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HK Cap. 112CL
HK Cap. 112CL — Inland Revenue (Double Taxation Relief and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income) (Republic of Korea) Order
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Inland Revenue (Double Taxation Relief and Prevention of Fiscal
Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income) (Republic of Korea) Order ( Cap. 112, section
49(1A) ) (Enacting provision omitted— E.R. 1 of
2015 ) [12 December 2014] 1. (Omitted as spent— E.R. 1 of 2015 ) 2. Declaration under section 49(1A)
For the purposes of section 49(1A) of the Ordinance, it is declared—
(a) that the arrangements specified in section 3(1) have been made with the Government of the Republic of Korea; and
(b) that it is expedient that those arrangements should have effect. 3. Arrangements specified
(1)
The arrangements specified for the purposes of section 2(a) are the arrangements in—
(a) Articles 1 to 28 of the agreement titled “Agreement between the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Korea for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income”, done in duplicate at Hong Kong on 8 July 2014 in the Chinese, Korean and English languages; and
(b) Paragraphs 1 to 7 of the protocol to the agreement, done in duplicate at Hong Kong on 8 July 2014 in the Chinese, Korean and English languages.
(2) The English text of the Articles referred to in subsection (1)(a) is reproduced in Part 1 of the Schedule .
(3) The English text of the Paragraphs referred to in subsection (1)(b) is reproduced in Part 2 of the Schedule . Schedule [ s. 3 ] Part
1
Articles 1 to 28 of the Agreement between the Government of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Government
of the Republic of Korea for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of
Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income Article
1 Persons
Covered This Agreement shall apply to persons who are
residents of one or both of the Contracting Parties. Article
2 Taxes Covered 1. This Agreement shall apply to taxes on income imposed on behalf of a
Contracting Party or of its political subdivisions or local authorities,
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, taxes on the total amounts of wages or
salaries paid by enterprises, as well as taxes on capital appreciation.
3.
The existing taxes to which the Agreement shall apply are in
particular:
(a)
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,
(i) profits tax;
(ii) salaries tax; and
(iii) property tax;
whether or not charged under personal assessment;
(b)
in the case of Korea,
(i) the income tax;
(ii) the corporation
tax;
(iii) the special tax for rural development;
and
(iv) the local income
tax. 4. This Agreement shall apply also to any identical or substantially similar
taxes that are imposed after the date of signature of the Agreement in addition
to, or in place of, the existing taxes referred to in paragraph 3 , as
well as any other taxes falling within paragraphs 1 and 2
which a Contracting Party may impose in the future. The competent authorities of
the Contracting Parties shall notify each other of any significant changes that
have been made in their taxation laws. 5. The existing taxes referred to in paragraph 3 , together with the
taxes imposed after the signature of this Agreement, are hereinafter referred to
as “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax” or “Korean tax”, as the context
requires. Article
3 General Definitions 1.
For the purposes of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise
requires:
(a) the term “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” means any territory
where the tax laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the
People’s Republic of China
apply;
(b) the term “Korea” means the Republic of Korea, and when used in a
geographical sense, the territory of the Republic of Korea including its
territorial sea, and any area adjacent to the territorial sea of the
Republic of Korea which, in accordance with international law, has been or
may hereafter be designated under the laws of the Republic of Korea as an
area within which the sovereign
right
or jurisdiction of the Republic of Korea with respect to the sea-bed and
sub-soil, and their natural resources may be
exercised;
(c) the terms “a Contracting Party” and “the other Contracting Party” mean
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or Korea, as the context
requires;
(d) the term “tax” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax or
Korean tax, as the context
requires;
(e) the term “annuities” means a lump sum payment, or a stated sum payable
periodically at stated times during life or during a specified or
ascertainable period of time under an obligation to make payments in return
for adequate and full consideration in money or money’s
worth;
(f) the term “person” includes an individual, a company, a trust, a
partnership and any other body of
persons;
(g) the term “company” means any body corporate or any entity that is
treated as a body corporate for tax
purposes;
(h) the term “enterprise” applies to the carrying on of any
business;
(i) the terms “enterprise of a Contracting Party” and “enterprise of the
other Contracting Party” mean respectively an enterprise carried on by a
resident of a Contracting Party and an enterprise carried on by a resident
of the other Contracting
Party;
(j) the term “international traffic” means any transport by a ship or
aircraft operated by an enterprise of a Contracting Party, except when the
ship or aircraft is operated solely between places in the other Contracting
Party;
(k)
the term “competent authority”
means:
(i) in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the
Commissioner of Inland Revenue or his authorized
representative;
(ii) in the case of Korea, the Minister of Strategy and Finance or the
Minister’s authorized
representative;
(l)
the term “national”, in relation to Korea
means:
(i) any individual possessing the nationality of Korea;
and
(ii) any legal person, partnership or association deriving its status as
such from the laws in force in
Korea;
(m) the term “business” includes the performance of professional services
and of other activities of an independent
character. 2. As regards the application of this Agreement at any time by a Contracting
