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Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement

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Singapore

Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements

Income-Tax Act, 1961: Notification under section 90: Agreement between the Government of Republic of the India and the Government of the Republic of Singapore for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income

Notification No. G.S.R. 610(E), dtd. 8.8.1994

Whereas the annexed Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Singapore for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income has entered into force on 27th May, 1994, on the notification by both the Contracting States to each other of the completion of the procedures required by their respective laws, as required by the said Agreement:

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 90 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961), the Central Government hereby directs that all the provisions of the said Agreement shall be given effect to in the Union of India.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION AND THE PREVENTION OF FISCAL EVASION WITH RESPECT TO TAXES ON INCOME.

The Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Singapore.

Desiring to conclude an Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

PERSONAL SCOPE

This Agreement shall apply to persons who are residents of one or both of the Contracting States.

Article 2

TAXES COVERED

1.     The taxes to which this Agreement shall apply are:

a.     In India:

Income-tax including any surcharge thereon (hereinafter referred to as "Indian tax")

b.    In Singapore:

The income-tax (hereinafter referred to as "Singapore tax").

2.     The Agreement shall also apply to any identical or substantially similar taxes which are imposed by either Contracting State after the date of signature of the present Agreement in addition to, or in place of, the taxes referred to in paragraph 1. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall notify each other of any substantial changes which are made in their respective taxation laws.

Article 3

GENERAL DEFINITIONS

1.     In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

a.     the term "India" means the territory of India and includes the territorial sea and airspace above it, as well as any other maritime zone in which India has sovereign rights, other rights and jurisdictions, according to the Indian law and in accordance with international law;

b.    the term "Singapore" means the Republic of Singapore;

c.     the terms "a Contracting State" and "the other Contracting State" mean India or Singapore as the context requires;

d.    the term "company" means any body corporate or any entity which is treated as a company or body corporate under the taxation laws in force in the respective Contracting States;

e.     the term "competent authority" means in the case of India, the Central Government in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) or their authorised representative; and in the case of Singapore, the Minister for Finance or his authorised representative;

f.     the terms "enterprise of a Contracting State" and "enterprise of the other Contracting State" mean respectively an enterprise carried on by a resident of a Contracting State and an enterprise carried on by a resident of the other Contracting State;

g.    the term "fiscal year" means:

                      i.        in the case of India, "previous year" as defined under section 3 of the Income-tax Act, 1961;

                     ii.        in the case of Singapore, calendar year;

h.     the term "international traffic" means any transport by a ship or aircraft operated by an enterprise of a Contracting State, except when the ship or aircraft is operated solely between places in the other Contracting State;

i.      the term "national" means any individual, possessing the nationality of a Contracting State and any legal person, partnership or association deriving its status as such from the laws in force in the Contracting State;

j.      the term "person" includes an individual, a company, a body of persons and any other entity which is treated as a taxable unit under the taxation laws in force in the respective Contracting States;

k.     the term "tax" means Indian tax or Singapore tax, as the context requires, but shall not include any amount which is payable in respect of any default or omission in relation to the taxes to which this Agreement applies or which represents a penalty imposed relating to those taxes.

2.     As regards the application of the Agreement by a Contracting State, any term not defined therein shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning which it has under the law of that State concerning the taxes to which the Agreement applies.

Article 4

RESIDENT

1.     For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "resident of a Contracting State" means any person who is a resident of a Contracting State in accordance with the taxation laws of that State.

2.     Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1, an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then his status shall be determined as follows:--

a.     he shall be deemed to be a resident of the State in which he has a permanent home available to him; if he has a permanent home available to him in both States, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the State with which his personal and economic relations are closer (centre of vital interests);

b.    if the State in which he has his centre of vital interests cannot be determined, or if he has not a permanent home available to him in either State, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the State in which he has an habitual abode;

c.     if he has an habitual abode in both States or in neither of them, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the State of which he is a national;

d.    if he is a national of both States or of neither of them, the competent authorities of the Contracting States shall settle the question by mutual agreement.

3.     Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1, a person other than an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then it shall be deemed to be a resident of the State in which its place of effective management is situated.

Article 5

PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT

1.     For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "permanent establishment" means a fixed place of business through which the business of the enterprise is wholly or partly carried on.

