Hong Kong Double Tax Treaties

Double taxation agreements between Hong Kong and the following countries have been signed but are awaiting ratification (with signature dates):

Hong Kong also has signed double taxation agreements concerning aviation and shipping income with a number of countries (although some of these agreements have been superceded by recently-signed comprehensive double tax avoidance agreements). Countries with which Hong Kong has signed these limited double tax agreements include:

There is also a memorandum of understanding with China under which:

Chinese source income earned by Hong Kong based shipping, aviation and land transport operations is exempt from tax on the mainland;
Hong Kong enterprises are only taxable in China if they have a permanent establishment there.(A permanent establishment is defined as an activity which continually lasts for more than 6 out of 12 months).
Hong Kong resident individuals are not subject to tax for services rendered in mainland China so long as they do not reside more than 183 days in the country in any tax year.
Hong Kong will give a tax credit for any tax paid in mainland China.

Until June 2001, the territory had no comprehensive double taxation agreements in place. Since under the "territorial principle" only Hong Kong source income is taxable the double taxation of income does not usually occur thereby obviating the need for double taxation treaties. However the government is now entering an increasing number of tax treaties of various types. Under article 151 of the Basic Law the territory can negotiate its own double taxation treaties independently of China using the abbreviation Hong Kong, China. The territory is not able to take advantage of any double taxation treaties which China may enter into because only mainland taxes are mentioned in these treaties. Nor will China impose the terms of any double taxation treaties on the territory given that under articles 106-108 of the Basic Law it guaranteed Hong Kong the right to maintain an independent taxation system free of interference from the mainland until the year 2047.

In April 2010, Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Chu Yam-yuen, said that Hong Kong has entered a "new phase" in supporting the international effort to enhance tax transparency, and its next hurdle would be to sign at least twelve comprehensive double taxation agreements (DTAs).

Legislation which came into operation in March 2010 allows Hong Kong to enter into comprehensive DTAs, incorporating the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) international standard on exchange of information.

There had been some concern within Hong Kong that the territory may become 'black listed' by the OECD, or be on the receiving end of sanctions for failing to implement the internationally-agreed standard on tax transparency and information exchange confirmed at the April 2009 G20 Summit in London. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan assured lawmakers in May 2010 however, that the OECD had in fact commended Hong Kong's efforts to comply with these international standards.

For information on Hong Kong Salaries Tax, see Hong Kong Personal Taxation.

For information on Hong Kong Profits Tax, see Hong Kong Domestic Corporate Taxation.

The following information provides brief details on certain key double tax avoidance agreements signed by the Hong Kong SAR.

Austria

Both parties having completed their ratification procedures, the double taxation agreement between Hong Kong and Austria, which was originally signed on May 25, 2010, came into effect on January 1, 2011.

Under the treaty, interest income withholding tax is set at zero in the country of the payer, while dividend income is set at a maximum of 10%. Withholding tax on royalty income is similarly limited to a maximum of 3%.

There are also special provisions for shipping and air transport, with profits from the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic, including lease income and container leases, taxable only in the country of the owner.

There is also provision for the exchange of tax information, conforming to the internationally-agreed Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development standard.

Belgium

In December, 2003, the governments of Hong Kong and Belgium signed a double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion treaty marking the first comprehensive double taxation agreement concluded by the government of the Special Administrative Region.

Prior to the agreement, royalties received by a Hong Kong resident from a Belgian source not attributable to a permanent establishment in Belgium were subject to a Belgian withholding tax at 15% on the gross amount of royalties less a 15% fixed deduction. Under the Agreement, the Belgian withholding tax has been reduced to 5% of the gross amount of royalties (without the 15% fixed deduction). In the case of interest received by a Hong Kong resident that arises in Belgium and which is not attributable to a permanent establishment in Belgium, the Belgian withholding tax has been reduced from 15% of the gross amount of interest to 10% under the Agreement.

