The third protocol amending the existing India-Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) entered into force on Monday, Singapore’s tax authorities have said. This would mean that the provisions provided in the third protocol — signed in December 2016 — have become law in the island country.
Singapore was the largest foreign direct investor into India for the period April 2015 to March 2016, and one of the largest portfolio investors in Indian markets.
Both the countries agreed to phase out the capital gains tax exemption gradually, and also committed to find new ways to promote bilateral investments.
It may be recalled that the updated tax agreement (protocol) preserves the existing tax exemption on capital gains for shares acquired before April 1, 2017, while providing a transitional arrangement for shares acquired on or after April 2017.
For shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017, there will be a two-year transition period.
In this transition period, capital gains from such shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017 will be taxed at 50 per cent of domestic tax rate if the capital gains arise during April 1, 2017 to March 2019.
My View
India is yet to notify the protocol. Once this is done and Singapore is notified about it, the provisions will become law in India as well. Indications are that the protocol will get notified by the Indian side much before March 31.