International treaty

2023 UK-New Zealand Memorandum of Arrangement — in force

Updated 30 November 2023

MEMORANDUM OF ARRANGEMENT (“MOA’’) ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PART VI OF THE MULTILATERAL CONVENTION TO IMPLEMENT TAX TREATY RELATED MEASURES TO PREVENT BASE EROSION AND PROFIT SHIFTING

The competent authorities of the United Kingdom and of New Zealand (hereinafter referred to as the “Contracting Jurisdictions”) have established this Memorandum of Arrangement concerning the mode of application of the arbitration process provided for in Part VI of the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”).

This Memorandum of Arrangement comes into operation pursuant to Article 24 of the Convention between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. and the Government of New Zealand for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on i come and capital gains (hereinafter referred to as “the Covered Tax Agreement”), as modified by Article 16 of the Convention, and paragraph 10 of Article 19 of the Convention.. The competent authorities may modify or supplement this Memorandum of Arrangement by joint decision in writing.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Memorandum of Arrangement, the term “competent authority” means, in the case of the United Kingdom, the Commissioners of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs or their authorised representative and, in the case of New Zealand, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue or an authorised representative of the Commissioner.

Part 1. Request for submission of case to arbitration

1.1. A request that unresolved issues arising from a mutual agreement case be submitted to arbitration pursuant to paragraph I of Article 19 of the Convention (hereinafter referred to as the “request for arbitration”) will be made in writing and sent to one or both of the competent authorities. The request will contain sufficient information to identify the case. The request will also be accompanied by a written statement by each of the persons who either made the request or is directly affected by the case that no decision on the same issues has already been rendered by a court or administrative tribunal of the Contracting Jurisdictions. Within IO days after the receipt of the request, the competent authority who received it without any indication that it was also sent to the other competent authority will send a copy of that request and the accompanying statements to the other competent authority.

Part 2. Minimum information necessary to allow substantive consideration of the case

2.1. The minimum information to be supplied with a request for arbitration is as follows:

a) Identity of the person(s) covered in the request for a mutual agreement procedure — the name, address, taxpayer identification number (if any) and/or birth date of the person who presented the case (hereinafter referred to as the “taxpayer”), contact details and the relationship(s) between the taxpayer and other persons covered in the request for a mutual agreement procedure.

b) The basis for the request — the specific provision(s) of the Covered Tax Agreement which the taxpayer considers is not being correctly applied by either one or both of the Contracting Jurisdictions (indicating which Contracting Jurisdiction, the regional or local tax administration office that has made, or is proposing to make, the adjustment (if relevant), and contact information for the relevant person(s) in that Contracting Jurisdiction responsible for the adjustment).

c) Facts of the case — a summary of all relevant facts of the case, including documentation to support these facts, the taxation year(s) or period(s) involved and the related amounts (in all relevant currencies and supported by calculations, if applicable):

d) Analysis of the issue(s) to be resolved through the mutual agreement procedure — an analysis of the issues with respect to which a mutual agreement procedure is requested, including the taxpayer’s interpretation of the application of the relevant provision(s). of the Covered Tax Agreement, to support the taxpayer’s basis for its claim that those provision(s) have not been correctly applied by either one or both of the Contracting Jurisdictions. The taxpayer’s analysis will be supported with relevant documentation, which may include, but is not limited to -

• transfer pricing documentation required by domestic legislation or other published guidance in the taxpayer’s Contracting Jurisdiction of residence;
• copies of tax assessments and audit or other tax administration documentation and correspondence reflecting what the taxpayer considers to be the incorrect application of the relevant provision(s) of the Covered Tax Agreement; and
• copies of briefs, objections, etc., submitted by the taxpayer in response to the action or proposed action of a tax administration.

