pricing?

Transfer pricing refers to the prices at which transactions occur between associated enterprises (AEs) — companies that are related through common ownership or control across international borders. Indian tax law under Sections 92 to 92F of the Income Tax Act, 1961 mandates that all such transactions be conducted at an arm's length price (ALP).

An arm's length price is the price that independent, unrelated parties would agree to for a comparable transaction in similar market conditions. If your company charges below-market prices for services rendered to an overseas parent, or pays above-market royalties to a foreign licensor, the Income Tax Department can make an adjustment — treating the difference as additional taxable income in India.

A Transfer Pricing Study is a detailed economic report that documents your transactions, benchmarks prices against comparable market data, and certifies through Form 3CEB that all international related-party transactions are at arm's length. This study is mandatory when your aggregate international transactions with AEs exceed ₹1 crore in any financial year.

Transfer pricing analysis and benchmarking

Starting from

₹29,999

Comprehensive TP Study + 3CEB

Applicability

Who Needs a Transfer Pricing Study?

If any of these describe your business, you are likely required to comply with Indian TP regulations.

Indian Subsidiaries of MNCs

Indian arms of foreign multinationals must benchmark all cross-border related-party transactions annually.

Overseas Related-Party Transactions

Any Indian company with imports, exports, or service transactions with foreign group entities.

Management Fee Recipients

Companies receiving management services, IT support, or shared services from their parent entity abroad.

Inter-Company Lenders

Indian companies extending loans to or receiving loans from foreign associate enterprises.

Cross-Border Joint Ventures

JVs involving non-resident partners where income or cost allocation crosses the international border.

ESOP Beneficiaries

Indian employees receiving stock options from a foreign parent — the recharge creates an international transaction.

Royalty-Paying Entities

Indian HQs or subsidiaries paying royalties, technical fees, or brand licence fees to overseas entities.

Cross-Border Service Arrangements

Back-office BPO/KPO services, software development, or any inter-company service arrangement with non-residents.

Key Benefits

Why Commission a TP Study?

Beyond statutory compliance, a well-crafted transfer pricing study provides significant business and legal value.

Avoid 2% Penalty

A documented TP study is your primary defence against the 2% penalty on the transaction value for non-compliance.

OECD Guideline Compliance

Study aligned with OECD transfer pricing guidelines and BEPS Action Plans for global consistency.

Minimise TP Risk in Audit

Robust documentation reduces the risk of TP additions and adjustments during Income Tax scrutiny.

APA Support

We assist with Unilateral, Bilateral, and Multilateral Advance Pricing Agreements for 5-year price certainty.

Arm's Length Defence

Comprehensive economic analysis and comparables selection provide a legally defensible arm's length position.

Reduce Double Taxation

Proper documentation enables effective use of DTAA MAP (Mutual Agreement Procedure) to eliminate double tax.

Functional Analysis Clarity

FAR (Functions, Assets, Risks) analysis provides a clear economic picture of each entity's role in the group.

CbCR Compliance

We prepare Country-by-Country Report (3CEAA/3CEAB) for Indian constituent entities of large MNC groups.

Our Process

8-Step Transfer Pricing Process

A structured, methodical approach ensures your TP documentation is rigorous and audit-ready.

01
01

Identify International Transactions

Map all transactions with associated enterprises (AEs) — goods, services, loans, intangibles, and guarantees.

02
02

Functional Analysis (FAR)

Document functions performed, assets employed, and risks assumed by each entity in the value chain.

03
03

Comparability Analysis

Identify economically comparable transactions or companies using databases (Prowess, Capitaline, TP Catalyst).

04
04

Select Transfer Pricing Method

Choose the most appropriate method: CUP, RPM, CPM, TNMM, or Profit Split based on transaction characteristics.

05
05

Benchmarking Study

Run statistical analysis on comparable set; compute arm's length price or margin range using the selected method.

06
06

Prepare 3CEB Report

Draft the accountant's report in Form 3CEB covering all international transactions with mandated disclosures.

07
07

CA Certification

A Chartered Accountant certifies the Form 3CEB after due diligence review of all underlying documents.

08
08

File with ITR + Maintain Records

Submit 3CEB with the Income Tax Return and maintain complete documentation for 8 years as required by law.

Documentation

Documents Required

Transfer pricing documentation in India is governed by Rule 10D. The following documents form the core of a compliant TP file. We guide you through collection and organisation.

Related party contracts and intercompany agreements
Audited financial statements of both entities
Business description and functional profile
Group structure chart with shareholding details
Management accounts and MIS reports
Comparable uncontrolled transaction data
Intercompany pricing policies
Prior year TP study (if any)

Rule 10D Documentation

Mandatory record maintenance

Under Rule 10D of the Income Tax Rules, every person required to maintain information and documentation must keep these records for a period of 8 years from the end of the relevant assessment year.

Failure to maintain prescribed documentation not only attracts a 2% penalty on the transaction value but also shifts the burden of proof entirely to the taxpayer during assessment.

TP documentation must be in place before the due date of filing the Income Tax Return. It need not be filed but must be produced within 30 days of a notice from the Assessing Officer.

Timeline

6-Stage Engagement Timeline

From kickoff to 3CEB certification — a typical engagement takes 3–6 weeks depending on complexity.

01

Transaction Identification

List all AE transactions and classify by nature.

02

FAR Analysis

Functional interview and economic profiling of each entity.

03

Method Selection

Apply method selection hierarchy per Rule 10C.

04

Benchmarking

Database search, comparables filtering, arm's length range.

05

Report Drafting

Prepare TP Study Report and Form 3CEB draft.

06

3CEB Certification

CA review, certification, and filing with ITR.

Deliverables

What You Receive

Every TP engagement from Company Avenue Advisory delivers a complete, audit-ready documentation package.

Transfer Pricing Study Report (detailed)

Form 3CEB — CA certified and signed

Benchmarking analysis with database excerpts

Functional interview notes (FAR documentation)

Economic analysis document

Comparability analysis workings

Company Avenue Advisory transfer pricing team
Why Choose Us

Why Company Avenue Advisory?

Team of experienced CAs with international tax expertise

Access to premium TP databases — Prowess, Capitaline, TP Catalyst

OECD and BEPS-aligned documentation approach

Legally defensible arm's length analysis

APA filing and MAP representation support

Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR) assistance

Dedicated TP expert assigned to your engagement

Delivery before 30 November deadline — guaranteed

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about transfer pricing compliance in India.

Get Started

30 November Deadline Is Approaching

Don't wait until October. Commission your Transfer Pricing Study now and ensure your Form 3CEB is certified and ready well before the deadline.