Inland Revenue (Double Taxation Relief and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income) (Republic of South Africa) Order
(Enacting provision omitted—E.R. 3 of 2015)
[3 July 2015]
(Omitted as spent—E.R. 3 of 2015)
For the purposes of section 49(1A) of the Ordinance, it is declared—
that the arrangements specified in section 3(1) have been made with the Government of the Republic of South Africa; and
that it is expedient that those arrangements should have effect.
The arrangements specified for the purposes of section 2(a) are the arrangements in—
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 South Africa for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income” (which is translated into Chinese as “《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區政府與南非共和國政府關於對收入稅項避免雙重課稅和防止逃稅的協定》” in this Order), done in duplicate in October 2014 in the English language; and
Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the protocol to the agreement, done in duplicate in October 2014 in the English language.
The English text of the Articles referred to in subsection (1)(a) is reproduced in Part 1 of the Schedule. A Chinese translation of the Articles is also set out in that Part.
The English text of the Paragraphs referred to in subsection (1)(b) is reproduced in Part 2 of the Schedule. A Chinese translation of the Paragraphs is also set out in that Part.
Article 1 Persons Covered
This Agreement shall apply to persons who are residents of one or both of the Contracting Parties.
Article 2Taxes Covered
This Agreement shall apply to taxes on income imposed on behalf of a Contracting Party or of its political subdivisions, irrespective of the manner in which they are levied.
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.
The existing taxes to which the Agreement shall apply are:
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,
profits tax;
salaries tax; and
property tax;
whether or not charged under personal assessment;
in the case of South Africa,
the normal tax;
the withholding tax on royalties;
the dividend tax;
the withholding tax on interest; and
the tax on foreign entertainers and sportspersons.
The 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, as well as any other taxes falling within paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article which a Contracting Party may impose in future. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall notify each other of any significant changes that have been made in their taxation laws.
The existing taxes, together with the taxes imposed after the signature of the Agreement, are hereinafter referred to as “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax” or “South African tax”, as the context requires.
Article 3General Definitions
For the purposes of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
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;
the term “South Africa” means the Republic of South Africa and, when used in a geographical sense, includes the territorial sea thereof as well as any area outside the territorial sea, including the continental shelf, which has been or may hereafter be designated, under the laws of South Africa and in accordance with international law, as an area within which South Africa may exercise sovereign rights or jurisdiction;
the term “business” includes the performance of professional services and of other activities of an independent character;
the term “company” means any body corporate or any entity that is treated as a body corporate for tax purposes;
the term “competent authority” means:
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue or an authorised representative of the Commissioner; and
in the case of South Africa, the Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service or an authorised representative of the Commissioner;
the term “Contracting Party” or “the other Contracting Party” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or South Africa, as the context requires;
the term “enterprise” applies to the carrying on of any business;
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;
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;
the term “national”, in relation to South Africa means:
any individual possessing the nationality or citizenship of South Africa; and
any legal person or association deriving its status as such from the laws in force in South Africa;
the term “person” includes an individual, a company and any other body of persons that is treated as an entity for tax purposes;
the term “tax” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax or South African tax, as the context requires.
In the Agreement, the terms “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax” and “South African tax” do not include any penalty or interest (however described) imposed under the laws of either Contracting Party relating to the taxes covered by the Agreement.
As regards the application of the provisions of the 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 4Resident
For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “resident of a Contracting Party” means:
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,
any individual who ordinarily resides in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
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;
a company incorporated in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or, if incorporated outside the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, being normally managed or controlled in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
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 normally managed or controlled in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
in the case of South Africa, any person who, under the laws of South Africa, is liable to tax therein by reason of that person’s 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 South Africa in respect only of income from sources in South Africa;
in the case of either Contracting Party, the Government of that Party and any political subdivision or local authority thereof.
Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1, an individual is a resident of both Contracting Parties, then that individual’s status shall be determined as follows:
the individual shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which a permanent home is available to the individual; if a permanent home is available to the individual in both Parties, the individual shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party with which the individual’s personal and economic relations are closer (centre of vital interests);
if the Party in which the centre of vital interests is situated cannot be determined, or if the individual has not a permanent home available in either Party, the individual shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which the individual has an habitual abode;
if the individual has an habitual abode in both Parties or in neither of them, the individual shall be deemed to be a resident only of the Party in which the individual has the right of abode (in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) or of which the individual is a national (in the case of South Africa);
if the individual has the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and is also a national of South Africa, or if the individual does not have the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region nor is the individual a national of South Africa, the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall settle the question by mutual agreement.
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 of the Party in which its place of effective management is situated. In cases of doubt, the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to determine by mutual agreement the Party in which that person’s place of effective management is exercised, 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 the Agreement, except those provided by Articles 21, 22 and 23.
Article 5Permanent Establishment
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.
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.
The term “permanent establishment” also encompasses:
a building site, a construction, assembly or installation project or any supervisory activity in connection with such site or project, but only if such site, project or activity continues for a period of more than six months;
the furnishing of services by an enterprise through employees or other personnel engaged by the enterprise for such purpose, but only if activities of that nature continue (for the same or a connected project) within a Contracting Party for a period or periods aggregating more than 183 days within any twelve-month period commencing or ending in the taxable period concerned; and
for an individual, the performing of services in a Contracting Party by that individual, but only if the individual’s stay in that Party is for a period or periods aggregating more than 183 days within any twelve-month period commencing or ending in the taxable period concerned.
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 or display 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 or display;
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 sub-paragraphs (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.