The competent authorities will endeavour to minimise administrative and other burdens related to the analysis of the issue(s) to be resolved through the mutual agreement procedure, in particular for individuals and small taxpayers. The competent authorities will accordingly evaluate the completeness of the taxpayer’s analysis. taking into account the amount(s) of tax at stake, the sophistication of the taxpayer, and whether a tax professional is representing the taxpayer in connection with its request for competent authority assistance. Even if a competent authority initially decides to accept an abbreviated analysis of the issue(s) to be resolved through the mutual agreement procedure, that competent authority may subsequently require the taxpayer to supplement its analysis with additional information or documents.

e) Whether the request for a mutual agreement procedure was also submitted to the competent authority of the other Contracting Jurisdiction — a copy of any other relevant mutual agreement procedure request(s) and associated documents filed, or to be filed, with the competent authority of the other Contracting Jurisdiction, including copies of correspondence from the other tax administration. The taxpayer will indicate the date of any such submission and the person or the office to which the request was submitted.

f) Whether the request for a mutual agreement procedure was also submitted to another authority under another instrument that provides for a mechanism to resolve treaty-related disputes — a copy of any other request for a mutual agreement procedure under another instrument that provides for a mechanism to resolve treaty­ related disputes (including all documentation filed with that submission). The taxpayer will indicate the ate of any such submission and the person or the office to which the request was submitted.

g) Whether the issues involved were previously dealt with — the request will state whether the request for a mutual agreement procedure involves issues that are currently being considered or were previously considered:

• by the tax authorities of either Contracting Jurisdiction as part of an advance ruling, advance pricing arrangement, settlement agreement or similar proceedings;
• as part of any other administrative proceedings; or
• by any tribunal or court

Copies of any relevant rulings, agreements or decisions will be provided.

h) Any other specific additional information requested — by the competent authority of a Contracting Jurisdiction within three months after the receipt of the request for a mutual agreement procedure.

Part 3. Terms of Reference

3.1. Within 60 days after the request for arbitration (or a copy thereof) has been received by both competent authorities, the competent authorities will jointly determine the questions to be resolved by the arbitration panel and communicate them in writing to the person who made the request for arbitration. This will constitute the “Terms of Reference” for the case. Notwithstanding the following paragraphs of this Memorandum of Arrangement, the competent authorities may also; in the Terms of Reference, provide procedural rules that are additional to, or different from, those included in these paragraphs and deal with such other matters as are deemed appropriate for the purposes of conducting these proceedings.

3.2. If the Terms of Reference have not been communicated to the person who made the request for arbitration within the period referred to in paragraph 1 above, that person and each competent authority may, within 30 days after the end of that period, communicate in writing to each other a list of issues to be resolved by the arbitration. All the lists so communicated during that period will constitute the tentative Terms of Reference.

Within 30 days after all the arbitrators have been appointed as provided in the following paragraphs of this Memorandum of Arrangement, the Chair will communicate to the competent authorities and the person who made the request for arbitration a revised version of the tentative Terms of Reference based on the lists so communicated. Within 30 days after the revised version has been received by both of them, the competent authorities may jointly determine different Terms of Reference and to communicate them in writing to the arbitrators and the person who made the request for arbitration. If they do so within that period, these different Terms of Reference will constitute the Terms of Reference for the case. If no different Terms of Reference have been jointly determined by the competent authorities and communicated in writing within that period, the revised version of the tentative Terms of Reference prepared by the arbitrators will constitute the Terms of Reference for the case.

Part 4. Appointment of arbitrators

4.1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 20 of the Convention, the competent authorities of the Contracting Jurisdictions have jointly determined that the following rules will govern the appointment of the members of an arbitration panel:

a) Each competent authority will appoint one panel member within 90 days of the date of the request for arbitration under paragraph 1 of Article 19 of the Convention. The two members so appointed will, within 60 days of the latter of their appointments, appoint a third. member who will serve as the Chair of the arbitration panel. The arbitrators will choose the Chair from the list that has been jointly determined by the competent authorities pursuant to paragraph 4.5.

