DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME WITH THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC ORDER
Table of Provisions (11)
Statutory Text (11 Articles)
DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME
WITH THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 123.104
DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON
INCOME WITH THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC ORDER
30th August, 2008
LEGAL NOTICE 268 of 2008.
The title of this order is the Double Taxation Relief on
Taxes on Income with the Hellenic Republic Order.
CONVENTION
BETWEEN MALTA AND THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION
AND THE PREVENTION OF FISCAL EVASION
WITH RESPECT TO TAXES ON INCOME
The Government of Malta
and
the Government of the Hellenic Republic,
Desiring to conclude a Convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the
prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income,
Have agreed as follows
CHAPTER I
SCOPE OF THE CONVENTION
Article 1
PERSONS COVERED
This Convention shall apply to persons who are residents of one or both of the
Contracting States.
Article 2
TAXES COVERED
1. This Convention shall apply to taxes on income imposed on behalf of a
Contracting State, irrespective of the manner in which they are levied.
2. There shall be regarded as taxes on income all taxes imposed on total
income, or on elements of income, including taxes on gains from the alienation of
movable or immovable property, and taxes on the total amounts of wages and
salaries paid by enterprises as well as taxes on capital appreciation.
It is hereby declared
(a) that the arrangements specified in the Convention set
out in the Schedule to this Order have been made with
the Hellenic Republic with a view to affording relief
from double taxation in relation to the following taxes
imposed by the laws of the Hellenic Republic
-
the income tax on natural persons; and
-
the income tax on legal persons;
(b) that it is expedient that those arrangements should
have effect;
(c) that the Convention has entered into force on the 30
August, 2008.
The existing taxes to which the Convention shall apply are
a)
in the case of Malta
the income tax;
(hereinafter referred to as "Malta tax");
b) In the case of the Hellenic Republic
i)
the income tax on natural persons;
ii)
the income tax on legal persons;
(hereinafter referred to as "Hellenic tax").
The Convention shall apply also to any identical or substantially similar
taxes which are imposed after the date of signature of the Convention in addition to,
or in place of, the existing taxes. The competent authorities of the Contracting States
shall notify each other of any significant changes which have been made in their
respective taxation laws.
CHAPTER II
DEFINITIONS
Article 3
GENERAL DEFINITIONS
1. For the purposes of this Convention, unless the context otherwise requires
the terms "a Contracting State" and "the other Contracting State" mean
Malta or the Hellenic Republic, as the context requires;
the term "Malta" means the Republic of Malta and, when used in a
geographical sense, means the Island of Malta, the Island of Gozo and
the other islands of the Maltese archipelago including the territorial
waters thereof, as well as any area of the sea-bed, its sub-soil and the
superjacent water column adjacent to the territorial waters, wherein
Malta exercises sovereign rights, jurisdiction, or control in accordance
with international law (including the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea -UNCLOS) and its national law, including its legislation
relating to the exploration of the continental shelf and exploitation of its
natural resources;
the term "Hellenic Republic" comprises the territory of the Hellenic
Republic including its territorial sea as well as the part of the sea, the
seabed and its subsoil under the Mediterranean Sea, over which the
Hellenic Republic, in accordance with its internal legislation and
international law (including the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea - UNCLOS), has sovereign rights for the purpose of
exploration, extraction or exploitation of the natural resources of such
areas;
the term "person" includes an individual, a company and any other body
of persons;
the term "company" means any body corporate or any entity which is
treated as a body corporate for tax purposes;
the terms "enterprise of a Contracting State" and "enterprise of the other
Contracting State" mean respectively an enterprise carried on by a
resident of a Contracting State and an enterprise carried on by a resident
of the other Contracting State;
the term "national" means
i)
any individual possessing the nationality of a Contracting State;
ii)
any legal person, partnership or association deriving its status as
such from the laws in force in a Contracting State;
the term "international traffic" means any transport by a ship or aircraft,
except when the ship or aircraft is operated solely between places in a
Contracting State;
the term "competent authority" means
i)
in Malta, the Minister responsible for finance or his authorised
representative;
ii)
in the Hellenic Republic, the Minister of Economy and Finance or
his authorised representative.