Party, any term not defined therein shall, unless the context otherwise
requires, have the meaning that it has at that time under the law of that Party
for the purposes of the taxes to which the Agreement applies, any meaning under
the applicable tax laws of that Party prevailing over a meaning given to the
term under other laws of that
Party. Article
4 Resident 1.
For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “resident of a Contracting
Party”
means:
(a)
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region,
(i) any individual who ordinarily resides in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative
Region;
(ii) any individual who stays in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region for more than 180 days during a year of assessment or for more
than 300 days in two consecutive years of assessment one of which is the
relevant year of
assessment;
(iii) a company incorporated in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region or, if incorporated outside the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region, being centrally managed and controlled in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative
Region;
(iv) any other person constituted under the laws of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region or, if constituted outside the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region, being centrally managed and controlled in
the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region;
(b) in the case of Korea, any person who, under the laws of Korea, is
liable to tax therein by reason of his domicile, residence, place of head or
main office, 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
Korea in respect only of income from sources in
Korea;
(c) in the case of either Contracting Party, the Government of that Party
and any political subdivision or local authority
thereof. 2.
Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 , an individual
is a resident of both Contracting Parties, then his status shall be determined
as
follows:
(a) he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which he has a
permanent home available to him; if he has a permanent home available to him
in both Parties, he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party with
which his personal and economic relations are closer (“centre of vital
interests”);
(b) if the Party 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
Party, he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which he has
an habitual
abode;
(c) if he has an habitual abode in both Parties or in neither of them, he
shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which he has the right
of abode in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or of
which he is a national in the case of
Korea;
(d) if he has the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region and is also a national of Korea, or if he does not have the right of
abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region nor is he a national of
Korea, the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties 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 Parties, then it shall be
deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which its place of effective
management is situated. In case of doubt, the competent authorities of the
Contracting Parties shall endeavour by mutual agreement to determine the Party
in which that person’s place of effective management is situated, and in doing
so, shall take into account all relevant factors. In the absence of such
agreement, that person shall not be entitled to claim any benefits provided by
this Agreement, except those provided by Articles 21, 22 and 23. Article
5 Permanent Establishment 1. For the purposes of this Agreement, 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) a place of
management;
(b) a
branch;
(c) an
office;
(d) a
factory;
(e) a workshop;
and
(f) a mine, an oil or gas well, a quarry or any other place of extraction
of natural resources. 3. A building site or construction, assembly or installation project or
supervisory activities in connection therewith constitute a permanent
establishment only if such site, project or activities last more than twelve
months. 4.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, the term
“permanent establishment” shall be deemed not to
include:
(a) the use of facilities solely for the purpose of storage, display or
delivery of goods or merchandise belonging to the
enterprise;
(b) the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the
enterprise solely for the purpose of storage, display or
delivery;
(c) the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the
enterprise solely for the purpose of processing by another
enterprise;
(d) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of
purchasing goods or merchandise or of collecting information, for the
enterprise;
(e) 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;
(f) 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 this
combination is of a preparatory or auxiliary character. 5. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 ,
where a person - other than an agent of an independent status to whom
paragraph 6 applies - is acting on behalf of an enterprise and
has, and habitually exercises, in a Contracting Party an authority to conclude
contracts in the name of the enterprise, that enterprise shall be deemed to have
a permanent establishment in that Party 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. 6. An enterprise shall not be deemed to have a permanent establishment in a
Contracting Party merely because it carries on business in that Party 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.