b) In the event that the competent authority of a Contracting Jurisdiction fails to appoint a member of the arbitration panel within the time period specified in subparagraph a), a member will be appointed on behalf of that competent authority by the highest ranking official of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development who is not a national of either Contracting Jurisdiction. The relevant appointment will be made within 60 days after receiving a request to that effect from the person who made the request for arbitration. In these circumstances, the member of the arbitration panel will be appointed from the list, identified pursuant to paragraph 4.6, that has been provided by the competent authority that fails to appoint a panel member. In the event that no list has been provided pursuant to paragraph 4.6 or none of the persons identified in the list are available, a member will be appointed on behalf of that competent authority by and at the discretion of the highest ranking official of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development who is not a national of either Contracting Jurisdiction.

c) If the two initial members of the arbitration panel fail to appoint the Chair within the time period specified in subparagraph a), the Chair will be appointed by the highest ranking official of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development who is not a national of either Contracting Jurisdiction. The relevant appointment will be made within 60 days after receiving a request to that effect from the person who made the request for arbitration. In these circumstances, the Chair of the arbitration panel will be appointed from the list that has been jointly determined by the competent authorities pursuant to paragraph 4.5. In the event that no list has been provided pursuant to paragraph 4.5 or none of the persons identified in the list are available, a person who is not a national of either Contracting Jurisdiction will be appointed as Chair by and at the discretion of the highest ranking official of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development who is not a national of either Contracting Jurisdiction.

4.2. Except to the extent that the competent authorities jointly decide on different rules, the procedures provided for in Article 20 of the Convention and Part 4 of this Memorandum of Arrangement will apply with the necessary adaptations if for any reason it is necessary to replace an arbitrator after the arbitration process has begun. In such circumstances, the competent authorities will also jointly decide on necessary adaptations, as appropriate, to the deadlines provided in Part 5 of this Memorandum of Arrangement.

4.3. An arbitrator will be considered to have been appointed when a letter confirming that appointment and signed by both the arbitrator and the person or persons who have the power to appoint that arbitrator has been communicated to both competent authorities.

4.4. The competent authorities will appoint arbitrators who have expertise or experience in international tax matters. They need not, however, have experience as either a judge or arbitrator. Each arbitrator appointed to the arbitration panel will be impa1iial and independent of the competent authorities, tax administrations, and ministries of finance of the Contracting Jurisdictions and of persons directly affected by the case (as well as their advisors and any related persons) at the time of accepting an appointment, maintain their impartiality and independence throughout the proceedings, and avoid any conduct for 12 months after the date the panel delivers its decision under paragraph 5.6 or subparagraph 5.7(g), as the case may be, or any other period jointly determined by the competent authorities, which may damage the appearance of impartiality and independence of the arbitrators with respect to the proceedings. Each arbitrator appointed to the arbitration panel will execute a written certification to this effect. The arbitrators will promptly disclose to both competent authorities, in writing, any new facts or circumstances that arise during or following the arbitration proceedings that might give rise to doubts with respect to their impartiality or independence.

4.5. The competent authorities will jointly determine a list of at least 6 persons who are qualified and willing to serve as the Chair of an arbitration panel. The competent authorities will review and revise this list as necessary. The persons to be identified for. purposes of this list will meet the requirements of paragraph 4.4.

4.6. Each competent authority will identify a list of at least 6 persons who are qualified and willing to serve as members of the arbitration panel. Each competent authority will review and revise its list as necessary and provide a copy of the list, and any revisions, to the other competent authority. The persons to be identified for purposes of these lists will meet the requirements of paragraph 4.4.

