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India-Mauritius DTAA

Treaty signed: August 24, 1982  |  Effective from: November 3, 1983

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

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: Mauritius treaty was historically India's most used FDI route due to capital gains exemption. Post-2016, Indian-source capital gains from shares are taxable in India for Mauritius entities too. The low 5% dividend withholding rate still makes Mauritius attractive for dividend repatriation from Indian subsidiaries to Mauritius holding companies.

Key Treaty Provisions

  • 2016 Protocol amended the capital gains article - India now taxes capital gains on shares acquired after April 1, 2017
  • Grandfathered shares (acquired before April 1, 2017) remain exempt from Indian capital gains tax
  • Transition period April 1, 2017 - March 31, 2019: 50% capital gains tax (i.e., 7.5% effective LTCG rate)
  • Full tax from April 1, 2019 on shares acquired on or after that date
  • Mauritius Treaty Shopping historically used by FIIs and private equity - restricted by 2016 amendment

Frequently Asked Questions

Does India still tax Mauritius companies on capital gains from Indian shares?

Yes, for shares acquired from April 1, 2017 onwards. The 2016 amendment to the India-Mauritius DTAA removed the capital gains exemption. Shares held since before April 1, 2017 are grandfathered. Capital gains on immovable property in India have always been taxable in India.

What is the dividend withholding rate under India-Mauritius DTAA?

The dividend withholding rate is 5% under Article 10 of the India-Mauritius DTAA. This is one of the lowest dividend rates in any India DTAA, making Mauritius attractive as a holding company jurisdiction for Indian subsidiaries distributing dividends.

Is a Certificate of Residence from Mauritius sufficient to claim DTAA benefits?

A valid Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) from Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) is required. India's tax authorities look beyond TRC to examine substance - the Mauritius entity must have bona fide business activity and not be a conduit for treaty shopping. The MLI's Principal Purpose Test now reinforces this substance requirement.

Browse all articles

20 articles
Art. 1
Persons Covered

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

Art. 4
Resident

Article 4 of the India-Mauritius DTAA governs resident.

Art. 5
Permanent Establishment

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

Art. 7
Business Profits

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

Art. 8
Shipping, Inland Waterways, and Air Transport

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

Art. 9
Associated Enterprises

Article 9 of the India-Mauritius 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. 117.5%
Interest

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

Art. 1215%
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 Mauritius.

Art. 14
Independent Personal Services

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

Art. 18
Pensions

Article 18 of the India-Mauritius DTAA governs pensions.

Art. 19
Government Service

Article 19 of the India-Mauritius 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 Mauritius 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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