Meaning of Double taxation

Double taxation refers to the situation where the same income is taxed twice by different governments. This can happen in two main scenarios:

1. Double taxation at the corporate and individual level:

• This occurs when a corporation pays income tax on its profits, and then shareholders are also taxed on the dividends they receive from those profits.

For example, imagine a company earns $100,000 in profit. They might have to pay a corporate tax of 20%, leaving them with $80,000. If they then distribute the remaining $80,000 to shareholders as dividends, those shareholders might have to pay individual income tax on their portion of the dividends. This creates a situation where the same $100,000 has been taxed twice.

2. Double taxation due to international income:

• This occurs when an individual or business earns income in one country but is also resident in another country. Both countries might try to tax the same income, leading to double taxation.

For example, an American citizen working in the UK might have to pay income tax on their earnings in the UK. However, they may also be required to file a tax return in the US and potentially pay additional taxes on their UK earnings. This is where double tax treaties come into play. These treaties are agreements between countries that aim to avoid double taxation for individuals and businesses operating in both jurisdictions.

Here are some key points to remember about double taxation:

• It can be a burden for individuals and businesses, reducing their after-tax income.
• Tax treaties and domestic tax laws can help mitigate double taxation by providing foreign tax credits or other relief measures.