Resolução da Assembleia da República n.º 35/2006

Âmbito geral

1 -A presente Convenção é aplicável aos juros pagos por um agente pagador estabelecido no território de um dos Estados Contratantes, a fim de dar a possibilidade de aplicar uma tributação efectiva aos rendimentos da poupança sob a forma de juros pagos num dos Estados Contratantes aos beneficiários efectivos que sejam pessoas singulares residentes, por motivos fiscais, no outro Estado Contratante, em conformidade com a legislação deste último.
2 -O âmbito de aplicação da presente Convenção será limitado à tributação dos rendimentos da poupança sob a forma de juros relativos a créditos, excluindo nomeadamente as questões relacionadas com a tributação das pensões e das prestações de seguros.
3 -No que diz respeito ao Reino dos Países Baixos, o presente acordo é aplicável exclusivamente a Aruba.

Definições

1 -Para os fins da presente Convenção, salvo indicação em contrário, entende-se por:
1. a)«Um Estado Contratante» e «o outro Estado Contratante», respectivamente, o Reino dos Países Baixos, relativamente a Aruba, ou Portugal, conforme o contexto assim o exigir;
2. b)«Aruba» a parte do Reino dos Países Baixos situada na zona das Caraíbas composta pela ilha de Aruba;
3. c)«A Parte Contratante» que constitui o Estado membro da União Europeia é Portugal;
4. d)«Directiva» a Directiva n.º 2003/48/CE, do Conselho da União Europeia, de 3 de Junho, relativa à tributação dos rendimentos da poupança sob a forma de juros, aplicável a partir da data de assinatura da presente Convenção;
5. e)«Beneficiário efectivo» o beneficiário efectivo, na acepção do artigo 2.º da directiva;
6. f)«Agente pagador» o agente pagador, na acepção do artigo 4.º da directiva;
7. g)«Autoridade competente»:
  1. i)No caso de Aruba: o Ministro das Finanças ou o seu representante autorizado;
  2. ii)No caso de Portugal: a autoridade competente desse Estado, na acepção do artigo 5.º da directiva;
8. h)«Juro» o juro na acepção do artigo 6.º da directiva, tendo devidamente em conta o seu artigo 15.º;
9. i)Qualquer termo não definido de outro modo na Convenção terá o significado que lhe foi dado na directiva.
2 -Para os fins da presente Convenção, ler, nas disposições da directiva para que remete a presente Convenção, «Estados Contratantes», em vez de «Estados membros».

Identidade e determinação do lugar de residência dos beneficiários efectivos

Cada Estado Contratante deve adoptar e garantir a aplicação, no seu território, dos procedimentos necessários para permitir que o agente pagador identifique os beneficiários efectivos e o respectivo local de residência para os fins do artigo 4.º Esses procedimentos serão consentâneos com as normas mínimas estabelecidas nos n.os 2 e 3 do artigo 3.º da directiva, sendo ponto assente que, relativamente a Aruba, no que diz respeito às alíneas a) do n.º 2 e a) do n.º 3 deste artigo, a identidade e residência do beneficiário efectivo serão estabelecidas com base nas informações de que dispõe o agente pagador através da aplicação das disposições legislativas e regulamentares pertinentes de Aruba.

Artigo 4.º

Troca automática de informação

1 -A autoridade competente do Estado Contratante onde o agente pagador está estabelecido comunicará as informações referidas no artigo 8.º da directiva à autoridade competente do Estado Contratante de residência do beneficiário efectivo.
2 -A comunicação das informações será automática e será efectuada pelo menos uma vez por ano, no prazo de seis meses após o termo do exercício fiscal do Estado Contratante do agente pagador, em relação a todos os juros pagos durante esse exercício.
3 -A troca de informação no âmbito da presente Convenção será tratada pelos Estados Contratantes em conformidade com o disposto no artigo 7.º da Directiva n.º 77/799/CEE.

Artigo 5.º

Transposição

Os Estados Contratantes aprovarão e publicarão, antes de 1 de Janeiro de 2005, as disposições legislativas, regulamentares e administrativas necessárias para dar cumprimento à presente Convenção.