2.     The term 'permanent establishment" includes especially:

a.     a place of management;

b.    a branch;

c.     an office;

d.    a factory;

e.     a workshop;

f.     a mine, an oil or gas well, a quarry or any other place of extraction of natural resources;

g.    a warehouse in relation to a person providing storage facilities for others;

h.     a farm, plantation or other place where agriculture, forestry, plantation or related activities are carried on;

i.      premises used as a sales outlet or for soliciting and receiving orders;

j.      an installation or structure used for the exploration or exploitation of natural resources but only if so used for a period of more than 120 days in any fiscal year.

3.     A building site or construction, installation or assembly project constitutes a permanent establishment only if it continues for a period of more than 183 days in any fiscal year.

4.     An enterprise shall be deemed to have a permanent establishment in a Contracting State and to carry on business through that permanent establishment if it carries on supervisory activities in that Contracting State for a, period of more than 183 days in any fiscal year in connection with a building site or construction, installation or assembly project which is being undertaken in that Contracting State.

5.     Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 3 and 4, an enterprise shall be deemed to have a permanent establishment in a Contracting State and to carry on business through that permanent establishment if it provides services or facilities in that Contracting State for a period of more than 183 days in any fiscal year in connection with the exploration, exploitation or extraction of mineral oils in that Contracting State.

6.     An enterprise shall be deemed to have a permanent establishment in a Contracting State if it furnishes services, other than services referred to in paragraphs 4 and 5 of this Article and technical services as defined in Article 12, within a Contracting State through employees or other personnel, but only if:

a.     activities of that nature continue within that Contracting State for a period or periods aggregating to more than 90 days in any fiscal year; or

b.    activities are performed for a related enterprise (within the meaning of Article 9 of this Agreement) for a period or periods aggregating to more than 30 days in any fiscal year.

7.     Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, the term permanent establishment" shall be deemed not to include:

a.     the use of facilities solely for the purpose of storage, display or occasional delivery of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise;

b.    the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise solely for the purpose of storage, display or occasional delivery;

c.     the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise solely for the purpose of processing by another enterprise;

d.    the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of purchasing goods or merchandise, or of collecting information, for the enterprise;

e.     the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of advertising, for the supply of information, for scientific research, or for similar activities which have a preparatory or auxiliary character, for the enterprise.

However, the provisions of sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) shall not be applicable where the enterprise maintains any other fixed place of business in the other Contracting State through which the business of the enterprise is wholly or partly carried on.

8.     Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, where a person--other than an agent of an independent status to whom paragraph 9 applies--is acting in a Contracting State on behalf of an enterprise of the other Contracting State, that enterprise shall be deemed to have a permanent establishment in the first-mentioned State, if,

a.     he has and habitually exercises in that State an authority to conclude contracts on behalf of the enterprise, unless his activities are limited to the purchase of goods or merchandise for the enterprise;

b.    he has no such authority, but habitually maintains in the firstmentioned State a stock of goods or merchandise from which he regularly delivers goods or merchandise on behalf of the enterprise; or

c.     he habitually secures orders in the first-mentioned State, wholly or almost wholly for the enterprise itself or for the enterprise and other enterprises controlling, controlled by, or subject to the same common control, as that enterprise.

9.     An enterprise of a Contracting State shall not be deemed to have a permanent establishment in the other Contracting State merely because it carries on business in that other State through a broker, general commission agent or any other agent of an independent status provided that such persons are acting in the ordinary course of their business. However, when the activities of such an agent are devoted wholly or almost wholly on behalf of that enterprise itself or on behalf of that enterprise and other enterprises controlling, controlled by, or subject to the same common control, as that enterprise, he will not be considered an agent of an independent status within the meaning of this paragraph.

10.  The fact that a company which is a resident of a Contracting State controls or is controlled by a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State, or which carries on business in that other Contracting State (whether through a permanent establishment or otherwise), shall not, of itself, constitute either company a permanent establishment of the other.

Article 6

INCOME FROM IMMOVABLE PROPERTY

1.     Income derived by a resident of a Contracting State from immovable property situated in the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

2.     The term "immovable property" shall have the meaning which it has under the law of the Contracting State in which the property in question is situated. The term shall in any case include property accessory to immovable property, livestock and equipment used in agriculture and forestry, rights to which the provisions of general law respecting landed property apply, usufruct of immovable property and rights to variable or fixed payments as consideration for the working of, or the right to work, mineral deposits, sources and other natural resources. Ships and aircraft shall not be regarded as immovable property.

