Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement for NRIs

 For many NRIs who are working in other countries, the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) helps to avoid paying double taxes on income earned in both their country of residence and India. Moreover, NRI is entitled to avail multiple benefits under the provisions of DTAA between India and his country of residence.

In the below article, we would discuss how DTAA helps the NRIs in a tax benefit.

What is Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)?

In simple words, it is basically a treaty which is signed by two countries. Further, the main purpose of signing this treaty is to make a country an attractive destination and also give relief to NRIs to pay tax multiple times.

However, DTAA doesn’t mean that NRI can completely avoid taxes. This just means that NRIs can avoid paying higher taxes in both countries. DTAA allows an NRI to lower down on their tax implications on the income which is earned in India. Also, DTAA reduces the instances of tax evasion.

What is the need for DTAA?

The need for DTAA arises due to:

1. Improper method of collection of taxes globally

2. To avoid double taxation

What are the benefits of DTAA?

One of the most basic benefits of DTAA is that one does not have to pay double taxes on the same income. Additionally, the benefits are mentioned as follows:

1. Lower Tax Deduction at Source (TDS)

2. Tax credits

3. Minimize tax evasion

4. Exemption from taxes

What are the advantages of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement?

The advantages attract an NRI to do business in India. Likewise, some of the advantages of the Double Taxation Avoidance agreement are as follows:

1. It makes a country an attractive investment destination by providing relief on double taxation,

2. Exempts income earned abroad from tax in the resident country

3. Providing concessional rates of tax

4. Promotes more clarity and transparency in investments

What all incomes get the benefit from Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement?

An NRI need not pay tax twice on the following incomes:

1. Firstly, any income from the savings bank account in India

2. Secondly, fixed deposits income in India

3. Next, any capital gains income in India

4. Income from salary received in India

5. Immovable property income in India

6. Finally, Income from any services provided in India.

What documents do an NRI require to submit to avail benefits under DTAA?

For an NRI to avail benefits under DTAA, the following documents must be required to be submitted by an NRI:

1. Copy of Self-attested PAN card

2. Copy of self-attested VISA and passport

In addition to the above, the following documents need to be submitted every financial year within the due dates:

1. Tax Residency Certificate

2. Form 10F

What is a Tax Residency Certificate?

There are certain benefits available to an NRI. However, to claim the benefit, the NRI will have to produce a Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) from his country of residence. NRI can obtain the Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) from the Tax department of the country where he/she resides.

NRIs would be able to reduce their tax burden and can avail the benefits by arranging a Tax Residency Certificate. Further, a TRC should have below mandatory information:

1. Name

2. Status (individual, firm, company, or any other)

3. Address

4. Nationality

5. Country

6. Tax identification number of the person in that country

7. Status of tax

8. Tax period for which benefits under DTAA is claimed

To obtain TRC, you can download Form-10F available at the website of the Income Tax Department of the country where the NRI resides and need to get it certified.

However, it is very important to note that no other document in place of TRC shall be considered for availing the benefits under DTAA.

Hence, NRIs are required to provide all the required documents at the beginning of every financial year to continue to avail the benefit of DTAA.

What are the different methods to avail tax benefits under DTAA?

The three main methods to avail tax benefits under DTAA are:

1. Tax Credit Method

2. Tax Exemption Method

3. Deduction Method

However, Deduction Method is the least used method. Further, let us try to understand them one by one:

Tax Credit Method:

This is the most popular method to avoid double taxation. Under this method, an NRI can claim tax relief in the country of his/her residence.

The taxpayer under this method sums up his income from all the foreign sources to his total taxable income from his resident country. After this, he calculates income tax.

On the basis of the laws and provisions of that particular country, the taxpayer then becomes eligible to claim the credit of foreign taxes paid. The credit can be claimed on income from foreign sources against the taxes payable on such income in the country of residence.

Tax Exemption Method:

Unlike the above method, the tax relief under this method can be claimed in any one of the two countries. Under this method, a taxpayer is allowed to claim his income from foreign sources under tax exemption. Likewise, it means that the entire income from foreign sources is allowed to get exempted from total taxable income. This, as a result, will completely eliminate the concept of double taxation.

How is the Government working on DTAA to avoid tax evasion?

1. The government is worried that individuals are using the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement to evade paying tax.

2. However, the Government is also planning to change some provisions of the DTAA.

3. The government of India signed a protocol amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with Mauritius.

4. It would now allow India the ability to tax Mauritius residents for capital gains sale of shares arising in India.

As of October 2018, India has DTAA with 85 nations, including Armenia, Bangladesh, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Georgia, Hungary, and several others.

Further, India is constantly planning to establish DTAA with other nations/countries. It helps in promoting trade and investments among contracted nations.

Conclusion

Double Tax Avoidance Agreement is one of the best tax planning tools for NRIs. On the other hand, DTAA also helps in avoiding paying double taxes on income earned in both their country of residence and India.

However, for any other inquiry you can contact the BIAT consultant.