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India-Hong Kong DTAA

Treaty signed: March 19, 2018  |  Effective from: December 30, 2018

● Live · Rates served from /api/tax-rules/dtaa/HK

Dividends

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Interest

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Royalties

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Capital Gains

Fees for Technical Services

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NRI / Practical Note: The India-Hong Kong DTAA is useful for Indian businesses in finance, trading, and technology that have Hong Kong operations. The 5% royalty rate is among the lowest in India's treaty network.

Key Treaty Provisions

  • Relatively new and comprehensive treaty (2018) - India's first DTAA with Hong Kong
  • Low royalty rate of 5% makes it attractive for IP holding structures in Hong Kong
  • Both India and Hong Kong apply the PPT under the MLI framework
  • Finance and shipping are key sectors using this treaty
  • Construction PE: 12 months

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dividend withholding rate under India-Hong Kong DTAA?

The rate is 5% if the recipient company holds at least 10% of the shares of the Indian company paying the dividend. In all other cases, the rate is 10%. Both are lower than India's domestic dividend withholding rate.

Why is Hong Kong's royalty rate of 5% significant?

Most India DTAAs have royalty rates of 10-15%. The India-Hong Kong treaty's 5% royalty rate is among the lowest, making Hong Kong attractive for holding intellectual property that is licensed to India. However, substance requirements (PPT) must be met.

Does the India-Hong Kong DTAA apply to SAR of China or to mainland China?

The treaty applies to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region only. Mainland China has a separate DTAA with India (different rates). The two treaties are entirely separate.

Browse all articles

20 articles
Art. 1
Persons Covered

Article 1 of the India-Hong Kong DTAA governs persons covered.

Art. 4
Resident

Article 4 of the India-Hong Kong DTAA governs resident.

Art. 5
Permanent Establishment

Article 5 of the India-Hong Kong DTAA governs permanent establishment.

Art. 7
Business Profits

Article 7 of the India-Hong Kong DTAA governs business profits.

Art. 8
Shipping, Inland Waterways, and Air Transport

Article 8 of the India-Hong Kong DTAA governs shipping, inland waterways, and air transport.

Art. 9
Associated Enterprises

Article 9 of the India-Hong Kong DTAA governs associated enterprises.

Art. 105%
Dividends

Dividends paid by a company resident in one State to a resident of the other State may be taxed in the recipie

Art. 1110%
Interest

Interest arising in one State and paid to a resident of the other may be taxed in the recipient's State, with

Art. 125%
Royalties

Royalties paid to a resident of the other State may be taxed in the recipient's State; the source State retain

Art. 12A10%
Fees for Technical Services

FTS - payments for managerial, technical, or consultancy services - are taxed at the treaty rate where a speci

Art. 13
Capital Gains

Article 13 allocates taxing rights over capital gains between India and Hong Kong.

Art. 14
Independent Personal Services

Article 14 of the India-Hong Kong DTAA governs independent personal services.

Art. 15
Income from Employment

Article 15 sets the taxing rights for salaries earned by an employee of one State who works in the other.

Art. 17
Artistes and Sportspersons

Article 17 of the India-Hong Kong DTAA governs artistes and sportspersons.

Art. 18
Pensions

Article 18 of the India-Hong Kong DTAA governs pensions.

Art. 19
Government Service

Article 19 of the India-Hong Kong DTAA governs government service.

Art. 23
Elimination of Double Taxation

Article 23 sets out the mechanism by which double taxation is eliminated - typically through a foreign tax cre

Art. 25
Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP)

MAP allows the competent authorities of India and Hong Kong to resolve disputes - particularly transfer pricin

Art. 26
Exchange of Information

Allows the competent authorities to exchange information necessary to apply the treaty or domestic tax laws.

Art. 29
Entitlement to Benefits (PPT / LOB)

Treaty benefits are denied where the principal purpose of the transaction was to obtain them.

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