German funds - Double Taxation Treaties concluded by Germany and currently in force
Note: Clearstream Banking provides these rates for information purposes only and does not guarantee that this information is correct, complete and accurate. Clearstream Banking does not assume liability for any damages, direct or indirect, that may arise from the reliance on or the use of this information. The rate as prescribed in the DTT assumes that the beneficial owner does not hold a substantial percentage of the fund capital of the company distributing the income. Different rates may apply for substantial holdings. Please refer to the actual DTT or your tax advisor for further information.
For most markets, the "Application for a refund of German capital tax" (010005 - Antrag auf Erstattung der deutschen Steuer auf Kapitalerträge - Stand 07/2019), which available on the website of the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern; BZSt) must be used. For further information on the application form, please refer to Tax Forms to use - Germany. For certain markets, specific forms from the BZSt are required as indicated below.
The standard rate of withholding tax on German equities is 25% plus a 5.5% surcharge, resulting in a total withholding tax rate of 26.375%.
Note: Since 2018, no KESt and SolZ are deducted for fund distributions of German funds, if evidence is provided that the fund is an investment fund pursuant to § 1 InvStG or a special investment fund pursuant to § 53 InvStG.
For German funds that are not certified and therefore subject to withholding tax of 26.375% on taxable elements the following DTT rates apply.
Country | Rate prescribed by the DTT - Income (%) | Tax refund available (%) |
Argentina | 15 | 11.375 |
Armenia | 15 | 11.375 |
Australia | 15 | 11.375 |
Austria | 15 | 11.375 |
Azerbaijan | 15 | 11.375 |
Bangladesh | 15 | 11.375 |
Belarus | 15 | 11.375 |
Belgium | 15 | 11.375 |
Bolivia | 10 | 16.375 |
Bosnia-Herzegovina | 15 | 11.375 |
Bulgaria | 15 | 11.375 |
Canada | 15 | 11.375 |
China a | 10 | 16.375 |
Croatia | 15 | 11.375 |
Cyprus | 15 | 11.375 |
Czech Republic | 15 | 11.375 |
Denmark | 15 | 11.375 |
Ecuador | 15 | 11.375 |
Egypt | 15 | 11.375 |
Estonia | 15 | 11.375 |
Farao Islands | 15 | 11.375 |
Finland | 15 | 11.375 |
France | 15 | 11.375 |
Georgia | 15 | 11.375 |
Greece | 25 | 1.375 |
Hungary | 15 | 11.375 |
Iceland | 15 | 11.375 |
India | 10 | 16.375 |
Indonesia | 15 | 11.375 |
Iran | 20 | 6.375 |
Ireland | 15 | 11.375 |
Israel | 25 | 1.375 |
Italy | 15 | 11.375 |
Ivory Coast | 15 | 11.375 |
Jamaica | 15 | 11.375 |
Japan | 15 | 11.375 |
Kazakhstan | 15 | 11.375 |
Kenya | 15 | 11.375 |
Kuwait | 15 | 11.375 |
Kyrgyzstan | 15 | 11.375 |
Latvia | 15 | 11.375 |
Liberia | 15 | 11.375 |
Liechtenstein | 15 | 11.375 |
Lithuania | 15 | 11.375 |
Luxembourg | 15 | 11.375 |
Malaysia | 15 | 11.375 |
Malta | 15 | 11.375 |
Mauritius | 15 | 11.375 |
Mexico | 15 | 11.375 |
Moldova | 15 | 11.375 |
Mongolia | 10 | 16.375 |
Morocco | 15 | 11.375 |
Namibia | 15 | 11.375 |
Netherlands | 15 | 11.375 |
New Zealand | 15 | 11.375 |
North Macedonia | 15 | 11.375 |
Norway | 15 | 11.375 |
Pakistan | 15 | 11.375 |
Papua New Guinea | 15 | 11.375 |
Philippines | 15 | 11.375 |
Poland | 15 | 11.375 |
Portugal | 15 | 11.375 |
Romania | 15 | 11.375 |
Russia | 15 | 11.375 |
Serbia and Montenegro | 15 | 11.375 |
Singapore | 15 | 11.375 |
Slovakia | 15 | 11.375 |
Slovenia | 15 | 11.375 |
South Africa | 15 | 11.375 |
South Korea | 15 | 11.375 |
Spain | 15 | 11.375 |
Sri Lanka | 15 | 11.375 |
Sweden | 15 | 11.375 |
Switzerland b | 15 | 11.375 |
Taiwan | 15 | 11.375 |
Tajikistan | 15 | 11.375 |
Thailand | 20 | 6.375 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 20 | 6.375 |
Tunisia | 15 | 11.375 |
Turkey | 20 | 6.375 |
Turkmenistan | 15 | 11.375 |
Ukraine | 10 | 16.375 |
United Arab Emirates | 10 | 16.375 |
United Kingdom | 15 | 11.375 |
United Kingdom c | 10 | 15.375 |
United Kingdom d | 5 | 20.375 |
U.S.A.e | 15 | 11.375 |
Uruguay | 15 | 11.375 |
Uzbekistan | 15 | 11.375 |
Venezuela | 15 | 11.375 |
Vietnam | 15 | 11.375 |
Zambia | 15 | 11.375 |
Zimbabwe | 15 | 11.375 |
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a. The China DTT does not apply to Hong Kong.
b. Specific Form R-D1 (individuals) or Form R-D2 (legal entities) is required.
c. If the beneficial owner is a pension scheme.
d. If the beneficial owner is a company (other than a partnership) that holds directly at least 10% of the capital of the company paying the dividends.
e. Specific Form E-USA is required. For U.S. pension funds, Form Pensionfonds is also required.