2014-2015 MAP Program Report

Competent Authority Services Division
International and Large Business Directorate
Compliance Programs Branch
Canada Revenue Agency

Executive Summary

This is the twelfth annual report issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on its Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) Program. The report provides a summary of the MAP Program for the period from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015.

The report describes the purpose, history, and the current events that are shaping the future of the MAP Program. Emphasis is placed on providing statistical information in order to make the MAP Program more transparent as well as to provide some insight as to the types of issues addressed by the CRA and its treaty partners.

The CRA encourages taxpayers subject to double taxation or taxation not in accordance with an income tax convention to consider the MAP Program.

For more information, please consult the current version of Information Circular 71-17 Guidance on Competent Authority Assistance Under Canada's Tax Conventions or contact a MAP manager in the Competent Authority Services Division (CASD).  Please refer to page 18 for a list of the MAP managers and their telephone numbers.

Introduction

The MAP Program is a mandatory service program provided by the CRA to assist taxpayers with the resolution of cases of double taxation or taxation not in accordance with the provisions of a tax convention. The MAP process requires co-operation from taxpayers to achieve the goal of resolving these cases.

What is the Mutual Agreement Procedure?

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital recommends that bilateral tax conventions include a MAP article as a form of dispute resolution mechanism. Pursuant to this article, residents in either country may request assistance to resolve a particular taxation issue covered by a convention. In Canada, the Minister of National Revenue authorizes senior officials within the CRA to endeavour on his behalf to resolve a tax dispute under a tax convention. These senior officials are referred to as the Competent Authority. A similar authorization usually takes place in our treaty partner countries.

Further guidance from the CRA on the MAP may be found in the current version of Information Circular 71-17 Guidance on Competent Authority Assistance Under Canada's Tax Conventions.

How does the Competent Authority achieve resolution through the MAP?

What are the benefits of seeking relief through the MAP?

Who is involved in the MAP?

The Competent Authority Services Division (CASD), which has responsibility for the MAP Program, is part of the International and Large Business Directorate (ILBD). ILBD is part of the Compliance Programs Branch of the CRA. The Director of CASD is an authorized Competent Authority for Canada who is responsible for matters of double taxation and taxation not in accordance with a convention with respect to specific taxpayers as well as for the overall administration of the MAP Program.

As of March 31, 2015, CASD consisted of fifty six (56) employees, including one (1) director, seven (7) managers, one (1) Chief Economist, and forty seven (47) staff. Of the staff, twenty seven (27) were assigned to four Mutual Agreement Procedure – Advance Pricing Arrangement (MAP – APA) Sections with primary responsibility for transfer pricing cases, including nine (9) economists with primary responsibility for economic analysis in support of APA cases, five (5) were assigned to the Mutual Agreement Procedure – Technical Cases Section with primary responsibility for competent authority matters other than transfer pricing, fifteen (15) were assigned to the Exchange of Information Services and for the administration of procedures and reporting requirements of the CASD program.

When the CRA receives a MAP request from a taxpayer, the request is entered into our internal tracking system and assigned to one of the four MAP – APA Sections or to the MAP – Technical Cases Section. The MAP case is then assigned to a lead analyst, who is responsible for the review, analysis, negotiation and resolution of the MAP case. Where necessary, the lead analyst may request assistance from economists, Income Tax Rulings Directorate, Legislative Policy Directorate, or legal counsel from the Department of Justice.

The international auditors at the TSOs also play an important role in the MAP process. Where the MAP case arises from Canadian-initiated audit adjustments, international auditors provide the lead analyst with background information, working papers and the rationale for audit adjustments. Where the MAP case arises from foreign-initiated audit adjustments, the international auditors assist the lead analyst by reviewing these adjustments and providing the analyst with additional information or feedback.

