Summary
The new double taxation treaty between Hong Kong SAR and the
Netherlands ("DTA") signed in 2010 will
take effect in the Netherlands from 1 January 2012 and in Hong Kong
from 1 April 2012.
Tax planning opportunities
This DTA will further improve the economic ties between the Netherlands, Hong Kong and Mainland China and offers tax planning opportunities in all three jurisdictions.
The combination of this DTA with the Dutch participation exemption regime and extensive tax treaty network makes the Netherlands a tax-efficient gateway into Europe and, indeed, the rest of the World for companies and individuals from Hong Kong and Mainland China.
Likewise, the DTA provides a favourable basis for Dutch companies to enter the growing Hong Kong and other Asian markets.
No withholding on interest
Under the DTA, no withholding tax on interest payments is allowed. Currently, there is no such withholding tax in either jurisdiction.
3% withholding on royalties
For royalty payments, Hong Kong has agreed to reduce its
withholding tax to 3%. The Hong Kong domestic rate is 4.95%. There
is no withholding tax on royalty payments in the Netherlands.
Capital gains
The right to tax capital gains is generally allocated to the jurisdiction of the company realising the gain, but the other jurisdiction may – subject to certain limited exceptions - tax capital gains on the shares in a company deriving more than 50% of its asset value directly or indirectly from real estate situated in that other jurisdiction.
Exchange of information
This DTA is Hong Kong's first agreement adopting international standard exchange of information provisions. These provisions require the tax authorities in both jurisdictions to provide information that is foreseeably relevant for taxation purposes in the other jurisdiction. Exchange of information will only occur upon request of the authorities in the other jurisdiction and no automatic or spontaneous exchange of information will be required.
To avoid "fishing expeditions", the requesting authorities (typically, the Netherlands) must identify the target person, the specific information requested and specify why that information is foreseeably relevant. Also, the DTA does not provide for mutual assistance in the collection of taxes.
Arbitration
A taxpayer in either jurisdiction may submit its double taxation matters to arbitration if the competent authorities have been unable to resolve double taxation, e.g. resulting from deviating interpretations of the DTA, by mutual agreement.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
