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Montaigne(Newbie)Newbie
26 Nov 2023

Hello,

I am seeking clarification on the Double Taxation Agreement between Australia and France, and more precisely Article 13 (Alienation of Property) Paragraph 1, which states:

  1. Income, profits or gains derived by a resident of a Contracting State from the alienation of real property situated in the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

This is a standard DTA and the AU-US DTA has the same provisions for example.

My interpretation is that a tax resident of Australia selling an investment property in France will be taxed on the profit / capital gains in France.

Now, where I am not 100% clear is whether the seller is taxed ONLY in France and fully exempted of CGT in Australia, since this agreement does not mention any taxation in the resident State,

OR is the seller taxed first in France on their CGT and getting a Foreign Tax Credit from this that offsets a CGT to be paid in Australia?

I don't think the latter is correct since there is nothing to that effect in the Double Taxation Agreement, but would like to have certainty so this can be budgeted correctly.

Thanking you in advance.

Reference: https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/2009/13.html


2,389 views
3 replies
2,389 views
3 replies

Most helpful response

Most helpful reply

Deb_ATO(Community Support)Community Support
11 Dec 2023

Hi @Montaigne


I’m glad you asked for clarification.

I have your answer.

 

Yes, as an Australian tax resident you must declare the gain in your income tax return.

You'll be taxed on any capital gains made on an overseas property. 

 

That’s where the Foreign Income tax offset comes into play.

You may be eligible for the Foreign income tax offset.

This'll help you from being taxed twice.


Check out our further info on I am eligible for a Foreign income tax offset


All replies

Most helpful reply

Deb_ATO(Community Support)Community Support
11 Dec 2023

Hi @Montaigne


I’m glad you asked for clarification.

I have your answer.

 

Yes, as an Australian tax resident you must declare the gain in your income tax return.

You'll be taxed on any capital gains made on an overseas property. 

 

That’s where the Foreign Income tax offset comes into play.

You may be eligible for the Foreign income tax offset.

This'll help you from being taxed twice.


Check out our further info on I am eligible for a Foreign income tax offset


Montaigne(Newbie)Newbie
11 Dec 2023

Hi @Deb_ATO,


Thank you for the link, I had not been able to find it in my research.

Reading this, I understand how to calculate the FITO now, which in essence neutralises the Australian taxation on the foreign income. So we calculate how much Australian tax we should pay on the total income, then calculate how much Australian tax we should pay on just the Australian income and the difference between the 2 is the tax offset we can deduct.


What is not explained however is how the eligibility for FITO is dependent or not on having a Double Taxation Agreement in place between the 2 countries?

Or is the possibility to claim FITO available either way?

Deb_ATO(Community Support)Community Support
12 Dec 2023

Hi @Montaigne


You’re very welcome.


I can see you have more questions.

I can help with that.


The foreign income tax must be correctly imposed under the relevant foreign law and in accordance with any tax treaty the country has with Australia.


Check out this great example on Foreign Tax.

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Au-FR Double Taxation Agreement | ATO Community