INCOME TAX

Applicable rates of taxes under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates

Circular No. 734

Dated 24/1/1996

It has been represented by some non-resident Indians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that the banks and the U.T.I. have been deducting tax at source on interest and dividend incomes at rates higher than those provided in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates. This has forced the non-resident Indians to seek remedy by way of refunds. It also appears that in each of such cases where refund was due and where a decision on the applicability of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement was involved, they had been advised to file a petition before the Authority for Advance Rulings.

2. The Board in its Circular No. 728 (F. No. 500/12/95-FTD), dated 30th October, 1995*, have already clarified that in case of a remittance to a country with which a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement is in force, tax should be deducted at the rates provided in the Finance Act of the relevant year or at the rates provided in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, whichever is more beneficial to the assessee.

3. Once again it is clarified that in respect of payments to be made to the non-resident Indians at the United Arab Emirates, tax at source must be deducted at the following rates :_

(i) Dividends :

(a) 5 per cent. of the gross amount of the dividends if the beneficial owner is a company which owns at least 10 per cent. of the shares of the company paying the dividends.

(b) 15 per cent. of the gross amount of the dividends in all other cases.

(ii) Interest :

(a) 5 per cent. of the gross amount of the interest if such interest is paid on a loan granted by a bank carrying on a bona fide banking business or by a similar financial institution.

(b) 12« per cent. of the gross amount of the interest in all other cases.

(iii) Royalties :

10 per cent. of the gross amount.

4. It is essential that the above rates which are enshrined in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates are strictly adhered to so as to avoid unnecessary harassment of the tax-payers.

Yours faithfully,

(Sd.) Siddhartha Mukherjee,

Secretary, Central Board of Direct Taxes.