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 in a Contracting Party on behalf of an enterprise of the other Contracting Party, that enterprise shall be deemed to have a permanent establishment in the first-mentioned Contracting Party in respect of any activities which that person undertakes for the enterprise, if such a person:
has and habitually exercises in that Contracting Party an authority to conclude contracts in the name of 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; or
has no such authority, but habitually maintains in the first-mentioned Contracting Party a stock of goods or merchandise from which the person regularly delivers goods or merchandise on behalf of the enterprise.
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.
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 6Income from Immovable Property
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.
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.
The provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply to income derived from the direct use, letting or use in any other form of immovable property.
The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 3 shall also apply to the income from immovable property of an enterprise.
Article 7Business Profits
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.
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.
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.
In so far 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, nothing in paragraph 2 shall preclude that Contracting Party 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.
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.
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.
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 8Shipping and Air Transport
Profits of an enterprise of a Contracting Party from the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic shall be taxable only in that Party.
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 9Associated Enterprises
Where
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
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.
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 10Dividends
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.
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:
5 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends if the beneficial owner is a company which holds directly at least 10 per cent of the capital of the company paying the dividends;
10 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.
The term “dividends” as used in this Article means income from shares or other rights participating in profits (not being debt-claims), 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.
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.
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 in so far as such dividends are paid to a resident of that other Party or in so far 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.
No relief shall be available under this Article if it was the main purpose or one of the main purposes of any person concerned with the creation or assignment of the shares or other rights in respect of which the dividend is paid to take advantage of this Article by means of that creation or assignment.
Article 11Interest
Interest arising in a Contracting Party and paid to a resident of the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party.
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.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2 of this Article, interest arising in a Contracting Party is exempt from tax in that Party, if it is paid:
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,
to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority;
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;
in the case of South Africa,
to the Government of South Africa and any political subdivision or local authority thereof;
to the Reserve Bank of South Africa;
to any institution wholly or mainly owned by the Government of South Africa as may be agreed from time to time between the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties.
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.
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.
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 that person is 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.
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.
No relief shall be available under this Article if it was the main purpose or one of the main purposes of any person concerned with the creation or assignment of the debt-claim in respect of which the interest is paid to take advantage of this Article by means of that creation or assignment.
Article 12Royalties
Royalties arising in a Contracting Party and paid to a resident of the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party.
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 5 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.
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, tapes or discs 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.
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.
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 that person is 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.
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.
No relief shall be available under this Article if it was the main purpose or one of the main purposes of any person concerned with the creation or assignment of the rights in respect of which the royalties are paid to take advantage of this Article by means of that creation or assignment.
Article 13Capital Gains
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.
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.
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.
Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting Party from the alienation of shares deriving more than 50 per cent of their value directly or indirectly from immovable property situated in the other Contracting Party may be taxed in that other Party. However, this paragraph does not apply to gains derived from the alienation of shares:
quoted on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited or the Johannesburg Stock Exchange or such other stock exchange as may be agreed between the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties; or
in a company deriving more than 50 per cent of its asset value from immovable property in which it carries on its business.
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 Party of which the alienator is a resident.
Article 14Income from Employment
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.
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:
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 concerned, and
the remuneration is paid by, or on behalf of, an employer who is not a resident of the other Party, and
the remuneration is not borne by a permanent establishment which the employer has in the other Party.
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, 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 15Directors’ Fees
Directors’ fees and other similar payments derived by a resident of a Contracting Party in that person’s 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 16Entertainers and Sportspersons
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 sportsperson, from that person’s personal activities as such exercised in the other Contracting Party, may be taxed in that other Party.
Where income in respect of personal activities exercised by an entertainer or a sportsperson in that person’s capacity as such accrues not to the entertainer or sportsperson 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 sportsperson are exercised.
Article 17Pensions
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 18, 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 and social security pensions shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned Party.
Article 18Government Service
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.
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:
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has the right of abode therein and in the case of South Africa, is a national thereof; or
did not become a resident of that Party solely for the purpose of rendering the services.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, pensions and other similar remuneration (including a lump sum payment) paid by or out of funds created or contributed 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.
However, if the individual who rendered the services is a resident of the other Contracting Party and the case falls within subparagraph (b) of paragraph 1 of this Article, any corresponding pension and other similar remuneration (including a lump sum payment) shall be taxable only in that other Contracting Party.
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 19Students
A student who is present in a Contracting Party solely for the purpose of the student’s education and who is, or immediately before being so present was, a resident of the other Contracting Party, shall be exempt from tax in the first-mentioned Party on payments received from outside that first-mentioned Party for the purposes of the student’s maintenance or education.
Article 20Other Income
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.
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.
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, items of income of a resident of a Contracting Party not dealt with in the foregoing Articles of the Agreement and arising in the other Contracting Party may also be taxed in that other Party.
Article 21Methods for Elimination of Double Taxation
Subject to the provisions of the law 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), South African tax paid under the laws of South Africa 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 South Africa, 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.
Subject to the provisions of the law of South Africa regarding the deduction from tax payable in South Africa of tax payable in any country other than South Africa (which shall not affect the general principle hereof), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax paid by residents of South Africa in respect of income taxable in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, shall be deducted from the taxes due according to South African fiscal law. Such deduction shall not, however, exceed an amount which bears to the total South African tax payable the same ratio as the income concerned bears to the total income.
Article 22Non-Discrimination
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 South Africa, are South African 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 South Africa) 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.
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.
Except where the provisions of paragraph l of Article 9, paragraph 7 of Article 11, or paragraph 6 of Article 12, 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.
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.
Article 23Mutual Agreement Procedure
Where a person considers that the actions of one or both of the Contracting Parties result or will result for that person in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, that person may, irrespective of the remedies provided by the domestic law of those Parties, present a case to the competent authority of the Contracting Party of which the person is a resident or, if the case comes under paragraph 1 of Article 22, to that of the Contracting Party in which the person has the right of abode or is incorporated or otherwise constituted (in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) or of which the person is a national (in the case of South Africa). 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.
