Convention between the Republic of Finland and Japan for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income
- Contractual party
- Japan
- Date of Issue
SYNTHESISED TEXT OF THE MLI AND THE CONVENTION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND AND JAPAN FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION AND THE PREVENTION OF FISCAL EVASION WITH RESPECT TO TAXES ON INCOME
This document presents the synthesised text for the application of the Convention between the Republic of Finland and Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income signed on 29 February 1972 and the Protocol signed on 4 March 1991 (the “Convention”), as modified by the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting signed by Republic of Finland and Japan on 7 June 2017 (the “MLI”).
This document was prepared in consultation with the competent authority of Japan and presents the shared understanding of the modifications made to the Convention by the MLI.
The document was prepared on the basis of the MLI position of Republic of Finland submitted to the Depositary upon acceptance on 25 February 2019 and of the MLI position of Japan submitted to the Depositary upon acceptance on 26 September 2018. These MLI positions are subject to modifications as provided in the MLI. Modifications made to MLI positions could modify the effects of the MLI on the Convention. The document also contains the modifications resulting from the withdrawal of the reservation made by the Republic of Finland to Article 9 of the MLI (consolidated MLI position of the Republic of Finland on 27 June 2023).
The authentic legal texts of the Convention and the MLI take precedence and remain the legal texts applicable. Whereas the Convention as presented in this synthesised text incorporates changes contained in the 1991 Protocol into the original 1972 Convention for readability, the 1972 Convention, and the 1991 Protocol remain the legal texts applicable.
The provisions of the MLI that are applicable with respect to the provisions of the Convention are included in boxes throughout the text of this document in the context of the relevant provisions of the Convention. The boxes containing the provisions of the MLI have generally been inserted in accordance with the ordering of the provisions of the 2017 OECD Model Tax Convention.
Changes to the text of the provisions of the MLI have been made to conform the terminology used in the MLI to the terminology used in the Convention (such as “Covered Tax Agreement” and “Convention”, “Contracting Jurisdictions” and “Contracting States”), to ease the comprehension of the provisions of the MLI. The changes in terminology are intended to increase the readability of the document and are not intended to change the substance of the provisions of the MLI. Similarly, changes have been made to parts of provisions of the MLI that describe existing provisions of the Convention: descriptive language has been replaced by legal references of the existing provisions to ease the readability.
In all cases, references made to the provisions of the Convention or to the Convention must be understood as referring to the Convention as modified by the provisions of the MLI, provided such provisions of the MLI have taken effect.
Entry into Effect of the MLI Provisions
The provisions of the MLI applicable to this Convention do not take effect on the same dates as the original provisions of the Convention. Each of provisions of the MLI could take effect on different dates, depending on the types of taxes involved (taxes withheld at source or other taxes levied) and on the choices made by Republic of Finland and Japan in their MLI positions.
Dates of the deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval: 25 February 2019 for the Republic of Finland and 26 September 2018 for Japan.
Entry into force of the MLI: 1 June 2019 for Republic of Finland and 1 January 2019 for Japan.
This document provides specific information on the dates on or after which each of the provisions of the MLI has effect with respect to the Convention throughout this document.
References
The authentic legal texts of the MLI can be found on the MLI Depositary (OECD) webpage:
- - in English: http://www.oecd.org/tax/treaties/multilateral-convention-to-implement-tax-treaty-related-measures-to-prevent-BEPS.pdf and
- - in French: http://www.oecd.org/fr/fiscalite/conventions/convention-multilaterale-pour-la-mise-en-oeuvre-des-mesures-relatives-aux-conventions-fiscales-pour-prevenir-le-BEPS.pdf
The MLI position of Republic of Finland submitted to the Depositary upon acceptance on 25 February 2019, the consolidated MLI position of the Republic of Finland submitted to the Depositary on 27 June 2023 and the MLI position of Japan submitted to the Depositary upon acceptance on 26 September 2018 can be found on the MLI Depositary (OECD) webpage: http://www.oecd.org/tax/treaties/beps-mli-signatories-and-parties.pdf
The MLI Matching Database is publicly available on the OECD webpage: http://www.oecd.org/tax/treaties/mli-matching-database.htm
The Act on Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting is published in Statute Book of Finland 231/2019. Link to Finnish language version https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2019/20190231 Link to Swedish language version https://www.finlex.fi/sv/laki/alkup/2019/20190231
The Government´s Statute on the entry into force of the MLI and the Act and the Finnish text (translation) of the MLI is published in the Treaty Series of the Statute Book of Finland SopS 21-22/2019. Links to Finnish language versions https://www.finlex.fi/fi/sopimukset/sopsteksti/2019/20190021 and https://www.finlex.fi/fi/sopimukset/sopsteksti/2019/20190022 Links to Swedish language versions https://finlex.fi/sv/sopimukset/sopimussarja/2019/fds20190021.pdf and https://finlex.fi/sv/sopimukset/sopimussarja/2019/fds20190022.pdf
The Announcement of the Ministry of Finance on withdrawal of reservation made to Article 9 of the MLI and on additional notifications is published in the Treaty Series of the Statute Book of Finland SopS 48/2023. Link to Finnish language version https://finlex.fi/fi/sopimukset/sopsteksti/2023/20230048/20230048_1 Link to Swedish language version https://finlex.fi/sv/sopimukset/sopimussarja/2023/fds20230048.pdf
The Announcement of the Ministry of Finance on the entry into force of the MLI in Japan is published in the Treaty Series of the Statute Book of Finland SopS 37/2019. Link to Finnish language version https://www.finlex.fi/fi/sopimukset/sopsteksti/2019/20190037 Link to Swedish language version https://finlex.fi/sv/sopimukset/sopimussarja/2019/fds20190037.pdf
The Convention between Republic of Finland and Japan for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income signed on 29 February 1972 is published in the Treaty Series of the Statute Book of Finland SopS 43/1972. Link to Finnish language version https://www.finlex.fi/fi/sopimukset/sopsteksti/1972/19720043/19720043_2
Protocol amending the Convention between the Republic of Finland and Japan for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income signed on 4 March 1991 is published in the Treaty Series of the Statute Book of Finland SopS 111/1991. Link to Finnish language version https://www.finlex.fi/fi/sopimukset/sopsteksti/1991/19910111
Convention between the Republic of Finland and Japan for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income
The Republic of Finland and Japan,
REPLACED by paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the MLI
Desiring to conclude a Convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income,
ARTICLE 6 OF THE MLI – PURPOSE OF A COVERED TAX AGREEMENT
Intending to eliminate double taxation with respect to the taxes covered by [ this Convention ] without creating opportunities for non-taxation or reduced taxation through tax evasion or avoidance (including through treaty-shopping arrangements aimed at obtaining reliefs provided in [ the Convention ] for the indirect benefit of residents of third jurisdictions),
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
This Convention shall apply to persons who are residents of one or both of the Contracting States
Article 2
1. The taxes which are the subject of this Convention are:
a) In Japan:
(i) the income tax;
(ii) the corporation tax; and
(iii) the local inhabitant taxes
(hereinafter referred to as “Japanese tax”).
b) In Finland:( SopS 110-111/1991 )
(i) the state income tax;
(ii) the communal income tax;
(iii) the church tax; and
(iv) the tax withheld at source from non-residents’ income
(hereinafter referred to as “Finnish tax”).
