[Taxation Law] Market Research, Promotional Activities, Training Or Deployment Of Software Are 'Auxiliary Functions' Under DTAA: Delhi HC
Live LawThe Delhi High Court has reiterated that “activities such as market research, promotional activities, training or deployment of software would clearly not breach the threshold of auxiliary functions as are envisaged under the DTAA.” Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement was signed between India and the US to prevent International Double Taxation and encourage international trade. In its 72-page judgment, a division bench of Justices Yashwant Varma and Ravinder Dudeja noted that the LO was only engaged in activities relating to liaising with governmental authorities, training of personnel and undertaking other peripheral functions in aid of the business of Western Union Financial Services. “The gamut of activities which it undertook cannot thus be described to be the undertaking of an essential or significant part of the principal business activity of Western Union Financial Services,” it said. Since the activities undertaken were far removed from the core business of the Western Union Financial Services enterprise, it is the tests of 'preparatory' and 'auxiliary' as embodied in Article 5 which stand met and satisfied,” it held and dismissed Revenue's appeal.