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 law of the Contracting Parties.
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.
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 24Exchange of Information
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 the Agreement, in so far as the taxation thereunder is not contrary to the Agreement. The exchange of information is not restricted by Article 1.
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.
In no case shall the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 be construed so as to impose on a Contracting Party the obligation:
to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws and administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting Party;
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;
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).
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.
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 it relates to ownership interests in a person.
Article 25Members of Government Missions
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 26Miscellaneous Rules
Nothing in this Agreement shall prejudice the right of each Contracting Party to apply its domestic laws and measures concerning tax avoidance, whether or not described as such.
Article 27Entry into Force
Each of the Contracting Parties shall notify the other in writing of the completion of the procedures required by its law for the bringing into force of this Agreement. The Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the later of these notifications.
The provisions of the Agreement shall apply:
in the case of 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 next following the date upon which the Agreement enters into force;
in the case of South Africa,
with regard to taxes withheld at source, in respect of amounts paid or credited on or after the first day of January next following the date upon which the Agreement enters into force; and
with regard to other taxes, in respect of years of assessment beginning on or after the first day of January next following the date upon which the Agreement enters into force.
Article 28Termination
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.
In such event, the Agreement shall cease to apply:
in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in respect of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tax, for any year of assessment beginning after the end of the calendar year in which such notice is given;
in the case of South Africa,