Profits from international shipping transport earned by Hong Kong residents that arise in Belgium which were subject to income tax in Belgium are exempted under the Agreement. "The Agreement also formalises the tax relief being offered by the two tax authorities at present, thus providing a further level of certainty and stability to existing and potential investors alike," Mr Ma said.

"Many places in the region have already established a network of CDTAs. Having such a network in place for Hong Kong will put us on a par with other places in the region that already have one, thereby further enhancing our competitiveness in attracting foreign investment," Mr Ma explained.

Brunei

Both parties having completed their ratification procedures, the double taxation agreement (DTA) between Hong Kong and Brunei, came into effect on December 19, 2010.

Under the treaty, Hong Kong residents receiving interest from Brunei are subject to a 10% withholding tax instead of 15%. If the recipient is a bank or financial institution, the withholding tax rate will be further reduced to 5%. Brunei has also agreed to lower the withholding tax on royalties received by Hong Kong residents from Brunei from 10% to 5%.

In addition, under the DTA, Hong Kong airlines operating flights to Brunei will be taxed at Hong Kong's corporation tax rate (which is lower than Brunei's). Profits from international shipping earned by Hong Kong residents but arising in Brunei, which are currently subject to tax in Brunei, will enjoy tax exemption under the agreement.

The agreement was also the first DTA Hong Kong signed using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development standard on the exchange of tax information.

China

In August, 2006, the Chinese and Hong Kong Governments signed an agreement on avoiding double taxation that aims to provide investors and taxpayers in the two places certainty over tax liability and offer tax savings.

State Administration of Taxation Minister Xie Xuren signed the new arrangement on behalf of the Central Government, and Chief Executive Donald Tsang, accompanied by Financial Secretary Henry Tang and Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Frederick Ma, signed on behalf of Hong Kong.

The Arrangement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income & Prevention of Fiscal Evasion extends the scope of the original agreement on business profits and income from personal services both parties signed in 1998.

The new pact covers direct income, such as operating profits and employment income, and indirect income, such as dividends, interest and royalties. It also ensures the same income will not be doubly taxed in the two places.

Under the new arrangement:

Top rates for withholding tax for dividends a Hong Kong resident receives from Mainland investments were halved from 20% to 10%, and those rates for dividends a Hong Kong business receives were cut from 10% to 5% for Hong Kong businesses holding at least 25% of the capital of the Mainland enterprise. This will attract more overseas investments into the Mainland through Hong Kong.
Top rates for withholding tax for interest a Hong Kong resident receives from the Mainland fell from 20% to 7%, and those for a Hong Kong business fell from 10% to 7%.
Top rates for withholding tax for royalties a Hong Kong resident or business receives from the Mainland fell from the respective 20% and 10% to 7%. This will help promote creativity and innovation in industry as well as cultural and artistic activities on the Mainland and Hong Kong.
The taxing right for gains a Hong Kong resident or business receives from the transfer of shares in a Mainland enterprise is allocated exclusively to Hong Kong. If the income does not amount to a trading receipt or is not sourced in Hong Kong, no profits tax is charged in Hong Kong. Where the assets of the Mainland enterprise are comprised mainly of immovable property on the Mainland or the shares transferred are equal to or exceed 25% of the shareholding of the Mainland enterprise, the income may be taxed in both places. A tax-credit arrangement ensures that the same income is not taxed twice.

The pact allows for the exchange of information between the State Administration of Taxation and Hong's Inland Revenue Department, to enable both parties carry out its provisions. As is the international norm, however, the exchange is limited, to ensure that the use of taxpayer information will not be abused.

Speaking with regard to the new agreement, Donald Tsang announced that:

"The conclusion of a comprehensive double-taxation arrangement with the Mainland, together with the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, will provide added incentives for international investors to enter the Mainland market through Hong Kong. It will also enhance cross-border financing arrangements and the transfer of technical know-how and patent rights between the two places. These will help promote Hong Kong's economy, enhance our competitiveness and attract overseas capital."

The new arrangement came into effect with respect to Hong Kong taxes from the year of assessment beginning on or after April 1, 2007. With respect to Mainland taxes, it applies from the taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2007.

