Ireland’s extensive list of double taxation treaties

By Andrew Lambe, 13th November 2012 (Updated 8th October 2021)

Ireland is renowned as one of the best countries in the world in which to incorporate a company. One of the most compelling reasons for this is the extensive list of tax treaties that Ireland has in place.

If you are a resident in one country and have income and gains from another, you may have to pay tax on the same income in both countries. A double taxation agreement ensures that you only pay tax to one country. The specific agreement will determine which country has the right to collect the tax.

Ireland currently has signed comprehensive double taxation agreements with 74 countries, 73 of which are currently in effect. There is an outstanding agreement between Ireland and Ghana has not yet been brought into effect. These double taxation agreements cover direct taxes which in Ireland include income tax, universal social charge, corporation tax and/or capital gains tax.

Ireland currently has a double taxation agreement with the following countries:

Country Signing Date
Albania 16/10/2009
Armenia 14/07/2011
Australia 31/05/1983
Austria* 24/05/1966
Bahrain 19/06/2009
Belarus 03/11/1970
Belgium* 24/06/1970
Bosnia-Herzegovina 03/11/2009
Botswana 10/06/2014
Bulgaria 05/10/2000
Canada 08/10/2003
Chile 02/06/2005
China 19/04/2000
Croatia 21/06/2002
Cyprus* 24/09/1968
Czech Republic 14/10/1995
Denmark 26/04/1993
Egypt 09/04/2012
Estonia 16/12/1997
Ethiopia 03/11/2014
Finland 27/03/1992
France 21/03/1968
Georgia 20/11/2008
Germany 30/03/2011
Greece 17/10/1962
Hong Kong 22/06/2010
Hungary 25/03/1995
Iceland 17/12/2003
India 16/11/2000
Israel 20/11/1995
Italy* 11/06/1971
Japan* 18/01/1974
Korea (Republic of) 18/07/1990
Kuwait 23/11/2010
Latvia 13/11/1997
Lithuania 18/11/1997
Luxembourg* 14/01/1972
Macedonia 14/04/2008
Malaysia 28/11/1998
Malta 14/11/2011
Mexico 22/10/1998
Moldova 28/05/2009
Montenegro 17/10/2010
Morocco 22/06/2010
Netherlands* 11/02/1969
New Zealand 19/09/1986
Norway 22/11/2000
Pakistan* 16/04/1973
Panama 28/10/2011
Poland 13/10/1995
Portugal 01/06/1993
Qatar 21/06/2012
Romania 21/10/1999
Russia 29/04/1994
Saudi Arabia 19/10/2011
Serbia 23/09/2009
Singapore 28/10/2010
Slovak Republic 08/06/1999
Slovenia 12/03/2002
South Africa 07/10/1997
Spain 10/02/1994
Sweden 08/10/1986
Switzerland* 08/11/1966
Thailand 24/10/2008
Turkey 26/01/2012
UAE -United Arab Emirates 01/07/2010
Ukraine 19/04/2013
UK- United Kingdom 02/06/1976
USA- United States of America 28/07/1997
Uzbekistan 11/07/2012
Vietnam 10/03/1971
Zambia* 29/03/1971

*with retroactive effect 

Retroactive tax is one that is passed at one time, but payable back to a time before the tax was passed.

My Country is Not on the List

In countries or jurisdictions where Ireland has not signed a double taxation agreement or a double taxation agreement does not cover a particular tax there may be a unilateral relief. As per the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997), there is relief against double taxation for some types of income or gains:

  • dividends from foreign subsidiaries
  • foreign branch profits
  • foreign interest and royalties
  • leasing income
  • capital gains on foreign assets.

Protocols to the existing agreements with Belgium, Denmark and Luxembourg were signed on 14 April, 22 July and 27 May 2014 respectively. The legal procedures to bring these protocols into force are now being followed.

Double Taxation Treaties and Amendments in Progress

  • A new tax treaty with Ghana was signed on 7th February 2018. Procedures to put the treaty into practice are in progress.
  • Treaty to replace the existing agreements with Pakistan were signed 16th April 2015 and was put into force 1st January 2017.
  • Treaty with Botswana was signed 10th June 2014 and was put into force 1st January 2017.
  • Treaty between Ireland and the Netherlands entered into force on 29th February 2020. The provision of this treaty entered into effect on 1st January 2021.
  • The current protocol to the existing DTA & Amending Protocols between Ireland and Switzerland entered into force on 21st October 202 and, its provision entered effect on 1st January 2021.
  • Ireland and Germany signed a protocol on 19th January 2021, to amend the existing Double Tax Treaty & Amending Protocol between the two countries.
  • Protocol with Belgium has not yet been put into force. Ratification procedures to the existing agreement are in progress.
  • Negotiations regarding Double Tax Treaties have concluded with Kenya, Kosovo, Oman & Uruguay and the new agreements are expected to be signed shortly.
  • Negotiations have concluded on protocols to exiting tax treaties with Guernsey, Isle of Man & Mexico.
  • Negotiations for Double Taxation agreements have concluded with Azerbaijan, Oman, Turkmenistan, and Uruguay.

For more information on the above including the benefits of registering a company in Ireland please don’t hesitate to contact us at Company Bureau.

 

Disclaimer: The above article does not constitute tax advice, therefore, paid professional taxation advice should be sought before considering any of the structures mentioned above. We are not responsible for any possible incorrect information contained in the above which was sourced from 3rd parties including the Irish Revenue Commissioners.