Middle East Portfolios: Free-Zone Entities and Treaty Access in Practice
Institutional investors want outcomes, not folklore. Free-zone platforms in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia can reduce dividend withholding tax. They only do so, however, when the structure clears treaty tests, shows real substance and proves beneficial ownership. This article sets out what works in practice, where audits focus, and how to […]
Dividend Withholding Tax Refunds in Non-OECD Jurisdictions: A Growing Challenge
Introduction Dividend taxation has long created friction for cross-border investors. While OECD countries usually offer clearer refund systems, the same cannot be said for non-OECD markets. Investors looking to capture growth in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East often face higher withholding tax (WHT) and weaker recovery processes. Dividend withholding tax refunds in […]
Best Practices for Multi-Jurisdiction WHT Reclaims in Complex Portfolios
Introduction: The Challenge of Multi-Jurisdiction WHT Reclaims Withholding tax (WHT) sits at the heart of global investing, cutting across borders whenever dividends or interest flow from one jurisdiction to another. For investors managing complex, multi-jurisdictional portfolios, reclaiming excess WHT is a labyrinthine process. Each country has its own treaty network, administrative quirks, documentation rules, and […]
Navigating WHT Reclaims in Countries with No Double Tax Treaty
In cross-border investments, understanding dividend tax and withholding tax (WHT) reclaims is essential. The challenge grows when no double tax treaty exists between your country of residence and the source country. Without treaty protection, reclaiming over-withheld WHT becomes more complex. This article explains the main obstacles and outlines strategies to improve recovery prospects in non-treaty […]
Emerging Trends in African Tax Treaties: Dividend WHT Provisions Under Review
African tax treaties are in flux. Governments are rewriting terms to capture more revenue from cross-border payments, with special focus on withholding tax on dividends. For investors, funds, and corporates, this shift means past treaty assumptions no longer hold. ATAF’s New Model and Dividend WHT Focus The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) is updating its […]
Profit Shifting Rules and Their WHT Implications
Profit shifting rules have moved from academic talking points to boardroom risks. Tax authorities are sharpening their tools, and dividend tax together with withholding tax (WHT) is now front-line territory. Funds, pension schemes, and corporates that route dividends, interest, and royalties through multi-jurisdictional structures are realising today’s tests go far beyond paperwork. Substance, purpose, and […]
ASEAN’s WHT Regime: Opportunities & Pitfalls
Investors are drawn to ASEAN for its growth, yield, and diversification. What they do not welcome is friction. Dividend tax and withholding tax (WHT) rules across the region remain fragmented, creating a patchwork of rates, relief-at-source requirements, treaty paperwork, and anti-abuse tests. For anyone managing cross-border dividend flows, this is where returns are quietly eroded. […]
OECD WHT Policy Harmonisation: Tollbooth or Gateway?
The debate on withholding tax is now practical, not theoretical. Cross-border dividend tax and interest flows sit at the centre of reforms led by the OECD and the EU. Both bodies are pushing for unified models that aim to cut friction while tightening compliance. The challenge for investors, funds and custodians is direct: is OECD-led […]
Unlocking WHT Reclaims Under the New China–Italy DTA: 2026 Changes?
The new China–Italy double tax agreement (DTA) entered into force on 19 February 2025. From 1 January 2026, it applies to withholding taxes (WHT). This agreement reshapes dividend tax and reclaim strategies by resetting rates, eligibility tests and processes. For investors between the two countries, the changes are material and require proactive planning. Dividend: From […]
2025 Withholding Tax Reform Roundup: What’s Changing and How to Prepare
Dividend withholding tax rules are changing across multiple jurisdictions in 2025. For funds and corporates receiving cross-border dividends, the cost of staying compliant is rising. Relief at source, dividend tax reclaims, and documentation are no longer optional back-office chores. They are now strategic functions. This roundup highlights the key reforms and shows how to prepare […]