In early 2008, Hong Kong and the Mainland signed the second protocol to the Arrangement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation & Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.

The tax arrangement was formally signed on August 21, 2006, and launched on December 8 that year, but the two governments differed on the interpretation of certain parts of it. After negotiations, they agreed on the amendments and initialled the second protocol in September 2007.

France

The French treaty (signed October 2010 and awaiting ratification as of January 2011) reduces withholding tax paid by Hong Kong residents receiving dividends from France not attributable to a permanent establishment in France from 25% to 10%. Also, Hong Kong residents receiving royalties from France will see withholding tax reduced from 33.33% in France to a maximum of 10%. The French interest withholding tax on Hong Kong residents will be reduced from of 18% to 10%.

Under the French CDTA, Hong Kong airlines operating flights to France will be taxed at Hong Kong's corporation tax rate (which is lower than that of France). Profits from international shipping transport earned by Hong Kong residents that arise in France, which are currently subject to tax there, will enjoy tax exemption under the agreement.

The Hong Kong/France CDTA also incorporates the latest Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development standard on the exchange of information for tax purposes.

Luxembourg

Hong Kong and Luxembourg signed a comprehensive agreement on the avoidance of double taxation on November 2, 2007.

The agreement was signed on November 2, 2007, by Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor KC Chan and Luxembourg Economy and Foreign Trade Minister, Jeannot Krecke. It will eliminate double taxation instances encountered by Hong Kong and Luxembourg investors, and bring about tax savings and certainty in tax liabilities in connection with cross-border economic activities.

An order made by the Chief Executive in Council under the Inland Revenue Ordinance to implement the Agreement with Luxembourg for the Avoidance of Double Taxation was gazetted on February 1, 2008.

Under the agreement:

The agreement took effect with respect to Hong Kong taxes from April 1, 2008 and with respect to Luxembourg taxes from January 1, 2008.

In November 2010, the Hong Kong/Luxembourg DTA was updated to include the exchange of information article so that the agreement conforms with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s international standard.

The new article requires the contracting parties, upon receiving a request for information, to exchange information even when there is no domestic tax interest involved. It does not permit either party to decline to supply information solely because the information is held by a bank, other financial institution, nominee or person acting in an agency or a fiduciary capacity.

The protocol will come into force after the completion of ratification procedures and notification by both sides (probably in 2011).

Its provisions shall have effect in Hong Kong in respect of tax for any year of assessment beginning on or after April 1 in the calendar year next following that in which the protocol enters into force. In Luxembourg, it will apply, in respect of taxes withheld at source, to income derived on or after January 1, and, in respect of other taxes on income and capital, to taxes chargeable for any taxable year beginning on or after January 1 in the calendar year next following that in which the protocol enters into force.

New Zealand

In the absence of the DTA, the profits of Hong Kong companies doing business through a permanent establishment, such as a sales outlet, in New Zealand may be taxed in both places if the income is Hong Kong sourced. Under the agreement, double taxation will be avoided in that any New Zealand tax paid by the companies will be allowed as credit against the tax payable in Hong Kong in respect of the income, subject to the provisions of the tax laws of Hong Kong.

Without the DTA, Hong Kong residents receiving dividends from New Zealand not attributable to a permanent establishment in New Zealand can be subject to a withholding tax of 30%. This withholding tax will be reduced to 15% under the treaty. The withholding tax rate is further lowered to 5% or 0% for qualifying beneficial owners.

Furthermore, Hong Kong residents receiving royalties from New Zealand would usually be subject to a withholding tax of 15% in New Zealand. Under the agreement, the royalties’ withholding tax will be capped at 5%.

The New Zealand interest withholding tax on Hong Kong residents will be reduced from 15% to 10%.

The Hong Kong/New Zealand DTA also incorporates the latest Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development international standards on the exchange of tax information.

The agreement, signed December 2010, will come into force after the completion of ratification procedures on both sides (probably in 2011).

Switzerland

This DTA clearly sets out the allocation of taxing rights between the two jurisdictions and the relief on tax rates on different types of passive income.