Part 5. Arbitration process

Final offer

5.1. Within 90 days after the appointment of the Chair of the arbitration panel (unless, before the end of that period, the competent authorities jointly decide on a different period or jointly decide to use the approach described in paragraph 5.7 with respect to the relevant case), the competent authority of each Contracting Jurisdiction will submit to the Chair of the arbitration panel a proposed resolution which addresses all unresolved issue(s) in the case (taking into account all agreements previously reached in that case between the competent authorities). The Chair will forward the proposed resolutions to the other members of the arbitration panel and the other competent authority only after receipt of both proposed resolutions or after the 90 day period has expired, whichever is the earlier. The proposed resolution will be limited to a disposition of specific monetary amounts (for example, of income or expense) or, where specified, the maximum rate of tax that may be charged pursuant to the provisions of the Covered Tax Agreement (as it may be modified by the Convention), for each adjustment or similar issue in the case. In a case in which the competent authorities of the Contracting Jurisdictions have been unable to satisfactorily resolve an issue regarding the conditions for application of a provision of the Covered Tax Agreement (as it may be modified by the Convention) (hereinafter referred to as a “threshold question”), such as whether an individual is a resident or whether a permanent establishment exists, the competent authorities may submit alternative proposed resolutions with respect to issues ‘the determination of which is contingent on resolution of such threshold questions. The proposed resolution will not exceed 20 pages plus annexes.

5.2. The competent authority of each Contracting Jurisdiction may also submit a supporting position paper for consideration by the arbitrators. Any such supporting position paper will be submitted to the Chair of the arbitration panel within the period of time provided for in paragraph 5.1. The Chair will forward the supporting position papers to the other members of the arbitration panel and the other competent authority only after receipt of both supporting position papers or after the period of time provided for in paragraph 5.1 has expired, whichever is the earlier. A supporting position paper will not exceed 20 pages, plus annexes. Any annex to a supporting position paper will be a document that was provided by one competent authority to the other, or by the taxpayer to both competent authorities, for use in the negotiation of the mutual agreement procedure case.

5.3. In the event that the competent authority of one Contracting Jurisdiction fails to submit a proposed resolution within the period of time provided for in paragraph 5.1, the arbitration panel will select as its decision the proposed resolution submitted by the other competent authority.

5.4. Each competent authority may also submit a reply submission with respect to the proposed resolution and supporting position paper submitted by the other competent authority. Any such reply submission will be submitted to the Chair of the arbitration panel within 150 days after the appointment of the Chair of the arbitration panel. The Chair will forward the reply submissions to the other members of the arbitration panel and the other competent authority only after receipt of both reply submissions or after the 150-day period has expired, whichever is the earlier. A reply submission will not exceed 20 pages.

5.5. Unless the competent authorities jointly decide otherwise, the arbitrators will use tele and videoconferencing for the purposes of any meetings between themselves and with both competent authorities.

5.6. The arbitration panel will select as its decision one of the proposed resolutions for the case submitted by the competent authorities with respect to each issue and any threshold questions and will not include a rationale or any other explanation of the decision. The arbitration decision will be adopted by a simple majority of the arbitrators, The arbitration decision will be delivered to the competent authorities of the Contracting Jurisdictions in writing within 90 days after the reception by the arbitrators of the last reply submission or, if no reply submission has been submitted, within 180 days after the appointment of the Chair of the arbitration panel. The arbitration decision will have no precedential value.

Independent opinion

5.7. (a) If, within 60 days after the appointment of the Chair of the arbitration panel, the competent authorities jointly decide to use the approach described in this paragraph with respect to a given case, each competent authority will provide to the arbitration panel and to the other competent authority, within 120 days after that joint decision, any information that it considers necessary for the panel to reach its decision. That information will include a description of the facts and of the unresolved issues to be decided together with the position of the competent authority concerning these issues and the arguments supporting that position. Unless the competent authorities jointly decide otherwise, the arbitration panel may not take into account any information that was not available to both competent authorities before both competent authorities received the request for arbitration (or a copy thereof).

(b) In the event that the competent authority of one Contracting Jurisdiction fails to submit the information described in subparagraph a) within the period of time provided for in that subparagraph, the arbitration panel will select as its decision the position submitted by the other competent authority.