Artigo 6.º

Anexo

Os textos da directiva e do artigo 7.º da Directiva n.º 77/799/CEE, do Conselho da União Europeia, de 19 de Dezembro, relativa à assistência mútua das autoridades competentes dos Estados membros no domínio dos impostos directos e indirectos, aplicáveis na data da assinatura da presente Convenção, estão apensos enquanto anexo à Convenção, da qual fazem parte integrante. O texto do artigo 7.º da Directiva n.º 77/799/CEE nesse anexo será substituído pelo texto do mesmo artigo na Directiva n.º 77/799/CEE revista, caso esta última entre em vigor antes da data a partir da qual entrarão em vigor as disposições da presente Convenção.

Artigo 7.º

Entrada em vigor

A presente Convenção entrará em vigor no 30.º dia após a última das datas em que os respectivos Governos se tiverem reciprocamente notificado por escrito que foram observadas as formalidades exigidas constitucionalmente nos respectivos Estados, e as suas disposições produzirão efeitos a partir da data em que a directiva for aplicável, em conformidade com os n.os 2 e 3 do artigo 17.º da directiva.

Artigo 8.º

Denúncia

A presente Convenção permanecerá em vigor até que ela seja denunciada por um dos Estados Contratantes. Qualquer um dos Estados poderá denunciar a Convenção, pelas vias diplomáticas, mediante aviso pelo menos seis meses antes do termo do ano civil, depois de findo um período de três anos a contar da data da respectiva entrada em vigor. Em tal eventualidade, a Convenção deixará de produzir efeitos nos períodos iniciados após o termo do ano civil em que foi comunicado o aviso de denúncia.

Feito nas línguas portuguesa, inglesa e neerlandesa, fazendo igualmente fé qualquer dos textos. Caso exista alguma divergência de interpretação entre as diferentes versões linguísticas, prevalecerão os textos em língua inglesa.

Pela República Portuguesa:

(ver documento original)

Pelo Reino dos Países Baixos, relativamente a Aruba:

(ver documento original)

ANEXO

Anexo

Artigo 7.º

Disposições relativas ao sigilo

1 -Todas as informações de que um Estado membro tome conhecimento em aplicação da presente directiva são consideradas secretas nesse Estado, do mesmo modo que as informações obtidas em aplicação da sua legislação nacional. Em todo o caso, as referidas informações:
Serão facultadas só às pessoas directamente ligadas ao estabelecimento do imposto ou ao controlo administrativo do imposto;
Só serão divulgadas para efeitos do processo judicial, de processo penal ou de processo que implique a aplicação de sanções administrativas, instauradas para o estabelecimento ou o controlo do estabelecimento do imposto ou com eles relacionados, e unicamente às pessoas que intervenham directamente nesses processos; podem, todavia, divulgar-se as referidas informações no decurso de audiências públicas ou em julgamento, se a autoridade competente do Estado membro que presta as informações não apresentar objecções no momento em que presta as informações pela primeira vez;
Não serão utilizadas, em caso algum, para outros fins que não sejam fiscais ou para efeitos de processo judicial, de processo penal ou de processo que implique a aplicação de sanções administrativas, instaurados para o estabelecimento ou o controlo do estabelecimento do imposto, ou com ele relacionados.
Além disso, os Estados membros podem prever que as informações referidas no primeiro subparágrafo sejam utilizadas para o estabelecimento de outras quotizações, direitos e impostos a que se refere o artigo 2.º da Directiva n.º 76/308/CEE.
2 -O disposto no n.º 1 não impõe a um Estado membro, cuja legislação ou prática administrativa estabeleçam, para efeitos internos, limitações mais restritas do que as contidas no referido n.º 1, que forneça informações se o Estado interessado não se comprometer a respeitar tais restrições.
3 -Em derrogação do disposto no n.º 1, a autoridade competente do Estado membro que fornece as informações pode autorizar a utilização dessas informações para outros fins, no Estado requerente, desde que, de acordo com a sua própria legislação, a sua utilização seja possível para os mesmos fins, nas mesmas circunstâncias.
4 -Quando a autoridade competente de um Estado membro considere que as informações que obteve da autoridade competente de outro Estado membro são susceptíveis de serem úteis para a autoridade competente de um terceiro Estado membro, pode transmiti-las a esta última com o acordo da autoridade competente que as tenha fornecido.
AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS ON THE TAXATION OF SAVINGS INCOME AND THE PROVISIONAL APPLICATION THEREOF.
A - Letter from the Portuguese Republic
Sir:
I have the honour to refer to the texts of respectively the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of the Netherlands Antilles, and Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of the Netherlands Antilles, and the EU member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Aruba, and the EU member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments and the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Aruba, and Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, that resulted from the negotiations with the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba on a savings tax agreement, and that were annexed, respectively as annex I, II, III and IV, to the Outcome of Proceedings of the High Level Working Party of the Council of Ministers of the European Union of 12th March (doc. 7660/04 FISC 68).
In view of the above mentioned texts, I have the honour to propose to you the Convention Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments as contained in appendix no. 1 to this letter, and our mutual undertaking to comply at the earliest possible date with our internal constitutional formalities for the entry into force of this Convention and to notify each other without delay when such formalities are completed.
Pending the completion of these internal procedures and the entry into force of this Convention Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, I have the honour to propose to you that Portugal and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba apply this Convention provisionally, within the framework of our respective domestic constitutional requirements, as from 1st January 2005, or the date of application of Council Directive no. 2003/48/EC, of the 3rd June 2003, on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, whichever is later.
I have the honour to propose that, if the above is acceptable to your Government, this letter and your confirmation shall together constitute an agreement between Portugal and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of our highest consideration.
For the Portuguese Republic:
Maria Manuela Dias Ferreira Leite, Minister of State and Finance.
Done at Lisbon, on 22nd June 2004, in the English language, in three copies.
B - Letter from Aruba
Sir:
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows:
Sir:
I have the honour to refer to the texts of respectively the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of the Netherlands Antilles, and Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of the Netherlands Antilles, and the EU member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Aruba, and the EU member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments and the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Aruba, and Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, that resulted from the negotiations with the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba on a savings tax agreement, and that were annexed, respectively as annex I, II, III and IV, to the Outcome of Proceedings of the High Level Working Party of the Council of Ministers of the European Union of 12th March (doc. 7660/04 FISC 68).
In view of the above mentioned texts, I have the honour to propose to you the Convention Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments as contained in appendix no. 1 to this letter, and our mutual undertaking to comply at the earliest possible date with our internal constitutional formalities for the entry into force of this Convention and to notify each other without delay when such formalities are completed.
Pending the completion of these internal procedures and the entry into force of this Convention Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, I have the honour to propose to you that Portugal and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba apply this Convention provisionally, within the framework of our respective domestic constitutional requirements, as from 1st January 2005, or the date of application of Council Directive no. 2003/48/EC, of the 3rd June 2003, on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, whichever is later.
I have the honour to propose that, if the above is acceptable to your Government, this letter and your confirmation shall together constitute an Agreement between Portugal and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of our highest consideration.
I am able to confirm that Aruba is in agreement with the contents of your letter.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.
For Aruba:
(ver documento original)
Done at The Hague, on 9th November 2004, in the English language, in three copies.
APPENDIX 1
CONVENTION BETWEEN THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS IN RESPECT OF ARUBA AND THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC CONCERNING THE AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ABOUT SAVINGS INCOME IN THE FORM OF INTEREST PAYMENTS.
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba and Portugal, desiring to conclude a convention which enables savings income in the form of interest payments made in one of the Contracting States to beneficial owners who are individuals resident in the other Contracting State, to be made subject to effective taxation in accordance with the laws of the latter Contracting State, in conformity with Directive no. 2003/48/EC, of the Council of the European Union, of the 3rd June 2003, on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, have agreed as follows:
Article 1
General scope
1 -This Convention shall apply to interest paid by a paying agent established within the territory of one of the Contracting States with a view to enable savings income in the form of interest payments made in one Contracting State to beneficial owners who are individuals resident for tax purposes in the other Contracting State to be made subject to effective taxation in accordance with the laws of the latter Contracting State.
2 -The scope of this Convention shall be limited to taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments on debt claims, to the exclusion, inter alia, of the issues relating to the taxation of pension and insurance benefits.
3 -As regards the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this Agreement shall apply only to Aruba.
Article 2
Definitions
1 -For the purposes of this Convention, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. a)The term «a Contracting State» and «the other Contracting State» mean the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba or Portugal as the context requires;
2. b)The term «Aruba» means that part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that is situated in the Caribbean area and consisting of the Island Aruba;
3. c)The «Contracting Party» being a Member State of the European Union means Portugal;
4. d)The term «directive» means Directive no. 2003/48/EC, of the Council of the European Union, of the 3rd June 2003, on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, as applicable at the date of signing this Convention;
5. e)The term «beneficial owner» means the beneficial owner according to article 2 of the directive;
6. f)The term «paying agent» means the paying agent according to article 4 of the directive;
7. g)The term «competent authority» means:
  1. i)In the case of Aruba: The Minister of Finance or his authorised representative;
  2. ii)In the case of Portugal: the competent authority of that State according to article 5 of the directive;
8. h)The term «interest payment» means the interest payment according to article 6, due account being taken of article 15, of the directive;
9. i)Any term not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to it in the directive.
2 -For the purposes of this Convention, in the provisions of the directive to which this Convention refers, instead of «member States» has to be read «Contracting States».
Article 3
Identity and residence of beneficial owners
Each Contracting State shall, within its territory, adopt and ensure the application of the procedures necessary to allow the paying agent to identify the beneficial owners and their residence for the purpose of article 4. These procedures shall comply with the minimum standards established in article 3, paragraph 2 and 3, of the directive, with the provision that in regard to Aruba, in relation to subparagraphs 2, a), and 3, a), of that article, the identity and residence of the beneficial owner shall be established on the basis of the information which is available to the paying agent by virtue of the application of the relevant provisions of Aruban law and regulations.
Article 4
Automatic exchange of information
1 -The competent authority of the Contracting State where the paying agent is established shall communicate the information referred to in article 8 of the directive to the competent authority of the other Contracting State of residence of the beneficial owner.
2 -The communication of information shall be automatic and shall take place at least once a year, within six months following the end of the tax year of the Contracting State of the paying agent, for all interest payments made during that year.
3 -Information exchange under this Convention shall be treated by the Contracting States in a manner consistent with the provisions as set out in article 7 of Directive no. 77/799/EEC.
Article 5
Transposition
Before 1st January 2005 the Contracting States shall adopt and publish the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Convention.
Article 6
Annex
The texts of the directive and of article 7 of Directive no. 77/799/EEC, of the Council of the European Union, of the 19th December 1977, concerning mutual assistance by the competent authorities of the member States in the field of direct and indirect taxation, as applicable at the date of signing this Convention and to which this Convention refers, are appended as an annex to, and form an integral part of, this Convention. The text of article 7 of Directive no. 77/799/EEC in this annex shall be replaced by the text of the said article in the revised Directive no. 77/799/EEC if this revised directive enters into force before the date from which the provisions of this Convention shall take effect.
Article 7
Entry into force
This Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the latter of the dates on which the respective Governments have notified each other in writing that the formalities constitutionally required in their respective States have been complied with, and its provisions shall have effect from the date from which the directive is applicable according to article 17, paragraph 2 and 3, of the directive.
Article 8
Termination
This Convention shall remain in force until terminated by one of the Contracting States. Either State may terminate the Convention, through diplomatic channels, by giving notice of termination at least six months before the end of any calendar year after the expiration of a period of three years from the date of its entry into force. In such event the Convention shall cease to have effect for periods beginning after the end of the calendar year in which the notice of termination has been given.
Done in the Portuguese, English and Dutch languages all texts being equally authentic. In case there is any divergence of interpretation between the different language versions of the texts, the English text shall prevail.
For the Portuguese Republic:
(ver documento original)
For the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba:
(ver documento original)
ANNEX
Article 7
Provisions relating to secrecy
1 -All information made known to a member State under this directive shall be kept secret in that State in the same manner as information received under its national legislation. In any case, such information:
May be made available only to the persons directly involved in the assessment of the tax or in the administrative control of this assessment;
May be made known only in connection with judicial proceedings or administrative proceedings involving sanctions undertaken with a view to, or relating to, the making or reviewing the tax assessment and only to persons who are directly involved in such proceedings; such information may, however, be disclosed during public hearings or in judgements if the competent authority of the member State supplying the information raises no objection at the time when it first supplies the information;
Shall in no circumstances be used other than for taxation purposes or in connection with judicial proceedings or administrative proceedings involving sanctions undertaken with a view to, or in relation to, the making or reviewing of the tax assessment.
In addition, member States may provide for the information referred to in the first subparagraph to be used for assessment of other levies, duties and taxes covered by article 2 of Directive no. 76/308/EEC.
2 -Paragraph 1 shall not oblige a member State whose legislation or administrative practice lays down, for domestic purposes, narrower limits than those contained in the provisions of that paragraph, to provide information if the State concerned does not undertake to respect those narrower limits.
3 -Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the competent authorities of the member State providing the information may permit it to be used for other purposes in the requesting State, if, under the legislation of the informing State, the information could, in similar circumstances, be used in the informing State for similar purposes.
4 -Where a competent authority of a member State considers that information which it has received from the competent authority of another member State is likely to be useful to the competent authority of a third member State, it may transmit it to the latter competent authority with the agreement of the competent authority which supplied the information.
(ver texto em língua estrangeira no documento original)

Artigo 7.º

Disposições relativas ao sigilo

1 -Todas as informações de que um Estado membro tome conhecimento em aplicação da presente directiva são consideradas secretas nesse Estado, do mesmo modo que as informações obtidas em aplicação da sua legislação nacional. Em todo o caso, as referidas informações:
Serão facultadas só às pessoas directamente ligadas ao estabelecimento do imposto ou ao controlo administrativo do imposto;
Só serão divulgadas para efeitos do processo judicial, de processo penal ou de processo que implique a aplicação de sanções administrativas, instauradas para o estabelecimento ou o controlo do estabelecimento do imposto ou com eles relacionados, e unicamente às pessoas que intervenham directamente nesses processos; podem, todavia, divulgar-se as referidas informações no decurso de audiências públicas ou em julgamento, se a autoridade competente do Estado membro que presta as informações não apresentar objecções no momento em que presta as informações pela primeira vez;
Não serão utilizadas, em caso algum, para outros fins que não sejam fiscais ou para efeitos de processo judicial, de processo penal ou de processo que implique a aplicação de sanções administrativas, instaurados para o estabelecimento ou o controlo do estabelecimento do imposto, ou com ele relacionados.
Além disso, os Estados membros podem prever que as informações referidas no primeiro subparágrafo sejam utilizadas para o estabelecimento de outras quotizações, direitos e impostos a que se refere o artigo 2.º da Directiva n.º 76/308/CEE.
2 -O disposto no n.º 1 não impõe a um Estado membro, cuja legislação ou prática administrativa estabeleçam, para efeitos internos, limitações mais restritas do que as contidas no referido n.º 1, que forneça informações se o Estado interessado não se comprometer a respeitar tais restrições.
3 -Em derrogação do disposto no n.º 1, a autoridade competente do Estado membro que fornece as informações pode autorizar a utilização dessas informações para outros fins, no Estado requerente, desde que, de acordo com a sua própria legislação, a sua utilização seja possível para os mesmos fins, nas mesmas circunstâncias.
4 -Quando a autoridade competente de um Estado membro considere que as informações que obteve da autoridade competente de outro Estado membro são susceptíveis de serem úteis para a autoridade competente de um terceiro Estado membro, pode transmiti-las a esta última com o acordo da autoridade competente que as tenha fornecido.
AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS ON THE TAXATION OF SAVINGS INCOME AND THE PROVISIONAL APPLICATION THEREOF.
A - Letter from the Portuguese Republic
Sir:
I have the honour to refer to the texts of respectively the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of the Netherlands Antilles, and Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of the Netherlands Antilles, and the EU member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Aruba, and the EU member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments and the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Aruba, and Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, that resulted from the negotiations with the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba on a savings tax agreement, and that were annexed, respectively as annex I, II, III and IV, to the Outcome of Proceedings of the High Level Working Party of the Council of Ministers of the European Union of 12th March (doc. 7660/04 FISC 68).
In view of the above mentioned texts, I have the honour to propose to you the Convention Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments as contained in appendix no. 1 to this letter, and our mutual undertaking to comply at the earliest possible date with our internal constitutional formalities for the entry into force of this Convention and to notify each other without delay when such formalities are completed.
Pending the completion of these internal procedures and the entry into force of this Convention Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, I have the honour to propose to you that Portugal and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba apply this Convention provisionally, within the framework of our respective domestic constitutional requirements, as from 1st January 2005, or the date of application of Council Directive no. 2003/48/EC, of the 3rd June 2003, on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, whichever is later.
I have the honour to propose that, if the above is acceptable to your Government, this letter and your confirmation shall together constitute an agreement between Portugal and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of our highest consideration.
For the Portuguese Republic:
Maria Manuela Dias Ferreira Leite, Minister of State and Finance.
Done at Lisbon, on 22nd June 2004, in the English language, in three copies.
B - Letter from Aruba
Sir:
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows:
Sir:
I have the honour to refer to the texts of respectively the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of the Netherlands Antilles, and Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of the Netherlands Antilles, and the EU member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Aruba, and the EU member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments and the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in respect of Aruba, and Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg, Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, that resulted from the negotiations with the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba on a savings tax agreement, and that were annexed, respectively as annex I, II, III and IV, to the Outcome of Proceedings of the High Level Working Party of the Council of Ministers of the European Union of 12th March (doc. 7660/04 FISC 68).
In view of the above mentioned texts, I have the honour to propose to you the Convention Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments as contained in appendix no. 1 to this letter, and our mutual undertaking to comply at the earliest possible date with our internal constitutional formalities for the entry into force of this Convention and to notify each other without delay when such formalities are completed.
Pending the completion of these internal procedures and the entry into force of this Convention Concerning the Automatic Exchange of Information Regarding Savings Income in the Form of Interest Payments, I have the honour to propose to you that Portugal and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba apply this Convention provisionally, within the framework of our respective domestic constitutional requirements, as from 1st January 2005, or the date of application of Council Directive no. 2003/48/EC, of the 3rd June 2003, on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, whichever is later.
I have the honour to propose that, if the above is acceptable to your Government, this letter and your confirmation shall together constitute an Agreement between Portugal and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of our highest consideration.
I am able to confirm that Aruba is in agreement with the contents of your letter.
Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.
For Aruba:
(ver documento original)
Done at The Hague, on 9th November 2004, in the English language, in three copies.
APPENDIX 1
CONVENTION BETWEEN THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS IN RESPECT OF ARUBA AND THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC CONCERNING THE AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ABOUT SAVINGS INCOME IN THE FORM OF INTEREST PAYMENTS.
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba and Portugal, desiring to conclude a convention which enables savings income in the form of interest payments made in one of the Contracting States to beneficial owners who are individuals resident in the other Contracting State, to be made subject to effective taxation in accordance with the laws of the latter Contracting State, in conformity with Directive no. 2003/48/EC, of the Council of the European Union, of the 3rd June 2003, on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, have agreed as follows:
Article 1
General scope
1 -This Convention shall apply to interest paid by a paying agent established within the territory of one of the Contracting States with a view to enable savings income in the form of interest payments made in one Contracting State to beneficial owners who are individuals resident for tax purposes in the other Contracting State to be made subject to effective taxation in accordance with the laws of the latter Contracting State.
2 -The scope of this Convention shall be limited to taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments on debt claims, to the exclusion, inter alia, of the issues relating to the taxation of pension and insurance benefits.
3 -As regards the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this Agreement shall apply only to Aruba.
Article 2
Definitions
1 -For the purposes of this Convention, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. a)The term «a Contracting State» and «the other Contracting State» mean the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba or Portugal as the context requires;
2. b)The term «Aruba» means that part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that is situated in the Caribbean area and consisting of the Island Aruba;
3. c)The «Contracting Party» being a Member State of the European Union means Portugal;
4. d)The term «directive» means Directive no. 2003/48/EC, of the Council of the European Union, of the 3rd June 2003, on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, as applicable at the date of signing this Convention;
5. e)The term «beneficial owner» means the beneficial owner according to article 2 of the directive;
6. f)The term «paying agent» means the paying agent according to article 4 of the directive;
7. g)The term «competent authority» means:
  1. i)In the case of Aruba: The Minister of Finance or his authorised representative;
  2. ii)In the case of Portugal: the competent authority of that State according to article 5 of the directive;
8. h)The term «interest payment» means the interest payment according to article 6, due account being taken of article 15, of the directive;
9. i)Any term not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to it in the directive.
2 -For the purposes of this Convention, in the provisions of the directive to which this Convention refers, instead of «member States» has to be read «Contracting States».
Article 3
Identity and residence of beneficial owners
Each Contracting State shall, within its territory, adopt and ensure the application of the procedures necessary to allow the paying agent to identify the beneficial owners and their residence for the purpose of article 4. These procedures shall comply with the minimum standards established in article 3, paragraph 2 and 3, of the directive, with the provision that in regard to Aruba, in relation to subparagraphs 2, a), and 3, a), of that article, the identity and residence of the beneficial owner shall be established on the basis of the information which is available to the paying agent by virtue of the application of the relevant provisions of Aruban law and regulations.