In the absence of the DTA, profits earned by Swiss residents in Hong Kong are currently subject to both Hong Kong and Swiss income tax. Profits of Swiss companies doing business through a branch in Hong Kong are fully taxed in both places.

Under the agreement, Switzerland will provide exemption to her residents for such income. In addition, in the absence of the DTA, Hong Kong residents receiving dividends from Switzerland, not attributable to a permanent establishment in Switzerland, are subject to a Swiss withholding tax, which is currently at 35%. Under the agreement, such withholding tax rate will be reduced to 10%. The dividends withholding tax will be exempted if the beneficial owner of the dividends is a company holding directly at least 10% of the capital of the company paying the dividends. The Swiss interest withholding tax, currently at 35%, on Hong Kong residents will be exempted.

Hong Kong airlines operating flights to Switzerland will be taxed at Hong Kong's corporation tax rate (which is lower than that of Switzerland). Profits from international shipping transport earned by Hong Kong residents that arise in Switzerland, which are currently subject to tax there, will enjoy tax exemption under the agreement.

The Hong Kong/Switzerland DTA also incorporates the latest Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development standard on exchange of tax information.

The DTA, signed December 6, 2010, will come into force after the completion of ratification procedures on both sides (probably in 2011).

Thailand

Signed in September 2005 and in force from December 7, 2005, this was the first comprehensive agreement for the avoidance of double taxation that Hong Kong concluded with an Asia-Pacific economy, and the second since the government began exploring establishing a network of agreements with major trading partners in 1998.

In June 2001, Hong Kong entered into an limited agreement with the United Kingdom covering shipping transport. The agreement is limited to revenues from international shipping transport and provides that profits derived from such business by an enterprise of the UK or the SAR are exempt from tax in the territory of the other contracting party. Entering into force on May 3, 2001, the provisions of the agreement applied in the UK from April 1, 2002, for corporation tax, and from April 6, 2002, for income tax and capital gains tax. It applied in the SAR from April 1, 2002.

An updated UK/Hong Kong Double Taxation Agreement was signed on June 21, 2010 and entered into force on December 20, 2010.

The updated treaty reduced withholding tax on Hong Kong residents receiving dividends from UK Real Estate Investment Trusts from 20% to 15%. Also, withholding tax on Hong Kong residents receiving royalties and interest from the UK is capped at 3%, instead of the non-treaty rate of 20%.

The Hong Kong/UK CDTA supersedes the existing limited double taxation avoidance agreements for airline income and for shipping income.

The agreement also serves an Exchequer protection role by including provisions to combat tax avoidance and evasion – partly by measures providing for the exchange of information between revenue authorities. All of the UK’s recent double taxation agreements largely follow the approach adopted in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital. The Arrangements scheduled to the Order continue that approach.

The agreement is effective in the United Kingdom from April 1, 2011 for corporation tax, and from April 6, 2011 for income tax and capital gains tax. It is effective in Hong Kong from April 1, 2011.

Other International Agreements

The EU Savings Tax Directive

The European Union is persisting in its attempts to convince Asian financial centres to cooperate on the issue of information-sharing for tax purposes, although the EU's pleas continue to fall upon deaf ears.

Thomas Roe, the European Commission's envoy to Hong Kong and Macau, approached the two governments in November, 2006, after Hong Kong and Singapore refused to discuss the possibility of their inclusion in the EU Savings Tax Directive. Further representations to the governments of Hong Kong and Singapore by then European Commissioner for Taxation, Laszlo Kovacs, in early 2008 as part of a review into expanding the directive's scope also ended in failure.

While the EU is very keen to tax the savings and investments that European residents have shifted to Asia to escape the clutches of the directive, the Asian financial hubs are unlikely to want to sign up to anything that would compromise their status as low tax and lightly regulated jurisdictions.

In the case of Hong Kong, signing up to the savings tax directive could mean altering the Basic Law which safeguards the future of its financial centre under Chinese rule.

