BHP Biliton PLC (LON:BLT) has reached an agreement with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to settle the transfer pricing dispute relating to its marketing operations in Singapore.
The settlement fully resolves the longstanding dispute between BHP and the ATO for all prior years, being 2003 to 2018, with no admission of tax avoidance by BHP, and provides certainty in relation to the future taxation treatment.
The dispute related to the amount of Australian tax payable as a result of the sale of BHP’s Australian commodities to BHP’s Singapore marketing business.
As part of the settlement, BHP will pay a total of approximately A$529 million in additional taxes for the income years 2003 to 2018. BHP has already paid A$328 million of this amount, following receipt of amended tax assessments and in accordance with the ATO’s normal practice.
In addition, from July 2019, BHP Group Limited will increase its ownership of BHP Billiton Marketing AG, which is the main company conducting BHP’s Singapore marketing business, from 58 per cent to 100 per cent. The change in ownership will result in all profits made in Singapore in relation to the Australian assets owned by BHP Group Limited being fully subject to Australian tax.
The change in ownership will provide certainty for BHP and the ATO regarding the Australian taxation treatment of BHP’s Singapore marketing business for future years.
Peter Beaven, BHP Chief Financial Officer, said “This is an important agreement and we are pleased to resolve this longstanding matter.”
“The A$529 million payable under the settlement is in addition to the more than A$75 billion in Australian taxes and royalties that has already been paid by BHP over that same period.”
“The settlement provides clarity for BHP and the ATO in relation to how taxes will be assessed and paid on the sale of Australian commodities. That certainty is good for business and for Australia.”
BHP’s marketing operations will continue to be located in Singapore and remain an important part of BHP’s value chain. These marketing operations contribute to BHP’s ability to compete in the global marketplace and to the value of Australia’s natural resources. Being located in Singapore provides BHP with access to a highly skilled global trading centre for its commodities in close proximity to its customer base.
