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SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 123.11
DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON 
INCOME WITH THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND 
ORDER 
30th December, 2001
 LEGAL NOTICE 34 of 2002.
Title.
Taxes on Income with the Republic of Finland Order.
Arrangements to 
have effect.
2. It is hereby declared - 
( a ) that the arrangements specified in the Agreement set
out in the Schedule to this Order have been made with
the Republic of Finland with a view to affording relief
from double taxation in relation to the following taxes
imposed by the laws of the Republic of Finland:
(i) the state income taxes (valtion tuloverot; de
statliga inkomstskatterna);
(ii) the corporate income tax (yhteisöjen tulovero;
inkomstskatten för samfund);
(iii) the communal tax (kunnallisvero;
kommunalskatten);
(iv) the church tax (kirkollisvero; kyrkoskatten);
(v) the tax withheld at source from interest
(korkotulon lähdevero; källskatten på
ränteinkomst); and
(vi) the tax withheld at source from non-residents'
income (rajoitetusti verovelvollisen lähdevero;
källskatten för begränsat skattskyldig);
( b ) that it is expedient that those arrangements should
have effect;
( c ) that the Agreement has entered into force on the 30th
December, 2001.
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DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME
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SCHEDULE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
MALTA AND THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND
FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION WITH
RESPECT TO TAXES ON INCOME
The Government of Malta and the Government of the Republic of Finland,
desiring to conclude an Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation with respect
to taxes on income, have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Persons covered
This Agreement shall apply to persons who are residents of one or both of
the Contracting States.
Article 2
Taxes covered
1. This Agreement shall apply to taxes on income imposed on behalf of a
Contracting State or of its local authorities, irrespective of the manner in which they
are levied.
2. There shall be regarded as taxes on income all taxes imposed on total
income, or on elements of income, including taxes on gains from the alienation of
movable or immovable property, as well as taxes on capital appreciation.
3. The existing taxes to which the Agreement shall apply are:
( a ) in Finland:
(i) the state income taxes (valtion tuloverot; de statliga
inkomstskatterna);
(ii) the corporate income tax (yhteisöjen tulovero; inkomstskatten för
samfund);
(iii) the communal tax (kunnallisvero; kommunalskatten);
(iv) the church tax (kirkollisvero; kyrkoskatten);
(v) the tax withheld at source from interest (korkotulon lähdevero;
källskatten på ränteinkomst); and
(vi) the tax withheld at source from non-residents’ income (rajoitetusti
verovelvollisen lähdevero; källskatten för begränsat skattskyldig);
(hereinafter referred to as ''Finnish tax'');
( b ) in Malta:
the income tax;
(hereinafter referred to as ''Malta tax'').
4. The Agreement shall apply also to any identical or substantially similar
taxes which are imposed after the date of signature of the Agreement in addition to,
or in place of, the existing taxes. The competent authorities of the Contracting States
shall notify each other of any significant changes which have been made in their
respective taxation laws.
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Article 3
General definitions
1. For the purposes of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
( a ) the term ''Finland'' means the Republic of Finland and, when used in a
geographical sense, means the territory of the Republic of Finland, and any area
adjacent to the territorial waters of the Republic of Finland within which, under the
laws of Finland and in accordance with international law, the rights of Finland with
respect to the exploration for and exploitation of the natural resources of the sea bed
and its sub-soil and of the superjacent waters may be exercised;
( b ) the term ''Malta'' means the Republic of Malta and, when used in a
geographical sense, means the Island of Malta, the Island of Gozo and the other
islands of the Maltese archipelago including the territorial waters thereof, as well as
any area of the sea bed, its sub-soil and the superjacent water column adjacent to the
territorial waters, wherein the Republic of Malta exercises sovereign rights,
jurisdiction, or control in accordance with international law and its national law,
including its legislation relating to the exploration of the continental shelf and
exploitation of its natural resources;
( c ) the term ''person'' includes an individual, a company and any other body of
persons;
( d ) the term ''company'' means any body corporate or any entity that is treated as
a body corporate for tax purposes;
( e ) 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;
( f ) the term ''national'' means:
(i) any individual possessing the nationality of a Contracting State;
(ii) any legal person, partnership or association deriving its status as such
from the laws in force in a Contracting State;
( g ) the term ''international traffic'' means any transport by a ship or aircraft
operated by an enterprise of a Contracting State, except when the ship or aircraft is
operated solely between places in the other Contracting State;
( h ) the term ''competent authority'' means:
(i) in Finland, the Ministry of Finance, its authorised representative
or the authority which, by the Ministry of Finance, is designated
as competent authority;
(ii) in Malta, the Minister responsible for finance or his authorised
representative.
