New Zealand: Double Tax Treaties

New Zealand Introduction

A double taxation agreement (DTA) allows that tax paid can be offset in one of two countries against tax payable in the other, thus avoiding double taxation. New Zealand is a signatory to DTAs with several countries throughout the world. Some forms of income are exempt from tax or qualify for reduced rates. These include royalties, dividends and capital gains.

The following is a list of countries with which New Zealand has a DTA which is currently in force.

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New Zealand Table of Double Tax Treaties

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New Zealand Other International Agreements

New Zealand has a tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) with the Netherlands Antilles, which was effective from 2009. It has also signed TIEAs with Antigua, Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Cook Islands, Dominica, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Jersey, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, which (as of May 12, 2010) are not yet effective.

Many of New Zealand's DTAs provide a full or partial exemption from New Zealand income tax for aircraft operators of the other jurisdiction. Income earned by non-resident aircraft operators is also exempt from New Zealand tax if a reciprocal exemption exists for New Zealand-resident aircraft operators in the non-resident's home jurisdiction. An exemption under this provision is currently in place with Hong Kong, the Solomon Islands, Samoa and Brunei Darussalem.

Similarly, most of New Zealand's DTAs provide that the income will be exempt for shipping operators of the other jurisdiction. Income will also be exempt if the Inland Revenue is satisfied that a reciprocal exemption exists for New Zealand-resident shipping operators in the non-resident's home jurisdiction. An exemption under this provision is currently in place with Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Chile, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Liberia, the Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu.