01 Mar What are related parties in Transfer Pricing?

Transfer pricing is a significant issue in Vietnam as it has become an increasingly popular destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). With more and more multinational corporations (MNCs) setting up operations in Vietnam, the Vietnamese government has been focusing on transfer pricing regulations to prevent tax avoidance and ensure that tax revenues are collected fairly.

One key aspect of transfer pricing regulations is the definition of related parties. In Vietnam, related parties are defined as entities that are closely related to each other due to their ownership, control, or management. The related parties definition includes the following entities:

1. Companies that are controlled by the same person or group of persons.
2. Companies that have a significant influence over each other’s decision-making processes.
3. Companies that have common ownership or control.
4. Companies that are in a parent-subsidiary relationship.
5. Companies that are in a joint venture or partnership relationship.
6. Companies that are members of the same group of companies.
7. Companies that have business relationships with each other, such as suppliers and customers.
8. Companies that have a direct or indirect interest in each other’s profits or losses.

The related parties definition in Vietnam is broad and inclusive to prevent MNCs from using complex corporate structures to avoid tax. The Vietnamese government requires MNCs to provide detailed information on their related-party transactions, including the nature of the transactions, the prices charged, and the terms and conditions of the transactions.

The Vietnamese government has also issued transfer pricing regulations to ensure that related-party transactions are conducted at arm’s length. The arm’s length principle requires related-party transactions to be conducted on the same terms and conditions as transactions between unrelated parties. The Vietnamese government uses various methods to determine if related-party transactions are conducted at arm’s length, such as the comparable uncontrolled price method, the cost-plus method, and the transactional net margin method.

The consequences of non-compliance with transfer pricing regulations in Vietnam can be severe. MNCs that do not comply with transfer pricing regulations may face penalties, fines, and even criminal prosecution. In addition, the Vietnamese government can adjust the tax liability of MNCs if it determines that the prices charged in related-party transactions are not at arm’s length.

In conclusion, the definition of related parties is a crucial aspect of transfer pricing regulations in Vietnam. The broad and inclusive definition of related parties ensures that MNCs cannot use complex corporate structures to avoid tax. The Vietnamese government uses various methods to determine if related-party transactions are conducted at arm’s length and has severe consequences for non-compliance with transfer pricing regulations. It is essential for MNCs operating in Vietnam to comply with transfer pricing regulations to avoid penalties and fines and ensure that their tax liabilities are accurate and fair.

Contact PCA Company Services today. We will help you info@pcacompanyservices.com