3.     The provisions of paragraph 1 shall also apply to income derived from the direct use, letting, or use in any other form of immovable property.

4.     The provisions of paragraphs I and 3 shall also apply to the income from immovable property of an enterprise and to income from immovable property used for the performance of independent personal services.

Article 7

BUSINESS PROFITS

1.     The profits of an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that State unless the enterprise carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein. If the enterprise carries on business as aforesaid, the profits of the enterprise may be taxed in the other State but only so much of them as is directly or indirectly attributable to, that permanent establishment.

2.     Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3, where an enterprise of a Contracting State carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein, there shall, in each Contracting State, be attributed to that permanent establishment the profits which it might be expected to make if it were a distinct and separate enterprise engaged in the same or similar activities under the same or similar conditions and dealing wholly independently with the enterprise of which it is a permanent establishment. In any case where the correct amount of profits attributable to a permanent establishment is incapable of determination or the determination thereof presents exceptional difficulties, the profits attributable to the permanent establishment may be estimated on a reasonable basis.

3.     In the determination of the profits of a permanent establishment, there shall be allowed as deductions expenses which are incurred for the purposes of the business of the permanent establishment including executive and general administrative expenses so incurred, whether in the State in which the permanent establishment is situated or elsewhere, in accordance with the provisions of and subject to the limitations of the taxation laws of that State.

4.     In so far as it has been customary in the Contracting State to determine the profits to be attributed to a permanent establishment on the basis of an apportionment of the total profits of the enterprise to its various parts, nothing in paragraph 2 shall preclude that Contracting State from determining the profits to be taxed by such an apportionment as may be customary; the method of apportionment adopted shall, however, be such that the result shall be in accordance with the principles contained in this Article.

5.     No profits shall be attributed to a permanent establishment by reason of the mere purchase by that permanent establishment of goods or merchandise for the enterprise.

6.     For the purposes of the preceding paragraphs, the profits to be attributed to the permanent establishment shall be determined by the same method year by year unless there is good and sufficient reason to the contrary.

7.     Where profits include items of income which are dealt with separately in other Articles of this Agreement, then the provisions of those Articles shall not be affected by the provisions of this Article.

8.     For the purpose of paragraph 1, the term "directly or indirectly attributable to the permanent establishment" includes profits arising from transactions in which the permanent establishment has been involved and such profits shall be regarded as attributable to the permanent establishment to the extent appropriate to the part played by the permanent establishment in those transactions, even if those transactions are made or placed directly with the overseas head office of the enterprise rather than with the permanent establishment.

Article 8

SHIPPING AND AIR TRANSPORT

1.     Profits derived by an enterprise of a Contracting Slate from the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic shall be taxable only in that State.

2.     The provisions of paragraph 1 shall also apply to profits from the participation in a pool, a joint business or an international operating agency engaged in the operation of ships or aircraft.

3.     Interest on funds connected with the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic shall be regarded as profits derived from the operation of such ships or aircraft, and the provisions of Article 11 shall not apply in relation to such interest.

4.     For the purposes of this Article, profits from the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic shall mean profits derived from the transportation by sea or air of passengers, mail, livestock or goods carried on by the owners or lessees or charterers of the ships or aircraft, including profits from:

a.     the sale of tickets for such transportation on behalf of other enterprises;

b.    the incidental lease of ships or aircraft used in such transportation;

c.     the use, maintenance or rental of containers (including trailers and related equipment for the transport of containers) in connection with such transportation; and

d.    any other activity directly connected with such transportation.

Article 9

ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES

1.     Where-

a.     an enterprise of a Contracting State participates directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of the other Contracting State, or

b.    the same persons participate directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of a Contracting State and an enterprise of the other Contracting State,

and in either case conditions are made or imposed between the two enterprises in their commercial or financial relations which differ from those which would be made between independent enterprises, then any profits which would, but for those conditions, have accrued to one of the enterprises, but, by reason of those conditions, have not so accrued, may be included in the profits of that enterprise and taxed accordingly.

Article 10

DIVIDENDS

1.     Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

2.     However, such dividends may also be taxed in the Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident and according to the laws of that State, but if the recipient is the beneficial owner of the dividends, the tax so charged shall not exceed:

a.     10 per cent. of the gross amount of the dividends if the beneficial owner is a company which owns at least 25 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.

