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Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) Between India and Italy

By Mohammed S Chokhawala

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Updated on: Dec 27th, 2024

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4 min read

The Indian Government developed the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement convention to help taxpayers avoid double taxation on foreign-sourced income. This agreement mainly benefits the business owner in India, who usually faces the dilemma of which country to start a business in. India has signed DTAA with almost 95 countries. DTAA between India and Italy helps both countries claim tax benefits and enhance economic growth.

Read through the blog to know more about DTAA between India and Italy:

  • Introduction to DTAA between India and Italy
  • Significance of India and Italy DTAA
  • Taxes Covered under DTAA
  • Applicable Tax Rates
  • Capital Gains Taxation under DTAA
  • Taxation of Employment Income
  • Conclusion

DTAA between India and Italy

The DTAA between India and Italy is a bilateral tax treaty to prevent double taxation and mitigate fiscal evasion concerning income taxes. Therefore, this treaty will be necessary for a resident of either country who derives income and is liable to taxation in India and Italy. This agreement came into effect on 23 November 1995.

The DTAA is aimed at ensuring that there is no burden of double taxation on the same income in both countries for any person or entity. This is very important to businesses and people with cross-border transactions or financial interests in India and Italy. The treaty lays down a clear taxation framework, enabling economic cooperation and investment from both countries.

Different types of income, such as salary, pension, interest, dividend, and royalty, are classified under the DTAA, and taxation rights for each country are demarcated. For example, it states how employment and business profits and capital gains will be taxed, that is, which country has the primary right to tax certain types of income under given circumstances. This removes ambiguity to a large extent and thus reduces the possibility of tax evasion and avoidance.

For example, the treaty reduces or eliminates, depending on the type of income and the treaty provisions, Indian taxation if an Italian resident generates income in India. Likewise, an Indian resident may generate revenue in Italy, which would then be subjected to lower Indian rates rather than high rates of tax in Italy under the provisions of DTAA.

The DTAA also improved mechanisms for dispute resolution in case of differences in interpretation and application. This includes mutual agreement procedures whereby the two countries' tax authorities may come together to iron out problems facing a taxpayer. The collaborative approach improved transparency and built trust between the Indian and Italian tax authorities.

Overall, the India-Italy DTAA essentially lays down the role of a conducive, impartial, and efficient tax environment, which would help give rise to a fair set of economic relations between residents of both countries. Clearly outlined, the rights and obligations toward this taxation avoid double taxation and encourage cross-border trade and investment. Therefore, The treaty is very relevant for supporting where it supports, offering tax offers, making international taxation less cumbersome for many individuals and businesses.

Significance of India and Italy DTAA for Both Countries

The DTAA between India and Italy is highly crucial for both nations, as the agreement:

  • Provides Indian and Italian residents with tax stability and actuality, presenting incentives for mutual economic cooperation and encouraging funding flow.
  • It avoids double taxation of any earnings; this is to say, a taxpayer does not pay tax on the same earnings in each country.
  • It provides for the change of statistics between the authorities in a position of authority in India and Italy. This might make the taxation system extra obvious and keep away from monetary evasion.
  • Conforms to global standards with provisions for mutual settlement processes and credit score approach systems, sharing of tax statistics

Taxes Covered under DTAA

The India-Italy DTAA covers the following taxes:

In India:

In Italy:

  • Personal income tax
  • Corporate income tax
  • Local income tax

The agreement also covers any identical or substantially similar taxes imposed by either country after the date of its signature, in addition to or in place of the existing taxes.

India and Italy DTAA Tax Rates

The India-Italy DTAA provides for withholding tax rates concerning the following types of income:

Dividends:

  • 15% of the gross amount where the beneficial owner is a company owning at least 10% of the shares of the company paying the dividends
  • 25% in the remaining cases

Interest:

  • 15%, with an exemption for interest earned from government institutions

Royalties:

  • 20% of the gross amount of the royalties

Fees for Technical Services:

  • 20% of the gross amount of such fees

Capital Gains Taxation under DTAA

Under the India-Italy DTAA, capital gains derived from the sale of any property by a resident of a contracting state are taxable in that State. The agreement, however, lays down specific rules for the taxation of capital gains from the alienation of shares:

  • Gains obtained by a resident of the contracting state from the alienation of shares of the company that is a resident of another contracting state may be taxed in that other State.
  • However, such gains are taxable only in the first preceding State if the alienation of shares takes place on a stock exchange approved by the competent authority in that State.
  • Profits from selling shares in a company whose assets primarily consist of real estate located in a Contracting State may be taxed by that State.

Taxation of Employment Income under DTAA

In that regard, the India-Italy DTAA addresses employment income as follows:

Dependent Personal Services:

  • Salaries, wages, and similar forms of compensation earned by a resident of a Contracting State are taxable only in that State, unless the employment is carried out in the other Contracting State.
  • If the employment is exercised in the other State, such remuneration derived from that place may be taxed in that other State.

Independent Personal Services:

  • A resident of the Contracting State regarding professional services or other activities of an independent character shall be taxable only in that State unless the individual has a fixed base regularly available to him in the other contracting state to perform his activities.
  • The income may be taxed by the other State, but only to the extent that it is attributable to a fixed base, if such a fixed base exists.

Conclusion

This double tax avoidance agreement is one essential instrument that fosters economic cooperation and investment between two countries by prescribing a framework for taxing different kinds of income and capital gains. DTAA avoids double taxation and fiscal evasion, which encourages residents of both countries to carry on cross-border activities and investments.

As both nations continue strengthening their economic bond, the India-Italy DTAA will significantly facilitate mutual growth and prosperity. The provisions under the same should be made for the taxpayer and the investor to avoid errors and take advantage of the benefits it offers regarding taxation.

Related Articles
1. What is Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)
2. DTAA Between India and USA
3. DTAA Between India and UK
4. DTAA Between India and Singapore
5. DTAA Between India and UAE
6. DTAA Between India and Singapore
7. DTAA Between India and Australia
8. DTAA Between India and Germany
9. DTAA Between India and Canada
10. DTAA Between India and Netherlands

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was the DTAA signed between India and Italy?

The Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between India and Italy was entered into on November 23, 1995.

What is the procedure to obtain a Tax Residency Certificate?

To obtain a Tax Residency Certificate, taxpayers must contact the competent authority in their country of residence. In the case of India, this certificate can be obtained from the Income Tax Department, and in Italy, it can be obtained from the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate).

How does DTAA prevent double taxation?

The India-Italy DTAA divides the taxing rights between the two nations to avoid double taxation. It states that one country has the primary right to impose a tax on certain types of income, and other countries grant a tax credit or exemption to avoid double taxation. For example, business profits will generally be taxable only in the country where the enterprise is permanently established.

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I'm a chartered accountant, well-versed in the ins and outs of income tax, GST, and keeping the books balanced. Numbers are my thing, I can sift through financial statements and tax codes with the best of them. But there's another side to me – a side that thrives on words, not figures. Read more

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