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Key Points of New Tax Convention with Russia

[Provisional translation]

1. Taxation on Business Profits

Where an enterprise of one of the two countries has in the other country a permanent establishment (such as a branch) through which the enterprise carries on business, only the profits attributable to the permanent establishment may be taxed in that other country.

2. Further Reduction of Taxation on Investment Income

Taxation on investment income (dividends, interest and royalties) in the source country will be subjected to the reduced maximum rates or exempted as follows:

investment income (dividends, interest and royalties)
Existing Convention New Convention
Dividends 15% Exempted (beneficially owned by pension funds)
5% (holding at least 15% of voting power for 365 days)
15% (shares deriving at least 50% of their value from
immovable property)
10% (others)
Interest Exempted (received by the
Governments, etc.)
10% (others)
Exempted
Royalties Exempted (for use of copyright, etc.)
10% (for use of patent, or equipment, etc.)
Exempted

 

3. Prevention of Abuse of the Convention

In order to prevent abuse of benefits under this Convention, it is provided that only residents who satisfy specified conditions, such as qualified persons, may be entitled to the exemption from tax on investment income. In addition, any benefit under this Convention will not be granted if it is reasonable to conclude that obtaining such a benefit was one of the principal purposes of any transaction, or if the income is attributable to a permanent establishment in a third country and does not satisfy specified conditions.

 

4. Mutual Agreement Procedure

Taxation not in accordance with the provisions of this Convention may be resolved by mutual agreement between the tax authorities of the two countries.

 

5. Exchange of Information and Assistance in the Collection of Tax Claims

In order to effectively prevent international tax evasion and tax avoidance, the scope of cases and taxes subject to the exchange of information concerning tax matters is expanded and the mutual assistance in the collection of tax claims between the two countries is introduced.