DT7330 - DT: France: double taxation agreement, Article 29A: Taxation of certain offshore activities

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Convention

(1) An enterprise of a Contracting State which carries on activities offshore in connection with the exploration or exploitation of the sea bed and sub-soil and their natural resources in areas which are, in accordance with international law, under the jurisdiction of the other Contracting State shall, subject to paragraphs (2), (4) and (5) of this Article, be deemed, except as regards paragraph (2) of Article 15 of the Convention, to be carrying on in respect of those activities a business in that other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein.

(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article shall not apply where the activities referred to therein are carried on in the areas specified in that paragraph for a period not exceeding in the aggregate 30 days in any period of 12 months. However, for the purposes of this paragraph:

(a) where an enterprise carrying on activities referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article in those specified areas is associated with another enterprise carrying on substantially similar activities there the former enterprise shall be deemed to be carrying on all such activities of the latter enterprise except to the extent that those activities are carried on at the same time as its own activities;

(b) an enterprise shall be regarded as associated with another enterprise if one is controlled directly or indirectly by the other, or both are controlled directly or indirectly by a third person or persons.

(3) A resident of a Contracting State who carries on activities offshore, in connection with the exploration or exploitation of the sea bed and sub-soil and their natural resources in the areas specified in paragraph (1) of this Article, which consist of independent professional activities as defined in Article 14(2) of this Convention shall be deemed to be performing those activities from a fixed base in the other Contracting State. However, this paragraph shall not apply where such activities are carried on in those specified areas for a period not exceeding in the aggregate 30 days in any period of 12 months.

(4) Profits derived by a resident of a Contracting State from the transportation of supplies or personnel to a location where activities in connection with the exploration or exploitation of the sea bed and sub-soil and their natural resources are being carried on in areas which are under the jurisdiction of a Contracting State or from the operation of tugboats and similar vessels in connection with such activities, shall be taxable only in the Contracting State of which he is a resident.

(5) The provisions of Article 15 of this Convention, and not paragraph (1) of this Article, shall apply in respect of an employment.

(6) Where a resident of France derives income which in accordance with the provisions of this Article may be taxed in the United Kingdom, France may tax such income but shall allow as a deduction from the French tax on that income an amount equal to the tax paid in the United Kingdom. Such deduction shall however not exceed that part of the French tax, as computed before the deduction is given, which is attributable to the income which may be taxed in the United Kingdom.