China Signs New Tax Treaty with the Netherlands

June 19, 2013 Posted by China Briefing Reading Time: 4 minutes

Jun. 19 – China and the Netherlands signed a new “Tax Treaty for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion” on May 31, 2013, which will replace the current double tax treaty of 1987.

However, the new treaty still needs to be ratified according to the legislation of both countries, and will enter into force on the last day of the month following the date of the last notification. Once in effect, the treaty will apply to income derived on or after January 1 of the following year.

The new treaty is one of the most favorable bilateral tax treaties that China has concluded, and it is expected to exert significant influence over investments into both countries. Key features of the new treaty can be found below.

Permanent Establishment
Under the new treaty, an enterprise operating through service provision (including consultancy services) in any one of the two contracting countries will be considered as a permanent establishment if it has engaged in continuous activities for a period (or periods) amounting to more than 183 days within any 12 month period.

Moreover, the new treaty extends the test for whether a building site, construction, assembly or installation project (as well as supervisory activities in connection therewith) constitutes a permanent establishment from 6 months to 12 months.

Dividends
The new treaty limits the tax rate in respect of dividends in all cases to 10 percent, provided the recipient of such dividends is the beneficial owner of the dividends. However, such rates may be reduced to 5 percent if the beneficial owner is a company (other than a partnership) which directly holds at least 25 percent of the capital of the company paying the dividends. As such, the Netherlands is now privilege to one of the lowest rates approved by China in its tax treaties.

Moreover, if the beneficial owner of the dividends is the Government of the other Contracting State, any of its institutions, or any other entity (the capital of which is directly or indirectly wholly owned by the other Contracting State), the above-mentioned rate may even be reduced to nil.

Royalties
Under the current tax treaty, China is allowed to tax royalties at a rate of 10 percent on all royalties (the Netherlands does not levy withholding tax on royalties under its domestic tax law). The new treaty reduces the Chinese royalty withholding tax rate to 6 percent for payments of any kind received as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use, industrial, commercial or scientific equipment.

Capital Gains
According to the new tax treaty, the capital gains of a Dutch entity from the disposal of Chinese shares are no longer taxable in China under all occasions, except for the following two circumstances:

The shares derive more than 50 percent of their value directly or indirectly from immovable property situated in China.
The recipient of the gains, at any time during the 12 month period preceding the share disposal, holds a participation, directly or indirectly, of at least 25 percent in the capital of the Chinese resident company.

This principle shall be applied vice versa between the two countries.

Anti-avoidance
The new treaty denies the benefits of the treaty with respect to withholding taxes on dividends, royalties and interest, if the main purpose of the creation or assignment of the rights is to take advantage of the treaty.

In addition, the new tax treaty has provided for a mutual agreement procedure between the states. Such procedures can be initiated at the request of any taxpayer who believes that the actions of one or both the contracting states results, or will result, in taxation not in accordance with the treaty.

Dezan Shira & Associates is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in emerging Asia. Since its establishment in 1992, the firm has grown into one of Asia’s most versatile full-service consultancies with operational offices across China, Hong Kong, India, Singapore and Vietnam as well as liaison offices in Italy and the United States.

For further details or to contact the firm, please email china@dezshira.com, visit www.dezshira.com, or download the company brochure.

You can stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends across Asia by subscribing to Asia Briefing’s complimentary update service featuring news, commentary, guides, and multimedia resources.

Related Reading

Understanding Permanent Establishments in China
In this issue of China Briefing Magazine, we cast some light on permanent establishment status in China by discussing the circumstances triggering a PE in China, focusing on Service PEs. We also discuss the tax implications for a non-resident enterprise where its activities in China constitute a Service PE in the country, and address the taxation of representative offices.

Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements
In this issue of China Briefing Magazine, we look at the evolution of the legal framework of double taxation agreements in China, including the foundations of anti-avoidance, obligations in reporting offshore transactions, how to qualify as a beneficial owner and how to claim treaty benefits. We also outline the interpretations given in Circular 75 of the China-Singapore DTA, which was the first time that the Chinese tax authorities really opened up about DTA interpretations.

M&A Regulations in China
In this issue of China Briefing Magazine, we focus on the regulatory issues affecting cross-border M&As, and the key tax points foreign investors should be aware of when conducting M&As involving domestic Chinese companies. We also address the key aspects of transfer pricing, corporate restructuring exemption, and valuation as they relate to M&As.