2. As regards the application of the Convention at any time by a Contracting
State, any term not defined therein shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have
DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME
WITH THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
the meaning that it has at that time under the law of that State for the purposes of the
taxes to which the Convention applies, any meaning under the applicable tax laws of
that State prevailing over a meaning given to the term under other laws of that State.
Article 4
RESIDENT
1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term "resident of a Contracting
State" means any person who, under the laws of that State, is liable to tax therein by
reason of his domicile, residence, place of management or any other criterion of a
similar nature. This term, however, does not include any person who is liable to tax
in that State in respect only of income from sources in that State.
2. Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 an individual is a resident
of both Contracting States, then his status shall be determined as follows
he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the State in which he has a
permanent home available to him; if he has a permanent home available
to him in both States, he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the
State with which his personal and economic relations are closer (centre
of vital interests);
if the State in which he has his centre of vital interests cannot be
determined, or if he has not a permanent home available to him in either
State, he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the State in which he
has an habitual abode;
if he has an habitual abode in both States, or in neither of them, he shall
be deemed to be a resident only of the State of which he is a national;
if he is a national of both States, or of neither of them, the competent
authorities of the Contracting States shall settle the question by mutual
agreement.
3. Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 a person other than an
individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then it shall be deemed to be a
resident only of the Contracting State in which its place of effective management is
Article 5
PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT
1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term “permanent establishment”
means a fixed place of business through which the business of an enterprise is
wholly or partly carried on.
2. The term "permanent establishment" includes especially
a place of management;
a branch;
an office;
a factory;
a workshop; and
a mine, an oil or gas well, a quarry or any other place of extraction of
natural resources.
3. The term "permanent establishment" likewise encompasses
a building site, a construction, assembly or installation project or
supervisory activities in connection therewith, but only where such site,
project or activities continue for a period of more than six months;
the furnishing of services, comprising technical assistance and
consultancy services, by an enterprise through employees or other
personnel engaged by the enterprise for such purpose, where the
activities of that nature continue for a period or periods amounting to or
exceeding in the aggregate 120 days in any twelve month period.
4. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, the term
"permanent establishment" shall be deemed not to include
the use of facilities solely for the purpose of storage, display or delivery
of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise;
the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the
enterprise solely for the purpose of storage, display or delivery;
the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the
enterprise solely for the purpose of processing by another enterprise;
the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of
purchasing goods or merchandise, or of collecting information, for the
enterprise;
the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of
carrying on, for the enterprise, any other activity of a preparatory or
auxiliary character;
the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for any combination
of activities mentioned in subparagraphs a) to e), provided that the
overall activity of the fixed place of business resulting from the
combination is of a preparatory or auxiliary character.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 where a person - other
than an agent of an independent status to whom paragraph 8 applies - is acting on
behalf of an enterprise and has, and habitually exercises, in a Contracting State an
authority to conclude contracts in the name of the enterprise, that enterprise shall be
deemed to have a permanent establishment in that State in respect of any activities
which that person undertakes for the enterprise, unless the activities of such person
are limited to those mentioned in paragraph 4 which, if exercised through a fixed
place of business, would not make this fixed place of business a permanent
establishment under the provisions of that paragraph.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article and the provisions
of Article 14, a person who is a resident of a Contracting State and carries on
activities in connection with preliminary surveys, exploration, extraction or
exploitation of natural resources situated in the other Contracting State shall be
deemed to be carrying on in respect of those activities a business in that other
Contracting State through a permanent establishment or a fixed base situated therein,
unless such activities are carried on for a period or periods not exceeding 30 days in
the aggregate in any twelve-month period. However, for the purposes of this
where an enterprise carrying on activities in the other State is related to
another enterprise and that other enterprise continues as part of the
same project the same activities that are or were being carried on by the
first-mentioned enterprise, and the activities carried on by both
enterprises exceed - when added together - a period of 30 days, then
each enterprise shall be deemed to be carrying on its activities for a
period exceeding 30 days in a twelve-month period;
b)
two enterprises shall be deemed to be related if one is controlled
directly or indirectly by the other, or both are controlled directly or
indirectly by a third person.
