China-UAE Double Tax Treaty: All You Need to Know

In 1993, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China signed a double tax treaty (DTT) to promote and strengthen their bilateral collaboration, with the goal of preventing both double taxation and fiscal evasion. This treaty officially took effect in 1994. The double tax treaty focuses on combating fiscal evasion related to income taxes and features various articles encompassing the scope, and fundamental definitions, covering key terms and concepts essential for understanding the treaty’s provisions, such as geographical designations, “tax,” “person,” “company,” “permanent establishment,” and “international traffic, and taxation of specific income types. This article explains the critical provisions within this significant agreement.

Key Provisions of the China-UAE Double Tax Treaty: 

The UAE Double Tax Treaty applies to persons who reside in contracting states, either China or the UAE. The Double Tax Treaty is an essential instrument that encompasses a broad spectrum of taxes, encompassing income and capital gains. It stipulates the scope of business profits, dividends, interest, royalties, real estate income, personal services, pensions, and sundry income. The UAE Double Tax Treaty provides reduced withholding tax rates for dividends, interest, and royalties, and extends exemptions for specific income categories. Furthermore, this treaty establishes provisions for the exchange of crucial tax-related information and envisions mutual aid in tax affairs. 

Scope of Permanent Establishment: 

Article 5 of the treaty describes a “permanent establishment” in its activities and qualifying forms. An establishment becomes a Permanent Establishment (PE) when it’s a fixed site for conducting a company’s activities, whether in full or part. The treaty also outlines certain scenarios that meet the criteria for a PE, like a management office, branch, office, factory, workshop, mine, oil or gas well, quarry, or any location for extracting natural resources. However, there are some exceptions to the concept of permanent establishment particularly linked to auxiliary or preparatory activities.

Income From Immovable Property: 

Immovable property, in this context, encompasses property accessories, including income from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, as well as rights to exploit or explore natural resources. This in-depth analysis offers a clear and comprehensive understanding of the UAE Double Tax Treaty with China. It is a pivotal instrument in the landscape of international trade and taxation, which has fostered economic cooperation between these two nations while neutralizing the specter of double taxation and fiscal evasion.

Dividends: 

Taxation of dividends paid to residents of the other contracting state, defining tax rates, and exceptions for specific recipients are part of this treaty. In scenarios where the beneficial owner’s capital stake falls below this threshold, the withholding tax rate escalates to 10%. Nonetheless, dividends disbursed by a Chinese-resident company to a UAE resident enjoy an exemption from tax in China if the beneficial owner of the dividends is the Government of the UAE or any political subdivision or local authority thereof.

Taxation of Royalties under China- UAE Double Tax Treaty: 

Royalties can be taxed in the Contracting State they come from or the one where the recipient resides, up to 10 percent under Article 12. Royalties refer to payments for using copyrights, patents, trademarks, and more. This doesn’t apply if the recipient does business in the Contracting State where royalties originate or provides services with a fixed base. In such cases, other tax rules will apply. Royalties are considered to come from the Contracting State where the payer is a government, local authority, or resident. If the payer has a base in a Contracting State linked to the liability for royalties, they are deemed to originate from.

Independent Personal Services: 

Article 14 explains the taxation of income derived from independent personal services, including the conditions under which source country taxation is applicable. In case having a fixed base in the other Contracting State for their work, then only income attributable to that base can be taxed there. If they stay in the other Contracting State for more than 183 days in a calendar year, only income from activities in that State can be taxed there. “Professional services” cover various independent activities, including scientific, literary, artistic, educational, and services provided by physicians, lawyers, engineers, architects, dentists, and accountants.

This treaty comprises various articles addressing distinct aspects of taxation, such as Residency, Income from Immovable Property, Business Profits, Air and Shipping Transport, Associated Enterprise, Interest, Royalties, Capital Gains, Dependent Personal Services, Directors’ Fees, Artistes and Athletes, Pensions, Government Service, Special Provisions for Teachers and Researchers, Provisions for Students and Trainees, Miscellaneous Income, Elimination of Double Taxation, Non-Discrimination, Mutual Agreement Procedure, Information Exchange, and Fiscal Privileges for Consular and Diplomatic Officers. These articles encompass equitable tax treatment, defining taxable income sources, tax rates, and exceptions, ensuring fair tax treatment, and addressing various income types. They also cover procedures for resolving tax issues, preventing tax evasion through information exchange, and granting fiscal privileges to consular or diplomatic officers under special agreements or international law. Additionally, they detail the treaty’s entry into force and conditions for termination, providing comprehensive guidelines for taxation matters between the contracting states.

In conclusion, the China-UAE tax treaty serves as a vital instrument for facilitating cross-border economic activities, preventing double taxation, and promoting cooperation in fiscal matters. It provides clarity, definitions, and guidelines for fair and efficient taxation, contributing to a more stable environment for individuals and businesses involved in activities between the two contracting states.

Read More: Singapore-UAE Double Tax Treaty