with regard to taxes withheld at source, in respect of amounts paid or credited after the end of the calendar year in which such notice is given; and
with regard to other taxes, in respect of years of assessment beginning after the end of the calendar year in which such notice is given.
(Chinese Translation) 第一條所涵蓋的人
本協定適用於屬締約一方的居民或同時屬締約雙方的居民的人。
第二條所涵蓋的稅項
本協定適用於代締約方或其政治分部課徵的收入稅項，不論該等稅項以何種方式徵收。
對總收入或收入的組成部分課徵的所有稅項，包括對得自轉讓動產或不動產的收益課徵的稅項，須視為收入稅項。
本協定適用於以下現有稅項：
就香港特別行政區而言，
利得稅；
薪俸稅；及
物業稅；
不論是否按個人入息課稅徵收；
就南非而言，
標準稅；
特許權使用費預扣稅；
股息稅；
利息預扣稅；及
對外國演藝人員及運動員徵收的稅項。
本協定亦適用於在本協定的簽訂日期後，在現有稅項以外課徵或為取代現有稅項而課徵的任何與現有稅項相同或實質上類似的稅項，以及適用於締約方日後課徵而又屬本條第1款及第2款所指的任何其他稅項。締約雙方的主管當局須將其稅務法律的任何重大改變，通知對方的主管當局。
現有稅項連同在本協定簽訂後課徵的稅項，以下稱為“香港特別行政區稅項”或“南非稅項”，按文意所需而定。
第三條一般定義
就本協定而言，除文意另有所指外：
“香港特別行政區” 一詞指中華人民共和國香港特別行政區的稅務法律所適用的任何地區；
“南非”一詞指南非共和國，而該詞用於地理概念時，亦包括其領海，以及其領海以外的符合以下說明的任何區域(包括大陸架)︰該區域已經或今後可能根據南非的法律及按照國際法，獲指定為南非可於其內行使主權權利或管轄權；
“業務”一詞包括進行專業服務及其他具獨立性質的活動；
“公司”一詞指任何法團或就稅收而言視作法團的任何實體；
“主管當局”一詞：
就香港特別行政區而言，指稅務局局長或其獲授權代表；及
就南非而言，指南非稅務局局長或其獲授權代表；
“締約方”或“另一締約方”一詞指香港特別行政區或南非，按文意所需而定；
“企業”一詞適用於任何業務的經營；
“締約方的企業”及“另一締約方的企業”兩詞分別指締約方的居民所經營的企業及另一締約方的居民所經營的企業；
“國際運輸”一詞指由締約方的企業營運的船舶或航空器進行的任何載運，但如該船舶或航空器只在另一締約方內的不同地點之間營運，則屬例外；
“國民”一詞，就南非而言，指：
擁有南非國籍或公民身分的任何個人；及
藉南非現行的法律而取得法人或組織地位的任何法人或組織；
“人”一詞包括個人、公司及就稅收而言視作實體的任何其他團體；
“稅項”一詞指香港特別行政區稅項或南非稅項，按文意所需而定。
在本協定中，“香港特別行政區稅項”及“南非稅項”兩詞不包括根據任何締約方的關乎本協定所涵蓋的稅項的法律所課徵的任何罰款或利息(不論如何描述)。
在締約方於任何時候施行本協定的規定時，凡有任何詞語在本協定中並無界定，則除文意另有所指外，該詞語須具有它當其時根據該方就本協定適用的稅項而施行的法律所具有的涵義，而在根據該方適用的稅務法律給予該詞語的涵義與根據該方的其他法律給予該詞語的涵義兩者中，以前者為準。
第四條居民
就本協定而言，“締約方的居民”一詞︰
就香港特別行政區而言，指，
通常居住於香港特別行政區的任何個人；
在某課稅年度內在香港特別行政區逗留超過180天或在連續兩個課稅年度(其中一個是有關的課稅年度)內在香港特別行政區逗留超過300天的任何個人；
在香港特別行政區成立為法團的公司，或在香港特別行政區以外成立為法團而通常在香港特別行政區內受管理或控制的公司；
根據香港特別行政區的法律組成的任何其他人，或在香港特別行政區以外組成而通常在香港特別行政區內受管理或控制的任何其他人；
就南非而言，指根據南非的法律，因其居籍、居所、管理工作的地點，或任何性質類似的其他準則而有在南非繳稅的法律責任的人。然而，該詞並不包括僅就源自南非的收入而有在南非繳稅的法律責任的任何人；
就任何締約方而言，指該方的政府及其任何政治分部或地方當局。
如任何個人因第1款的規定而同時屬締約雙方的居民，則該人的身分須按照以下規定斷定：
如無法斷定重要利益中心位於哪一方，或該人在任何一方均沒有可供其使用的永久性住所，則該人須當作只是其慣常居所所在的一方的居民；
如該人在雙方均有或均沒有慣常居所，則該人須當作只是其擁有居留權(就香港特別行政區而言)的一方或屬國民(就南非而言)的一方的居民；
如該人既擁有香港特別行政區的居留權亦屬南非的國民，或該人既沒有香港特別行政區的居留權亦不屬南非的國民，則締約雙方的主管當局須共同協商解決該問題。
如並非個人的人因第1款的規定而同時屬締約雙方的居民，則該人須當作是其實際管理工作地點所處的一方的居民。在有疑問的情況下，締約雙方的主管當局須致力透過共同協商，斷定該人進行實際管理工作的地點；並須在進行此事時，考慮所有有關因素。如未能達成協議，則該人無權申索本協定(第二十一條、第二十二條及第二十三條除外)規定的任何利益。
第五條常設機構
就本協定而言，“常設機構”一詞在企業透過某固定營業場所經營全部或部分業務的情況下，指該固定營業場所。
“常設機構”一詞尤其包括：
管理工作地點；
分支機構；
辦事處；
工廠；
作業場所；及
礦場、油井或氣井、石礦場或任何其他開採自然資源的場所。
“常設機構”一詞亦包括︰
建築工地或建築、裝配或安裝工程，或與該工地或工程有關連的任何監督管理活動，但前提是該工地、工程或活動持續一段超過六個月的期間；