An insurance enterprise of a Contracting State shall be deemed to have a
permanent establishment in the other Contracting State if it collects premiums in that
other State through an agent - other than an agent to whom paragraph 8 applies - or
insures risks situated in that other State through such an agent.
An enterprise shall not be deemed to have a permanent establishment in a
Contracting State merely because it carries on business in that State through a
broker, general commission agent or any other agent of an independent status
provided that such persons are acting in the ordinary course of their business.
However, when the activities of such an agent are devoted wholly or almost wholly
on behalf of that enterprise, he will not be considered an agent of an independent
status within the meaning of this paragraph.
The fact that a company which is a resident of a Contracting State controls
or is controlled by a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State, or
which carries on business in that other State (whether through a permanent
establishment or otherwise), shall not of itself constitute either company a
permanent establishment of the other.
CHAPTER III
TAXATION OF INCOME
Article 6
INCOME FROM IMMOVABLE PROPERTY
1. Income derived by a resident of a Contracting State from immovable
property (including income from agriculture or forestry) situated in the other
Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
2. The term "immovable property" shall have the meaning which it has under
the law of the Contracting State in which the property in question is situated. The
term shall in any case include property accessory to immovable property, livestock
and equipment used in agriculture and forestry, rights to which the provisions of
general law respecting landed property apply, usufruct of immovable property and
rights to variable or fixed payments as consideration for the working of, or the right
to work, mineral deposits, sources and other natural resources. Ships, boats and
aircraft shall not be regarded as immovable property.
3. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply to income derived from the direct
use, letting, or use in any other form of immovable property.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 3 shall also apply to the income from
immovable property of an enterprise and to income from immovable property used
for the performance of independent personal services.
Article 7
BUSINESS PROFITS
1. The profits of an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in
that State unless the enterprise carries on business in the other Contracting State
through a permanent establishment situated therein. If the enterprise carries on
business as aforesaid, the profits of the enterprise may be taxed in the other State but
only so much of them as are attributable to that permanent establishment.
2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3, where an enterprise of a
Contracting State carries on business in the other Contracting State through a
permanent establishment situated therein, there shall in each Contracting State be
attributed to that permanent establishment the profits which it might be expected to
make if it were a distinct and separate enterprise engaged in the same or similar
activities under the same or similar conditions and dealing wholly independently
with the enterprise of which it is a permanent establishment.
3. In determining the profits of a permanent establishment, there shall be
allowed as deductions expenses which are incurred for the purposes of the
permanent establishment, including executive and general administrative expenses
so incurred, whether in the Contracting State in which the permanent establishment
is situated or elsewhere.
4. Insofar as it has been customary in a Contracting State to determine the
profits to be attributed to a permanent establishment on the basis of an
apportionment of the total profits of the enterprise to its various parts, nothing in
paragraph 2 shall preclude that Contracting State from determining the profits to be
taxed by such an apportionment as may be customary; the method of apportionment
adopted shall, however, be such that the result shall be in accordance with the
principles contained in this Article.
5. No profits shall be attributed to a permanent establishment by reason of the
mere purchase by that permanent establishment of goods or merchandise for the
enterprise.
6. For the purposes of the preceding paragraphs, the profits to be attributed to
the permanent establishment shall be determined by the same method year by year
unless there is good and sufficient reason to the contrary.
7. Where profits include items of income which are dealt with separately in
other Articles of this Convention, then the provisions of those Articles shall not be
affected by the provisions of this Article.
Article 8
SHIPPING AND AIR TRANSPORT
1. Profits derived from the operation of ships engaged in international traffic
shall be taxable only in the Contracting State in which the ships are registered or by
which they are documented.
2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1, income derived by an enterprise of
a Contracting State in the operation of a ship in international traffic shall be taxable
only in that Contracting State.
3. Profits derived from the operation of aircraft in international traffic shall be
taxable only in the Contracting State in which the place of effective management of
the enterprise is situated.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall also apply to profits from the
participation in a pool, a joint business or an international operating agency.
Article 9
ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES
1. Where
a)
an enterprise of a Contracting State participates directly or indirectly in
the management, control or capital of an enterprise of the other
Contracting State, or
b)
the same persons participate directly or indirectly in the management,
control or capital of an enterprise of a Contracting State and an
enterprise of the other Contracting State,
and in either case conditions are made or imposed between the two enterprises in
their commercial or financial relations which differ from those which would be made
between independent enterprises, then any profits which would, but for those
conditions, have accrued to one of the enterprises, but, by reason of those conditions,
have not so accrued, may be included in the profits of that enterprise and taxed
accordingly.
2. Where a Contracting State includes in the profits of an enterprise of that
State - and taxes accordingly - profits on which an enterprise of the other
Contracting State has been charged to tax in that other State and the profits so
included are profits which would have accrued to the enterprise of the first -
mentioned State if the conditions made between the two enterprises had been those
which would have been made between independent enterprises, then that other State
shall make an appropriate adjustment to the amount of the tax charged therein on
those profits. In determining such adjustment, due regard shall be had to the other
provisions of this Convention and the competent authorities of the Contracting
States shall if necessary consult each other.
Article 10
DIVIDENDS
1. Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of a Contracting State to a
resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
2. a)
Such dividends, however, may also be taxed in the Contracting State of
which the company paying the dividends is a resident and according to
the laws of that State, but if the recipient is the beneficial owner of the
dividends the tax so charged shall not exceed
i)
5 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends if the beneficial
owner is a company (other than partnership) which holds directly
at least 25 per cent of the capital of the company paying the
dividends;
ii)
10 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends in all other cases.
b)
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2 a) where the dividends
are paid by a company which is a resident of Malta to a resident of the
Hellenic Republic who is the beneficial owner thereof, Malta tax
charged on the gross amount of the dividends, in accordance with its
internal imputation system, shall not exceed that charged on the profits
out of which the dividends are paid.
This paragraph shall not affect the taxation of the company in respect of
the profits out of which the dividends are paid. The competent
authorities of the Contracting States shall by mutual agreement settle
the mode of application of these limitations.
3. The term "dividends", as used in this Article, means income from shares,
"jouissance" shares or "jouissance" rights, mining shares, founders’ shares or other
rights, not being debt-claims, participating in profits, as well as income from other
corporate rights which is subjected to the same taxation treatment as income from
shares by the laws of the State of which the company making the distribution is a
resident.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner
of the dividends, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the
other Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident,
through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State
independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the holding in
respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with such permanent
establishment or fixed base. In such case, the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as
the case may be, shall apply.
5. Where a company which is a resident of a Contracting State derives profits
or income from the other Contracting State, that other State may not impose any tax
on the dividends paid by the company, except insofar as such dividends are paid to a
resident of that other State or insofar as the holding in respect of which the dividends
are paid is effectively connected with a permanent establishment or a fixed base
situated in that other State, nor subject the company’s undistributed profits to a tax
on t he c o m pa ny ’s u nd i s t r ib u t e d pr o f i ts , e ve n i f t he d i v id e n d s p a i d o r th e
undistributed profits consist wholly or partly of profits or income arising in such
other State.
Article 11
INTEREST
1. Interest arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other
Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
2. However, such interest may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which
it arises and according to the laws of that State, but if the recipient is the beneficial
owner of the interest the tax so charged shall not exceed 8 per cent of the gross
amount of the interest. The competent authorities of the Contracting State shall by
mutual agreement settle the mode of application of this limitation.
3. The term "interest", as used in this Article, means income from debt-claims
of every kind, whether or not secured by mortgage, and whether or not carrying a
right to participate in the debtor’s profits, and in particular, income from government
securities and income from bonds or debentures, including premiums and prizes
attaching to such securities, bonds or debentures. Penalty charges for late payment
shall not be regarded as interest for the purpose of this Article.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner
of the interest, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the
ot her C on t rac ti ng St a te i n w h ich t he i nt e r e s t a r ise s , t hr ou gh a p e r ma ne n t
establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal
services from a fixed base situated therein, and the debt-claim in respect of which
the interest is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or
fixed base. In such case, the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be,
shall apply.