This paragraph shall not affect the taxation of the company in respect of the profits out of which the dividends are paid.

3.     Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2 of this Article, as long as Singapore does not impose a tax on dividends in addition to the tax chargeable on the profits or income of a company, dividends paid by a company which is a resident of Singapore to a resident of India shall be exempt from any tax in Singapore which may be chargeable on dividends in addition to the tax chargeable on the profits or income of the company.

4.     The term "dividends" as used in this Article means income from shares or other rights, not being debt-claims, participating in profits, -as well as income from other corporate rights which is subjected to the same taxation treatment as income from shares by the laws of the State of which the company making the distribution is a resident.

5.     The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the dividends, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident, through a permanent establishment situated therein or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case, the provisions of Article 7, or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.

6.     Where a company which is a resident of a Contracting State derives profits or income from the other Contracting State, that other State may not impose any tax on the dividends paid by the company except in so far as such dividends are paid to a resident of that other State or so far as the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with a permanent establishment or a fixed base situated in that other State, nor subject the company's undistributed profits to a tax on the company's undistributed profits, even if the dividends paid or the undistributed profits consist wholly or partly of profits or income arising in such other State.

7.      

a.     Dividends shall be deemed to arise in India if they are paid by a company which is a resident of India;

b.    Dividends shall be deemed to arise in Singapore:

                      i.        if they are paid by a company which is a resident of Singapore; or

                     ii.        if they are paid by a company which is a resident of Malaysia out of profits arising in Singapore and qualifying as dividends arising in Singapore under Article VII of the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation between Singapore and Malaysia signed on 26th December, 1968.

Article 11

INTEREST

1.     Interest arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

2.     However, such interest may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which it arises, and according to the laws of that State, but if the beneficial owner of the interest is a resident of the other Contracting State, the tax so charged shall not exceed:

a.     10 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 (including an insurance company);

b.    15 per cent. of the gross amount of the interest in all other cases.

3.     The term "interest" as used in this Article means income from debt-claims of every kind, whether or not secured by mortgage and whether or not carrying a right to participate in the debtor's profits; and in particular, income from Government securities and income from bonds or debentures, including premiums and prizes attaching to such securities, bonds or debentures. Penalty charges for late payment shall not be regarded as interest for the purpose of this Article.

4.     The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the interest, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State in which the interest arises, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the debt-claim in respect of which the interest is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case, the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.

5.     Interest shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is that Contracting State itself, a political sub-division, a local authority, a statutory body or a resident of that State. Where, however, the person paying the interest, whether he is a resident of a Contracting State or not, has in a Contracting State a permanent establishment or a fixed base in connection with which the indebtedness on which the interest is paid was incurred, and such interest is borne by such permanent establishment or fixed base, then such interest shall be deemed to arise in the Contracting State in which the permanent establishment or fixed base is situated.

6.     Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the interest, having regard to the debt-claim for which it is paid, exceeds the amount which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the beneficial owner in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply to the last mentioned amount. In such case, the excess part of the payments shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting State, due regard being had to the other provisions of this Agreement.

Article 12

ROYALTIES AND FEES FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES

1.     Royalties and fees for technical services arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

2.     However, such royalties and fees for technical sevices may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which they arise and according to the laws of that State, but if the recipient is the beneficial owner of the royalties or fees for technical services, the tax so charged shall not exceed:

a.     in the case of royalties referred to in paragraph 3(a) and fees for technical services as defined in this Article (other than services described in sub-paragraph (b) of this paragraph), 15 per cent. of the gross amount of the royalties and fees;

b.    in the case of royalties referred to in paragraph 3(b) and fees for technical services as defined in this Article that are ancillary and subsidiary to the enjoyment of property for which royalties under paragraph 3(b) are received, 10 per cent. of the gross amount of the royalties and fees.

3.     The term "royalties" as used in this Article means payments of any kind received as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use:

a.     any copyright of a literary, artistic or scientific work, including cinematograph film or films or tapes used for radio or television broadcasting, any patent, trade mark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience, including gains derived from the alienation of any such right, property or information;

b.    any industrial, commercial or scientific equipment, other than payments derived by an enterprise from activities described it! paragraph 4(b) or 4(c) of Article 8.

4.     The term "fees for technical services" as used in this Article means payments of any kind to any person in consideration for services of a managerial, technical or consultancy nature (including the provision of such services through technical or other personnel) if such services:

a.     are ancillary and subsidiary to the application or enjoyment of the right, property. or information for which a payment described in paragraph 3 is received; or

b.    make available technical knowledge, experience, skill, know-how or processes, which enables the person acquiring the services to apply the technology contained therein; or

c.     consist of the development and transfer of a technical plan or technical design, but excludes any service that does not enable the person acquiring the service to apply the technology contained therein.

For the purposes of (b) and (c) above, the person acquiring the service shall be deemed to include an agent, nominee, or transferee of such person.

5.     Notwithstanding paragraph 4, "fees for technical services" does not include payments:

a.     for services that are ancillary and subsidiary, as well as inextricably and essentially linked, to the sale of property other than a sale described in paragraph 3(a);

b.    for services that are ancillary and subsidiary to the rental of ships, aircraft, containers or other equipment used in connection with the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic;

c.     for teaching in or by educational institutions;

d.    for services for the personal use of the individual or individuals making the payment;

e.     to an employee of the person making the payments or to any individual or firm of individuals (other than a company) for professional services as defined in Article 14;

f.     for services rendered in connection with an installation or structure used for the exploration or exploitation of natural resources referred to in paragraph 2(j) of Article 5;

g.    for services referred to in paragraphs 4 and 5 of Article 5.

6.     The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the royalties or fees for technical services, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State in which the royalties or fees for technical services arise, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the right, property or contract in respect of which the royalties or fees for technical services are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case, the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.

7.     Royalties and fees for technical services shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is that State itself, a political sub-division, a local authority, a statutory body or a resident of that State. Where, however, the person paying the royalties or fees for technical services, whether he is a resident of a Contracting State or not, has in a Contracting State a permanent establishment or a fixed base in connection with which the liability to pay the royalties or fees for technical services was incurred, and such royalties or fees for technical services are borne by such permanent establishment or fixed base, then such royalties or fees for technical services shall be deemed to arise in the State in which the permanent establishment or fixed base is situated.

8.     Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of royalties or fees for technical services paid exceeds the amount which would have been paid in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In such case, the excess part of the payments shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting State, due regard being had to the other provisions of this Agreement.

Article 13

CAPITAL GAINS

1.     Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting State from the alienation of immovable property, referred to in Article 6, and situated in the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

2.     Gains from the alienation of movable property forming part of the business property of a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting State has in the other Contracting State or of movable property pertaining to a fixed base available to a resident of a Contracting State in the other Contracting State for the purpose of performing independent personal services, including such gains from the alienation of such a permanent establishment (alone or together with the whole enterprise) or of such fixed base, may be taxed in that other State.

3.     Gains from the alienation of ships or aircraft operated in international traffic or movable property pertaining to the operation of such ships or aircraft shall be taxable only in the Contracting State of which the alienator is a resident.

4.     Gains from the alienation of shares of the capital stock of a company the property of which consists principally, directly or indirectly, of immovable property situated in a Contracting State may be taxed in that State.

5.     Gains from the alienation of shares other than those mentioned in paragraph 4 in a company which is a resident of a Contracting State may be taxed in that State.

6.     Gains from the alienation of any property other than that mentioned in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Article and paragraph 3(b) of Article 12 shall be taxable only in the Contracting State of which the alienator is a resident.

Article 14

INDEPENDENT PERSONAL SERVICES

1.     Income derived by an individual who is a resident of a Contracting State from the performance of professional services or other independent activities of a similar character shall be taxable only in that State except in the following circumstances when such income may also be taxed in the other Contracting State:

a.     if he has a fixed base regularly available to him in the other Contracting State for the purpose of performing his activities; in that case, only so much of the income as is attributable to that fixed base may be taxed in that other State; or

b.    if his stay in the other Contracting State is for a period or periods amounting to or exceeding in the aggregate 90 days in the relevant fiscal year; in that case, only so much of the income as is derived from his activities performed in that other State may be taxed in that other State.

2.     The term "professional services" includes independent scientific, literary, artistic, educational or teaching activities, as well as the independent activities of physicians, surgeons, lawyers, engineers, architects, dentists and accountants.

Article 15

DEPENDENT PERSONAL SERVICES

1.     Subject to the provisions of Articles 16, 18, 19, 20 and 21, salaries, wages and other similar remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of an employment shall be taxable only in that State unless the employment is exercised in the other Contracting State. If the employment is so exercised, such remuneration as is derived therefrom may be taxed in that other State.

