Specification of Arrangements (The Mainland of China) (Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income) (Third Protocol) Order
Gazette Number:
L.N. 128 of 2010
Schedule:
Heading:
Schedule
Version Date:
09/12/2010
[section 3]
Articles 1 and 2 of The Third Protocol to the Arrangement between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income
To repeal Article 24 of the Arrangement and substitute:
“1. The competent authorities of both Sides shall exchange such information as is foreseeably relevant for carrying out the provisions of this Arrangement or to the administration or enforcement of the domestic laws of both Sides concerning taxes covered by this Arrangement, insofar as the taxation thereunder is not contrary to this Arrangement. The exchange of information is not restricted by Article 1.
2. Any information received under paragraph 1 by One Side shall be treated as secret in the same manner as information obtained under the domestic laws of that Side 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, including, in the case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the decisions of the Board of Review.
3. In no case shall the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 be construed so as to impose on One Side the obligation:
(1) to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws and administrative practice of that Side or of the Other Side;
(2) to supply information which is not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administration of that Side or of the Other Side;
(3) 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.
4. If information is requested by One Side in accordance with this Article, the Other Side shall use its information gathering measures to obtain the requested information, even though that Other Side 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 One Side 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 of this Article be construed to permit One Side 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 2
This Protocol shall, upon the written notifications by both Sides of the completion of their respective required approval procedures, enter into force on the date of the later of these notifications.