2. This Convention shall also apply to any identical or substantially similar taxes which are subsequently imposed in addition to, or in place of, those referred to in the preceding paragraph. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall notify to each other any changes which have been made in their respective taxation laws within a reasonable period of time after such changes
3. With respect to paragraph 2 of Article 8 only, this Convention shall also apply to the taxes referred to in that paragraph.
Article 3
1. In this Convention, unless the context otherwise requires:
a) the term “Japan”, when used in a geographical sense, means all the territory in which the laws relating to Japanese tax are in force;
b) the term “Finland” means the Republic of Finland;
c) the terms “a Contracting State” and “the other Contracting State” mean Japan or Finland, as the context requires;
d) the term “tax” means Japanese tax or Finnish tax, as the context requires;
e) the term “person” means an individual, a company and any other body of persons;
f) the term “company” means any body corporate or any entity which is treated as a body corporate for tax purposes;
g) the terms “enterprise of a Contracting State” and “enterprise of the other Contracting State” mean respectively an enterprise carried on by a resident of a Contracting State and an enterprise carried on by a resident of the other Contracting State;
h) the term “nationals” means:
(i) in respect of Japan: all individuals possessing the nationality of Japan and all juridical persons created or organised under the laws of Japan and all organisations without juridical personality treated for the purposes of Japanese tax as juridical persons created or organised under the laws of Japan;
(ii) in respect of Finland: all individuals possessing the nationality of Finland, and all legal persons, partnerships and associations deriving their status as such from the laws in force in Finland;
i) the term “competent authority” means, in the case of Finland, the Ministry of Finance or its authorised representative, and in the case of Japan, the Minister of Finance or his authorised representative.
2. As regards the application of this Convention in a Contracting State any term not otherwise defined in this Convention shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning which it has under the laws of that Contracting State relating to the taxes which are the subject of this Convention.
Article 4
1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term “resident of a Contracting State” means any person who, under the laws of that Contracting State, is liable to taxation therein by reason of his domicile, residence, place of head or main office, place of management or any other criterion of a similar nature.
2. Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then the competent authorities shall determine by mutual agreement the Contracting State of which that individual shall be deemed to be a resident for the purposes of this Convention.
3. Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 a person other than an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then it shall be deemed to be a resident of the Contracting State in which its head or main office is situated.
Article 5
1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term “permanent establishment” means a fixed place of business in which the business of the enterprise is wholly or partly carried on.
2. The term “permanent establishment” shall include especially:
a) a place of management;
b) a branch;
c) an office;
d) a factory;
e) a workshop;
f) a mine, quarry or other place of extraction of natural resources;
g) a building site or construction or assembly project which exists for more than twelve months.
3. The term “permanent establishment” shall not be deemed to include:
a) the use of facilities solely for the purpose of storage, display or delivery of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise;
b) the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise solely for the purpose of storage, display or delivery;
c) the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise solely for the purpose of processing by another enterprise;
d) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of purchasing goods or merchandise, or for collecting information, for the enterprise;
e) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of advertising, for the supply of information, for scientific research or for similar activities which have a preparatory or auxiliary character, for the enterprise.
4. A person acting in a Contracting State on behalf of an enterprise of the other Contracting State--other than an agent of an independent status to whom paragraph 5 applies--shall be deemed to be a permanent establishment in the first-mentioned Contracting State if he has, and habitually exercises in that first-mentioned Contracting State, an authority to conclude contracts in the name of the enterprise, unless his activities are limited to the purchase of goods or merchandise for the enterprise.
5. An enterprise of a Contracting State shall not be deemed to have a permanent establishment in the other Contracting State merely because it carries on business in that other Contracting State through a broker, general commission agent or any other agent of an independent status, where such persons are acting in the ordinary course of their business.
6. The fact that a company which is a resident of a Contracting State controls or is controlled by a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State, or which carries on business in that other Contracting State (whether through a permanent establishment or otherwise), shall not of itself constitute either company a permanent establishment of the other.
Article 6
1. Income from immovable property may be taxed in the Contracting State in which such property is situated.
2. a) The term “immovable property” shall, subject to the provisions of sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) below, be defined in accordance with the laws of the Contracting State in which the property in question is situated.
b) The term “immovable property” shall in any case include property accessory to immovable property, livestock and equipment used in agriculture and forestry, rights to which the provisions of general law respecting immovable property apply, usufruct of immovable property and rights to variable or fixed payments as consideration for the working of, or the right to work, mineral deposits, sources and other natural resources.
c) Ships and aircraft shall not be regarded as immovable property.
3. Subject to the provisions of Article 10, income from shares in a company, including rights in a cooperative society, the purpose of which is to own immovable property and the assets of which consist mainly of such property may be taxed in the Contracting State in which the immovable property is situated, provided that all shares in the company or all rights in the cooperative society legally entitle to the occupation of immovable property or part thereof owned by the company or the cooperative society.
4. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply to income derived from the direct use, letting, or use in any other form of immovable property.
5. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 4 shall also apply to the income from immovable property of an enterprise and to income from immovable property used for the performance of professional services.
Article 7
1. The profits of an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that Contracting State unless the enterprise carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein. If the enterprise carries on business as aforesaid, the profits of the enterprise may be taxed in that other Contracting State but only so much of them as is attributable to that permanent establishment.
2. Where an enterprise of a Contracting State carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein, there shall in each Contracting State be attributed to that permanent establishment the profits which it might be expected to make if it were a distinct and separate enterprise engaged in the same or similar activities under the same or similar conditions and dealing wholly independently with the enterprise of which it is a permanent establishment.
3. In the determination of the profits of a permanent establishment, there shall be allowed as deductions expenses which are incurred for the purposes of the permanent establishment including executive and general administrative expenses so incurred, whether in the Contracting State in which the permanent establishment is situated or elsewhere.
4. Insofar as it has been customary in a Contracting State to determine the profits to be attributed to a permanent establishment on the basis of an apportionment of the total profits of the enterprise to its various parts, nothing in paragraph 2 shall preclude that Contracting State from determining the profits to be taxed by such an apportionment as may be customary; the method of apportionment adopted shall, however, be such that the result shall be in accordance with the principles laid down in this Article.
5. No profits shall be attributed to a permanent establishment by reason of the mere purchase by that permanent establishment of goods or merchandise for the enterprise.
6. For the purposes of the preceding paragraphs, the profits to be attributed to the permanent establishment shall be determined by the same method year by year unless there is good and sufficient reason to the contrary.
7. Where profits include items of income which are dealt with separately in other Articles of this Convention, then the provisions of those Articles shall not be affected by the provisions of this Article.
Article 8
1. Profits from the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic carried on by an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that Contracting State.
2. In respect of the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic carried on by an enterprise which is a resident of Finland, that enterprise shall be exempt from the enterprise tax in Japan, and in respect of the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic carried on by an enterprise which is a resident of Japan, that enterprise shall be exempt from the capital tax in Finland.
3. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall likewise apply in respect of participations in pools, in a joint business or in an international operations agency of any kind by enterprises engaged in the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic.
Article 9
Where
a) an enterprise of a Contracting State participates directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of the other Contracting State, or
b) the same persons participate directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of a Contracting State and an enterprise of the other Contracting State,
and in either case conditions are made or imposed between the two enterprises in their commercial or financial relations which differ from those which would be made between independent enterprises, then any profits which would, but for those conditions, have accrued to one of the enterprises, but, by reason of those conditions, have not so accrued, may be included in the profits of that enterprise and taxed accordingly
ARTICLE 17 OF THE MLI – CORRESPONDING ADJUSTMENTS
Where a [ Contracting State ] includes in the profits of an enterprise of that [ Contracting State ] — and taxes accordingly — profits on which an enterprise of the other [ Contracting State ] has been charged to tax in that other [ Contracting State ] and the profits so included are profits which would have accrued to the enterprise of the first-mentioned [ Contracting State ] if the conditions made between the two enterprises had been those which would have been made between independent enterprises, then that other [ Contracting State ] shall make an appropriate adjustment to the amount of the tax charged therein on those profits. In determining such adjustment, due regard shall be had to the other provisions of [ the Convention ] and the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] shall if necessary consult each other.
Article 10
1. Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other Contracting State.
2. However, such dividends may be taxed in the Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident, and according to the laws of that Contracting State, but the tax so charged shall not exceed:
a) 10 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends if the recipient is a company which owns at least 25 per cent of the voting shares of the company paying such dividends during the period of six months immediately before the end of the accounting period for which the distribution of profits takes place;
b) in all other cases, 15 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends
This paragraph shall not affect the taxation of the company in respect of the profits out of which the dividends are paid.
3. The term “dividends” as used in this Article means income from shares or other rights, not being debt-claims, participating in profits, as well as income from other corporate rights assimilated to income from shares by the taxation laws of the Contracting State of which the company making the distribution is a resident.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the recipient of the dividends, being a resident of a Contracting State, has in the other Contracting State, of which the company paying the dividends is a resident, a permanent establishment with which the holding by virtue of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected. In such a case, the provisions of Article 7 shall apply.
5. Where a company which is a resident of a Contracting State derives profits or income from the other Contracting State, that other Contracting State may not impose any tax on the dividends paid by the company to persons who are not residents of that other Contracting State, or subject the company’s undistributed profits to a tax on undistributed profits, even if the dividends paid or the undistributed profits consist wholly or partly of profits or income arising in that other Contracting State.
Article 11
1. Interest arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other Contracting State.
2. However, such interest may be taxed in the Contracting State in which it arises, and according to the laws of that Contracting State, but the tax so charged shall not exceed 10 per cent of the gross amount of the interest.
3. The term “interest” as used in this Article means income from Government securities, bonds or debentures, whether or not secured by mortgage and whether or not carrying a right to participate in profits, and debt-claims of every kind as well as all other income assimilated to income from money lent by the taxation laws of the Contracting State in which the income arises.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the recipient of the interest, being a resident of a Contracting State, has in the other Contracting State in which the interest arises a permanent establishment with which the debt-claim from which the interest arises is effectively connected. In such a case, the provisions of Article 7 shall apply.
5. Interest shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is that Contracting State itself, a public entity, a local authority or a resident of that Contracting State. Where, however, the person paying the interest, whether he is a resident of a Contracting State or not, has in a Contracting State a permanent establishment in connection with which the indebtedness on which the interest is paid was incurred, and such interest is borne by such permanent, establishment, then such interest shall be deemed to arise in the Contracting State in which the permanent establishment is situated.
6. Where, owing to a special relationship between the payer and the recipient or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the interest paid, having regard to the debt-claim for which it is paid, exceeds the amount which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the recipient in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the lastmentioned amount. In that case, the excess part of the payments shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting State, due regard being had to the other provisions of this Convention.
Article 12
1. Royalties arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other Contracting State.
2. However, such royalties may be taxed in the Contracting State in which they arise, and according to the laws of that Contracting State, but the tax so charged shall not exceed 10 per cent of the gross amount of the royalties.
3. The term “royalties” as used in this Article means payments of any kind received as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use, any copyright of literary, artistic or scientific work including cinematograph films, any patent, trade mark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for the use of, or the right to use, industrial, commercial or scientific equipment, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the recipient of the royalties, being a resident of a Contracting State, has in the other Contracting State in which the royalties arise a permanent establishment with which the right or property giving rise to the royalties is effectively connected. In such a case, the provisions of Article 7 shall apply.
5. Royalties shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is that Contracting State itself, a public entity, a local authority or a resident of that Contracting State. Where, however, the person paying the royalties, whether he is a resident of a Contracting State or not, has in a Contracting State a permanent establishment in connection with which the liability to pay the royalties was incurred, and such royalties are borne by such permanent establishment, then such royalties shall be deemed to arise in the Contracting State in which the permanent establishment is situated.