企業提供的服務，而該等服務可由該企業透過僱員或其他由該企業為提供該等服務而聘用的人員提供，但前提是屬該等性質的活動須於有關的課稅期內開始或結束的任何十二個月的期間內，在締約方(為同一個項目或相關連的項目)持續一段或多於一段期間，而該段期間超過183天，或該等期間累計超過183天；及
就某個人而言，該人在締約方提供服務，但前提是該人須在有關的課稅期內開始或結束的任何十二個月的期間內，在該方逗留一段或多於一段期間，而該段期間超過183天，或該等期間累計超過183天。
儘管有本條上述的規定，“常設機構”一詞須當作不包括：
純粹為了貯存或陳列屬於有關企業的貨物或商品而使用設施；
純粹為了貯存或陳列而維持屬於有關企業的貨物或商品的存貨；
純粹為了由另一企業作加工而維持屬於有關企業的貨物或商品的存貨；
純粹為了為有關企業採購貨物或商品或收集資訊而維持固定營業場所；
純粹為了為有關企業進行任何其他屬準備性質或輔助性質的活動而維持固定營業場所；
純粹為了(a)項至(e)項所述的活動的任何組合而維持固定營業場所，但該固定營業場所因該活動組合而產生的整體活動，須屬準備性質或輔助性質。
儘管有第1款及第2款的規定，如某人(第6款適用的具獨立地位的代理人除外)在締約一方代表另一締約方的企業行事，並符合以下描述，則就該人為該企業所進行的任何活動而言，該企業須當作在首述的締約方設有常設機構︰
該人在該締約方擁有並慣常在該締約方行使以該企業名義訂立合約的權限，但如該人的活動局限於第4款所述的活動(該等活動即使透過固定營業場所進行，也不會令該固定營業場所根據該款的規定成為常設機構)，則屬例外；或
該人並沒有上述權限，但慣常在首述的締約方維持貨物或商品的存貨，並經常代表該企業，利用該等存貨交付貨物或商品。
凡某企業透過經紀、一般佣金代理人或任何其他具獨立地位的代理人在締約一方經營業務，則只要該等人士是在其業務的通常運作中行事的，該企業不得僅因它如此經營業務而被當作在該方設有常設機構。
即使屬締約一方的居民的某公司，控制屬另一締約方的居民的其他公司或在該另一締約方(不論是透過常設機構或以其他方式)經營業務的其他公司，或受上述其他公司所控制，此項事實本身並不會令上述其中一間公司成為另一間公司的常設機構。
第六條來自不動產的收入
締約一方的居民自位於另一締約方的不動產取得的收入(包括自農業或林業取得的收入)，可在該另一方徵稅。
“不動產”一詞具有該詞根據有關財產所處的締約方的法律而具有的涵義。該詞在任何情況下須包括：附屬於不動產的財產、用於農業及林業的牲畜和設備、關於房地產的一般法律規定適用的權利、不動產的使用收益權，以及作為開採或有權開採礦藏、石礦、源頭及其他自然資源的代價而取得不固定或固定收入的權利。船舶、船艇及航空器不得視為不動產。
第1款的規定適用於自直接使用、出租或以任何其他形式使用不動產而取得的收入。
第1款及第3款的規定亦適用於來自企業的不動產的收入。
第七條營業利潤
締約一方的企業的利潤僅在該方徵稅，但如該企業透過位於另一締約方的常設機構在該另一方經營業務則除外。如該企業如前述般經營業務，其利潤可在該另一方徵稅，但以該等利潤中可歸因於該常設機構的部分為限。
在符合第3款的規定下，如締約一方的企業透過位於另一締約方的常設機構，在該另一方經營業務，則須在每一締約方將該常設機構在有關情況下可預計獲得的利潤歸因於該機構，上述有關情況是指假設該常設機構是一間可區分且獨立的企業，在相同或類似的條件下從事相同或類似的活動，並在完全獨立的情況下，與首述企業進行交易。
在斷定某常設機構的利潤時，為該常設機構的目的而招致的開支(包括如此招致的行政和一般管理開支)須容許扣除，不論該等開支是在該常設機構所處的一方或其他地方招致的。
如締約一方習慣上是按照將某企業的總利潤分攤予其不同部分的基準，而斷定須歸因於有關常設機構的利潤的，則第2款並不阻止該締約方按此習慣的分攤方法斷定該等應課稅的利潤；但採用的分攤方法，須令所得結果符合本條所載列的原則。
不得僅因某常設機構為有關企業採購貨物或商品，而將利潤歸因於該常設機構。
就上述各款而言，除非有良好而充分的理由需要改變方法，否則每年須採用相同的方法斷定須歸因於有關常設機構的利潤。
如利潤包括在本協定其他各條另有規定的收入項目，該等條文的規定不受本條的規定影響。
第八條航運和空運
締約一方的企業自營運船舶或航空器從事國際運輸所得的利潤，僅在該方徵稅。
第1款的規定亦適用於來自參與聯營、聯合業務或國際營運機構的利潤。
第九條相聯企業
凡
締約一方的企業直接或間接參與另一締約方的企業的管理、控制或資本，或
相同的人直接或間接參與締約一方的企業的和另一締約方的企業的管理、控制或資本，
而在上述任何一種情況下，該兩間企業之間在商業或財務關係上訂立或施加的條件，是有別於互相獨立的企業之間所訂立的條件的，則若非因該等條件便本應會產生而歸於其中一間企業、但因該等條件而未有產生而歸於該企業的利潤，可計算在該企業的利潤之內，並據此徵稅。
凡締約一方將某些利潤計算在該方的某企業的利潤之內，並據此徵稅，而另一締約方的某企業已在該另一方就該等被計算在內的利潤課稅，如假設上述兩間企業之間訂立的條件正如互相獨立的企業之間所訂立的條件一樣，該等被計算在內的利潤是會產生而歸於首述一方的該企業的，則該另一方須適當地調整其對該等利潤徵收的稅額。在釐定上述調整時，須充分顧及本協定的其他規定，而締約雙方的主管當局在有必要的情況下須與對方磋商。
第十條股息
由屬締約一方的居民的公司支付予另一締約方的居民的股息，可在該另一方徵稅。
然而，如支付上述股息的公司屬締約一方的居民，該等股息亦可在該締約方按照該方的法律徵稅，但如該等股息的實益擁有人是另一締約方的居民，則如此徵收的稅款不得超過：
(如該實益擁有人是一間公司，而且直接持有支付股息的公司的股本至少百分之十)該等股息總額的百分之五；
(在所有其他情況下)該等股息總額的百分之十。
締約雙方的主管當局須藉共同協商，確定實施上述限制稅率的方式。 如有關公司從利潤中支付股息，本款並不影響就該等利潤對該公司徵稅。
“股息”一詞用於本條中時，指來自股份或其他分享利潤的權利(但並非債權)的收入；如作出分派的公司屬一方的居民，而按照該方的法律，來自其他法團權利的收入，須與來自股份的收入受到相同的稅務待遇，則“股息”亦包括該等來自其他法團權利的收入。