2. As regards the application of the Agreement at any time by a Contracting
State, any term not defined therein shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have
the meaning that it has at that time under the law of that State for the purposes of the
taxes to which the Agreement applies, any meaning under the applicable tax laws of
that State prevailing over a meaning given to the term under other laws of that State.
Article 4
Residence
1. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term ''resident of a Contracting
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State'' means any person who, under the laws of that State, is liable to tax therein by
reason of his domicile, residence, place of management, place of incorporation
(registration) or any other criterion of a similar nature, and also includes that State
and any statutory body or local authority thereof. This term, however, does not
include any person who is liable to tax in that State in respect only of income from
sources in that State.
2. Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 an individual is a resident
of both Contracting States, then his status shall be determined as follows:
( a ) he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the State in which he has a
permanent home available to him; if he has a permanent home available
to him in both States, he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the
State with which his personal and economic relations are closer (centre
of vital interests);
( b ) if the State in which he has his centre of vital interests cannot be
determined, or if he has not a permanent home available to him in either
State, he shall be deemed to be a resident only of the State in which he
has an habitual abode;
( c ) if he has an habitual abode in both States or in neither of them, he shall
be deemed to be a resident only of the State of which he is a national;
( d ) if he is a national of both States or of neither of them, the competent
authorities of the Contracting States shall settle the question by mutual
agreement.
3. Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 a person other than an
individual is a resident of both Contracting States, the competent authorities of the
Contracting States shall settle the question by mutual agreement and determine the
mode of application of the Agreement to such person. In so settling and determining
the status of that person other than an individual, consideration shall be given to the
rules contained in paragraph 3 of Article 4 of the OECD Model Tax Convention,
adopted in 1992 (as amended from time to time), especially to the reference
concerning the place of effective management.
Article 5
Permanent establishment
1. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term ''permanent establishment''
means a fixed place of business through which the business of an enterprise is
wholly or partly carried on.
2. The term ''permanent establishment'' includes especially:
( a ) a place of management;
( b ) a branch;
( c ) an office;
( d ) a factory;
( e ) a workshop; and
( f ) a mine, an oil or gas well, a quarry or any other place of extraction of
natural resources including an offshore drilling site.
3. The term ''permanent establishment'' likewise encompasses:
( a ) a building site, a construction, assembly or installation project or
supervisory activities in connection therewith, but only where such site,
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project or activities continue for a period of more than twelve months;
( b ) the furnishing of services, including consultancy services, by an
enterprise through employees or other personnel engaged by the
enterprise for such purpose, but only where activities of that nature
continue (for the same or a connected project) within a Contracting
State for a period or periods aggregating more than twelve months
within any eighteen-month period.
4. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, the term
''permanent establishment'' shall be deemed not 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 of collecting information, for the
enterprise;
( e ) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of
carrying on, for the enterprise, any other activity of a preparatory or
auxiliary character;
( f ) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for any combination
of activities mentioned in sub-paragraphs ( a ) to ( e ), provided that the
overall activity of the fixed place of business resulting from this
combination is of a preparatory or auxiliary character.
5. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, where a person -
other than an agent of an independent status to whom paragraph 6 applies - is acting
on behalf of an enterprise and has, and habitually exercises, in a Contracting State an
authority to conclude contracts in the name of the enterprise, that enterprise shall be
deemed to have a permanent establishment in that State in respect of any activities
which that person undertakes for the enterprise, unless the activities of such person
are limited to those mentioned in paragraph 4 which, if exercised through a fixed
place of business, would not make this fixed place of business a permanent
establishment under the provisions of that paragraph.
6. An enterprise shall not be deemed to have a permanent establishment in a
Contracting State merely because it carries on business in that State through a
broker, general commission agent or any other agent of an independent status,
provided that such persons are acting in the ordinary course of their business. 
7. 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 State (whether through a permanent
establishment or otherwise), shall not of itself constitute either company a
permanent establishment of the other.
Article 6
Income from immovable property
1. Income derived by a resident of a Contracting State from immovable
property (including income from agriculture or forestry) situated in the other
Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
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2. ( a ) The term ''immovable property'' shall, subject to the provisions of sub-
paragraphs b) and c), have the meaning which it has under the law of the
Contracting State in which the property in question is situated.
