Tax Treaty Unit

Overview

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 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.

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.

The Double Taxation Negotiating Team:

This team is appointed by Cabinet and comprises some members of the PDTT. The other Members of the PDTT provide technical support at each negotiation.

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.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Tax Treaty Unit:

The Tax Treaty Unit is responsible for the following:

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;
Provision of analytical and administrative support to Trinidad and Tobago’s team during negotiations;
Ratification and publication of Tax Treaties in a timely manner;
Maintenance of an up-to-date version of the Trinidad and Tobago Model Tax Treaty Convention;
Analysis of the impact of new and proposed domestic and international taxation rules on existing double taxation treaties and future negotiations;
Advice to stakeholders on the international aspects of taxation with particular emphasis on withholding taxes and double taxation treaties;
Coordination of local and overseas double taxation negotiations between Trinidad and Tobago and prospective treaty partners;
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; and
Provision of technical support to the Ministerial Committees responsible for the implementation of the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) standards and Global Forum matters on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago.

Legislation

Double Taxation Treaties

Contact Information

Tax Treaty Unit
Level 13, Finance Building
Eric Williams Financial Complex
Independence Square
Port-of-Spain

Telephone: (868) 612-9700, extensions: 1277 and 1269.
E-mail: taxtreaty@gov.tt

MINISTRY OF FINANCE