Taxpayers may choose to represent themselves or authorize a representative from the accounting, economic, or legal communities to pursue a MAP request on their behalf. Taxpayers, or their representatives, are involved to the extent that the CRA may request additional information during the MAP process, and such co-operation is necessary for resolution of the case.

A Brief History of the MAP Program in Canada

The MAP Program has been in existence dating back to Canada's first tax treaty containing a MAP provision with the United States in 1942. Published guidance to taxpayers dates back to 1971 with the release of Information Circular 71-17. This information circular has been revised several times and CRA currently operates under IC71-17R5 Guidance on Competent Authority Assistance Under Canada's Tax Conventions, dated January 1, 2005.

The number of MAP requests in Canada has grown dramatically. CASD has continued reorganizing and implementing a number of initiatives to improve the quality and timeliness of services to taxpayers. These service improvements include the introduction of case management techniques to ensure that MAP requests proceed on schedule as well as ongoing efforts to improve the bilateral process with other tax administrations.

CASD added additional personnel during recent years. This was necessary in order to address the steady growing MAP and APA caseloads, as well as ensuring we respond to the legislative time constraints introduced through the arbitration provision added to the Canada – United States Income Tax Convention in December 2008.

Current State of the MAP Program in Canada

The Fifth Protocol to the Canada – United States Income Tax Convention, was brought into force following ratification by the Parliament of Canada on December 14, 2007 and by the United States Senate on September 23, 2008.

One of the significant benefits to taxpayers in the Fifth Protocol is the introduction of mandatory arbitration for residents of Canada or the United States who face potential double taxation that is not resolved by negotiation between the Canadian and United States competent authorities.  For certain issues that the two competent authorities cannot resolve, taxpayers can compel them to refer their dispute to binding arbitration. This procedure is entirely elective for the taxpayer: the new rule is described as "mandatory arbitration" because it is mandatory for the competent authorities. The competent authorities for Canada and United States developed procedures and administrative practices for the implementation of mandatory arbitration. Memorandum of Understanding Between The Competent Authorities of Canada And The United States of America and Arbitration Board Operating Guidelines – Canada – United States

CASD officials also made several presentations during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

Timeline - General

Where a case involves negotiations with another tax administration, every effort is made to resolve the double taxation issue as expeditiously as possible.

While the overall target for completion to resolve a case is twenty-four months, there are many factors beyond CRA's control, which may result in the target not being met. Factors include the co-operation and timely receipt of information from the taxpayer, the complexity of the issue, the time that the other competent authority requires to review and respond to a position paper, and the willingness of both competent authorities to adopt reasonable negotiating positions.

The CRA has a management tracking system to measure performance with respect to achieving the overall timeframes of issuing a position paper within six months of receipt of a complete request, and concluding an agreement within twenty-four months.

The system is intended to measure, for example, the average time to issue letters, develop a position paper, negotiate a case, and conclude a case. This report includes statistics on the average time to complete negotiable cases (please refer to the following page).

In addition, the CRA enhanced its management system to monitor timelines introduced by the binding arbitration process under the Canada – United States Income Tax Convention.

Timeline – Negotiable MAP Case Completions

Fiscal Year 2010 – 11 2011 – 12 2012 – 13 2013 – 14 2014 –15
Canadian-initiated 32.16 31.46 26.13 22.63 25.75
Foreign-initiated 20.39 20.01 21.93 30.90 33.31
Target 24.00 24.00 24.00 24.00 24.00

The chart below shows the average time (in months) taken to complete the various stages of case during the 2014-2015 fiscal year:

The average time (in months) to complete at various stages for the 2014-2015 fiscal year
Initiation/acceptance Preparation position Evaluation position Negotiation
Canadian-initiated 2.66 4.40 13.61 5.08
Foreign-initiated 5.00 15.60 2.56 10.14

Resolution of Double Taxation

The CRA strives to achieve and maintain effective dispute resolution procedures with all of its treaty partners.  This requires that both tax administrations endeavour to resolve cases in an equitable and timely fashion.  While existing procedures are, in general, adequate to provide full relief from double taxation in most disputes, nonetheless agreements cannot be reached on all cases.

Some examples which may result in partial relief or no relief of double taxation:

MAP Results

Our management tracking system allows us to track cases where there has not been full relief from double taxation. Of the 170 MAP cases that were resolved in fiscal year 2014-2015, 115 cases were categorized as negotiable, which means that bilateral negotiations with another tax administration were required to resolve an issue. Of the 115 cases negotiated with other tax administrations, 94% (109 cases) of taxpayers who sought assistance obtained full relief from double taxation, 3% (3 cases) obtained partial relief, and 3% (3 cases) did not obtain relief.

Reasons for no relief from double taxation for MAP cases were:

Cases with Partial Relief Cases with No Relief Reasons
0 1 Request for competent authority assistance filed outside the time limitation provisions in a specific tax convention.
1 0 The notification for some taxation years was outside the time limitation provision in a specific tax convention and the domestic provision prevented the competent authority in providing relief from double taxation.
0 2 The domestic law provisions in the other tax jurisdiction prevented the other competent authorities in providing relief from double taxation.
1 0 The other competent authority concluded that the adjustment is not related to the entity in that country.
1 0 The taxpayer was uncooperative or unable in providing the required information to the competent authorities.
3 3 Total

Program Statistics

The table below provides the number of the cases accepted and completed for the fiscal years 2010-2011 through 2014–2015.

MAP Cases Accepted–Completed–Outstanding

Fiscal Year Beginning Inventory Accepted Completed Ending Inventory
2014 – 2015 344 347 170 521
2013 – 2014 315 309 280 344
2012 – 2013 312 279 276 315
2011 – 2012 254 371 313 312
2010 – 2011 243 136 125 254

* Routine applications for a refund of taxes withheld in excess that are beyond domestic time limitation but within a particular treaty time are no longer included in this report. Prior year figures have been re-stated to reflect this change.

MAP CASES by Type

The following table reflects the acceptance and completion of MAP requests by type – negotiable and non-negotiable – and by year for the period 2010–2015.

Negotiable cases require bilateral negotiations with another tax administration to resolve double taxation or taxation not in accordance with an income tax convention.

Non-negotiable cases are resolved by an agreement between Canada's Competent Authority and specific taxpayers, and do not involve another tax administration.

Acceptance and Completion of MAP Cases: Negotiable and Non-Negotiable

Fiscal Year Negotiable Accepted Negotiable Completed Non-negotiable Accepted* Non-negotiable Completed* Total Accepted* Total Completed*
2014-2015 130 115 217 55 347 170
2013–2014 127 105 182 175 309 280
2012–2013 127 114 152 162 279 276
2011–2012 87 97 284 216 371 313
2010–2011 102 95 34 30 136 125

* Routine applications for a refund of taxes withheld in excess that are beyond domestic time limitation but within a particular treaty time are no longer included in this report. Prior year figures have been re-stated to reflect this change.

Negotiable MAP Cases by Category

The following table provide a breakdown by category for negotiable cases for the fiscal year 2014–2015:

Category Fiscal Year 2014–2015 Opening Inventory Accepted Completed Ending Inventory
Associated Enterprises 232 109 99 242
Residency and Permanent Establishment 16 4 9 11
Other 9 17 7 19
Total 257 130 115 272

As reflected in the table above, the majority of negotiable MAP cases involve the resolution of economic double taxation between associated enterprises. The category "Other" includes any request involving juridical double taxation or taxation contrary to a convention where the mutual agreement procedure is required to resolve the issue, such as the taxation of pension and annuities or other income.