( b ) The term ''immovable property'' shall in any case include buildings,
property accessory to immovable property, livestock and equipment
used in agriculture and forestry, rights to which the provisions of
general law respecting landed property apply, usufruct of immovable
property and rights to variable or fixed payments as consideration for
the working of, or the right to work, or to explore for, mineral deposits,
sources and other natural resources.
( c ) Ships and aircraft shall not be regarded as immovable property.
3. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply to income derived from the direct
use, letting, or use in any other form of immovable property.
4. Where the ownership of shares or other corporate rights in a company
entitles the owner of such shares or corporate rights to the enjoyment of immovable
property held by the company, the income from the direct use, letting, or use in any
other form of such right to enjoyment may be taxed in the Contracting State in which
the immovable property is situated.
5. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 3 shall also apply to the income from
immovable property of an enterprise and to income from immovable property used
for the performance of independent personal services.
Article 7
Business profits
1. The profits of an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in
that 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 the other State but
only so much of them as is attributable to that permanent establishment.
2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3, 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 determining 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 State in which the permanent establishment is situated or
elsewhere.
4. 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.
5. Where profits include items of income which are dealt with separately in
other Articles of this Agreement, then the provisions of those Articles shall not be
affected by the provisions of this Article.
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Article 8
Shipping and air transport
1. Profits of an enterprise of a Contracting State from the operation of ships or
aircraft in international traffic shall be taxable only in that State.
2. Profits of an enterprise of a Contracting State from the use, maintenance or
rental of containers (including trailers, barges and related equipment for the
transport of containers) used for the transport of goods or merchandise shall be
taxable only in that State, except where such containers are used for the transport of
goods or merchandise solely between places within the other Contracting State.
3. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall also apply to profits from the
participation in a pool, a joint business or an international operating agency.
Article 9
Associated enterprises
1. 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.
2. Where a Contracting State includes in the profits of an enterprise of that
State - and taxes accordingly - profits on which an enterprise of the other
Contracting State has been charged to tax in that other State and the profits so
included are profits which would have accrued to the enterprise of the first-
mentioned State if the conditions made between the two enterprises had been those
which would have been made between independent enterprises, then that other State
shall make an appropriate adjustment to the amount of tax charged therein on those
profits, where that other State considers the adjustment justified. In determining
such adjustment, due regard shall be had to the other provisions of this Agreement
and the competent authorities of the Contracting States shall if necessary consult
each other.
Article 10
Dividends
1. Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of Finland to a resident of
Malta may be taxed in Malta. However, such dividends may also be taxed in Finland
and according to Finnish law, but
( a ) if the beneficial owner of the dividends is a resident of Malta, the tax so
charged shall not exceed -
(i) 5 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends if the beneficial
owner is a company (other than a partnership) which controls
directly at least 10 per cent of the voting power in the company
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paying the dividends;
(ii) 15 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends in all other cases;
( b ) notwithstanding the provisions of sub-paragraph a), as long as an
individual resident in Finland is under Finnish tax law entitled to a tax
credit in respect of dividends paid by a company resident in Finland,
dividends paid by a company which is a resident of Finland to a resident
of Malta shall be taxable only in Malta if the beneficial owner of the
dividends is a resident of Malta.
2. Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of Malta to a resident of
Finland may be taxed in Finland. However, such dividends may also be taxed in
Malta and according to Maltese law, but -
( a ) if the beneficial owner of the dividends is a resident of Finland, no
Malta tax shall be charged on the gross amount of the dividends in
excess of the tax chargeable on the profits out of which the dividends
are paid;
( b ) notwithstanding the provisions of sub-paragraph ( a ), Malta tax shall not
exceed 15 per cent of the dividends if such dividends are paid out of
gains or profits earned in any year in respect of which the company is in
receipt of any benefit under the provisions regulating aids to industries
in Malta, and the shareholder submits returns and accounts to the
taxation authorities of Malta in respect of his income liable to Malta tax
for the relative year of assessment.
3. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not affect the taxation of the
company in respect of the profits out of which the dividends are paid.
4. 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 which is subjected to the same taxation treatment as income
from shares by the laws of the State of which the company making the distribution is
a resident.
5. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner
of the dividends, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the
other Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident,
through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State
independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the holding in
respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with such permanent
establishment or fixed base. In such case the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as
the case may be, shall apply.
6. Where a company which is a resident of a Contracting State derives profits
or income from the other Contracting State, that other State may not impose any tax
on the dividends paid by the company, except insofar as such dividends are paid to a
resident of that other State or insofar as the holding in respect of which the dividends
are paid is effectively connected with a permanent establishment or a fixed base
situated in that other State, nor subject the company's undistributed profits to a tax
on the company's undistributed profits, even if the dividends paid or the
undistributed profits consist wholly or partly of profits or income arising in such
other State.
Article 11
Interest
1. Interest arising in a Contracting State shall be taxable only in the other
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Contracting State if the beneficial owner of the interest is a resident of that other
State.
2. The term ''interest'' as used in this Article means income from debt-claims of
every kind, whether or not secured by mortgage and whether or not carrying a right
to participate in the debtor's profits, and in particular, income from government
securities and income from bonds or debentures, including premiums and prizes
attaching to such securities, bonds or debentures. Penalty charges for late payment
shall not be regarded as interest for the purpose of this Article.
3. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the
interest, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other
Contracting State in which the interest arises, through a permanent establishment
situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a
fixed base situated therein, and the debt-claim in respect of which the interest is paid
is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such
case the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.
4. Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the
beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the
interest, 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 beneficial owner in the
absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the
last-mentioned amount. In such 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 Agreement.
Article 12
Royalties
1. Royalties arising in a Contracting State shall be taxable only in the other
Contracting State if the beneficial owner of the royalties is a resident of that other
State.
2. 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, and films or tapes
for television or radio broadcasting, any patent, trade mark, design or model, plan,
secret formula or process, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or
scientific experience.
3. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the
royalties, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other
Contracting State in which the royalties arise, through a permanent establishment
situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a
fixed base situated therein, and the right or property in respect of which the royalties
are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In
such case the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.
4. Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the
beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the
royalties, 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
beneficial owner in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article
shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In such 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 Agreement.
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Article 13
Capital gains
1. Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting State from the alienation of
immovable property referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 6 and situated in the other
Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.
2. Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting State from the alienation of
shares or other corporate rights in a company deriving their value or the greater part
of their value directly or indirectly from immovable property which forms part of the
assets of the company and which is situated in the other Contracting State may be
taxed in that other State. In this paragraph the term ''shares'' does not include shares
quoted or listed on a recognised stock exchange.
3. Gains from the alienation of movable 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 movable property pertaining to a fixed base
available to a resident of a Contracting State in the other Contracting State for the
purpose of performing independent personal services, including such gains from the
alienation of such a permanent establishment (alone or with the whole enterprise) or
of such fixed base, may be taxed in that other State.
4. Gains derived by an enterprise of a Contracting State from the alienation of
ships or aircraft operated in international traffic or movable property pertaining to
the operation of such ships or aircraft, shall be taxable only in that State.
5. Gains derived by an enterprise of a Contracting State from the alienation of
containers (including trailers, barges and related equipment for the transport of
containers) used for the transport of goods or merchandise shall be taxable only in
that State, except where such containers are used for the transport of goods or
merchandise solely between places within the other Contracting State.
6. Gains from the alienation of any property other than that referred to in the
preceding paragraphs of this Article, shall be taxable only in the Contracting State of
which the alienator is a resident.
Article 14
Independent personal services
1. Income derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of
professional services or other activities of an independent character shall be taxable
only in that State except in the following circumstances, when such income may also
be taxed in the other Contracting State:
( a ) if he has a fixed base regularly available to him in that other State for
the purpose of performing his activities; in that case, only so much of
the income as is attributable to that fixed base may be taxed in that other
State; or
( b ) if his stay in that other State is for a period or periods amounting to or
exceeding in the aggregate 183 days within any twelve-month period
commencing or ending in the calendar year concerned; in that case, only
so much of the income as is derived from his activities performed in that
other State during such period or periods may be taxed in that other
State.
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.
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Article 15
Dependent personal services
1. Subject to the provisions of Articles 16, 18 and 19, 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 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 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 State if:
( a ) the recipient is present in the other State for a period or periods not
exceeding in the aggregate 183 days within any twelve-month period
commencing or ending in the calendar year concerned, and
(b) the remuneration is paid by, or on behalf of, an employer who is not a
resident of the other State, and
(c) the remuneration is not borne by a permanent establishment or a fixed
base which the employer has in the other State.
3. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, remuneration
derived 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
State.
Article 16
Directors' fees
Directors' fees and other similar payments derived by a resident of a
Contracting State in his capacity as a member of the board of directors or any other
similar organ of a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State may be
taxed in that other State.
Article 17
Artistes and sportsmen
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 14 and 15, income derived by a
resident of a Contracting State as an entertainer, such as a theatre, motion picture,
radio or television artiste, or a musician, or as a sportsman, from his personal
activities as such exercised in the other Contracting State, may be taxed in that other
State.
2. Where income in respect of personal activities exercised by an entertainer or
a sportsman in his capacity as such accrues not to the entertainer or sportsman
himself but to another person, that income may, notwithstanding the provisions of
Articles 7, 14 and 15, be taxed in the Contracting State in which the activities of the
entertainer or sportsman are exercised.
Article 18
Pensions, annuities and similar payments
1. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 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 State.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, and subject to the provisions
of paragraph 2 of Article 19, pensions paid and other benefits, whether periodic or
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lump-sum compensation, awarded under the social security legislation of a
Contracting State or under any public scheme organised by a Contracting State for
social welfare purposes, or any annuity arising in a Contracting State, shall be
taxable only in that State. 
3. The term ''annuity'' as used in this Article means a stated sum payable
periodically at stated times during life, or during a specified or ascertainable period
of time, under an obligation to make the payments in return for adequate and full
consideration in money or money’s worth (other than services rendered).
Article 19
Government service
1. ( a ) Salaries, wages and other similar remuneration, other than a pension,
paid by a Contracting State or a statutory body or a local authority
thereof to an individual in respect of services rendered to that State or
body or authority shall be taxable only in that State.
( b ) However, such salaries, wages and other similar remuneration shall be
taxable only in the Contracting State of which the individual is a
resident if the services are rendered in that State and the individual -
(i) is a national of that State; or
(ii) did not become a resident of that State solely for the purpose of
rendering the services.
2. ( a ) Any pension paid by, or out of funds created by, a Contracting State or a
statutory body or a local authority thereof to an individual in respect of
services rendered to that State or body or authority shall be taxable only
in that State.
( b ) However, such pension shall be taxable only in the Contracting State of
which the individual is a resident if he is a national of that State.
3. The provisions of Articles 15, 16, 17 and 18 shall apply to salaries, wages
and other similar remuneration, and to pensions, in respect of services rendered in
connection with a business carried on by a Contracting State or a statutory body or a
local authority thereof.
Article 20
Students and trainees
A student, trainee or 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 in
the first-mentioned State on payments received from outside that first-mentioned
State for the purpose of his maintenance, education or training.
Article 21
Other income
1. Items of income of a resident of a Contracting State, wherever arising, not
dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this Agreement shall be taxable only in that
State.
2. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not apply to income, other than income
from immovable property as defined in paragraph 2 of Article 6, if the recipient of
such income, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other
Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in
DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME
WITH THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND g S.L.123.11 13
that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and
the right or property in respect of which the income is paid is effectively connected
with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case the provisions of
Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply.
Article 22
Elimination of double taxation
1.  Subject to the provisions of Finnish law regarding the elimination of
international double taxation (which shall not affect the general principle hereof),
double taxation shall be eliminated in Finland as follows:
( a ) Where a resident of Finland derives income which, in accordance with
the provisions of this Agreement, may be taxed in Malta, Finland shall,
subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph b), allow as a deduction from
the Finnish tax of that person, an amount equal to the Malta tax paid
under Maltese law and in accordance with the Agreement, as computed
by reference to the same income by reference to which the Finnish tax is
computed.
( b ) Dividends paid by a company being a resident of Malta to a company
which is a resident of Finland and which 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 provision of the Agreement income
derived by a resident of Finland is exempt from tax in Finland, Finland
may nevertheless, in calculating the amount of tax on the remaining
income of such person, take into account the exempted income.
2. In Malta double taxation shall be eliminated as follows:
Subject to the provisions of the law of Malta regarding the allowance of
a credit against Malta tax in respect of foreign tax, where, in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement, there is included in a Malta
assessment income from sources within Finland, the Finnish tax on such
income shall be allowed as a credit against the relative Malta tax
payable thereon.
Article 23
Limitation of relief
The provisions of Articles 6 to 21 shall not apply to persons entitled to any
special tax benefit under:
( a ) a law of a Contracting State which has been identified in an Exchange
of Notes between the Governments of the Contracting States; or
( b ) any substantially similar law subsequently enacted.
Article 24
Non-discrimination
1. 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 State in the same circumstances, in particular with respect to
residence, are or may be subjected. This provision shall, notwithstanding the
provisions of Article 1, also apply to persons who are not residents of one or both of
the Contracting States.
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DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME
WITH THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND
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 State than the taxation levied on enterprises of that other 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. Except where the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 9, paragraph 4 of
Article 11, or paragraph 4 of Article 12 apply, interest, royalties and other
disbursements paid by an enterprise of a Contracting State to a resident of the other
Contracting State shall, for the purpose of determining the taxable profits of such
enterprise, be deductible under the same conditions as if they had been paid to a
resident of the first-mentioned State.
4. 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 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 the first-
mentioned State are or may be subjected.
Article 25
Mutual agreement procedure
1. Where a person considers that the actions of one or both of the Contracting
States result or will result for him in taxation not in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement, he may, irrespective of the remedies provided by the domestic
law of those States, present his case to the competent authority of the Contracting
State of which he is a resident or, if his case comes under paragraph 1 of Article 24,
to that of the Contracting State of which he is a national. 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 Agreement.
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 a satisfactory solution, to resolve the
case by mutual agreement with the competent authority of the other Contracting
State, with a view to the avoidance of taxation which is not in accordance with the
Agreement. 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 the Agreement. They may also consult together for
the elimination of double taxation in cases not provided for in the Agreement.
4. The competent authorities of the Contracting States may communicate with
each other directly, including through a joint commission consisting of themselves
or their representatives, for the purpose of reaching an agreement in the sense of the
preceding paragraphs.
Article 26
Exchange of information
1. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall exchange such
information as is necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Agreement or of
the domestic laws of the Contracting States concerning taxes covered by the
Agreement insofar as the taxation thereunder is not contrary to the Agreement. The
DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME
WITH THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND g S.L.123.11 15
exchange of information is not restricted by Article 1. Any information received by a
Contracting State shall be treated as secret in the same manner as information
obtained under the domestic laws of that State and shall be disclosed only to persons
or authorities (including courts and administrative bodies) concerned with the
assessment or collection of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the
determination of appeals in relation to, the taxes covered by the Agreement. Such
persons or authorities shall use the information only for such purposes. They may
disclose the information in public court proceedings or in judicial decisions.
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 and
administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting State;
( b ) to supply information which is not obtainable under the laws or in the
normal course of the administration of that or of the other Contracting
State;
( 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
( ordre public ).
Article 27
Members of diplomatic missions and consular posts
Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the fiscal privileges of members of
diplomatic missions or consular posts under the general rules of international law or
under the provisions of special agreements.
Article 28
Entry into force
1. The Governments of the Contracting States shall notify each other that the
legal requirements for the entry into force of this Agreement have been complied
with.
2. The Agreement shall enter into force thirty days after the date of the later of
the notifications referred to in paragraph 1 and its provisions shall have effect:
( a ) in Finland:
(i) in respect of taxes withheld at source, on income derived on or
after 1 January in the calendar year next following the year in
which the Agreement enters into force;
(ii) in respect of other taxes on income, for taxes chargeable for any
tax year beginning on or after 1 January in the calendar year next
following the year in which the Agreement enters into force;
( b ) in Malta:
in respect of taxes on income derived during any calendar year or
accounting period, as the case may be, beginning on or after 1
January immediately following the date on which the Agreement
enters into force.
3. The Agreement between Malta and Finland for the avoidance of double
taxation with respect to taxes on income and on capital, signed at Helsinki on 24
March 1975, (hereinafter referred to as ''the 1975 Agreement''), shall cease to have
effect with respect to taxes to which this Agreement applies in accordance with the
16 g S.L.123.11
DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME
WITH THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND
provisions of paragraph 2. The 1975 Agreement shall terminate on the last date on
which it has effect in accordance with the foregoing provision of this paragraph.
Article 29
Termination
This Agreement shall remain in force until terminated by a Contracting
State. Either Contracting State may terminate the Agreement, through diplomatic
channels, by giving notice of termination at least six months before the end of any
calendar year following after the period of five years from the date on which the
Agreement enters into force. In such event, the Agreement shall cease to have effect:
( a ) in Finland:
(i) in respect of taxes withheld at source, on income derived on or
after 1 January in the calendar year next following the year in
which the notice is given;
(ii) in respect of other taxes on income, for taxes chargeable for any
tax year beginning on or after 1 January in the calendar year next
following the year in which the notice is given;
( b ) in Malta:
in respect of taxes on income derived during any calendar year or
accounting period, as the case may be, beginning on or after 1
January immediately following the date on which the notice is
given.
In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto, have signed this
Agreement.
Done in duplicate at Rome this 30th day of October 2000, in the English language.
Joseph Cassar Dieter Vitzthum
For the Government of For the Government of
Malta the Republic of Finland
DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME
WITH THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND g S.L.123.11 17
Mr Joseph Cassar
Ambassador of the Republic of Malta
Rome
Your Excellency,
I have the honour to refer to the Agreement between the Republic of Finland
and Malta for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income
(hereinafter referred to as ''the Agreement'') which has been signed today and to
propose on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Finland the following:
With reference to Article 23
The provisions of Articles 6 to 21 of the Agreement shall not apply to
persons who are entitled to:
( a ) a special tax benefit under the Malta Financial Services Centre Act
(Cap. 330), except for those persons who opt under section 41 of the
said Act to be subject to the normal provisions of the Income Tax Act
(Cap. 123) and of the Income Tax Management Act, 1994; or
( b ) exemption or any other special tax benefit under the provisions of the
Merchant Shipping Act, 1973, as amended; this does not, however,
apply to income that is subject to the normal Malta income tax; or 
( c ) any special tax benefit in respect of distributions by a trust subject to
the provisions of the Trusts Act given that a trust as laid down in that
Act is not vested with legal personality and therefore cannot benefit
under the Agreement in its own right, or 
( d ) any special tax benefit under any substantially similar law subsequently
enacted and which is agreed by the competent authorities of the
Contracting States as included within the terms of Article 23.
If the foregoing proposals are acceptable to the Government of Malta, I have
the honour to suggest that the present Note and Your Excellency’s reply to that
effect should be regarded as constituting an agreement between the two
Governments in this matter, which shall enter into force at the same time as the entry
into force of the Agreement.
I avail myself of this opportunity to extend to you, Your Excellency, the
assurance of my highest consideration.
Rome, 30 October 2000 Dieter Vitzthum
Ambassador of Finland
18 g S.L.123.11
DOUBLE TAXATION RELIEF ON TAXES ON INCOME
WITH THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND
Mr Dieter Vitzhum
Ambassador of Finland
Rome
Your Excellency,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency’s Note of
today’s date which reads as follows:
''I have the honour to refer to the Agreement between the Republic of Finland and
Malta for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income
(hereinafter referred to as ''the Agreement'') which has been signed today and to
propose on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Finland the following:
With reference to Article 23
The provisions of Articles 6 to 21 of the Agreement shall not apply to
persons who are entitled to:
( a ) a special tax benefit under the Malta Financial Services Centre Act
(Cap. 330), except for those persons who opt under section 41 of the
said Act to be subject to the normal provisions of the Income Tax Act
(Cap. 123) and of the Income Tax Management Act, 1994; or
( b ) exemption or any other special tax benefit under the provisions of the
Merchant Shipping Act, 1973, as amended; this does not, however,
apply to income that is subject to the normal Malta income tax; or 
( c ) any special tax benefit in respect of distributions by a trust subject to
the provisions of the Trusts Act given that a trust as laid down in that
Act is not vested with legal personality and therefore cannot benefit
under the Agreement in its own right, or 
( d ) any special tax benefit under any substantially similar law subsequently
enacted and which is agreed by the competent authorities of the
Contracting States as included within the terms of Article 23.
If the foregoing proposals are acceptable to the Government of Malta, I have
the honour to suggest that the present Note and Your Excellency’s reply to that
effect should be regarded as constituting an agreement between the two
Governments in this matter, which shall enter into force at the same time as the entry
into force of the Agreement.''
The foregoing proposals being also acceptable to the Government of Malta, I
have the honour to confirm that Your Excellency’s Note and this reply shall be
regarded as constituting an agreement between the two Governments in this matter,
which shall enter into force at the same time as the entry into force of the
Agreement.
I take this opportunity to renew to you, Your Excellency, the assurance of
my highest consideration.
Rome, 30 October 2000 Joseph Cassar
Ambassador of Malta