(c) The competent authority who received the written request for arbitration will notify the person who made the request for arbitration of the joint competent authority decision to use the approach described in this paragraph within 10 days of such a decision (if the written request for arbitration indicates that it was also sent to the other competent authority, such notification will be provided by the competent authority of the jurisdiction of residence of the person who made the request for arbitration). The person who made the request for arbitration may, either directly or through their representatives, present their position to the arbitrators in writing to the same extent that they can do so during the mutual agreement procedure. In addition, if the competent authorities and arbitrators all approve, the person may present their ·position orally during the arbitration proceedings. Any written materials prepared by the person who made the request for arbitration or their representatives will be submitted to the arbitrators by the competent authorities. Such materials will only be presented to the arbitrators if they are provided to both competent authorities within 120 days after the notification referred to in the first sentence of this subparagraph.

(d) Within 30 days after the Chair has informed the competent authorities that a meeting of the arbitration panel will be held, the competent authorities will jointly decide when and where the meeting will be held, including whether the meeting will be held virtually or in person, and will communicate that information to the arbitrators.

(e) The arbitrators will decide the issues submitted to arbitration in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Covered Tax Agreement and, subject to these provisions, of those of the domestic laws of the Contracting Jurisdictions. The arbitrators will also consider any other sources which the competent authorities of the Contracting Jurisdictions may jointly decide to expressly identify.

(f) Subject to the provisions of the Covered Tax Agreement, and of this Memorandum of Arrangement, the arbitrators may adopt those procedural arid evidentiary rules that they deem necessary to provide a decision concerning the unresolved issues submitted to arbitration.

(g) Unless the. competent authorities jointly decide otherwise, the arbitration decision will be delivered to the competent authorities of the Contracting Jurisdictions in writing within 365 days after the date of the appointment of the Chair and will indicate the sources of law relied upon and the reasoning which led to its result. The arbitration decision will be adopted by a simple majority of the arbitrators. The arbitration decision will have no precedential value.

Part 6. Communication of information and confidentiality

6.1. Each arbitrator will agree in writing, prior to acting in an arbitration proceeding, to abide by and be subject to the confidentiality and non-disclosure provisions of Article 25 of the Covered Tax Agreement and of the applicable domestic laws of the Contracting Jurisdictions. If an arbitrator will use staff in connection with the performance of their duties, each staff member will execute a similar written agreement.

6.2. Before the Chair is appointed, the competent authorities will send any correspondence concurrently to both arbitrators.

6.3. After the Chair is appointed, unless jointly decided otherwise by the competent authorities and the Chair, the competent authorities will send any correspondence to the Chair (with a copy sent to the other competent authority). The Chair will send any correspondence from the arbitrators to the competent authorities concurrently to both competent authorities.

6.4. Except with regard to administrative or logistical matters, no arbitrator will have any ex parte communications with one competent authority with respect to the mutual agreement case that resulted in the arbitration proceeding.

6.5. All communication, except with regard to administrative or logistical matters between the arbitrators arid the competent authorities will be in writing. Unless otherwise jointly decided by the competent authorities, written communication by facsimile or email is allowed to the extent that appropriate measures are taken to preserve the confidentiality of any information that may identify the taxpayer.

6.6. No substantive discussions may take place without all three arbitrators present.

6.7. Except as permitted pursuant to subparagraph 5.7(e), no arbitrator will have communications regarding the issues or matters before the arbitration panel with

(a) the person who presented the case;

(b) any other person whose tax liability to either Contracting Jurisdiction may be directly affected by a mutual agreement reached as a result of the case; or

(c) their representatives or agents

during or subsequent to the arbitration proceedings.

6.8. At the termination of the arbitration proceedings each arbitrator will immediately destroy all documents or other information received in connection with the proceedings.

Part 7. Operating procedures

7.1. To the extent needed, the arbitration panel may adopt any additional procedures necessary for the conduct of its business, provided that the procedures are not inconsistent with Article 24 of the Covered Tax Agreement, as modified by Article 16 of the Convention.