6. The provisions of paragraphs 1, 2 and 5 shall likewise apply to proceeds arising from the aliena-tion of any copyright of literary, artistic or scientific work including cinematograph films, any patent, trade mark, design or model, plan, or secret formula or process, except when the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 13 are applicable to the gains to be derived from such proceeds.
7. Where, owing to a special relationship between the payer and the recipient or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the royalties paid, having regard to the use, right or information for which they are paid, exceeds the amount which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the recipient in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In that case, the excess part of the payments shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting State, due regard being had to the other provisions of this Convention
Article 13
1. Gains from the alienation of immovable property, as defined in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph 2 of Article 6, may be taxed in the Contracting State in which such property is situated.
2. Gains from the alienation of any property, other than immovable property, forming part of the business property of a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting State has in the other Contracting State or of any property, other than immovable property, pertaining to a fixed base available to a resident of a Contracting State in the other Contracting State for the purpose of performing professional services, including such gains from the alienation of such a permanent establishment (alone or together with the whole enterprise) or of such a fixed base, may be taxed in that other Contracting State. However, gains derived by a resident of a Contracting State from the alienation of ships or aircraft operated in international traffic and any property, other than immovable property, pertaining to the operation of such ships or aircraft shall be exempt from tax of the other Contracting State.
3.Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting State from the alienation of any property other than those mentioned in the provisions of paragraph 6 of Article 12 and the preceding paragraphs of this Article shall be exempt from tax of the other Contracting State.
ARTICLE 9 OF THE MLI – CAPITAL GAINS FROM ALIENATION OF SHARES OR INTERESTS OF ENTITIES DERIVING THEIR VALUE PRINCIPALLY FROM IMMOVABLE PROPERTY
For purposes of [ the Convention ], gains derived by a resident of a [ Contracting State ] from the alienation of shares or comparable interests, such as interests in a partnership or trust, may be taxed in the other [ Contracting State ] if, at any time during the 365 days preceding the alienation, these shares or comparable interests derived more than 50 per cent of their value directly or indirectly from immovable property (real property) situated in that other [ Contracting State ].
Article 14
1. Income derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of professional services or other independent activities of a similar character shall be taxable only in that Contracting State unless he has a fixed base regularly available to him in the other Contracting State for the purpose of performing his activities. If he has such a fixed base, the income may be taxed in that other Contracting State but only so much of it as is attributable to that fixed base.
2. The term “professional services” includes, especially, independent scientific, literary, artistic, educational or teaching activities as well as the independent activities of physicians, lawyers, engineers, architects, dentists and accountants.
Article 15
1. Subject to the provisions of Articles 16, 18, 19, 20 and 21, salaries, wages and other similar remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of an employment shall be taxable only in that Contracting State unless the employment is exercised in the other Contracting State. If the employment is so exercised, such remuneration as is derived therefrom may be taxed in that other Contracting State.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of an employment exercised in the other Contracting State shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned Contracting State if:
a) the recipient is present in that other Contracting State for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 183 days in the calendar year concerned;
b) the remuneration is paid by, or on behalf of, an employer who is not a resident of that other Contracting State; and
c) the remuneration is not borne by a permanent establishment or a fixed base which the employer has in that other Contracting State.
3. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, remuneration in respect of an employment exercised aboard a ship or aircraft operated in international traffic by an enterprise of a Contracting State may be taxed in that Contracting State.
Article 16
Remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in his capacity as a member of the board of directors of a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other Contracting State.
Article 17
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 14 and 15, income derived by public entertainers, such as theatre, motion picture, radio or television artistes, and musicians, and by athletes, from their personal activities as such may be taxed in the Contracting State in which these activities are exercised.
2. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Convention, where the services of a public entertainer or an athlete mentioned in paragraph 1 are provided in a Contracting State by an enterprise of the other Contracting State, the profits derived from providing those services by such enterprise may be taxed in the first-mentioned Contracting State.
Article 18
Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 19, pensions and other similar remuneration paid to a resident of a Contracting State in consideration of past employment shall be taxable only in that Contracting State.
Article 19
1. Remuneration, including pensions, paid by, or out of funds to which contributions are made by, a Contracting State or a local authority thereof to any individual in respect of services rendered to that Contracting State or local authority in the discharge of functions of a governmental nature may be taxed in that Contracting State. Such remuneration shall be taxable only in that Contracting State if the recipient is a national of that Contracting State.
2. The provisions of Articles 15, 16, 17 and 18 shall apply to remuneration or pensions in respect of services rendered in connection with any business carried on by a Contracting State or a local authority thereof for the purpose of profits.
3. For the purposes of this Article, the term “Contracting State” includes:
a) in respect of Japan: any organisation the capital of which is wholly owned by the Government of Japan and the Bank of Japan;
b) in respect of Finland: any organisation or institution of a governmental nature, the Bank of Finland and the National Pensions Institute.
4. The application of the provisions of this Article shall not be limited by the provisions of Article 1.
Article 20
1. A professor or teacher who makes a temporary visit to a Contracting State for a period not exceeding two years for the purpose of teaching or conducting research at a university, college, school or other educational institution, and who is, or immediately before such visit was, a resident of the other Contracting State shall be taxable only in that other Contracting State in respect of remuneration for such teaching or research.
2. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not apply to income from research if such research is undertaken primarily for the private benefit of a specific person or persons.
Article 21
Payments or income received for the purpose of his maintenance, education or training by a student or business apprentice who is present in a Contracting State solely for the purpose of his education or training and who is, or immediately before being so present was, a resident of the other Contracting State shall be exempt from tax of the first-mentioned Contracting State, provided that such payments are made to him from outside that first-mentioned Contracting State or that such income is received in respect of his personal services performed in that first-mentioned Contracting State in an amount not in excess of 2,000 United States dollars or its equivalent in Japanese yen or Finnish markkas during any calendar year.
Article 22
Items of income of a resident of a Contracting State which are not expressly mentioned in the foregoing Articles of this Convention shall be taxable only in that Contracting State.
Article 23
1. Subject to the laws of Japan regarding the allowance as a credit against Japanese tax of tax payable in any country other than Japan, Finnish tax payable in respect of income derived from Finland shall be allowed as a credit against Japanese tax payable in respect of that income. Where such income is a dividend paid by a company resident in Finland to a company resident in Japan which owns not less than 25 per cent either of the voting shares of the company paying the dividend or of the total shares issued by that company, the credit shall take into account Finnish tax payable by that company in respect of its income.