5. Interest shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is a
resident of that State. Where, however, the person paying the interest, whether he is
a resident of a Contracting State or not, has in a Contracting State a permanent
establishment or a fixed base in connection with which the indebtedness on which
the interest is paid was incurred, and such interest is borne by such permanent
establishment or fixed base, then such interest shall be deemed to arise in the State in
which the permanent establishment or fixed base is situated.
6. Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the
beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the
interest, having regard to the debt-claim for which it is paid, exceeds the amount
which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the beneficial owner in the
absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the
last-mentioned amount. In such case, the excess part of the payment shall remain
taxable according to the laws of each Contracting State, due regard being had to the
other provisions of this Convention.
7. The provisions of this Article shall not apply if the debt claim in respect of
which the interest is paid has been created or assigned mainly for the purpose of
taking advantage of this Article and not for valid commercial reasons. In such case
the amount of payments shall be taxed according to the laws of each Contracting
State.
Article 12
ROYALTIES
1. Royalties arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other
Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
2. However, such royalties may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which
they arise and according to the laws of that State, but if the recipient is the beneficial
owner of the royalties the tax so charged shall not exceed 8 per cent of the gross
amount of the royalties. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall by
mutual agreement settle the mode of applications of this limitation.
3. The term "royalties", as used in this Article, means payments of any kind
received as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use, any copyright of
literary, artistic or scientific work including cinematograph films and films or tapes
for television or radio broadcasting or broadcasting by satellite, cables, optical fibers
or similar technology used for broadcasting, magnetic tapes, discs or laser discs, any
patent, trade mark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for the use
of, or the right to use, industrial, commercial, or scientific equipment, or for
information concerning industrial, commercial, or scientific experience.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner
of the royalties, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the
other Contracting St ate in which the ro yalti es arise, through a permanent
establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal
services from a fixed base situated therein, and the right or property in respect of
which the royalties are paid is effect ively connected with such permanent
establishment or fixed base. In such case the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as
the case may be, shall apply.
5. Royalties shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State where the payer is
that State itself, a political subdivision, a local authority or a resident of that State.
Where, however, the person paying the royalties, whether he is a resident of a
Contracting State or not, has in a Contracting State a permanent establishment or
fixed base in connection with which the obligation to pay the royalties was incurred
and such royalties are borne by that permanent establishment or fixed base, then
such royalties shall be deemed to arise in the State in which the permanent
establishment or fixed base is situated.
6. Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the
beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the
royalties, having regard to the use, right or information for which they are paid,
exceeds the amount which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the
beneficial owner in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article
shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In such case, the excess part of the
payments shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting State, due
regard being had to the other provisions of this Convention.
7. The provisions of this Article shall not apply if the right or the property
giving rise to the royalties has been created or assigned mainly for the purpose of
taking advantage of this Article and not for valid commercial reasons. In such case
the amount of payments shall be taxable according to the laws of each Contracting
State.
Article 13
CAPITAL GAINS
1. Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting State from the alienation of
immovable property referred to in Article 6 and situated in the other Contracting
State may be taxed in that other State.
2. Gains from the alienation of shares or comparable interests in a company the
assets of which consists directly or indirectly principally of immovable property
situated in a Contracting State may be taxed in that State.
3. Gains from the alienation of movable property forming part of the business
property of a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting State has
in the other Contracting State or of movable property pertaining to a fixed base
available to a resident of a Contracting State in the other Contracting State for the
purpose of performing independent personal services, including such gains from the
alienation of such a permanent establishment (alone or with the whole enterprise) or
of such fixed base, may be taxed in that other State.
4. Gains from the alienation of ships or aircraft operated in international traffic
or movable property pertaining to the operation of such ships or aircraft shall be
taxable only in the Contracting State in which the profits of such ships or aircraft are
taxable according to the provisions of Article 8.
5. Gains from the alienation of any property other than that referred to in
paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4, shall be taxable only in the Contracting State of which the
alienator is a resident.