7. The fact that a company which is a resident of a Contracting Party controls
or is controlled by a company which is a resident of the other Contracting
Party, or which carries on business in that other Party (whether through a
permanent establishment or otherwise), shall not of itself constitute either
company a permanent establishment of the other. Article
6 Income from Immovable Property 1. Income derived by a resident of a Contracting Party from immovable property
(including income from agriculture or forestry) situated in the other
Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party. 2. The term “immovable property” shall have the meaning which it has under the
law of the Contracting Party 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, quarries, 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. Article
7 Business Profits 1. The profits of an enterprise of a Contracting Party shall be taxable only
in that Party unless the enterprise carries on business in the other Contracting
Party 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 Party, but only so much of them as is attributable to that permanent
establishment. 2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3 , where an enterprise of
a Contracting Party carries on business in the other Contracting Party through a
permanent establishment situated therein, there shall in each Contracting Party
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 Party in which the permanent establishment is
situated or elsewhere. 4. Insofar as it has been customary in a Contracting Party 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, or on
the basis of such other method as may be prescribed by the laws of that Party,
nothing in paragraph 2 shall preclude that Contracting Party from
determining the profits to be taxed by such apportionment or other method; the
method 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 Agreement, then the provisions of those Articles shall
not be affected by the provisions of this Article. Article 8
Shipping and Air Transport 1. Profits from the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic
carried on by an enterprise of a Contracting Party shall be taxable only in that
Party. 2. The provisions of paragraph 1 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 Party participates directly or
indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of the
other Contracting Party,
or
(b) the same persons participate directly or indirectly in the management,
control or capital of an enterprise of a Contracting Party and an enterprise
of the other Contracting
Party, 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 Party includes in the profits of an enterprise of that
Party - and taxes accordingly - profits on which an enterprise of the other
Contracting Party has been charged to tax in that other Party and the profits so
included are profits which would have accrued to the enterprise of the
first-mentioned Party if the conditions made between the two enterprises had
been those which would have been made between independent enterprises, then that
other Party 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 Agreement and the competent
authorities of the Contracting Parties shall if necessary consult each other.
Article 10
Dividends 1. Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of a Contracting Party to a
resident of the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party.
2.
However, such dividends may also be taxed in the Contracting Party of which
the company paying the dividends is a resident and according to the laws of that
Party, but if the beneficial owner of the dividends is a resident of the other
Contracting Party, the tax so charged shall not
exceed:
(a) 10 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends if the beneficial
owner is a company (other than a partnership) which holds directly at least
25 per cent of the capital of the company paying the
dividends;
(b) 15 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends in all other
cases. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall by mutual
agreement settle the mode of application of these
limitations. This paragraph shall not affect the taxation of the company in respect
of the profits out of which the dividends are paid. 3. The term “dividends” as used in this Article means income from 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 Party 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
Party, carries on business in the other Contracting Party of which the company
paying the dividends is a resident through a permanent establishment situated
therein and the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is
effectively connected with such permanent establishment. In such case the
provisions of Article 7 shall apply. 5. Where a company which is a resident of a Contracting Party derives profits
or income from the other Contracting Party, that other Party 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 Party or insofar as the holding in respect of
which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with a permanent
establishment situated in that other Party, nor subject the company’s
undistributed profits to a tax on the company’s undistributed profits, even if
the dividends paid or the undistributed profits consist wholly or partly of
profits or income arising in such other Party. Article 11
Interest 1. Interest arising in a Contracting Party and paid to a resident of the other
Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party. 2. However, such interest may also be taxed in the Contracting Party in which
it arises and according to the laws of that Party, but if the beneficial owner
of the interest is a resident of the other Contracting Party, the tax so charged
shall not exceed 10 per cent of the gross amount of the interest. The competent
authorities of the Contracting Parties shall by mutual agreement settle the mode
of application of this limitation. 3.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2 , interest arising
in a Contracting Party is exempt from tax in that Party, if it is
paid:
(a)
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region:
(i) to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region;
(ii) to the Hong Kong Monetary
Authority;
(iii) to any institution wholly or mainly owned by the Government of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as may be agreed from time to
time between the competent authorities of the Contracting
Parties;
(b)
in the case of
Korea:
(i) to the Government of the Republic of
Korea;
(ii) to the Bank of
Korea;
(iii) to the Korea Export-Import
Bank;
(iv) to any institution wholly or mainly owned by the Government of the
Republic of Korea as may be agreed from time to time between the
competent authorities of the Contracting Parties. 4. 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. 5. The provisions of paragraphs 1 , 2 and 3
shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the interest, being a resident of a
Contracting Party, carries on business in the other Contracting Party in which