2. In Finland double taxation shall be eliminated as follows:( SopS 110-111/1991 )
a) Where a resident of Finland derives income which, in accordance with the provisions of this Convention, may be taxed in Japan, Finland shall, subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (b), allow as a deduction from the tax on the income of that resident an amount equal to the tax on income paid in Japan. Such deduction shall not, however, exceed that part of the tax on income, as computed before the deduction is given, which is attributable to the income which may be taxed in Japan.
b) Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of Japan to a company which is a resident of Finland and controls directly at least 10 per cent of the voting power in the company paying the dividends shall be exempt from Finnish tax.
c) Where in accordance with any provisions of this Convention income derived by a resident of Finland is exempt from tax in Finland, Finland may never-theless, in calculating the amount of tax on the remaining income of such resident, take into account the exempted income.
Article 24
1. The nationals of a Contracting State shall not be subjected in the other Contracting State to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which nationals of that other Contracting State in the same circumstances are or may be subjected.
2. The taxation on a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting State has in the other Contracting State shall not be less favourably levied in that other Contracting State than the taxation levied on enterprises of that other Contracting State carrying on the same activities.
This provision shall not be construed as obliging a Contracting State to grant to residents of the other Contracting State any personal allowances, reliefs and reductions for taxation purposes on account of civil status or family responsibilities which it grants to its own residents.
3. Enterprises of a Contracting State, the capital of which is wholly or partly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by one or more residents of the other Contracting State, shall not be subjected in the first-mentioned Contracting State to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which other similar enterprises of that first-mentioned Contracting State are or may be subjected.
4. In this Article the term “taxation” means taxes of every kind and description.
5. The application of the provisions of this Article shall not be limited by the provisions of Article 1
Article 25
REPLACED by first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of the MLI
1. Where a resident of a Contracting State considers that the actions of one or both of the Contract-ing States result or will result for him in taxation not in accordance with this Convention, he may, notwithstanding the remedies provided by the laws of those Contracting States, present his case to the competent authority of the Contracting State of which he is a resident.
ARTICLE 16 OF THE MLI – MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROCEDURE
Where a person considers that the actions of one or both of the [ Contracting States ] result or will result for that person in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of [ this Convention ], that person may, irrespective of the remedies provided by the domestic law of those [ Contracting States ], present the case to the competent authority of either [ Contracting State ].
ARTICLE 16 OF THE MLI – MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROCEDURE
The case must be presented within three years from the first notification of the action resulting in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of [ the Convention ].
2. The competent authority shall endeavour, if the objection appears to it to be justified and if it is not itself able to arrive at an appropriate solution, to resolve that case by mutual agreement with the competent authority of the other Contracting State, with a view to the avoidance of taxation not in accordance with this Convention.
ARTICLE 16 OF THE MLI – MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROCEDURE
Any agreement reached shall be implemented notwithstanding any time limits in the domestic law of the [ Contracting States ].
3. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall endeavour to resolve by mutual agreement any difficulties or doubts arising as to the interpretation or application of this Convention. They may also consult together for the elimination of double taxation in cases not provided for in this Convention.
4. The competent authorities of the Contracting States may communicate with each directly for the purpose of reaching an agreement in the sense of the preceding paragraphs.
PART VI. ARBITRATION
Article 19 (Mandatory Binding Arbitration) of the MLI
1. Where:
a) under [ paragraph 1 of Article 25 of this Convention ], a person has presented a case to the competent authority of a [ Contracting State ] on the basis that the actions of one or both of the [ Contracting States ] have resulted for that person in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of [ the Convention ]; and
b) the competent authorities are unable to reach an agreement to resolve that case pursuant to [ paragraph 2 of Article 25 of the Convention ], within a period of two years beginning on the start date referred to in paragraph 8 or 9 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ], as the case may be (unless, prior to the expiration of that period the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] have agreed to a different time period with respect to that case and have notified the person who presented the case of such agreement),
any unresolved issues arising from the case shall, if the person so requests in writing, be submitted to arbitration in the manner described in [ Part VI of the MLI ], according to any rules or procedures agreed upon by the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 10 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ].
2. Where a competent authority has suspended the mutual agreement procedure referred to in paragraph 1 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ] because a case with respect to one or more of the same issues is pending before court or administrative tribunal, the period provided in subparagraph b) of paragraph 1 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ] will stop running until either a final decision has been rendered by the court or administrative tribunal or the case has been suspended or withdrawn. In addition, where a person who presented a case and a competent authority have agreed to suspend the mutual agreement procedure, the period provided in subparagraph b) of paragraph 1 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ] will stop running until the suspension has been lifted.
3. Where both competent authorities agree that a person directly affected by the case has failed to provide in a timely manner any additional material information requested by either competent authority after the start of the period provided in subparagraph b) of paragraph 1 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ], the period provided in subparagraph b) of paragraph 1 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ] shall be extended for an amount of time equal to the period beginning on the date by which the information was requested and ending on the date on which that information was provided.
4. a) The arbitration decision with respect to the issues submitted to arbitration shall be implemented through the mutual agreement concerning the case referred to in paragraph 1 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ]. The arbitration decision shall be final.
b) The arbitration decision shall be binding on both [ Contracting States ] except in the following cases:
(i) if a person directly affected by the case does not accept the mutual agreement that implements the arbitration decision. In such a case, the case shall not be eligible for any further consideration by the competent authorities. The mutual agreement that implements the arbitration decision on the case shall be considered not to be accepted by a person directly affected by the case if any person directly affected by the case does not, within 60 days after the date on which notification of the mutual agreement is sent to the person, withdraw all issues resolved in the mutual agreement implementing the arbitration decision from consideration by any court or administrative tribunal or otherwise terminate any pending court or administrative proceedings with respect to such issues in a manner consistent with that mutual agreement.
(ii) if a final decision of the courts of one of the [ Contracting States ] holds that the arbitration decision is invalid. In such a case, the request for arbitration under paragraph 1 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ] shall be considered not to have been made, and the arbitration process shall be considered not to have taken place (except for the purposes of Articles 21 (Confidentiality of Arbitration Proceedings) and 25 (Costs of Arbitration Proceedings) [ of the MLI ]). In such a case, a new request for arbitration may be made unless the competent authorities agree that such a new request should not be permitted.
(iii) if a person directly affected by the case pursues litigation on the issues which were resolved in the mutual agreement implementing the arbitration decision in any court or administrative tribunal.
