Some of the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) contains a Most Favoured Nations (MFN) clause. As per this clause, one country agrees to accord to another country a treatment that is no less favourable than the one which it accords to other or third countries. Some of the DTAA entered by India do contain an MFN Clause.
A question could arise as to if the country becomes an OECD member after India had entered into the DTAA with that country, whether the MFN clause could be invoked and the beneficial provision of such DTAA could be availed or not. In this regard, recently, the Delhi High Court (High Court) in case of Concentrix Services Netherlands BV vs ITO (TDS) WP(C) 9051/2020 had to examine this issue with respect to an MFN clause present in the India-Netherland DTAA.
Facts of the case
The taxpayer, resident of Netherlands, had a wholly owned subsidiary in India. During the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21, its Indian subsidiary proposed to distribute dividend. With abolishment of Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT), the dividend was taxable in the hands of taxpayer i.e. shareholder. Hence, the taxpayer made an application under section 197 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (IT Act) with the Tax Officer for issuance of lower withholding certificate. The taxpayer requested the Tax Officer to grant lower withholding rate of 5%. The taxpayer contended that while the India-Netherland DTAA provided taxing dividend at 10%, in terms of MFN clause it was entitled to apply the tax rate mentioned in India-Slovenia DTAA / India-Lithuania DTAA / India-Columbia DTAA which is 5%.
However, the tax officer was of the view that in absence of any specific notification to extend the benefit of lower tax rate of 5% to India-Netherland DTAA, the same cannot be applied automatically. Hence, the tax officer issued lower withholding certificate at the rate mentioned in the India-Netherland DTAA i.e., 10%.
High Court’s Ruling
The High Court allowed the taxpayer’s claim of 5% withholding rate and thereby directed the revenue authorities to issue a fresh certificate with the following observations:
- A perusal of Article 10 of the India-Netherlands DTAA would show that when dividends are paid by an Indian Company to a resident of Netherlands, it may be taxed in Netherlands. However, such dividend can also be taxed in India provided the recipients are beneficial owners of the dividends and the tax rate does not exceed 10% of the gross amount of such dividends.
- The protocol forms an integral part of the DTAA. Therefore, no separate notification is required, in so far as the applicability of provisions of the Protocol is concerned.
- The protocol incorporates the principle of parity between the India-Netherlands DTAA and the tax treaties executed thereafter quathe rate of withholding tax or the scope of the tax treaties in respect of items of income concerning dividends, interest, royalties, fees for technical services or payments for use of equipment. The principle of parity kicks-in only if:
- the third State with whom India enters into a DTAA is an OECD member;
- India should have, in its DTAA, executed with the third State, limited its rate of withholding tax, on subject remittances, at a rate lower or a scope more restricted, than the rate or scope provided in subject DTAA.
- The construct of protocol is such that in certain cases there could be a gap between the dates on which the DTAA is executed between India and the third State and the date when such third State becomes a member of OECD. The limit on the lower rate of tax or the scope more restricted contained in the DTAA executed between India and the third State can only apply when the third State fulfils the attribute of being a member of the OECD. The word “is” provided in the MFN clause of the DTAA describes a state of affairs that should exist not necessarily at the time when the subject DTAA was executed but when a request is made by the taxpayer or deductee for issuance of a lower rate withholding tax certificate under section 197 of the IT Act.
- The Netherlands interpreted the protocol appended to the DTAA in a manner that the lower rate of tax in the India-Slovenia DTAA will be applicable on the date when Slovenia became a member of the OECD i.e., from 21 July 2010, although, such DTAA came into force on 17 February, 2005. Therefore, participation dividend paid by Companies resident in the Netherlands to an Indian resident will bear a lower withholding tax rate of 5%. Since one of the contracting State i.e., Netherlands has interpreted the protocol in a particular way (as above), in the fitness of things, the principle of common interpretation should apply to ensure consistency and equal allocation of tax claims between the Contracting States.
Our Comments
With the abolition of the DDT regime, the dividend is now taxable in the hands of shareholder. This Ruling will help non-resident shareholders to evaluate whether the DTAA between India and their residence contains an MFN clause or not. If yes, relying on this Ruling, a shareholder could consider applying the concessional rate mentioned in other DTAAs executed post entering of the DTAA by India.
While this decision pertains to dividend, it could be relevant for other sources of income – interest, royalty, fees for technical services, subject to the MFN clause contained in such a DTAA. One should read the language of the MFN clause before placing reliance on this decision. This Ruling could be beneficial not only where investment is from Netherland but also where investment is coming from France, Switzerland etc. having similar MFN clauses in their DTAAs with India.
- The High Court’s reliance on the decree passed by the Netherland was to maintain consistency in the interpretation of the provision of the tax authority and courts of the concerned country. Hence, one should not lose the sight of the decision / decree in the other country while applying the MFN Clause. If the other Country had denied the benefits, then the Indian authorities could follow the same. Thus, apart from analyzing the MFN clause and making complete reliance on this decision, the taxpayer should also evaluate the judicial precedents in that other jurisdiction.
Let’s have detailed discussion on how it may affect your business.
Urvesh Patel Partner – 4i Advisory Services (IR Global Member Firm)
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is in a summary form and is therefore intended for general guidance only. This publication is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation. This publication is not a substitute for detailed research and opinion. 4i Advisory Services disclaims any and all liability for any loss or damage caused to any person from acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material in this publication.
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