In Depth: The Singapore – Thai DTA

Singapore, long known for its exemplary investment climate and lucrative trading arrangements, continues to improve upon its competitiveness with the implementation of an updated Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Thailand. Minimizing investors exposure to taxation in multiple jurisdictions, this DTA, along with Singapore’s many others,  is a critical components in attracting foreign investment and maximizing profitability for those incorporated within the city’s limits.
 
At a time where regional integration and rapidly expanding FTAs are defining the flow investments within The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), taxation agreements with fellow ASEAN members such as Thailand are likely to compound potential gains. Unlike many ASEAN nations that attract investment based on low labor costs, large consumer bases, or deposits of natural resources; the key to unlocking Singapore’s’ potential lies in a thorough understanding of its tax code and expansive trading arrangements.
 
With this in mind, the following article outlines some of the most important changes found within the Singapore’s DTA with Thailand. Providing a significant update to the arrangement originally implemented in 1975 original, the 2016 version revises guidelines on dividends, interest payments, and royalties. For further reference, the full text of Singapore’s agreement with Thailand and other ASEAN member states can be accessed below:

• Thailand DTA – Full Text [Entry into force: 15 February 2016 Effective: 1 January 2017]
• Access to all DTAs involving ASEAN members

Should any questions arise from the following information or the agreements at large, those considering investments or currently operating within Singapore are strongly encouraged to contact relevant government officials or professional services.
 
Withholdings Taxation
 
In addition to corporate taxes levied by the Thai government, current Thai regulations, in conjunction with the Singapore-Thai DTA, allow for limited taxation of corporate remittances. The taxation of these remittances is broken down into three categories: dividends – the remittance of profits to shareholders, interest – payments relating to debts, and royalties – payments to third parties for the use of patents or intellectual property.  
Dividends
 
Dividends are defined by Article 10(3) of the Singapore-Thailand DTA as income from:

• shares
• “jouissance” shares / rights
• mining shares
• founders’ shares or other rights not being debt-claims
• participation in profits
• income from other corporate rights “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.” 

Rates
 
Dividend withholdings will largely remain unchanged with the passage of the Singapore – Thailand DTA. While the previous agreement, originally signed in 1976, set dividend withholdings at 20%, Thailand has since reduced its tax on withholding to 10% – the same as the rate within the DTA and thus affording those incorporated in Singapore little advantage with regard dividend remittances.
 
Royalties
 
Royalties within the DTA have been substantially reduced under Article 12 of Singapore’s DTA with Thailand. There are some instances where royalties can qualify for up to a 10 percent discount under the DTA when compared to states with out of date or non existent taxation agreements.
 
Royalties under the Singapore-Thai DTA are subject to a three tired system of withholdings taxation – ranging from 5 to 10 percent depending on the nature of the royalty payment in question. To qualify for lower rates the following should be noted:
 
5 percent rate 
 
Art.12(2)(a) limits the application of a 5 percent withholding to royalties paid for the right to use copyrights of:
 

• literary 
• Artistic 
• or Scientific works

 
8 percent rate
 
Art. 12(2)(b) limits the withholding rate of 8 percent to royalty payments regarding:
 

• patents
• trade marks
• designs
• models
• plans
• secret formulas or processes
• or for the use of, or the rights to use, industrial, commercial, or scientific equipment


 
10 percent rate
 
Art. 12(2)(c) indicates that in cases that royalties do not meet the qualifications for 5 or 8 percent withholding they are then to be subject to a 10 percent rate of withholding.
 
Interest
 
Similar to dividends, Singapore’s arrangement with Thailand concerning interest, while marking a substantial improvement over its 1976 predecessor, does little to reduce applied withholding rates. At present, companies will be subject to a 10 to 15 percent withholding regardless of their coverage under given DTAs. Nonetheless, the following requirements should be noted for those seeking to qualify for lower withholding rates:
 
10 percent rate
 
Art. 11(2)(a) and (b) outline two situations where interest withholdings may be reduced:
 

1. If the owner of the interest is a financial or insurance institutions
2. If the owner of the interest is a Singapore resident – see article 4 for more information – and the payment is made with respect to indebtedness arising from the sale on credit of equipment or services.

15 percent rate

Art. 11(2)(c) indicates that a 15 percent rate of withholding shall be applied in all situations that do not meet the requirements outlined in Art. 11(2)(a) or (b).
 
Exemptions
 
While a 10 to 15 percent rate is applied for the vast majority of interest related remittances, the Singapore-Thai DTA does provide exemptions for payments to certain governmental institutions. Art. 11(4)(a) indicates interest remittances to the following bodies in Singapore are exempt from interest withholdings levied by the Thai government:

• the Monetary Authority of Singapore
• the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd
• a statutory body
• any institution wholly or mainly owned by the Government of Singapore as may be agreed from time to time between the competent authorities of the Contracting States.

Since its establishment in 1992, Dezan Shira & Associates has been guiding foreign clients through Asia’s complex regulatory environment and assisting them with all aspects of legal, accounting, tax, internal control, HR, payroll and audit matters. As a full-service consultancy with operational offices across China, Hong Kong, India and emerging ASEAN, we are your reliable partner for business expansion in this region and beyond.
 
For inquiries, please email us at info@dezshira.com. Further information about our firm can be found at: www.dezshira.com