5. The competent authority that received the initial request for a mutual agreement procedure as described in subparagraph a) of paragraph 1 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ] shall, within two calendar months of receiving the request:
a) send a notification to the person who presented the case that it has received the request; and
b) send a notification of that request, along with a copy of the request, to the competent authority of the other [ Contracting State ].
6. Within three calendar months after a competent authority receives the request for a mutual agreement procedure (or a copy thereof from the competent authority of the other [ Contracting State ]) it shall either:
a) notify the person who has presented the case and the other competent authority that it has received the information necessary to undertake substantive consideration of the case; or
b) request additional information from that person for that purpose.
7. Where pursuant to subparagraph b) of paragraph 6 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ], one or both of the competent authorities have requested from the person who presented the case additional information necessary to undertake substantive consideration of the case, the competent authority that requested the additional information shall, within three calendar months of receiving the additional information from that person, notify that person and the other competent authority either:
a) that it has received the requested information; or
b) that some of the requested information is still missing.
8. Where neither competent authority has requested additional information pursuant to subparagraph b) of paragraph 6 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ], the start date referred to in paragraph 1 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ] shall be the earlier of:
a) the date on which both competent authorities have notified the person who presented the case pursuant to subparagraph a) of paragraph 6 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ]; and
b) the date that is three calendar months after the notification to the competent authority of the other [ Contracting State ] pursuant to subparagraph b) of paragraph 5 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ].
9. Where additional information has been requested pursuant to subparagraph b) of paragraph 6 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ], the start date referred to in paragraph 1 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ] shall be the earlier of:
a) the latest date on which the competent authorities that requested additional information have notified the person who presented the case and the other competent authority pursuant to subparagraph a) of paragraph 7 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ]; and
b) the date that is three calendar months after both competent authorities have received all information requested by either competent authority from the person who presented the case.
If, however, one or both of the competent authorities send the notification referred to in subparagraph b) of paragraph 7 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ], such notification shall be treated as a request for additional information under subparagraph b) of paragraph 6 [ of Article 19 of the MLI ].
10. The competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] shall by mutual agreement pursuant to [ Article 25 of the Convention ] settle the mode of application of the provisions contained in [ Part VI of the MLI ], including the minimum information necessary for each competent authority to undertake substantive consideration of the case. Such an agreement shall be concluded before the date on which unresolved issues in a case are first eligible to be submitted to arbitration and may be modified from time to time thereafter.
12. [ Notwithstanding ] the other provisions of [ Article 19 of the MLI ]:
a) any unresolved issue arising from a mutual agreement procedure case otherwise within the scope of the arbitration process provided for by [ the MLI ] shall not be submitted to arbitration, if a decision on this issue has already been rendered by a court or administrative tribunal of either [ Contracting State ];
b) if, at any time after a request for arbitration has been made and before the arbitration panel has delivered its decision to the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ], a decision concerning the issue is rendered by a court or administrative tribunal of one of the [ Contracting States ], the arbitration process shall terminate.
Article 20 (Appointment of Arbitrators) of the MLI
1. Except to the extent that the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] mutually agree on different rules, paragraphs 2 through 4 [ of Article 20 of the MLI ] shall apply for the purposes of [ Part VI of the MLI ].
2. The following rules shall govern the appointment of the members of an arbitration panel
a) The arbitration panel shall consist of three individual members with expertise or experience in international tax matters
b) Each competent authority shall appoint one panel member within 60 days of the date of the request for arbitration under paragraph 1 of Article 19 [ of the MLI ]. The two panel members so appointed shall, within 60 days of the latter of their appointments, appoint a third member who shall serve as Chair of the arbitration panel. The Chair shall not be a national or resident of either [ Contracting State ].
c) Each member appointed to the arbitration panel must be impartial and independent of the competent authorities, tax administrations, and ministries of finance of the [ Contracting States ] and of all persons directly affected by the case (as well as their advisors) at the time of accepting an appointment, maintain his or her impartiality and independence throughout the proceedings, and avoid any conduct for a reasonable period of time thereafter which may damage the appearance of impartiality and independence of the arbitrators with respect to the proceedings.
3. In the event that the competent authority of a [ Contracting State ] fails to appoint a member of the arbitration panel in the manner and within the time periods specified in paragraph 2 [ of Article 20 of the MLI ] or agreed to by the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ], a member shall be appointed on behalf of that competent authority by the highest ranking official of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that is not a national of either [ Contracting State ].
4. If the two initial members of the arbitration panel fail to appoint the Chair in the manner and within the time periods specified in paragraph 2 [ of Article 20 of the MLI ] or agreed to by the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ], the Chair shall be appointed by the highest ranking official of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that is not a national of either [ Contracting State ].
Article 21 (Confidentiality of Arbitration Proceedings) of the MLI
1. Solely for the purposes of the application of the provisions of [ Part VI of the MLI ] and of the provisions of the [ the Convention ] and of the domestic laws of the [ Contracting States ] related to the exchange of information, confidentiality, and administrative assistance, members of the arbitration panel and a maximum of three staff per member (and prospective arbitrators solely to the extent necessary to verify their ability to fulfil the requirements of arbitrators) shall be considered to be persons or authorities to whom information may be disclosed. Information received by the arbitration panel or prospective arbitrators and information that the competent authorities receive from the arbitration panel shall be considered information that is exchanged under the provisions of [ the Convention ] related to the exchange of information and administrative assistance.
2. The competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] shall ensure that members of the arbitration panel and their staff agree in writing, prior to their acting in an arbitration proceeding, to treat any information relating to the arbitration proceeding consistently with the confidentiality and nondisclosure obligations described in the provisions of the [ the Convention ] related to exchange of information and administrative assistance and under the applicable laws of the [ Contracting States ].
Article 22 (Resolution of a Case Prior to the Conclusion of the Arbitration) of the MLI
For the purposes of [ Part VI of the MLI ] and the provisions of [ the Convention ] that provide for resolution of cases through mutual agreement, the mutual agreement procedure, as well as the arbitration proceeding, with respect to a case shall terminate if, at any time after a request for arbitration has been made and before the arbitration panel has delivered its decision to the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ]:
a) the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] reach a mutual agreement to resolve the case; or
b) the person who presented the case withdraws the request for arbitration or the request for a mutual agreement procedure.
