Specification of Arrangements (Government of the State of Kuwait) (Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income from Aircraft Operation) Order
(Enacting provision omitted—E.R. 4 of 2020)
[17 June 2005]
(Format changes—E.R. 4 of 2020)
For the purposes of section 49 of the Ordinance, it is declared—
that the arrangements specified in section 2 have been made with the Government of the State of Kuwait with a view to affording relief from double taxation in relation to income tax and other taxes of a similar character imposed by the laws of the State; and
that it is expedient that those arrangements should have effect.
The arrangements specified for the purposes of section 1(a) are the arrangements in Article 11 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 State of Kuwait concerning Air Services done in duplicate at Kuwait on 7 April 2004 in the English language, the text of which Article is reproduced in the Schedule.
ARTICLE 11Avoidance of Double Taxation
Income or profits derived from the operation of aircraft in international traffic by an airline of one Contracting Party, including participation in a pool service, a joint air transport operation or an international operating agency, which are subject to tax in the area of that Contracting Party shall be exempt from income tax, profits tax and all other taxes on income or profits imposed in the area of the other Contracting Party.
Capital and assets of an airline of one Contracting Party relating to the operation of aircraft in international traffic shall be exempt from taxes of every kind and description on capital and assets imposed in the area of the other Contracting Party.
Gains from the alienation of aircraft operated in international traffic and movable property pertaining to the operation of such aircraft which are received by an airline of one Contracting Party shall be exempt from any tax on gains imposed in the area of the other Contracting Party.
For the purposes of this Article:
the charter or rental of aircraft;
the sale of tickets or similar documents, and the provision of services connected with such carriage, either for the airline itself or for any other airline; and
interest on funds directly connected with the operation of aircraft in international traffic;
The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall, through consultation, endeavour to resolve by mutual agreement any disputes regarding the interpretation or application of this Article. Article 19 shall not apply to any such dispute.
Notwithstanding Article 23 each Contracting Party shall notify to the other the completion of the procedures required by its law for the bringing into force of this Article and the Article shall enter into force on the date of the last written notification. The Article shall then be applied:
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, for any year of assessment beginning on or after 1st April in the calendar year next following that in which this Agreement or this Article enters into force, whichever is the later;
in the State of Kuwait, for any year of assessment beginning on or after 1st April in the calendar year next following that in which this Agreement or this Article enters into force, whichever is the later.
Notwithstanding Article 21 where notice of termination of this Agreement is given under that Article, this Article shall cease to have effect:
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, for any year of assessment beginning on or after 1st April in the calendar year next following that in which notice is given;
in the State of Kuwait, for any year of assessment beginning on or after 1st April in the calendar year next following that in which notice is given.
This Article shall cease to have effect in the event that an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income, providing for similar exemptions to those in this Article, enters into force between the Contracting Parties.