Article 14
INDEPENDENT PERSONAL SERVICES
1. Income derived by an individual who is a resident of a Contracting State in
respect of professional services or other activities of an independent character shall
be taxable only in that State. However, such income may be taxed in the other
Contracting State if
a)
the individual has a fixed base regularly available to him in that other
State for the purpose of performing his activities, or
b)
the individual is present in the other State for a period or periods
exceeding in the aggregate 183 days in any twelve month period
commencing or ending in the fiscal year concerned,
but only so much thereof as is attributable to that fixed base or to services performed
in that State.
2. The term "professional services" includes, especially, independent
scientific, literary, artistic, educational or teaching activities as well as the
independent activities of physicians, lawyers, engineers, architects, dentists and
accountants.
Article 15
DEPENDENT PERSONAL SERVICES
1. Subject to the provisions of Articles 16, 18 and 19, salaries, wages and other
similar remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of an
employment shall be taxable only in that State unless the employment is exercised,
in the other Contracting State. If the employment is so exercised, such remuneration
as is derived therefrom may be taxed in that other State.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, remuneration derived by a
resident of a Contracting State in respect of an employment exercised in the other
Contracting State shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned State if
a)
the recipient is present in the other State for a period or periods not
exceeding in the aggregate 183 days in any twelve-month period
commencing or ending in the fiscal year concerned, and
b)
the remuneration is paid by or on behalf of, an employer who is not a
resident of the other State, and
c)
the remuneration is not borne by a permanent establishment or a fixed
base which the employer has in the other State.
3. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, remuneration
derived in respect of an employment exercised aboard a ship or aircraft operated in
international traffic, may be taxed in the Contracting State in which the profits from
the operation of the ship or aircraft are taxable according to the provisions of Article
8.
4. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions, salaries, wages and other
remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of an
employment connected with activities mentioned in paragraph 6 of Article 5 carried
on through a permanent establishment or a fixed base in the other Contracting State,
may be taxed in that other State.
Article 16
DIRECTORS’ FEES
Directors’ fees and other similar payments derived by a resident of a Contracting
State in his capacity as a member of the board of directors of a company which is a
resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
Article 17
ARTISTES AND SPORTSPERSONS
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 14 and 15, income derived by a
resident of a Contracting State as an entertainer, such as a theatre, motion picture,
radio or television artiste, or a musician, or as a sportsperson, from his personal
activities as such exercised in the other Contracting State, may be taxed in that other
State.
2. Where income in respect of personal activities exercised by an entertainer or
a sportsperson, in his capacity as such accrues not to the entertainer or sportsperson,
himself but to another person, that income may, notwithstanding the provisions of
Articles 7, 14 and 15, be taxed in the Contracting State in which the activities of the
entertainer or sportsperson are exercised.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, income derived from
activities referred to in paragraph 1 performed under cultural agreement or
arrangement between the Contracting States shall be exempt from tax in the
Contracting State in which the activities are exercised if the visit to that State is
wholly or substantially supported by public funds of the other Contracting State.
Article 18
PENSIONS
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 19, pensions and other similar
remuneration paid to a resident of a Contracting State in consideration of past
employment shall be taxable only in that State.
Article 19
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
1. a)
Salaries, wages and other similar remuneration, other than a pension,
paid by a Contracting State or a political subdivision or a local authority
thereof to an individual in respect of services rendered to that State or
subdivision or authority shall be taxable only in that State.
b)
However, such salaries, wages and other similar remuneration shall be
taxable only in the other Contracting State if the services are rendered in
that State and the individual is a resident of that State who
i)
is a national of that State; or
ii)
did not become a resident of that State solely for the purpose of
rendering the services.
2. a)
Any pension paid by, or out of funds created by, a Contracting State or a
political subdivision or a local authority thereof to an individual in
respect of services rendered to that State or subdivision or authority
shall be taxable only in that State.
b)
However, such pension shall be taxable only in the other Contracting
State if the individual is a resident of, and a national of, that other State.