Article 23 (Type of Arbitration Process) of the MLI
2. Except to the extent that the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] mutually agree on different rules, the following rules shall apply with respect to an arbitration proceeding:
a) After a case is submitted to arbitration, the competent authority of each [ Contracting State ] shall provide any information that may be necessary for the arbitration decision to all panel members without undue delay. Unless the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] agree otherwise, any information that was not available to both competent authorities before the request for arbitration was received by both of them shall not be taken into account for purposes of the decision.
b) The arbitration panel shall decide the issues submitted to arbitration in accordance with the applicable provisions of [ the Convention ] and, subject to these provisions, of those of the domestic laws of the [ Contracting States ]. The panel members shall also consider any other sources which the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] may by mutual agreement expressly identify.
c) The arbitration decision shall be delivered to the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] in writing and shall indicate the sources of law relied upon and the reasoning which led to its result. The arbitration decision shall be adopted by a simple majority of the panel members. The arbitration decision shall have no precedential value.
5. Prior to the beginning of arbitration proceedings, the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ] shall ensure that each person that presented the case and their advisors agree in writing not to disclose to any other person any information received during the course of the arbitration proceedings from either competent authority or the arbitration panel. The mutual agreement procedure under [ the Convention ], as well as the arbitration proceeding under [ Part VI of the MLI ], with respect to the case shall terminate if, at any time after a request for arbitration has been made and before the arbitration panel has delivered its decision to the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ], a person that presented the case or one of that person’s advisors materially breaches that agreement.
Article 25 (Costs of Arbitration Proceedings) of the MLI
In an arbitration proceeding under [ Part VI of the MLI ], the fees and expenses of the members of the arbitration panel, as well as any costs incurred in connection with the arbitration proceedings by the [ Contracting States ], shall be borne by the [ Contracting States ] in a manner to be settled by mutual agreement between the competent authorities of the [ Contracting States ]. In the absence of such agreement, each [ Contracting State ] shall bear its own expenses and those of its appointed panel member. The cost of the chair of the arbitration panel and other expenses associated with the conduct of the arbitration proceedings shall be borne by the [ Contracting States ] in equal shares.
Article 26 (Compatibility) of the MLI
2. Any unresolved issue arising from a mutual agreement procedure case otherwise within the scope of the arbitration process provided for in [ Part VI of the MLI ] shall not be submitted to arbitration if the issue falls within the scope of a case with respect to which an arbitration panel or similar body has previously been set up in accordance with a bilateral or multilateral convention that provides for mandatory binding arbitration of unresolved issues arising from a mutual agreement procedure case.
3. [ Nothing ] in [ Part VI of the MLI ] shall affect the fulfilment of wider obligations with respect to the arbitration of unresolved issues arising in the context of a mutual agreement procedure resulting from other conventions to which the [ Contracting States ] are or will become parties.
Subparagraph a) of paragraph 2 of Article 28 (Cases eligible to arbitration) of the MLI
Pursuant to subparagraph a) of paragraph 2 of Article 28 of the MLI, Republic of Finland formulates the following reservations with respect to the scope of cases that shall be eligible for arbitration under the provisions of Part VI of the MLI:
1. Finland reserves the right to exclude from the scope of [ Part VI of the MLI ] cases involving the application of domestic anti-avoidance rules of either [ Contracting State ]. For this purpose, Finland's domestic anti-avoidance rules shall include Act on Assessment Procedure (verotusmenettelystä annettu laki (1558/1995)) sections 27 - 30, Act on the Taxation of Business Profits and Income from Professional Activities (elinkeinotulon verottamisesta annettu laki (360/1968)) section 6 a, subsection 9 and section 52 h and Act on the Taxation of Shareholders in Controlled Foreign Companies (ulkomaisten väliyhteisöjen osakkaiden verotuksesta annetun laki (1217/1994)). Any subsequent provisions replacing, amending or updating these anti-avoidance rules would also be included in this reservation. Finland shall notify the Depositary of any such subsequent provisions.
2. Finland reserves the right to exclude from the scope of [ Part VI of the MLI ] cases involving conduct for which the taxpayer or a person acting on the taxpayer’s behalf has been found guilty by a court of tax fraud or other tax related criminal offence in either [ Contracting State ]. For this purpose, Finland's domestic rules shall include the Criminal Code (rikoslaki (39/1889)) chapter 29 sections 1-4. Any subsequent provisions replacing, amending or updating these rules would also be included in this reservation. Finland shall notify the Depositary of any such subsequent provisions.
3. Finland reserves the right to exclude from the scope of [ Part VI of the MLI ] cases concerning items of income [ ] where there is no double taxation. Double taxation means that both [ Contracting States ] have imposed taxes in respect of the same taxable income [ ] giving rise to either additional tax charge, increase in tax liabilities or cancellation or reduction of losses, which could be used to offset taxable profits.
4. Finland reserves the right to exclude from the scope of [ Part VI of the MLI ]:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to non-residents, cases which concern taxable events giving rise to such taxes that occur before the reference date;
b) with respect to all other taxes, cases which concern taxes levied with respect to taxable periods that begin before the reference date.
For the purposes of this reservation, “the reference date” is the latest of:
(i) the date of entry into effect of [ the MLI ] in both [ Contracting States ] with respect to such taxes;
(ii) the first day of January of the calendar year next following the expiration of a period of six calendar months beginning on the date of the communication by the Depositary of the latest definitive reservation withdrawal or notification which results in the application of [ Part VI of the MLI ] between both [ Contracting States ]; and
(iii) where the case is a type of case that would be potentially eligible for arbitration as a result of the withdrawal, subsequent to the entry into effect of [ Part VI of the MLI ] as between both [ Contracting States ], of [ Contracting State ’s] reservation made pursuant to Article 28(2) or Article 19(12) [ of the MLI ], the first day of January of the calendar year next following the expiration of a period of six calendar months beginning on the date of the communication of the Depositary of the withdrawal of the reservation.
5. Finland reserves the right to exclude from the scope of [ Part VI of the MLI ] all cases where an application has been filed under the Convention on the Elimination of Double Taxation in Connection with the Adjustment of Profits of Associated Enterprises (90/436/EEC) - as amended, or under other instruments agreed by the member states of the European Union or under domestic rules which implement such instruments.
Pursuant to subparagraph a) of paragraph 2 of Article 28 of the MLI, Japan formulates the following reservations with respect to the scope of cases that shall be eligible for arbitration under the provisions of Part VI of the MLI:
1. Japan reserves the right to exclude from the scope of [ Part VI of the MLI ] with respect to [ the Convention ] cases falling within the provisions of [ paragraph 3 of Article 4 of the Convention ].