Negotiable MAP Cases Completions: Foreign-initiated and Canadian-initiated

The following tables provide a breakdown of completion rates for cases resulting from foreign-initiated or Canadian-initiated audit adjustments:

Fiscal Year Foreign – initiated Audit Adjustments Canadian – initiated Audit Adjustments Total
2014-2015 26 89 115
2013–2014 13 92 105
2012–2013 9 105 114
2011–2012 8 89 97
2010–2011 11 84 95

Negotiable MAP Cases Completions by Industry and for Individuals

Fiscal Year 2014–2015 Industry Sector and Individuals MAP Negotiable Case Completions
Arts and Entertainment 3
Auto and Other Transportation Equipment 15
Chemical and Allied Industries 8
Clothing and Textile 3
Computer and Electronics 14
Construction Equipment and Materials 6
E-Commerce 1
Educational 3
Finance and Insurance 4
Food and Beverage 5
Health 5
Individuals 7
Machinery 7
Management and Administrative Services 3
Metals and Minerals 17
Petroleum 3
Real Estate, Rental and Leasing 2
Technical and Professional Services 2
Transportation & Warehousing Services 1
Wholesale Trade 1
Wood and Paper 3
Total 115

Note: Requests from individuals generally involve issues related to taxation contrary to a convention rather than a specific industry.

Negotiable MAP Cases Completions by Transfer Pricing Methodology

Fiscal Year 2014–2015 Transfer Pricing Methodology MAP Negotiable Case Completions
Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) 12
Cost Plus 32
Resale 0
Profit Split 4
Transactional Net Margin Method (TNMM) ― Berry Ratio 7
Transactional Net Margin Method (TNMM) ― Operating Margin 40
Transactional Net Margin Method (TNMM) ― Return on Assets 0
Transactional Net Margin Method (TNMM) ― Total Cost Plus 5
(*) Not Applicable 15
Total 115

(*) A transfer pricing methodology is generally not applicable where the MAP case involves an issue of taxation contrary to a convention.

For further information concerning transfer pricing methodologies, refer to the current version of Information Circular IC87-2, International Transfer Pricing.

Non-Negotiable MAP Cases by Category

Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Category Opening Inventory Accepted Completed Ending Inventory
Withholding Taxes 1 3 0 4
Pensions 64 174 18 220
Gains 4 30 29 5
U.S “S” Corporation and Estate Rollovers 11 6 5 12
Other 7 4 3 8
Total 87 217 55 249

The "Withholding Taxes" category generally involves the refund of withholding taxes that have been withheld in excess of a particular treaty rate.

The "Pensions" category involves elections under the Canada – United States Tax Convention to defer taxation of undistributed accrued pension income.

The "Gains" category includes deferred gains agreements for all treaties and the application of the transitional rule contained in the Canada-United States Tax Convention.

The "Other" category generally involves assistance and advice given to taxpayers and other areas of the CRA.

Contacts – MAP and APA Programs

Office of the Director – Competent Authority Services Division

Murray, Sue – Director, 613-957-0850

Mutual Agreement Procedure – Advance Pricing Arrangement

Section 1: Nguyen, Tam – Manager, 613-941-9281
Section 2: Ruggiero, Francis – Manager, 613-946-8897
Section 3: Busby, Brian – Manager, 613-946-6169
Section 4: Quinn, Dan – Manager, 613-952-6960

Mutual Agreement Procedure – Technical Cases

Boychuk, Daryl – Manager, 613-946-6085

Advance Pricing Arrangement - Mutual Agreement Procedure – Economic Analysis

Nayak, Govindaray – Chief Economist, 613-946-5162

How to Contact Us

If you have any comments or questions about this report or the services offered by the Competent Authority Services Division, contact us by telephone at (613) 941-2768, send us a facsimile at (613) 990-7370, email us at MAP-APA/PAA-APP.CPB/DGPO@cra-arc.gc.ca, or write to us at the following address:

For delivery by mail and by courier:
Canada Revenue Agency
Director, Competent Authority Services Division
International and Large Business Directorate
Compliance Programs Branch
427 Laurier Avenue West, 8th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0L5

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