Mission Statement

To provide timely high level analytical and administrative support to the Cabinet appointed Permanent Double Taxation Team, the Trinidad and Tobago Double Taxation Negotiating Team and other stakeholders.

Overview

The Tax Treaty Unit was established by Cabinet Minute # 2248 of December 3, 1987, to service both the Permanent Double Taxation Team and the Double Taxation Negotiating Team. The Unit also serves as a resource base for the Ministry on International Taxation matters with a specific focus on the negotiation of international taxation treaties.

Most countries enter into tax treaties with their major trading partners and many have extensive treaty networks. The purpose of a tax treaty is to remove tax barriers to cross border trade and investment. This is done by providing for the elimination of double taxation, certainty of tax treatment, a reduction of tax rates, the prevention of fiscal evasion, the prevention of tax discrimination, the exchange of tax information and the resolution of tax disputes.

The Permanent Double Taxation Team currently comprises:

• The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance (Chairman);
• The Chairman, Board of Inland Revenue (Deputy Chairman);
• The Head of the Tax Treaty Unit (Secretary);
• The Treasury Solicitor, Ministry of Finance;
• A Commissioner from the Board of Inland Revenue;
• The Chief State Counsel, Inland Revenue Division;
• A representative from the Ministry of Trade and Industry;
• A representative from the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs;
• A representative from the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.

Roles and Responsibilities

The undertakings of the Unit include:

1. Provision of high level analysis of the expected costs, benefits and risk emanating from prospective negotiations including assessing the impact on the macroeconomic objectives of Trinidad and Tobago;
2. Provision of analytical and administrative support to Trinidad and Tobago’s team during negotiations;
3. Ensuring the ratification and publication of Tax Treaties in a timely manner;
4. Maintenance of an up-to-date version of the Trinidad and Tobago Model Tax Treaty Convention;
5. Analyse the impact of new and proposed domestic and international taxation rules on existing double taxation treaties and future negotiations;
6. Advise stakeholders on the international aspects of taxation with particular emphasis on withholding taxes and double taxation treaties;
7. Coordination of local and overseas double taxation negotiations between Trinidad and Tobago and prospective treaty partners;
8. Preparation of periodic reports on the status and outcome of double taxation negotiations, the work of the Permanent Double Taxation Team, and activities of external stakeholders including international organisations.

Legislation

Double Taxation Treaties

• The Double Taxation Relief BRAZIL Order 2008
• The Double Taxation Relief CANADA Order 1996
• The Double Taxation Relief CARICOM Order 1994
• The Double Taxation Relief CHINA Order 2004
• The Double Taxation Relief DENMARK Order 1969
• The Double Taxation Relief FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY Order 1976
• The Double Taxation Relief FRANCE Order 1987
• The Double Taxation Relief INDIA Order 1999
• The Double Taxation Relief ITALY Order 1971
• The Double Taxation Relief LUXEMBOURG Order 2001
• The Double Taxation Relief NORWAY Order 1969
• Convention between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Kingdom of Spain for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, 2009
• The Double Taxation Relief SWEDEN Order 1984
• The Double Taxation Relief SWITZERLAND Order 1973
• The Double Taxation Relief UNITED KINGDOM Order 1983
• The Double Taxation Relief UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Order 1971
• The Double Taxation Relief VENEZUELA Order 1997

Contact Information

Tax Treaty Unit
Level 2, Finance Building
Eric Williams Financial Complex
Independence Square
Port-of-Spain

Telephone: (868) 612-9700, extension: 1250, 1270, 1268 and 1240
E-mail: taxtreaty@gov.tt