India, Nepal signs revised DTAA

28 Nov 2011 Evaluate

With the aim of encouraging Indian investment in Nepal, averting fiscal elusion, and lessening procedures for stakeholders with commercial interests in both countries, India and Nepal have signed a revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). The treaty, based on modern taxation principles and in-line with the current international environment, will replace the agreement on double taxation avoidance signed in 1987.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee signed the pact with his Nepalese counterpart, Barshaman Pun ‘Ananta,' in the presence of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai. On the sidelines Mukherjee said, ‘the revised DTAA will provide tax stability to the residents of India and Nepal and facilitate mutual economic co-operation as well as motivate the flow of investment, technology and services between India and Nepal.’

The treaty includes provisions for exchange of information, support in collection of taxes between tax authorities and anti-abuse provisions. The exchange of information will extend to exchanging bank details, and could be shared with other law enforcement agencies with the consent of the information supplying country.

The agreement comes soon after the two countries signed the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) during Bhattarai's visit to India last month. Nepal hopes that the two agreements together would encourage further Indian investment in Nepal, which in turn would lead to greater exports and help bridge the growing trade deficit with India. India accounts for more than 45% of foreign direct investment in Nepal, while two-thirds of Nepal's trade is with India.

The move has been welcomed by the private sector, as this would pave way for greater investment, transparency, and allow both countries to avail of each other's relative advantage. Given that tax rates were lower in Nepal, investors who had paid taxes in India would not have to do so in Nepal and those who paid taxes in Nepal would only have to pay the differential amount back in India.

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