2. Where a reservation made by the other [ Contracting State ] pursuant to Article 28(2)(a) of [ the MLI ] exclusively excludes, whether or not by referring to its domestic law, from the scope of [ Part VI of the MLI ] cases of taxation in that other [ Contracting State ], Japan reserves the right to exclude from the scope of [ Part VI of the MLI ] with respect to that [ Convention ] cases of taxation in Japan which are analogous to the cases referred to in that other [ Contracting State´s ] reservation.
Article 26
1. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall exchange such information as is necessary for the carrying out of this Convention and of the domestic laws of the Contracting States concerning taxes covered by this Convention insofar as the taxation thereunder is in accordance with this Convention. Any information so exchanged shall be treated as secret and shall not be disclosed to any persons or authorities other than those concerned with the assessment or collection of the taxes which are the subject of this Convention.
2. In no case shall the provisions of paragraph 1 be construed so as to impose on a Contracting State the obligation:
a) to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws or the administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting State;
b) to supply particulars which are not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administration of that or of the other Contracting State; or
c) to supply information which would disclose any trade, business, industrial, commercial or professional secret or trade process, or information, the disclosure of which would be contrary to public policy.
Article 27
1. Each of the Contracting States shall endeavour to collect such taxes imposed by the other Contracting State as will ensure that any exemption or reduced rate of tax granted under this Convention by that other Contracting State shall not be enjoyed by persons not entitled to such benefits. The Contracting State making such collections shall be responsible to the other Contracting State for the sums thus collected.
2.In no case shall the provisions of paragraph 1 be construed so as to impose upon either of the Contracting States the obligation to carry out administrative measures at variance with the regulations and practices of the Contracting State endeavouring to collect the tax or which would be contrary to the public policy of that Contracting State.
Article 28
Nothing in this Convention shall affect the fiscal privileges of diplomatic or consular officials under the general rules of international law or under the provisions of special agreements.
ARTICLE 7 OF THE MLI – PREVENTION OF TREATY ABUSE (Principal purposes test provision)
Notwithstanding any provisions of [ the Convention ], a benefit under [ the Convention ] shall not be granted in respect of an item of income [ ] if it is reasonable to conclude, having regard to all relevant facts and circumstances, that obtaining that benefit was one of the principal purposes of any arrangement or transaction that resulted directly or indirectly in that benefit, unless it is established that granting that benefit in these circumstances would be in accordance with the object and purpose of the relevant provisions of [ the Convention ].
Article 29
1. This Convention shall be ratified and the instruments of ratification shall be exchanged at Tokyo as soon as possible.
2. This Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification and shall be applicable in both Contracting States as respects income for any taxable year beginning on or after the first day of January in the calendar year in which this Convention enters into force.
Article 30
This Convention shall continue in effect indefinitely but either of the Contracting States may, on or before the thirtieth day of June in any calendar year beginning after the expiration of a period of five years from the date of its entry into force, give to the other Contracting State, through the diplomatic channel, written notice of termination and, in such event, this Convention shall cease to be effective in both Contracting States as respects income for any taxable year beginning on or after the first day of January in the calendar year next following that in which the notice is given.
- - -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Convention.
DONE in duplicate at Helsinki on February 29, 1972 in the English language.
Exchange of notes
In determining, under paragraph 2 of Article 4 of the Convention, by mutual agreement of the status of an individual who is a resident of both Contracting States, consideration shall be taken of the rules as set out in paragraph 2 of Article 4 of the Draft Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, adopted in 1963 by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Footnotes
- 1.
In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 35 of the MLI, paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of this Convention by Republic of Finland:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Republic of Finland, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020;
and,
In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 35 of the MLI, paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of the Convention by Japan:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Japan, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 December 2019.
- 2.
In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 35 of the MLI, paragraph 1 of Article 17 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of this Convention by Republic of Finland:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Republic of Finland, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020;
and,
In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 35 of the MLI, paragraph 1 of Article 17 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of the Convention by Japan:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Japan, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 December 2019.
- 3.
In accordance with paragraph 9 of Article 28 and paragraph 6 of Article 29 of the MLI, paragraph 4 of Article 9 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of this Convention by the Republic of Finland:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to non-residents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2024; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by the Republic of Finland, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024;
and,
In accordance with paragraph 9 of Article 28 and paragraph 6 of Article 29 of the MLI, paragraph 4 of Article 9 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of the Convention by Japan:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to non-residents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2024; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Japan, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024.
- 4.
In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 35 of the MLI, the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of this Convention by Republic of Finland:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Republic of Finland, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020;
and,
In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 35 of the MLI, the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of the Convention by Japan:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Japan, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 December 2019
- 5.
In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 35 of the MLI, the second sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of this Convention by Republic of Finland:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Republic of Finland, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020;
and,
In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 35 of the MLI, the second sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 16 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of the Convention by Japan:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Japan, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 December 2019.
- 6.
In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 35 of the MLI, the second sentence of paragraph 2 of Article 16 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of this Convention by Republic of Finland:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Republic of Finland, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020;
and,
In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 35 of the MLI, the second sentence of paragraph 2 of Article 16 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of the Convention by Japan:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Japan, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 December 2019.
- 7.
In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 36 of the MLI, the provisions of Part VI (Arbitration) of the MLI has effect with respect to this Convention:
a) with respect to cases presented to the competent authority of a Contracting State on or after 1 June 2019; and
b) with respect to cases presented to the competent authority of a Contracting State prior to 1 June 2019, on the date when both Contracting States have notified the Secretary-General of the OECD that they have reached mutual agreement pursuant to paragraph 10 of Article 19 of the MLI (Mandatory Binding Arbitration), along with information regarding the date or dates on which such cases shall be considered to have been presented to the competent authority of a Contracting State (as described in subparagraph a) of paragraph 1 of Article 19 of the MLI (Mandatory Binding Arbitration)) according to the terms of that mutual agreement.
However, the scope of cases eligible for arbitration under the provisions of Part VI of the MLI is limited due to reservations formulated in accordance with subparagraph a) of paragraph 2 of Article 28 of the MLI by the Contracting States. See these reservations at the end of this box.
- 8.
In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 35 of the MLI, paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of this Convention by Republic of Finland:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Republic of Finland, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020;
and,
In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 35 of the MLI, paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the MLI has effect with respect to the application of the Convention by Japan:
a) with respect to taxes withheld at source on amounts paid or credited to nonresidents, where the event giving rise to such taxes occurs on or after 1 January 2020; and
b) with respect to all other taxes levied by Japan, for taxes levied with respect to taxable periods beginning on or after 1 December 2019.