7.2. If the arbitration panel adopts any additional procedures, the Chair will provide a written copy of them to the competent authorities. These procedures will have effect only if they are approved by both competent authorities.

Part 8. Costs

8.1. Unless jointly determined otherwise by the competent authorities:

(a) each competent authority and the person who requested the arbitration will bear the costs related to its own participation in the arbitration proceedings (including travel costs and costs related to the preparation and presentation of its views);

(b) each competent authority will bear the remuneration of the arbitrator appointed exclusively by that competent authority, or appointed by the highest ranking official of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that is not a national of either Contracting Jurisdiction because of the failure of that competent authority to appoint that arbitrator, together with that arbitrator’s travel, telecommunication and secretariat costs;

(c) the remuneration of the Chair of the arbitration panel and that Chair’s travel, telecommunication and secretariat costs will be borne in equal shares by the two competent authorities.

(d) other costs related to any meeting of the arbitration panel will be borne by the competent authority that hosts that meeting, unless the meeting is hosted by neither competent authority, in which case the costs related to such a meeting will be borne in equal shares by the two competent authorities;

(e) other costs related to expenses that both competent authorities have jointly decided to incur will be borne in equal shares by the two competent authorities.

8.2. Unless jointly determined otherwise by the competent authorities,  compensation of the arbitrators will be determined as follows:

(a) The fees of the arbitrators will be fixed at EUR 1000 per person per meeting, preparation or travel day. The reimbursement of the expenses of the arbitrators will be limited to the reimbursement usual for high­ ranking civil servants of the Contracting Jurisdiction that first received the request for submission of the unresolved issue(s) in the case to arbitration.

(b) The fees of the arbitrators will in no case exceed EUR 7000 per person. The expenses reimbursed to the arbitrators will in no case exceed EUR 7000. If the arbitration panel considers that the proper consideration of the case would cause the fees or expenses of the arbitration panel to exceed these amounts, the Chair will contact the competent authorities to request their guidance.

Part 9. Failure to communicate the decision within the required period

9.1. In the event that the decision has not been communicated to the competent authorities within the period provided for in paragraph 5.6 or subparagraph 5.7(g), as the case may be, or within any other period jointly determined by the competent authorities, the fees of each arbitrator will be limited to an amount jointly determined by the competent authorities at the time. In such a case, the competent authorities may jointly decide to appoint new arbitrators in accordance with Part 4 of this Memorandum of Arrangement. The date of such joint decision to appoint new arbitrators will, for the purposes of the subsequent application of Article 20 of the Convention and Part 4 of this Memorandum of Arrangement, be deemed to. be the date when the request for arbitration has been received by both competent authorities.

Part 10. Final decision

10.1. If a final decision by a court of one of the Contracting Jurisdictions holds that the arbitration decision is invalid, the arbitration decision will not be binding on the Contracting Jurisdictions. In such a case, the request for arbitration under paragraph 1 of Article 19 of the Convention will be considered not to have been made, and the arbitration process will be considered not to have taken place (except for the purposes of Article 21 (Confidentiality of Arbitration Proceedings) and Article 25 (Cost of Arbitration Proceedings) of the Convention and Parts 6 and 8 of this Memorandum of Arrangement). In such a case the person who made the request for arbitration may make a new request for arbitration, which will be accepted unless the competent authorities jointly determine that the actions of that person or its representatives were the main reason for the invalidation of the arbitration decision.

10.2. It is understood that subdivision ii) of subparagraph b) of paragraph 4 of Article 19 of the Convention is intended to apply where, under the domestic laws of a Contracting Jurisdiction, a court has invalidated the arbitration decision based on a procedural or other failure or other conduct that has materially affected the outcome of the arbitration proceeding, which may include:

(a) a violation of the impartiality or independence requirements applicable to arbitrators pursuant to Article 20 of the Convention and Part 4 of this Memorandum of Arrangement;

(b) a breach of the confidentiality requirements applicable to arbitrators pursuant to Article 21 of the Convention and Part 6 of this Memorandum of Arrangement;

(c) any other failure to adhere to the procedural requirements provided in Part VI of the Convention and this Memorandum of Arrangement; or

(d) collusion between the person who presented the mutual agreement procedure request and one of the Contracting Jurisdictions.