China Legal Services Agreement

In October 2010, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Justice, Wong Yan Lung, and mainland China's Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Dong Songgen, signed a bilateral cooperation arrangement on legal services for commercial matters and arbitration.

The arrangement strengthens information exchanges and collaboration in organizing conferences on legal services and related activities. It will help enterprises in both places provide training in commercial and arbitration law to encourage the establishment of better risk management and dispute resolution mechanisms for commercial matters.

The Hong Kong/China Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement

The CEPA is an ongoing project and dozens of goods and services traded between Hong Kong and mainland China have been liberalized since 2004. After signing the first CEPA agreement in June 2003 for implementation in 2004, the Central and Hong Kong governments have signed several yearly Supplements, with the eighth phase of CEPA liberalisation measures by virtue of Supplement VII implemented in January 2011. The number of goods eligible for CEPA’s tariff-free treatment has expanded from 273 on January 1, 2003, to 1,592 on January 1, 2011.

CEPA’s Supplement VII, agreed in May 2010, provides for 35 market liberalization and trade and investment facilitation measures in 19 sectors. Supplement VII further relaxes the market access conditions in 14 service sectors, including: technical testing, analysis and product testing; specialty design; banking; securities; tourism; and air transport. Among them, "technical testing, analysis and product testing" and "specialty design" are new sectors, bringing the total number of liberalized service sectors under the CEPA from 42 to 44.

On the whole, Supplement VII will expedite and facilitate Hong Kong service industries to enter and expand in the Chinese market, and foster service industries' integration. Moreover, most of the market liberalization and facilitation measures cover the industries in which Hong Kong has a competitive edge, and as such will help consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international financial, trade, shipping, logistics and high value-added service centre.

The following services are among those which have been liberalized under previous CEPA rounds: legal services, construction, information technology, convention and exhibition, audiovisual, distribution, tourism, air transport, road transport, and individually-owned stores.

Free Trade Agreements

Hong Kong and the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, signed a free-trade agreement on June 21, 2011, marking an important milestone in trade relations between both sides.

The deal is Hong Kong’s first free-trade agreement with the European economies. It covers trade in services and goods as well as investment, and other trade-related issues such as protection of intellectual property. It is fully consistent with the provisions of the World Trade Organisation.

The agreement is expected to come into force around mid-2012.

Total bilateral merchandise trade between Hong Kong and the European Free Trade Association states amounted to HKD76bn in 2010. The average annual growth rate was 13.8% from 2006 to 2010.

Total bilateral trade in services amounted to about HKD10bn in 2009. The average annual growth rate was 8.2% from 2005 to 2009.

The text of the agreement can be found on the Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department website.

Hong Kong’s closer economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with New Zealand, which was signed in March 2010, entered into force on January 1, 2011.

The CEPA was Hong Kong's first free trade agreement with another country, and the second following that with the Mainland of China. Under the CEPA, liberalization measures on both trade in goods and services will be introduced, and the two sides will also work on strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties by facilitating investment and movement of business persons.

Under the CEPA, New Zealand will phase out over six years its import tariffs on all goods originating from Hong Kong. Over 90% of New Zealand's tariff lines will become duty free within two years after the agreement has entered into force.

On trade in services, Hong Kong service providers and the services they provide will enjoy secured preferential opportunities in the New Zealand market in a variety of service sectors. These include logistics and related services, audiovisual services, various business services, computer and related services, maritime transport services, management consulting services and services incidental to manufacturing.

In terms of market access, there will not be any restrictions in the form of limitations on foreign capital, number of service providers or operations, value of service transactions, number of persons employed, types of legal entity or joint venture requirements in a variety of service sectors in the New Zealand market. Hong Kong service providers and the services they provide in a wide range of sectors will be treated no less favourably than their New Zealand counterparts in similar circumstances.

To further enhance bilateral investment flows, the two sides have also agreed to negotiate an investment protocol to the CEPA, with a view to concluding the investment negotiations within two years after it has entered into force

Lowtax Jurisdictions

Hong Kong: Double Tax Treaties

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