What is Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)? How NRIs Claim Benefits Under DTAA

What is Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)?

Double taxation Avoidance Agreement or DTAA in income tax is an agreement signed between two countries to ensure that the taxpayers do not have to pay tax twice. This provision helps taxpayers accumulate income savings by paying the tax in only one country It is also crucial in making the country an attractive destination for businesses. DTAA agreement also helps reduce the possibility of tax evasion by providing relief from double taxation. For example, if you are an Indian resident and have an income earned in the USA because of the existence of your business in the USA, you would have to pay tax in the USA on the income generated there as well as in India, where you file your tax returns. But, when the DTAA is in effect, you would have to pay taxes only in one country, not both. Alternatively, in case your income is chargeable to tax in both countries, then taxes paid in one country will be allowed as a credit in the other country as per the provisions of DTAAs.

What are the Benefits of DTAA in Income Tax?

Signing a DTAA agreement has many benefits both for the country and the taxpayer. Here are a few advantages of signing a DTAA -

• The main purpose of signing a DTAA is to establish the country as an attractive destination for business and investment.
• The relief can either be provided by exempting the foreign income from tax in the residence country or by providing a credit for the tax paid in the foreign country.
• DTAA reduces the chances of tax evasion by providing relief from tax.
• It provides concessions on tax rates
• Lower withholding tax allows taxpayers to pay lower TDS on their income from royalty, interest, or dividends.

Example of DTAA

Abhinav, an Indian resident, earns INR 2500 through his investments in the USA. This INR 2500 would be taxed in India as foreign income and also in the USA as non-resident income. If the tax rates in India and USA are 30% each, an effective tax of 60% would be paid on the income, leaving Abhinav with only INR 1000 (INR 2500 – 60%) as the net income after taxes.

This dual taxation is a loss for the investor, and to address this issue, the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement came into the picture. The agreement was made to promote international trade. Under the provisions of the agreement, in the case of foreign income, taxation is done only once. Thus, when the individual knows that he would be taxed only once on the international income, he would be motivated to do business internationally and increase his scope of earning. This would, in turn, help countries attract investments from entrepreneurs. India can enjoy foreign investments as well as other countries can enjoy investments from Indian entrepreneurs. Thus, the agreement is mutually beneficial for all member countries in boosting their economies.

Abhinav, an Indian resident, earns INR 2500 through his investments in the USA. This INR 2500 would be taxed in India as foreign income and also in the USA as non-resident income. If the tax rates in India and USA are 30% each, an effective tax of 60% would be paid on the income, leaving Abhinav with only INR 1000 (INR 2500 – 60%) as the net income after taxes.

This dual taxation is a loss for the investor, and to address this issue, the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement came into the picture. The agreement was made to promote international trade. Under the provisions of the agreement, in the case of foreign income, taxation is done only once. Thus, when the individual knows that he would be taxed only once on the international income, he would be motivated to do business internationally and increase his scope of earning. This would, in turn, help countries attract investments from entrepreneurs. India can enjoy foreign investments as well as other countries can enjoy investments from Indian entrepreneurs. Thus, the agreement is mutually beneficial for all member countries in boosting their economies.

Rates of DTAA in Income Tax

The rates at which tax is deducted under DTAA depend on the individual agreement between the countries and vary for different countries. For example, the TDS rate in the agreement between India and Singapore might be different from the TDS rate in the agreement between India and Dubai. Generally, the rates range from 10% to 15 %.

Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) Country List

Below is the list of the nations that India have a DTAA agreement with (withholding rates%)-

What are the Basic Principles of DTAA?

Given below are the principles on which the DTAA works -

• If the DTAA does not address any dispute, but the Income Tax Act contains specific provisions, the provisions of the IT law should be considered.
• If the treaty has certain provisions, but the Income tax law does not contain information on the same, refer to the treaty.
• If both the treaty and the IT law contain provisions, whatever is more beneficial for the taxpayer is considered.
• If the DTAA has certain provisions, but the Income Tax law contradicts them, the treaty will supersede the IT law.

What are the Documents Required for Claiming DTAA Benefits?

NRI’s can claim the benefits of DTAA by submitting the below-mentioned documents -

• Self Declaration form or Indemnity form
• Self-attested copy of PAN card
• Self-attested Visa
• Self-attested Xerox copy of Passport
• Tax residency certificate (TRC)
• A copy of PIO proof

How can NRIs Claim the Benefit of DTAA?

Non-resident Indians living in a DTAA country can avail of the DTAA tax benefits by submitting the following documents -

• Tax residency certificate (TRC) - TRC is a mandatory document if you want to avail of tax benefits under DTAA. You can get a TRC by approaching the government authorities of the residence country.
• Form 10F - Form 10F is another essential document to be filed by NRIs to avail of benefits under DTAA.
• PAN Number - You are also required to submit your PAN number in addition to the above-mentioned documents.

It is essential to understand what DTAA means and read the terms between the concerned countries to find the TDS rate. To know more about DTAA, connect with our experts.

How can one Apply for DTAA?

There are a total of 3 ways in which you can claim DTAA benefits -

• Exemption - Exemption from tax can be claimed in any one country, i.e., residence or source country, subject to certain conditions.
• Tax Credit - A credit of the tax paid is claimed in the country where the taxpayer resides.
• Deduction - The country of residence allows the tax paid in a foreign country as a deduction.

For example, Mr.A is an Indian resident having income arising in the U.S. Now the income arising on a foreign land is taxable both in the origin country and the resident country. Under DTAA, the taxpayer, i.e., Mr.A can get relief from paying taxes in any one country. Generally, the taxpayer is either granted an exemption, deduction, or tax credit in the resident country.

What Services are Exempted Under DTAA?

The income earned from the following sources do not attract tax under DTAA -

• Services provided in India
• House property present in India
• Salary received in India
• Capital gains on transfer of assets in India
• Fixed deposits in India
• Savings bank account in India