Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) is an initiative launched by the OECD with the aim of integrating international tax rules. In the case of Spain, the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements signed with China and Japan, among others, were pending adaptation. These agreements affect a large number of Spanish companies that maintain commercial relations with these two Asian powers.

The OECD requires all countries that have signed the BEPS Action Plan to work towards the elimination of any conventions or regulations that create low taxation spaces for companies established in other countries, as well as in capital movements, committing the signatory countries to negate tax avoidance and reduce opportunities for low taxation.

The Spanish Government drafted the DTT with China on 28 November 2018 (updating the convention in force from 22 November 1990 and adapting it to the new 2017 OECD Model Convention). This Spain/China DTT has been published on 30 March 2021 and it will enter into force on 2 May 2021. However, it should be noted that the provisions of Article 23 on Assets (movable and inmovable assets) of the previous Convention shall be in force until 31 December 2021.

The DTT with Japan signed on 16 October 2018 (the last treaty was dated 13 February 1974), was published in the BOE on 26 February 2021 and will enter into force on 1 May 2021. However, the effects in relation to the taxes required on a fiscal year basis, as well as taxes thar are not required on a fiscal year basis shall enter into force from 1 January 2022. However, the provisions relating to the exchange of information, as well as the collection of taxes, shall enter into force on 1 May 2021.

Both DTTs apply to income taxes:  Corporation Tax, Personal Income Tax and Non-Resident Income Tax.

This two DTTs each have 31 articles and a Protocol. Articles 1 and 2 establish the subjective scope and application material, respectively. Articles 3 to 5 contain general definitions, specifying the taxation of the different income from Article 6. The elimination of double taxation is set out in Article 23 of DTT signed with China, and Article 22 of the DTT signed with Japan. The other articles include provisions relating to the exchange of information, assistance in collection, user-friendly procedures, non-discrimination, denunciation, etc.

These measures continue the move towards standardisation and fiscal harmonisation between Spain and these two Asian economies, and add to other initiatives such as the free trade agreement established between the European Union and Japan in 2019.

Below is a summary of the taxation on investment income, applying the new conventions:

DTT SPAIN – CHINA DTT SPAIN – JAPAN
Dividends
  • Beneficial owner with at least 25% direct capital of the company, which pays dividends over a period of 365 days: 5 %
  • Other cases: 10%
  • 0 % in the following cases:
    • if beneficial owner of the dividend is a company that has directly or indirectly held at least 10% of the voting rights of the company paying the dividend for a period of twelve months;
    • whether it is a “recognized pension fund”.
  • 5% in all other cases
Interests
  • 10%: if the beneficial owner is the interest recipient.
  • 0% if the beneficial owner is the interest recipient
  • 10% interest determined with reference to income, sales, profits or other ownership flows of the debtor, or a person related to it
Royalties
  • 10% if the beneficial owner is the royalties recipient.
  • 0% of the beneficial owner is the royalties recipient.
Capital Gains
  • The profits that a resident of a Contracting State obtains from the disposal of immovable property may be taxed in that other State, as well as profits resulting from the disposal of movable property which forms part of the assets of a permanent establishment which one Contracting State has in the other Contracting State, or if the disposal of movable property affected by a fixed base available to a resident of a Contracting State in that other Contracting State for the purpose of providing independent personal services.
  • Profits from the disposal of shares or shares whose value comes from more than 50% immovable property located in the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State, except those used in the exercise of the company’s economic activity.
  • On the other hand, profits traded on a recognized stock market, provided that the total shares alienated by the resident during the fiscal year in which the disposal occurs does not exceed 3% of the value of those listed shares, of a company resident in the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other Contracting State if, at any time during the 365 days preceding the disposal, the transferer maintained, directly or indirectly, at least 25 per 100 of that company’s capital.
  • Earnings earned by a resident of a Contracting State from the disposal of shares or analogous shares in a company (such as holdings in a company of persons/partnership, or in a trust) may be taxed in the other Contracting State if, at any time during the 365 days prior to disposal, the value of the shares or shares is more than 50%, directly or indirectly, of real estate located in that other Contracting State.
  • Earnings made by the resident of a Contracting State in the disposal of immovable property, or property other than immovable property, may be taxed in the other Contracting State.

Local Knowledge – International Coverage

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Do you need more information?

Augusto Berutich
Director. Head of Tax

Marta Reguera

Marta Reguera Pradas
Director Tax Support

All information contained in this publication is up to date on 2021. This content has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only, and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this chart without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this content, and, to the extent permitted by law, AUXADI does not accept or assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this chart or for any decision based on it.