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India-Japan DTAA

Treaty signed: March 7, 2006  |  Effective from: December 29, 2006

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

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: Indian professionals and students in Japan have Indian-source passive income subject to the treaty. Japan-source income of Indian residents is taxable in India. Japan imposes a residence-based tax system; Indian residents must declare Japanese income in India after returning.

Key Treaty Provisions

  • Modern treaty (2006) - covers all income types including specific provisions for aircraft/shipping operations
  • Important for India-Japan manufacturing corridor (automobiles: Suzuki-Maruti, Honda; electronics: Sony, Panasonic)
  • Japan has also ratified MLI; PPT applies to India-Japan treaty
  • Construction PE: 12 months (longer than most treaties)
  • Associate enterprise adjustments: transfer pricing aligned with OECD guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

What withholding rate applies on dividends paid by an Indian company to a Japanese company?

Under the India-Japan DTAA, dividends are taxable at 10% in India. This applies to both portfolio investors and companies with significant shareholding. The Japanese company must provide TRC from the National Tax Agency of Japan to claim the 10% rate.

Is PE created if a Japanese company sends engineers to India for an installation project?

If the engineers are present in India for more than 12 months (construction PE threshold), a PE is created and business profits attributable to that PE are taxable in India. Short-term projects under 12 months typically do not create a PE.

Does the India-Japan DTAA cover Japanese working holiday visa holders in India?

The Dependent Personal Services article covers individuals employed by Japanese companies sent to India. If the Japanese employee is present in India for less than 183 days and paid by the Japanese employer (not borne by Indian PE), their salary may not be taxable in India.

Browse all articles

20 articles
Art. 1
Persons Covered

Article 1 of the India-Japan DTAA governs persons covered.

Art. 4
Resident

Article 4 of the India-Japan DTAA governs resident.

Art. 5
Permanent Establishment

Article 5 of the India-Japan DTAA governs permanent establishment.

Art. 7
Business Profits

Article 7 of the India-Japan DTAA governs business profits.

Art. 8
Shipping, Inland Waterways, and Air Transport

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

Art. 9
Associated Enterprises

Article 9 of the India-Japan DTAA governs associated enterprises.

Art. 1010%
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. 1210%
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 Japan.

Art. 14
Independent Personal Services

Article 14 of the India-Japan 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-Japan DTAA governs artistes and sportspersons.

Art. 18
Pensions

Article 18 of the India-Japan DTAA governs pensions.

Art. 19
Government Service

Article 19 of the India-Japan 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 Japan to resolve disputes - particularly transfer pricing di

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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