Article 4
Automatic exchange of information
1 -The competent authority of the Contracting State where the paying agent is established shall communicate the information referred to in article 8 of the directive to the competent authority of the other Contracting State of residence of the beneficial owner.
2 -The communication of information shall be automatic and shall take place at least once a year, within six months following the end of the tax year of the Contracting State of the paying agent, for all interest payments made during that year.
3 -Information exchange under this Convention shall be treated by the Contracting States in a manner consistent with the provisions as set out in article 7 of Directive no. 77/799/EEC.
Article 5
Transposition
Before 1st January 2005 the Contracting States shall adopt and publish the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Convention.
Article 6
Annex
The texts of the directive and of article 7 of Directive no. 77/799/EEC, of the Council of the European Union, of the 19th December 1977, concerning mutual assistance by the competent authorities of the member States in the field of direct and indirect taxation, as applicable at the date of signing this Convention and to which this Convention refers, are appended as an annex to, and form an integral part of, this Convention. The text of article 7 of Directive no. 77/799/EEC in this annex shall be replaced by the text of the said article in the revised Directive no. 77/799/EEC if this revised directive enters into force before the date from which the provisions of this Convention shall take effect.
Article 7
Entry into force
This Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the latter of the dates on which the respective Governments have notified each other in writing that the formalities constitutionally required in their respective States have been complied with, and its provisions shall have effect from the date from which the directive is applicable according to article 17, paragraph 2 and 3, of the directive.
Article 8
Termination
This Convention shall remain in force until terminated by one of the Contracting States. Either State may terminate the Convention, through diplomatic channels, by giving notice of termination at least six months before the end of any calendar year after the expiration of a period of three years from the date of its entry into force. In such event the Convention shall cease to have effect for periods beginning after the end of the calendar year in which the notice of termination has been given.
Done in the Portuguese, English and Dutch languages all texts being equally authentic. In case there is any divergence of interpretation between the different language versions of the texts, the English text shall prevail.
For the Portuguese Republic:
(ver documento original)
For the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba:
(ver documento original)
ANNEX
Article 7
Provisions relating to secrecy
1 -All information made known to a member State under this directive shall be kept secret in that State in the same manner as information received under its national legislation. In any case, such information:
May be made available only to the persons directly involved in the assessment of the tax or in the administrative control of this assessment;
May be made known only in connection with judicial proceedings or administrative proceedings involving sanctions undertaken with a view to, or relating to, the making or reviewing the tax assessment and only to persons who are directly involved in such proceedings; such information may, however, be disclosed during public hearings or in judgements if the competent authority of the member State supplying the information raises no objection at the time when it first supplies the information;
Shall in no circumstances be used other than for taxation purposes or in connection with judicial proceedings or administrative proceedings involving sanctions undertaken with a view to, or in relation to, the making or reviewing of the tax assessment.
In addition, member States may provide for the information referred to in the first subparagraph to be used for assessment of other levies, duties and taxes covered by article 2 of Directive no. 76/308/EEC.
2 -Paragraph 1 shall not oblige a member State whose legislation or administrative practice lays down, for domestic purposes, narrower limits than those contained in the provisions of that paragraph, to provide information if the State concerned does not undertake to respect those narrower limits.
3 -Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the competent authorities of the member State providing the information may permit it to be used for other purposes in the requesting State, if, under the legislation of the informing State, the information could, in similar circumstances, be used in the informing State for similar purposes.
4 -Where a competent authority of a member State considers that information which it has received from the competent authority of another member State is likely to be useful to the competent authority of a third member State, it may transmit it to the latter competent authority with the agreement of the competent authority which supplied the information.
(ver texto em língua estrangeira no documento original)