the interest arises through a permanent establishment situated therein and the
debt-claim in respect of which the interest is paid is effectively connected
with such permanent establishment. In such case the provisions of Article 7
shall apply. 6. Interest shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting Party when the payer is
a resident of that Party. Where, however, the person paying the interest,
whether a resident of a Contracting Party or not, has in a Contracting Party a
permanent establishment in connection with which the indebtedness on which the
interest is paid was incurred, and such interest is borne by such permanent
establishment, then such interest shall be deemed to arise in the Party in which
the permanent establishment is situated. 7. 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 payments
shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting Party, due regard
being had to the other provisions of this Agreement. Article 12
Royalties 1. Royalties arising in a Contracting Party and paid to a resident of the
other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party. 2. However, such royalties may also be taxed in the Contracting Party in which
they arise and according to the laws of that Party, but if the beneficial owner
of the royalties is a resident of the other Contracting Party, the tax so
charged shall not exceed 10 per cent of the gross amount of the royalties. The
competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall by mutual agreement
settle the mode of application 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, or films
or tapes used for radio or television broadcasting, any patent, trade mark,
design or model, plan, secret formula or process, 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
Party, carries on business in the other Contracting Party in which the royalties
arise through a permanent establishment situated therein and the right or
property in respect of which the royalties are paid is effectively connected
with such permanent establishment. In such case the provisions of Article 7
shall apply. 5. Royalties shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting Party when the payer is
a resident of that Party. Where, however, the person paying the royalties,
whether a resident of a Contracting Party or not, has in a Contracting Party a
permanent establishment in connection with which the liability to pay the
royalties was incurred, and such royalties are borne by such permanent
establishment, then such royalties shall be deemed to arise in the Party in
which the permanent establishment 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 Party, due regard being had to the other provisions of this
Agreement.
Article 13
Capital Gains 1. Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting Party from the alienation of
immovable property referred to in Article 6 and situated in the other
Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party. 2. Gains from the alienation of movable property forming part of the business
property of a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting Party
has in the other Contracting Party, including such gains from the alienation of
such a permanent establishment (alone or with the whole enterprise), may be
taxed in that other Party. 3. Gains derived by an enterprise of a Contracting Party 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
that Party. 4. Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting Party from the alienation of
shares of a company deriving more than 50 per cent of its asset value directly
or indirectly from immovable property situated in the other Contracting Party
may be taxed in that other Party. 5. Gains sourced in a Contracting Party from the alienation of any property
other than those referred to in paragraphs 1 , 2 ,
3 and 4 and derived by a resident of the other
Contracting Party may be taxed in the first-mentioned Party. Article 14
Income from Employment 1. Subject to the provisions of Articles 15, 17 and 18, salaries, wages and
other similar remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting Party in
respect of an employment shall be taxable only in that Party unless the
employment is exercised in the other Contracting Party. If the employment is so
exercised, such remuneration as is derived therefrom may be taxed in that other
Party. 2.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 , remuneration
derived by a resident of a Contracting Party in respect of an employment
exercised in the other Contracting Party shall be taxable only in the
first-mentioned Party
if:
(a) the recipient is present in the other Party for a period or periods not
exceeding in the aggregate 183 days in any twelve month period commencing or
ending in the taxable period or fiscal year concerned,
and
(b) the remuneration is paid by, or on behalf of, an employer who is not a
resident of the other Party,
and
(c) the remuneration is not borne by a permanent establishment which the
employer has in the other Party. 3. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions, remuneration derived in respect
of an employment exercised aboard a ship or aircraft operated in international
traffic by an enterprise of a Contracting Party shall be taxable only in that
Party. Article 15
Directors’ Fees
Directors’ fees and other similar payments
derived by a resident of a Contracting Party in his capacity as a member of the
board of directors of a company which is a resident of the other Contracting
Party may be taxed in that other Party. Article 16
Artistes and Sportsmen 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 7 and 14, income derived by a
resident of a Contracting Party as an entertainer, such as a theatre, motion
picture, radio or television artiste, or a musician, or as a sportsman, from his
personal activities as such exercised in the other Contracting Party, may be
taxed in that other Party. 2. Where income in respect of personal activities exercised by an entertainer
or a sportsman in his capacity as such accrues not to the entertainer or
sportsman himself but to another person, that income may, notwithstanding the
provisions of Articles 7 and 14, be taxed in the Contracting Party in which the
activities of the entertainer or sportsman are exercised. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 ,
income derived by a resident of a Contracting Party from activities exercised in
the other Contracting Party shall be exempt from tax in that other Party if the
visit to the other Party is supported wholly or mainly by public funds of the
first-mentioned Party or a political subdivision or a local authority thereof,
or takes place under a cultural agreement or arrangement between the governments
of the Contracting Parties. Article 17
Pensions Pensions and other similar remuneration
(including a lump sum payment) arising in a Contracting Party and paid to a
resident of the other Contracting Party in consideration of past employment or
self-employment and social security pensions shall be taxable only in the
first-mentioned Party. Article 18
Government Service 1.