凡就某股份支付的股息的實益擁有人是締約一方的居民，而支付該股息的公司則是另一締約方的居民，如該擁有人在該另一締約方內透過位於該另一方的常設機構經營業務，且持有該股份是與該常設機構有實際關連的，則第1款及第2款的規定並不適用。在此情況下，第七條的規定適用。
如某公司是締約一方的居民，並自另一締約方取得利潤或收入，則該另一方不得對該公司就某股份支付的股息徵稅(但在有關股息是支付予該另一方的居民的範圍內，或在持有該股份是與位於該另一方的常設機構有實際關連的範圍內，則屬例外)，而即使支付的股息或未分派利潤的全部或部分，是在該另一方產生的利潤或收入，該另一方亦不得對該公司的未分派利潤徵收未分派利潤的稅項。
如與產生或轉讓孳生股息的股份或其他權利有關的任何人的主要目的或主要目的之一，是藉着產生或轉讓該等股份或權利而利用本條獲益，則不得給予本條規定的寬免。
第十一條利息
產生於締約一方而支付予另一締約方的居民的利息，可在該另一方徵稅。
然而，在締約一方產生的上述利息，亦可在該締約方按照該方的法律徵稅，但如該等利息的實益擁有人是另一締約方的居民，則如此徵收的稅款不得超過該等利息總額的百分之十。締約雙方的主管當局須藉共同協商，確定實施上述限制稅率的方式。
儘管有本條第2款的規定，在締約一方產生的利息如屬支付予下列機構者，則可在該方獲豁免繳稅：
就香港特別行政區而言，
香港特別行政區政府；
香港金融管理局；
任何經締約雙方的主管當局不時議定的、由香港特別行政區政府全權擁有或主要由香港特別行政區政府擁有的機構；
就南非而言，
南非政府及其任何政治分部或地方當局；
南非儲備銀行；
任何經締約雙方的主管當局不時議定的、由南非政府全權擁有或主要由南非政府擁有的機構。
“利息”一詞用於本條中時，指來自任何類別的債權的收入，不論該債權是否以按揭作抵押，亦不論該債權是否附有分享債務人的利潤的權利，並尤其指來自政府證券和來自債券或債權證的收入，包括該等證券、債券或債權證所附帶的溢價及獎賞。就本條而言，逾期付款的罰款不被視作利息。
凡就某項債權支付的利息的實益擁有人是締約一方的居民，並在該利息產生所在的另一締約方內，透過位於該另一方的常設機構經營業務，而該債權是與該常設機構有實際關連的，則第1款、第2款及第3款的規定並不適用。在此情況下，第七條的規定適用。
凡就某項債務支付利息的人是締約一方的居民，則該等利息須當作是在該方產生。然而，如支付利息的人在締約一方設有常設機構(不論該人是否締約一方的居民)，而該債務是在與該常設機構有關連的情況下招致的，且該等利息是由該常設機構負擔的，則該等利息須當作是在該常設機構所在的一方產生。
凡因支付人與實益擁有人之間或他們兩人與某其他人之間的特殊關係，以致就有關債權所支付的利息的款額，在顧及該債權下，屬超出支付人與實益擁有人在沒有上述關係時會議定的款額，則本條的規定只適用於該議定的款額。在此情況下，多付的部分仍須在充分顧及本協定的其他規定下，按照每一締約方的法律徵稅。
如與產生或轉讓孳生利息的債權有關的任何人的主要目的或主要目的之一，是藉着產生或轉讓該債權而利用本條獲益，則不得給予本條規定的寬免。
第十二條特許權使用費
產生於締約一方而支付予另一締約方的居民的特許權使用費，可在該另一方徵稅。
然而，在締約一方產生的上述特許權使用費，亦可在該締約方按照該方的法律徵稅；但如該等特許權使用費的實益擁有人是另一締約方的居民，則如此徵收的稅款不得超過該等特許權使用費總額的百分之五。締約雙方的主管當局須藉共同協商，確定實施上述限制稅率的方式。
“特許權使用費”一詞用於本條中時，指作為使用或有權使用文學作品、藝術作品或科學作品(包括電影影片及供電台或電視廣播使用的膠片、磁帶或紀錄碟)的任何版權、任何專利、商標、設計或模型、圖則、秘密程式或程序的代價，或作為取得關於工業、商業或科學經驗的資料的代價，因而收取的各種付款。
凡就某權利或財產支付的特許權使用費的實益擁有人是締約一方的居民，並在該等特許權使用費產生所在的另一締約方內，透過位於該另一方的常設機構經營業務，而該權利或財產是與該常設機構有實際關連的，則第1款及第2款的規定並不適用。在此情況下，第七條的規定適用。
凡支付特許權使用費的人是締約一方的居民，則該等特許權使用費須當作是在該方產生。然而，如支付特許權使用費的人在締約一方設有常設機構(不論該人是否締約一方的居民)，而支付該等特許權使用費的法律責任，是在與該常設機構有關連的情況下招致的，且該等特許權使用費是由該常設機構負擔的，則該等特許權使用費須當作是在該常設機構所在的一方產生。
凡因支付人與實益擁有人之間或他們兩人與某其他人之間的特殊關係，以致就有關使用、權利或資料所支付的特許權使用費的款額，在顧及該使用、權利或資料下，屬超出支付人與實益擁有人在沒有上述關係時會議定的款額，則本條的規定只適用於該議定的款額。在此情況下，多付的部分仍須在充分顧及本協定的其他規定下，按照每一締約方的法律徵稅。
如與產生或轉讓孳生特許權使用費的權利有關的任何人的主要目的或主要目的之一，是藉着產生或轉讓該等權利而利用本條獲益，則不得給予本條規定的寬免。
第十三條資本收益
締約一方的居民自轉讓位於另一締約方並屬第六條所述的不動產所得的收益，可在該另一方徵稅。
如某動產屬某常設機構的業務財產的一部分，而該常設機構是締約一方的企業在另一締約方設立的，則自轉讓該動產所得的收益，包括自轉讓該常設機構(單獨或隨同整個企業)所得的收益，可在該另一方徵稅。
締約一方的企業自轉讓被營運從事國際運輸的船舶或航空器所得的收益，或自轉讓關於上述船舶或航空器的營運的動產所得的收益，只可在該方徵稅。
如締約一方的居民自轉讓股份而取得收益，而該等股份超過百分之五十的價值是直接或間接來自位於另一締約方的不動產的，則該收益可在該另一方徵稅。然而，本款不適用於來自轉讓以下股份的收益：
在香港聯合交易所有限公司或約翰內斯堡證券交易所上市的股份，或在由締約雙方主管當局議定的其他證券交易所上市的股份；或