2.     Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of an employment exercised in the other Contracting State shall be taxable only in the firstmentioned State if:

a.     the recipient is present in the other State for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 183 days in the relevant fiscal year; and

b.    the remuneration is paid by, or on behalf of, an employer who is not a resident of the other State; and

c.     the remuneration is not borne by a permanent establishment or a fixed base which the employer has in the other State.

3.     In the case of a recipient who satisfies all the conditions under sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 2, if his remuneration is deductible as an expense against fees for technical services (dealt with under Article 12) derived by his employer and the employer has no permanent establishment in the other Contracting State, the remuneration may, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2, be taxed in that State. In such case, the tax so charged shall not exceed 15 per cent. of the gross amount of the remuneration.

4.     Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, remuneration derived in respect of an employment exercised aboard a ship or aircraft operated in international traffic by an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that State.

Article 16

DIRECTORS' FEES

1.     Directors' fees and similar payments derived by a resident of a Contracting State in his capacity as a member of the board of directors of a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

Article 17

ARTISTES AND SPORTSPERSONS

1.     Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 14 and 15, income derived by a resident of a Contracting State as an artiste such as a theatre, motion picture, radio or television artiste or a musician or as a sportsperson, from his personal activities as such exercised in the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

2.     Where income in respect of or in connection with personal activities exercised by an artiste or sportsperson accrues not to the artiste or sportsperson himself but to another person, that income may, notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 7, 14 and 15, be taxed in the Contracting State in which the activities of the artistes or sportspersons are exercised.

3.     Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, income derived by an artiste or a sportsperson who is a resident of a Contracting State from his personal activities as such exercised in the other Contracting State, shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned State, if the activities in the other State are supported-wholly or substantially from the public funds of the first-mentioned State, including any of its political sub-divisions, local authorities or statutory bodies.

4.     Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2 and Articles 7, 14 and 15, where income in respect of or in connection with personal activities exercised by an artiste or a sportsperson in a Contracting State accrues not to the artiste or sportsperson himself but to another person, that income shall be taxable only in the other Contracting State, if that other person is supported wholly or substantially from the public funds of that other State, including any of its political sub-divisions, local authorities or statutory bodies.

Article 18

REMUNERATION AND PENSIONS IN RESPECT OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE

1.      

a.     Remuneration, other than a pension, paid by a Contracting State or a political sub-division, a local authority or a statutory body thereof to an individual in respect of services rendered to that State or sub-division or authority or body shall be taxable only in that State.

b.    However, such remuneration shall be taxable only in the other Contracting State if the services are rendered in that other State and the individual is a resident of that State who:

                      i.        is a national of that State; or

                     ii.        did not become a resident of that State solely for the purpose of rendering the services.

2.    

a.     Any pension paid by, or out of funds created by a Contracting State or a political sub-division, a local authority or a statutory body thereof to an individual in respect of services rendered to that State or sub-division or authority or body shall be taxable only in that State.

b.    However, such pension shall be taxable only in the other Contracting State if the individual is a resident of, and a national of that other State.

3.     The provisions of Articles 15, 16 and 19 shall apply to remuneration and pensions in respect of services rendered in connection with a business carried on by a Contracting State or a political sub-division or a local authority or a statutory body thereof.

Article 19

NON-GOVERNMENT PENSIONS AND ANNUITIES

1.     Any pension, other than a pension referred to in Article 18, or any annuity derived by a resident of a Contracting State from sources within the other Contracting State may be taxed only in the first-mentioned State.

2.     The term "pension" means a periodic payment made in consideration of past services or by way of compensation for injuries received in the course of performance of services.

3.     The term "annuity" means a stated sum payable periodically at stated times during life or during a specified or ascertainable period of time, under an obligation to make the payments in return for adequate and full consideration in money or money's worth.

Article 20

STUDENTS AND TRAINEES

1.     An individual who is or was a resident of a Contracting State immediately before making a visit to the other Contracting State and is temporarily present in the other State solely:-

a.     as a student at a recognised university, college, school or other similar recognised educational institution in that other State;

b.    as a business or technical apprentice; or

c.     as a recipient of a grant, allowance or award for the primary purpose of study, research or training from the Government of either State or from a scientific, educational, religious or charitable organisation or under a technical assistance programme entered into by the Government of either State;shall be exempt from tax in that other State on:

                              i.        all remittances from abroad for the purposes of his maintenance, education, study, research or training;

                             ii.        the amount of such grant, allowance or award; and

                            iii.        any remuneration not exceeding United States dollars five hundred per month or its equivalent in local currency in respect of services in that other State provided the services are performed in connection with his study, research or training or are necessary for the purposes of his maintenance.