3. The provisions of Articles 15, 16, 17 and 18 shall apply to remuneration and
pensions in respect of services rendered in connection with a business carried on by
a Contracting State or a political subdivision or a local authority thereof.
Article 20
PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS
1. Remuneration which a resident of a Contracting State receives for
undertaking study or research at a high level or for teaching, during a period not
exceeding two years, at a university, research institute or other similar establishment
for highest or higher education in the other Contracting State, shall not be taxable in
that other State, provided that this remuneration is taxed in the first-mentioned State.
2. Payments which a student or business apprentice who is or was immediately
before visiting a Contracting State a resident of the other Contracting State and who
is present in the first-mentioned Contracting State solely for the purpose of his
education or training receives for the purpose of his maintenance, education or
training shall not be taxed in that State, provided that such payments arise from
sources outside that State.
Article 21
OTHER INCOME
1. Items of income a resident of a Contracting State, wherever arising, not dealt
with, in the foregoing Articles of this Convention shall be taxable only in that State.
2. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not apply to income, other than income
from immovable property as defined in paragraph 2 of Article 6, if the recipient of
such income being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other
Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in
that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and
the right or property in respect of which the income is paid is effectively connected
with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case the provisions of
Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.
CHAPTER IV
METHODS FOR ELIMINATION OF DOUBLE TAXATION
Article 22
ELIMINATION OF DOUBLE TAXATION
1. Where a resident of a Contracting State derives income which, in accordance
with the provisions of this Convention, may be taxed in the other Contracting State,
the first-mentioned State shall allow as a deduction from the tax on the income of
that resident, an amount equal to the income tax paid in that other State.
Such deduction in either case shall not, however, exceed that part of the income
tax, as computed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the internal tax law of
the first-mentioned State before the deduction is given, which is attributable, as the
case may be, to the income which may be taxed in that other State.
2. Where dividends are paid by a company which is resident of Malta to a
resident of the Hellenic Republic, the tax taken into account for the deduction
provided in paragraph 1 shall not exceed that actually paid by the resident of the
Hellenic Republic. In no event, in such a case, the tax payable by the company in
respect of the profits out of which such dividends are paid shall be taken into
account.
3. Where in accordance with any provision of the Convention income derived
by a resident of a Contracting State is exempt from tax in that State, such State may
nevertheless, in calculating the amount of tax on the remaining income of such
resident, take into account the exempted income.
CHAPTER V
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
Article 23
NON-DISCRIMINATION
1. Nationals of a Contracting State shall not be subjected in the other
Contracting State to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith, which is
other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which
nationals of that other State in the same circumstances, in particular with respect to
residence, are or may be subjected. These provisions shall, notwithstanding the
provisions of Article 1, also apply to persons who are not residents of one or both of
the Contracting States.
2. Stateless persons who are residents of a Contracting State shall not be
subjected in either Contracting State to any taxation or any requirement connected
therewith, which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected
requirements to which national of the State concerned in the same circumstances are
or may be subjected.
3. The taxation on a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a
Contracting State has in the other Contracting State shall not be less favourably
levied in that other State than the taxation levied on enterprises of that other State
carrying on the same activities. This provision shall not be construed as obliging a
Contracting State to grant to residents of the other Contracting State any personal
allowances, reliefs and reductions for taxation purposes on account of civil status or
family responsibilities which it grants to its own residents.
4. Except where the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 9, paragraphs 6 and 7
of Article 11, or paragraphs 6 and 7 of Article 12, apply, interest, royalties and other
disbursements paid by an enterprise of a Contracting State to a resident of the other
Contracting State shall, for the purpose of determining the taxable profits of such
enterprise, be deductible under the same conditions as if they had been paid to a
resident of the first-mentioned State.
5. Enterprises of a Contracting State, the capital of which is wholly or partly
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by one or more residents of the other
Contracting State, shall not be subjected in the first-mentioned State to any taxation
or any requirements connected therewith which is other or more burdensome than
the taxation and connected requirements to which other similar enterprises of the
first-mentioned State are or may be subjected.