10.3. It is understood that Part 10 of this Memorandum of Arrangement does not provide independent grounds for the invalidation of an arbitration decision where such grounds do not exist under the domestic laws of the Contracting Jurisdictions.

Part 11. Implementing the arbitration decision

11.1. Unless the competent authorities jointly decide on a different resolution of all unresolved issues in the case, the competent authorities will adopt the arbitration decision within 3 calendar months after the communication of the decision to them by reaching a mutual agreement on the case that led to the arbitration.

11.2. The mutual agreement reached will only be given effect after all persons directly affected by the case have confirmed, in writing, their acceptance of that mutual agreement and that they have withdrawn all issues resolved by the decision from consideration by any court or administrative tribunal or have otherwise terminated any pending court or administrative tribunal proceedings with respect to those issues in a manner consistent with that decision.

Part 12. Entry into effect of Part VI (Arbitration) of the Convention

12.1. As provided by Article 36 (Entry into Effect of Part VI) of the Convention, the arbitration provisions of Part VI (Arbitration) of the Convention will have effect with respect to cases presented to the competent authority of a Contracting Jurisdiction on or after the later of the dates on which the Convention has entered into force for each of the Contracting Jurisdictions.

12.2. For purposes of the application of Part VI of the Convention to mutual agreement procedure cases presented to the competent authority of a Contracting Jurisdiction prior to the later of the dates on which the Convention has entered into force for each of the Contracting Jurisdictions, the competent authorities will jointly determine, for each such case, the start date of the period of 2 years after which the person who presented the case may require the submission of unresolved issues to arbitration. Within JO days after the conclusion of each such joint determination, the competent authorities

(a) will provide written notification to the person who presented the case of:

(i) the joint determination; and

(ii) the start date of the 2-year period (the joint determination will specify which of the two competent authorities will provide this information).

Part 13. Reservations with respect to the scope of cases that will be eligible for arbitration under the provisions of Part VI of the Convention

13.1. Pursuant to subparagraph a) of paragraph 2 of Article 28 of the Convention, the following reservations have been made with respect to the scope of cases that will be eligible for arbitration under the provisions of Part VI of the Convention:

By New Zealand

New Zealand reserves the right to exclude from the scope of Part VI of the Convention (Arbitration) any case involving the application of New Zealand’s general anti-avoidance rule contained in section BG 1 of the Income Tax Act 2007. Any subsequent provisions replacing, amending or updating these anti-avoidance rules are also included in this reservation. New Zealand will notify the Depositary of the Convention of any such subsequent provisions.

New Zealand reserves the right to exclude from the scope of Part VI of the Convention (Arbitration) any case involving the application of anti-avoidance rules concerning the avoidance of a permanent establishment in New Zealand. For the purposes of the application of this reservation by New Zealand, ‘‘anti-avoidance rules concerning the avoidance of a permanent establishment” will include the rules provided for in section GB 54 of the Income Tax Act 2007. Any subsequent provisions replacing, amending or updating these anti­ avoidance rules are also included in this reservation. New Zealand will notify the Depositary of the Convention of any such provisions.

Part 14. Effective date and modifications

14.1. This MOA becomes effective on the later of the two signature dates below.

14.2. This MOA may be modified at any time where jointly decided by the competent authorities.

14.3. This MOA is concluded for an indefinite period of time. It may be terminated by written notification by either competent authority or will be terminated at the time of termination of the Covered Tax Agreement.

Signatures

Mr John Nash Strategic Advisor, International Inland Revenue Department Date: 11 October 2023

Ms Jo Hammersley UK Delegated Competent Authority for HM Revenue Customs Date: 2 October 2023