The Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between New Zealand and Singapore has come one step closer to enactment, having now been incorporated into New Zealand law.

On May 12th the New Zealand Government announced the signing of an Order in Council for the DTA between New Zealand and Singapore. The signing of the Order officially incorporates the agreement into national legislation. According to Peter Dunne, New Zealand Revenue Minister, the DTA will come into effect when the equivalent legal ratification process is carried out by the Government of Singapore.

The new agreement is intended to replace the DTA signed by Singapore and New Zealand in 1973. The DTA will lower withholding rates on dividends, royalties and interest. As the bi-lateral agreement will be updated to modern standards it will also serve to increase the levels of protection and certainty for cross-border business. The DTA will also conform to the international recognized standards of taxation transparency and information sharing, as set out by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Singapore currently holds 61 Comprehensive Double Taxation Agreements, 7 limited taxation treaties, and 17 signed but un-ratified DTAs. New Zealand holds 35 ratified DTAs, and an additional 15 Tax Information Exchange Agreements.

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