符合以下說明的公司的股份：該公司超過百分之五十的資產值，是來自其經營業務所在的不動產。
凡有關轉讓人是締約一方的居民，自轉讓第1款、第2款、第3款及第4款所述的財產以外的任何財產所得的收益，只可在該方徵稅。
第十四條來自受僱工作的入息
除第十五條、第十七條及第十八條另有規定外，締約一方的居民自受僱工作取得的薪金、工資及其他類似報酬，只可在該方徵稅，但如受僱工作是在另一締約方進行則除外。如受僱工作是在另一締約方進行，則自該受僱工作取得的報酬可在該另一方徵稅。
儘管有第1款的規定，締約一方的居民自於另一締約方進行的受僱工作而取得的報酬如符合以下條件，則只可在首述一方徵稅：
收款人於在有關的課稅期內開始或結束的任何十二個月的期間中，在該另一方的逗留期間不超過(如多於一段期間則須累計)183天，及
該報酬由一名並非該另一方的居民的僱主支付，或由他人代該僱主支付，及
該報酬並非由該僱主在該另一方所設的常設機構所負擔。
儘管有本條上述規定，自於締約一方的企業所營運從事國際運輸的船舶或航空器上進行受僱工作而取得的報酬，只可在該方徵稅。
第十五條董事酬金
締約一方的居民以其作為屬另一締約方的居民的公司的董事會的成員身分所取得的董事酬金及其他同類付款，可在該另一方徵稅。
第十六條演藝人員及運動員
儘管有第七條及第十四條的規定，締約一方的居民作為演藝人員(例如戲劇、電影、電台或電視藝人，或樂師)或作為運動員在另一締約方以上述身分進行其個人活動所取得的收入，可在該另一方徵稅。
演藝人員或運動員以其演藝人員或運動員的身分在締約一方進行個人活動所取得的收入，如並非歸於該演藝人員或運動員本人，而是歸於另一人，則儘管有第七條及第十四條的規定，該收入可在該締約方徵稅。
第十七條退休金
除第十八條第2款另有規定外，在締約一方產生的、作為過往的受僱工作的代價而支付予另一締約方的居民的退休金及其他類似報酬(包括整筆付款)，以及社會保障退休金，只可在首述一方徵稅。
第十八條政府服務
締約一方的政府或其政治分部或地方當局，就提供予該方或該分部或該當局的服務而向任何個人支付的薪金、工資及其他類似報酬，只可在該方徵稅。
然而，如上述服務是在另一締約方提供，而上述個人屬該方的居民，並且：
就香港特別行政區而言，擁有香港特別行政區的居留權；以及就南非而言，屬南非的國民；或
不是純粹為提供該等服務而成為該方的居民，
則該等薪金、工資及其他類似報酬只可在該方徵稅。
儘管有第1款的規定，締約一方的政府或其政治分部或地方當局就提供予該方、分部或當局的服務而向任何個人支付的退休金及其他類似報酬(包括整筆付款)，或就該等服務而從該方政府或其政治分部或地方當局所設立或供款的基金向任何個人支付的退休金及其他類似報酬(包括整筆付款)，只可在該方徵稅。
然而，如該提供服務的個人是另一締約方的居民，而個案情況符合本條第1款(b)項的描述，則相應的退休金及其他類似報酬(包括整筆付款)只可在該另一締約方徵稅。
第十四條、第十五條、第十六條及第十七條的規定，適用於就在與締約一方的政府或其政治分部或地方當局所經營的業務有關連的情況下提供的服務而取得的薪金、工資、退休金及其他類似報酬(包括整筆付款)。
第十九條學生
如學生純粹為了接受教育而逗留在締約一方，而該學生是另一締約方的居民，或在緊接該逗留之前是另一締約方的居民，則該學生為了維持其生活或教育的目的而從首述一方以外收取的款項，須在首述一方獲豁免徵稅。
第二十條其他收入
締約一方的居民的各項收入無論在何處產生，如在本協定以上各條未有規定，均只可在該方徵稅。
凡就某權利或財產支付的收入(來自第六條第2款所界定的不動產的收入除外)的收款人是締約一方的居民，並在另一締約方內透過位於該另一方的常設機構經營業務，且該權利或財產是與該常設機構有實際關連的，則第1款的規定不適用於該收入。在此情況下，第七條的規定適用。
儘管有第1款及第2款的規定，締約一方的居民在另一締約方產生的各項收入，如在本協定以上各條未有規定，則亦可在該另一方徵稅。
第二十一條消除雙重課稅的方法
在不抵觸香港特別行政區的法律中關乎容許在香港特別行政區以外的司法管轄區繳付的稅項用作抵免香港特別行政區稅項的規定(該等規定不得影響本條的一般性原則)的情況下，如已根據南非的法律和按照本協定，就屬香港特別行政區居民的人自南非的來源取得的收入繳付南非稅項，則不論是直接繳付或以扣除的方式繳付，所繳付的南非稅項須容許用作抵免就該收入而須繳付的香港特別行政區稅項，但如此獲容許抵免的款額，不得超過按照香港特別行政區的稅務法律就該收入計算所得的香港特別行政區稅項的款額。
在不抵觸南非的法律中關乎以南非以外的國家須繳付的稅項扣除在南非須繳付的稅項的規定(該等規定不得影響本條的一般性原則)的情況下，南非的居民就在香港特別行政區應課稅的收入而繳付的香港特別行政區稅項，在按照本協定的規定下，須從按照南非財政法律中須繳付的稅項中扣除。但該項扣除不得超過以下款額：該款額在須繳付的南非稅項的總額中所佔的比例，相等於有關收入在總收入中所佔的比例。
第二十二條無差別待遇
任何人如擁有香港特別行政區的居留權或在該處成立為法團或以其他方式組成，或屬南非的國民，則該人在另一締約方不得受符合以下說明的任何課稅或與之有關連的任何規定所規限：該課稅或規定是有別於(如該另一方是香港特別行政區)擁有香港特別行政區的居留權或在該處成立為法團或以其他方式組成的人，或有別於(如該另一方是南非)南非的國民，在相同情況下(尤其是在居民身分方面)須受或可受的課稅及與之有關連的規定，或較之為嚴苛。儘管有第一條的規定，本規定亦適用於並非締約一方或雙方的居民的人。
締約一方的企業設於另一締約方的常設機構在該另一方的課稅待遇，不得遜於進行相同活動的該另一方的企業的課稅待遇。凡締約一方以民事地位或家庭責任的理由，而為課稅的目的授予其本身的居民任何個人免稅額、稅務寬免及扣減，本規定不得解釋為該締約方也須將該免稅額、稅務寬免及扣減授予另一締約方的居民。
除第九條第1款、第十一條第7款、或第十二條第6款的規定適用的情況外，締約一方的企業支付予另一締約方的居民的利息、特許權使用費及其他支出，為斷定該企業的須課稅利潤的目的，須按猶如該等款項是支付予首述一方的居民一樣的相同條件而可予扣除。
如締約一方的企業的資本的全部或部分，是由另一締約方的一名或多於一名居民直接或間接擁有或控制，則該企業在首述一方不得受符合以下說明的任何課稅或與之有關連的任何規定所規限：該課稅或規定是有別於首述一方的其他類似企業須受或可受的課稅及與之有關連的規定，或較之為嚴苛。
第二十三條相互協商程序
如任何人認為任何締約方或締約雙方的行動導致或將導致對該人作出不符合本協定規定的課稅，則無論該等締約方的本土法律的補救辦法如何，該人如屬締約一方的居民，可將其個案呈交該締約方的主管當局；如該個案屬第二十二條第1款的情況，則可將該個案呈交有關締約方的主管當局。有關締約方就擁有香港特別行政區的居留權或在該處成立為法團或以其他方式組成的人而言，是指香港特別行政區；就南非的國民而言，則指南非。該個案須於就導致不符合本協定規定課稅的行動發出首次通知之時起計的三年內呈交。
如有關主管當局覺得反對屬有理可據，而它不能獨力達致令人滿意的解決方案，它須致力與另一締約方的主管當局共同協商解決有關個案，以避免不符合本協定的課稅。任何達成的協議均須予以執行，不論締約雙方的本土法律所設的時限為何。
締約雙方的主管當局須致力共同協商，解決就本協定的解釋或適用而產生的任何困難或疑問。締約雙方的主管當局亦可共同磋商，以消除在本協定沒有對之作出規定的雙重課稅。
締約雙方的主管當局可為達成以上各款所述的協議而直接(包括透過由雙方的主管當局或其代表組成的聯合委員會)與對方聯絡。
第二十四條資料交換
締約雙方的主管當局須交換可預見攸關實施本協定的規定或施行或強制執行締約雙方關乎本協定所涵蓋的稅項的本土法律的資料，但以根據該等法律作出的課稅不違反本協定為限。該項資料交換不受第一條所限制。
締約一方根據第1款收到的任何資料須保密處理，其方式須與處理根據該方的本土法律而取得的資料相同，該資料只可向與第1款所述的稅項的評估或徵收、執行或檢控有關，或與關乎該等稅項的上訴的裁決有關的人員或當局(包括法院及行政部門)披露。該等人員或當局只可為該等目的使用該資料。他們可在公開的法庭程序中或在司法裁定中披露該資料。
在任何情況下，第1款及第2款的規定均不得解釋為向締約一方施加採取以下行動的義務：
實施有異於該締約方或另一締約方的法律及行政慣例的行政措施；
提供根據該締約方或另一締約方的法律或正常行政運作不能獲取的資料；
提供會將任何貿易、業務、工業、商業或專業秘密或貿易程序披露的資料，或提供若遭披露即屬違反公共政策(公共秩序)的資料。
如締約一方按照本條請求提供資料，則即使另一締約方未必為其本身的稅務目的而需要該等資料，該另一方仍須以其收集資料措施取得所請求的資料。前句所載的義務須受第3款的限制所規限，但在任何情況下，該等限制不得解釋為容許締約一方純粹因資料對其本土利益無關而拒絕提供該等資料。
在任何情況下，第3款的規定不得解釋為容許締約一方純粹因資料是由銀行、其他金融機構、代名人或以代理人或受信人身分行事的人所持有，或純粹因資料關乎某人的擁有權權益，而拒絕提供該等資料。
第二十五條政府使團成員
本協定並不影響政府使團(包括領館)成員根據國際法的一般規則或特別協定規定享有的財政特權。
第二十六條雜項規則
本協定並不損害每一締約方施行其關於規避繳稅(不論其稱謂是否如此)的本土法律及措施的權利。
第二十七條生效
締約雙方均須以書面通知另一締約方已完成其法律規定的使本協定生效的程序。本協定自較後一份通知的日期起生效。
本協定的規定：
就香港特別行政區而言，就香港特別行政區稅項而言，適用於始於本協定生效當日的下一個4月1日或之後的任何課稅年度；
就南非而言，
就在來源預扣的稅項而言，適用於本協定生效當日的下一個1月1日或之後支付或存入貸方帳户的款項；及
就其他稅項而言，適用於始於本協定生效當日的下一個1月1日或之後的任何課稅年度。
第二十八條終止
本協定維持有效，直至被任何締約方終止為止。任何締約方均可在任何公曆年完結的最少六個月之前，藉向另一締約方發出書面終止通知而終止本協定。
在該情況下：
就香港特別行政區而言，就香港特別行政區稅項而言，本協定不再適用於在有關通知發出的公曆年完結後開始的任何課稅年度；
就南非而言，
就在來源預扣的稅項而言，本協定不再適用於在有關通知發出的公曆年完結後支付或存入貸方帳户的款項；及
就其他稅項而言，本協定不再適用於在有關通知發出的公曆年完結後開始的課稅年度。
With reference to Article 17 (Pensions)It is understood that in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the term “pensions and other similar remuneration (including a lump sum payment)” includes payments arising from schemes for self-employed individuals.
With reference to Article 24 (Exchange of Information)It is understood that:
the Article does not require the Contracting Parties to exchange information on an automatic or a spontaneous basis; and
information exchanged shall not be disclosed to any third jurisdiction.
就第十七條而言(退休金)按締約雙方理解，就香港特別行政區而言，“退休金及其他類似報酬(包括整筆付款)”一詞包括因自僱人士的計劃而產生的付款。
就第二十四條而言(資料交換)按締約雙方理解：
該條並不要求締約雙方自動或自發交換資料；及
所交換的資料，不得向任何第三司法管轄區披露。