2.     The benefits of this Article shall extend only for such period of time as may be reasonable or customarily required to complete the education or training undertaken, but in no event shall any individual have the benefits of this Article for more than five consecutive years from the date of his first arrival in that other Contracting State.

Article 21

TEACHERS AND RESEARCHERS

1.     An individual who is or was a resident of a Contracting State immediately before making a visit to the other Contracting State, and who, at the invitation of any university, college, school or other similar educational institution, visits that other State for a period not exceeding two years solely for the purpose of teaching or research or both at such educational institution shall be exempt from tax in that other State on any remuneration for such teaching or research.

2.     This Article shall not apply to income from research if such research is undertaken primarily for the private benefit of a specific person or persons.

Article 22

INCOME OF GOVERNMENT

1.     The Government of a Contracting State shall be exempt from tax in the other Contracting State in respect of income derived by that Government from sources within the other State.

2.     The types of income to which paragraph 1 applies are:-

a.     dividends under Article 10;

b.    interest under Article 11; and

c.     any other income or gains derived from transactions not pursuant to the conduct of commercial activities.

3.     For the purposes of paragraph 1, the term "Government":--

a.     In the case of Singapore means the Government of Singapore and shall include:

                      i.        the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Board of Commissioners of Currency;

                     ii.        the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte. Ltd. to the extent it is not engaged in the conduct of commercial activities;

                    iii.        a statutory body not engaged in the conduct of commercial activities;

                    iv.        any other institution or body as may be agreed from time to time between the competent authorities of the Contracting States;

a.     In the case of India means the Government of India and shall include:

                      i.        the Government of the States and the Union Territories of India;

                     ii.        the Reserve Bank of India or any of its subsidiaries which is not engaged in the conduct of commercial activities;

                    iii.        a statutory body not engaged in the conduct of commercial activities;

                    iv.        any other institution or body as may be agreed from time to time between the competent authorities of the Contracting States.

Article 23

INCOME NOT EXPRESSLY MENTIONED

Items of income which are not expressly mentioned in the foregoing Articles of this Agreement may be taxed in accordance with the taxation laws of the respective Contracting States.

Article 24

LIMITATION OF RELIEF

1.     Where this Agreement provides (with or without other conditions) that income from sources in a Contracting State shall be exempt from tax, or taxed at a reduced rate in that Contracting State and under the laws in force in the other Contracting State the said income is subject to tax by reference to the amount thereof which is remitted to or received in that other Contracting State and not by reference to the full amount thereof, then the exemption or reduction of tax to be allowed under this Agreement in the first-mentioned Contracting State shall apply to so much of the income as is remitted to or received in that other Contracting State.

2.     However, this limitation does not apply to income derived by the Government of a Contracting State or any person approved by the competent authority of that State for the purpose of this paragraph. The term 'Government" includes its agencies and statutory bodies.

Article 25

AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION

1.     The laws in force in either of the Contracting States shall continue to govern the taxation of income in the respective Contracting States except where express provision to the contrary is made in this Agreement.

2.     Where a resident of India derives income which, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, may be taxed in Singapore, India shall allow as a deduction from the tax on the income of that resident an amount equal to the Singapore tax paid, whether directly or by deduction. Where the income is a dividend paid by a company which is a resident of Singapore to a company which is a resident of India and which owns directly or indirectly not less than 25 per cent. of the share capital of the company paying the dividend, the deduction shall take into account the Singapore tax paid in respect of the profits out of which the dividend is paid. Such deduction in either case shall not, however, exceed that part of the tax (as computed before the deduction is given) which is attributable to the income which may be taxed in Singapore.

3.     For the purposes of paragraph 2 of this Article, "Singapore tax paid" shall be deemed to include any amount of tax which would have been payable but for the reduction or exemption of Singapore tax granted under:

a.     the provisions of the Economic Expansion Incentives (Relief from Income Tax) Act and the provisions of sections 13(1)(t), 13(1)(u), 13(1)(v), 13(2),


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