Russia suspends DTT with Cyprus
As a response to the sanctions placed on Russia, Russia signed, on the 8th of August 2023, a decree suspending (not abolishing) the double tax treaties with multiple ‘unfriendly’ countries including Cyprus.
According to the official decree, the suspension of DTT’s is justified by Russia’s need to respond to ‘unfriendly actions’ taken by these nations against the Russian Federation, its citizens, and legal entities, in connection with the war in Ukraine.
What does this mean for International Taxation?
The suspension of such agreements in full or in part will inevitably entail not only an increase in the tax burden due to double taxation of the same income, but will also have a major impact on reporting.
The decree halts the application of key provisions in approximately half of Russia’s DTT’s.
The suspension pertains to the following provisions:
- Taxation of dividends, interest, royalties, income from permanent establishments, capital gains, employment earnings, and miscellaneous income.
- Provisions related to property taxation.
- Non-discrimination clauses.
- Limitation of benefits provisions stipulated in several treaties, namely: Sweden, Luxembourg, UK, Switzerland, Cyprus, Lithuania, Austria, and Malta.
- Provisions involving mutual assistance in tax collection for agreements with Belgium, Norway, Cyprus, Austria, and Japan.
From a Cyprus perspective
Cyprus Minister of Finance will continue to honour the Tax Treaty with Russia until further notice.
The suspension of the treaty from Russia’s side will have some tax implications for Cyprus registered companies that receive income from Russian entities. The tax applied on interest, which is deducted at source, will increase from 15% to 20%. As for royalty income, tax applied will rise from 0% to 20%, whereas the tax deducted at source for dividend income, will remain at 15%, as it was before.
However, as announced by the Minister of Finance, the non-application of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement’s provisions, might not have further significant consequences for Cyprus, as the existing sanctions and restrictions have already impacted significantly on the economic relations between the two countries.
For additional information, please contact: Katrien De Poorter at the Dixcart office in Cyprus: advice.cyprus@dixcart.com.
The data contained within this Information Note is for general information only. No responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies.