(a) Salaries, wages and other similar remuneration paid by the Government
of a Contracting Party or a political subdivision or a local authority
thereof to an individual in respect of services rendered to that Party or
subdivision or authority shall be taxable only in that
Party.
(b)
However, such salaries, wages and other similar remuneration shall be
taxable only in the other Contracting Party if the services are rendered in
that Party and the individual is a resident of that Party
who:
(i) in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has the
right of abode therein and in the case of Korea, is a national thereof;
or
(ii) did not become a resident of that Party solely for the purpose of
rendering the services. 2. The provisions of Articles 14, 15, 16, and 17 shall apply to salaries,
wages, pensions and other similar remuneration (including a lump sum payment) in
respect of services rendered in connection with a business carried on by the
Government of a Contracting Party or a political subdivision or a local
authority thereof. Article 19
Students Payments which a student who is or was
immediately before visiting a Contracting Party a resident of the other
Contracting Party and who is present in the first-mentioned Party solely for the
purpose of his education receives for the purpose of his maintenance or
education shall not be taxed in that Party, provided that such payments arise
from sources outside that
Party. Article 20
Other Income 1. Items of income of a resident of a Contracting Party, wherever arising, not
dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this Agreement shall be taxable only in
that Party. 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
Party, carries on business in the other Contracting Party through a permanent
establishment situated therein and the right or property in respect of which the
income is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment. In
such case the provisions of Article 7 shall apply. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 , annuities arising
in a Contracting Party and paid to a resident of the other Contracting Party
shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned Party. 4. Where, by reason of a special relationship between the person referred to
in paragraph 1 and some other person, or between both of them and
some third person, the amount of the income referred to in paragraph
1 exceeds the amount (if any) which would have been agreed upon
between them in the absence of such a relationship, the provisions of this
Article shall apply only to the last mentioned amount. In such case, the excess
part of the income shall remain taxable according to the laws of each
Contracting Party, due regard being had to the other applicable provisions of
this Agreement. Article
21 Methods for Elimination of Double Taxation 1. Subject to the provisions of the laws of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region relating to the allowance of a credit against Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region tax of tax paid in a jurisdiction outside the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region (which shall not affect the general principle
of this Article), Korean tax paid under the laws of Korea and in accordance with
this Agreement, whether directly or by deduction, in respect of income derived
by a person who is a resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
from sources in Korea, shall be allowed as a credit against Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region tax payable in respect of that income, provided that the
credit so allowed does not exceed the amount of Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region tax computed in respect of that income in accordance with the tax laws of
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 2.
Subject to the provisions of Korean tax law regarding the allowance as
credit against Korean tax of tax payable in any country other than Korea (which
shall not affect the general principle
thereof);
(a) where a resident of Korea derives income from the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region which may be taxed in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, in respect of
that income, the amount of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax
payable shall be allowed as a credit against the Korean tax payable imposed
on that resident. The amount of credit shall not, however, exceed that part
of Korean tax as computed before the credit is given, which is appropriate
to that
income;
(b) where the income derived from the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region is dividends paid by a company which is a resident of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region to a company which is a resident of Korea
which owns at least 10 per cent of the voting shares issued by or the
capital stock of the company paying the dividends, the credit shall take
into account the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax payable by the
company in respect of the profits out of which such dividend is paid.
