Tax implications of transfer pricing on supply chain management

Abstract

Increased globalisation has lead to centralised risk management and decision-making in multinational enterprises, which gives rise to the principle of tax efficient supply chain management and the need to focus on the integration of tax considerations into the multinational's supply chain. In order to retain a competitive advantage in the global economy, multinational enterprises need to constantly search for cost benefits. This has created a market for tax motivated structures and the consequential action by tax authorities world-wide to regulate transfer pricing, in order to protect their respective tax bases. As revenue authorities increase their focus on transfer pricing compliance, it is vital that multinationals adhere to the arm's length principle and ensure their transfer pricing documentation can substantiate the transfer prices selected.