Article 24
MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROCEDURE
1. Where a person considers that the actions of one or both of the Contracting
States result or will result for him in taxation not in accordance with the provision of
this Convention, he may, irrespective of the remedies provided by the domestic law
of those States, present his case to the competent authority of the Contracting State
of which he is a resident or, if his case comes under paragraph 1 of Article 23, to that
of the Contracting State of which he is a national. The case must be presented within
three years from the first notification of the action resulting in taxation not in
accordance with the provisions of the Convention.
2. The competent authority shall endeavour, if the objection appears to it to be
justified and if it is not itself able to arrive at a satisfactory solution, to resolve the
case by mutual agreement with the competent authority of the other Contracting
State, with a view to the avoidance of taxation which is not in accordance with the
Convention. Any agreement reached shall be implemented notwithstanding any time
limits in the domestic law of the Contracting States.
3. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall endeavour to
r e s o l v e b y m u t u a l a g r e e m e n t a n y d i ff i c u l t i e s o f d o u b t s a r i s i n g a s t o t h e
interpretation or application of the Convention. They may also consult together for
the elimination of double taxation in cases not provided for in the Convention.
4. The competent authorities of the Contracting States may communicate with
each other directly for the purpose of reaching an agreement in the sense of the
preceding paragraphs. When it seems advisable in order to reach agreement to have
an oral exchange of opinions, such exchange may take place through a Commission
consisting of representatives of the competent authorities of the Contracting States.
Article 25
EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
1. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall exchange such
information as is necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Convention or of
the domestic laws of the Contracting States concerning taxes covered by the
Convention insofar as the taxation thereunder is not contrary to the Convention. The
exchange of information is not restricted by Article 1. Any information received by a
Contracting State shall be treated as secret in the same manner as information
obtained under the domestic laws of that State and shall be disclosed only to persons
DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME
WITH THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
or authorities (including courts and administrative bodies) involved in the
assessment or collection of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the
determination of appeals in relation to, the taxes covered by the Convention. Such
persons or authorities shall use the information only for such purposes. They may
disclose the information in public court proceedings or in judicial decisions.
2. In no case shall the provisions of paragraph 1 be construed so as to impose
on a Contracting State the obligation
to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws and
administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting State;
to supply information which is not obtainable under the laws or in the
normal course of the administration of that or of the other Contracting
State;
to supply information which would disclose any trade, business,
industrial, commercial or professional secret or trade process, or
information, the disclosure of which would be contrary to public policy
(ordre public).
Article 26
MEMBERS OF DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND CONSULAR POSTS
Nothing in this Convention shall affect the fiscal privileges of members of
diplomatic missions or consular posts under the general rules of international law or
under the provisions of special agreements.
CHAPTER VI
FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 27
ENTRY INTO FORCE
1. The Contracting States shall notify each other, through diplomatic channels,
that the legal requirements for the entry into force of this Convention have been
complied with.
2. This Convention shall enter into force thirty days after the date of the later
of the notifications referred to in paragraph 1 and its provisions shall have effect
(a) in Malta
in respect of taxes on income derived during any calendar year or
accounting period, as the case may be, beginning on or after the first
day of January immediately following the date on which the Convention
enters into force.
(b) in the Hellenic Republic
in respect of income derived on or after the first day of January of the
calendar year next following that in which the Convention enters into
force.
Article 28
TERMINATION
This Convention shall remain in force until terminated by a Contracting State.
Either Contracting State may terminate the Convention, through diplomatic
channels, by giving notice of termination at least six months before the end of any
calendar year beginning after the expiration of a period of five years from the date of
its entry into force. In such event, the Convention shall case to have effect
(a) in Malta
in respect of taxes on income derived during any calendar year or
accounting period, as the case may be, beginning on or after the first
day of January immediately following the date on which the notice is
given.
(b) in the Hellenic Republic
in respect of income derived on or after the first day of January of the
calendar year next following that in which the notice is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, duly authorised thereto, have signed
this Convention.
Done at Athens on 13 October, 2006 in two originals, in the Greek and English
languages, each text being equally authentic, the English text prevailing in case of
MICHAEL FRENDO
DORA BAKOYANNIS
For the Government of
For the Government of
the Hellenic Republic