Article
22 Non-Discrimination 1. Persons who, in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,
have the right of abode or are incorporated or otherwise constituted therein,
and, in the case of Korea, are Korean nationals, shall not be subjected in the
other Contracting Party to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith,
which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements
to which persons who have the right of abode or are incorporated or otherwise
constituted in that other Party (where that other Party is the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region) or nationals of that other Party (where that other Party
is Korea) in the same circumstances, in particular with respect to residence,
are or may be subjected. This provision shall, notwithstanding the provisions of
Article 1, also apply to persons who are not residents of one or both of the
Contracting Parties. 2. The taxation on a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a
Contracting Party has in the other Contracting Party shall not be less
favourably levied in that other Party than the taxation levied on enterprises of
that other Party carrying on the same activities. This provision shall not be
construed as obliging a Contracting Party to grant to residents of the other
Contracting Party any personal allowances, reliefs and reductions for taxation
purposes on account of civil status or family responsibilities which it grants
to its own residents. 3. Except where the provisions of paragraph l of Article 9, paragraph
7 of Article 11, paragraph 6 of Article 12, or
paragraph 4 of Article 20 apply, interest, royalties and other
disbursements paid by an enterprise of a Contracting Party to a resident of the
other Contracting Party 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 Party. 4. Enterprises of a Contracting Party, the capital of which is wholly or
partly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by one or more residents of
the other Contracting Party, shall not be subjected in the first-mentioned Party
to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith which is other or more
burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which other similar
enterprises of the first-mentioned Party are or may be subjected. 5. The provisions of this Article shall, notwithstanding the provisions of
Article 2, apply to taxes of every kind and description. Article
23 Mutual Agreement Procedure 1. Where a person considers that the actions of one or both of the Contracting
Parties result or will result for him in taxation not in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, he may, irrespective of the remedies provided by
the domestic laws of those Parties, present his case to the competent authority
of the Contracting Party of which he is a resident or, if his case comes under
paragraph 1 of Article 22, to that of the Contracting Party in
which he has the right of abode or is incorporated or otherwise constituted (in
the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) or of which he is a
national (in the case of Korea). 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 Agreement. 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 Party, with a view to the avoidance of taxation which is not
in accordance with the Agreement. Any agreement reached shall be implemented
notwithstanding any time limits in the domestic laws of the Contracting Parties.
3. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to
resolve by mutual agreement any difficulties or doubts arising as to the
interpretation or application of the Agreement. They may also consult together
for the elimination of double taxation in cases not provided for in the
Agreement. 4. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties may communicate with
each other directly, including through a joint commission consisting of
themselves or their representatives, for the purpose of reaching an agreement in
the sense of the preceding paragraphs. Article
24 Exchange of Information 1. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall exchange such
information as is foreseeably relevant for carrying out the provisions of this
Agreement or to the administration or enforcement of the domestic laws of the
Contracting Parties concerning taxes covered by this Agreement, insofar as the
taxation thereunder is not contrary to the Agreement. The exchange of
information is not restricted by Article 1. 2. Any information received under paragraph 1 by a Contracting
Party shall be treated as secret in the same manner as information obtained
under the domestic laws of that Party and shall be disclosed only to persons or
authorities (including courts and administrative bodies) concerned with the
assessment or collection of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or
the determination of appeals in relation to the taxes referred to in
paragraph 1 . 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. Information shall not be disclosed
to any third jurisdiction for any purpose. 3.
In no case shall the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2
be construed so as to impose on a Contracting Party the
obligation:
(a) to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws and
administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting
Party;
(b) 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
Party;
(c) 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 ). 4. If information is requested by a Contracting Party in accordance with this
Article, the other Contracting Party shall use its information gathering
measures to obtain the requested information, even though that other Party may
not need such information for its own tax purposes. The obligation contained in
the preceding sentence is subject to the limitations of paragraph 3
but in no case shall such limitations be construed to permit a Contracting Party
to decline to supply information solely because it has no domestic interest in
such information. 5. In no case shall the provisions of paragraph 3 be construed to
permit a Contracting Party to decline to supply information solely because the
information is held by a bank, other financial institution, nominee or person
acting in an agency or a fiduciary capacity or because the information relates
to ownership interests in a person. Article
25 Fiscal
Privileges Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the
fiscal privileges of members of government missions, including consular posts,
under the general rules of international law or under the provisions of special
agreements. Article
26 Limitation on Benefits 1. In respect of Articles 10, 11, 12, 13, and 20, a resident of a Contracting
Party shall not be entitled to benefits otherwise accorded to residents of a
Contracting Party by this Agreement, if the main purpose or one of the main
purposes of any person concerned with the creation or assignment of any share,
debt-claim, property or right in respect of which the income is paid is to take
advantage of these Articles by means of that creation or assignment. 2. Nothing in this Article shall be construed as restricting, in any manner,
the application of any provisions of the law of a Contracting Party which are
designed to prevent the avoidance or evasion of taxes. Article
27 Entry into Force 1. The Governments of the Contracting Parties shall notify each other that the
domestic requirements for the entry into force of this Agreement have been
complied with. 2.
The Agreement shall enter into force on the fifteenth day after the date of
the later of the notifications referred to in paragraph 1 and its
provisions shall have
effect:
(a) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region: in
respect of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax, for any year of
assessment beginning on or after the first day of April in the first
calendar year following that in which this Agreement enters into
force;
(b)
in
Korea:
(i) in respect of taxes withheld at source, for amounts payable on or
after the first day of April in the first calendar year following that
in which this Agreement enters into force;
and
(ii) in respect of other taxes, for any taxable year beginning on or
after the first day of January in the first calendar year following that
in which this Agreement enters into force. Article
28 Termination
This Agreement shall remain in force until terminated
by a Contracting Party. Either Contracting Party may terminate the Agreement by
giving the other Contracting Party written notice of termination at least six
months before the end of any calendar year from the fifth year following that in
which the Agreement entered into force. In such event, the Agreement shall cease
to have
effect:
(a) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region: in
respect of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax, for any year of
assessment beginning on or after the first day of April in the first
calendar year following that in which the notice is
given;
(b)
in
Korea: (i) in respect of taxes withheld at source, for amounts payable on or
after the first day of April in the first calendar year following that
in which the notice is given;
and (ii) in respect of other taxes, for the taxable year beginning on or
after the first day of January in the first calendar year following that
in which the notice is
given. Part 2 Paragraphs 1 to 7 of the Protocol to the Agreement
between
the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s
Republic of
China
and the Government of the Republic of Korea
for
the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the
Prevention
of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income General 1. It is understood that the two Contracting Parties shall consult together at
regular intervals regarding the terms, operation and application of the
Agreement to ensure that it continues to serve the purposes of avoiding double
taxation and preventing fiscal evasion and shall, where they consider it
appropriate, conclude Protocols to amend the Agreement. The first such
consultation shall take place no later than December 31 st in the
fifth year following the date on which the Agreement enters into force in
accordance with the provisions of Article 27 (Entry into force). Further
consultations shall take place thereafter at intervals of no more than five
years. Notwithstanding, either Contracting Party may at any time request
consultations with the other Contracting Party on matters relating to the terms,
operation and application of the Agreement which it considers require urgent
resolution. With reference to Article
3 2. With reference to subparagraph (d) of paragraph 1 of Article 3
of the Agreement, it is understood that the term “tax” shall not include any
amount which represents a penalty or interest imposed under the laws of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region or Korea relating to the taxes to which the
Agreement applies.
With reference to
Articles 8 and
27 3. The operation of aircraft in international traffic carried on by an airline
of one Contracting Party shall be exempt from value added tax and any similar
tax imposed by the other Contracting Party on a reciprocal basis in accordance
with the laws and regulations of the latter Contracting Party. 4. It is understood that the Agreement, upon conclusion between the two
Contracting Parties, shall replace Article 9 of the Agreement between the
Government of Hong Kong and the Government of the Republic of Korea concerning
Air Services signed at Seoul on 29 March 1996 (hereinafter referred to as “the
Air Services Agreement”). However, the provisions of the said Article 9 of the
Air Services Agreement shall continue to have effect for the taxable years or
years of assessment which are expired before the time at which the provisions of
the Agreement shall be effective.
With reference to Article
18 5. With reference to paragraph 1 of Article 18 of the Agreement, it
is understood that the provisions concerning government service cover the
remuneration paid to an individual in respect of services rendered to the Bank
of Korea, the Korea
Export-Import
Bank and other institutions performing functions of a governmental nature as may
be specified and agreed upon in letters exchanged between the competent
authorities of the Contracting Parties.
With reference to Article
24 6. It is understood that, subject to the provisions of Article 24 of the
Agreement, the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall disclose
any information that precedes the date on which the Agreement has effect for the
tax for which information is sought, insofar as the information is foreseeably
relevant for a taxable period or taxable event following that date. 7. It is understood that the provisions in Article 24 of the Agreement also
cover any other taxes as may be specified and agreed upon in letters exchanged
between the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties.
