CROSS BORDER TAXATION OF ENTERTAINERS AND SPORTSMEN NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON MEDIA COMMITTEE FOR MEMBERS IN INDUSTRY OF ICAI, WIRC MUMBAI 2 JUNE 2012

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1 CROSS BORDER TAXATION OF ENTERTAINERS AND SPORTSMEN NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT BY COMMITTEE FOR MEMBERS IN INDUSTRY OF ICAI, WIRC MUMBAI 2 JUNE 2012 Isha Sekhri

2 Road Map 2 Taxation of Resident Entertainers and Sportsmen outside India Taxation of Non-Resident Entertainers and Sportsmen in India

3 3 Performance outside India Resident Entertainers and Sportsmen

4 4 Resident Entertainers and Sportsmen performing outside India A large number of Bollywood and Tollywood Films are shot outside India Live concerts by Resident Entertainers outside India (recently Indian Singer, Sonu Nigam, performed at Sydney) Sports - Cricket, Football, Hockey matches played around the globe Earlier, Artist was used to denote Performers (does not include Painters, Sculptors) Term Entertainer different from Artiste - Not defined in the Act New Genre of Individuals, Entertainers, who may or may not act Common parlance, Entertainer means: One who amuses people, such as a singer, dancer, comedian, magician, etc., especially one who does so as a profession One who entertains; a host Entertain - To engage the attention of agreeably; to amuse with that which makes the time pass pleasantly; to divert; as, to entertain friends with conversation, etc Article 17 and amendment to Section 115BBA as Entertainers in India

5 5 Judicial Precedents on Section 80RR - Artist, Actor, Entertainer Amitabh Bachchan vs DCIT (106 TTJ 925) - In the context of erstwhile Section 80RR, ( which provided a deduction to income of artists, actors etc earned in foreign exchange), on whether Mr. Amitabh Bachchan s performance in KBC was as an Actor - Held Yes by Mumbai Tribunal, stating: The various meanings assigned to the term artist by different standard dictionaries clearly show that the term "artist" is a term which has a wide meaning not merely restricted to the meaning of fine arts but encompasses within its scope, a skilled performer. Similar issue, Mr. Sachin Tendulkar s argument upheld that he was an Actor while appearing in commercials (2011-TIOL-327-ITAT-MUM). CIT vs Tarun R Tahiliani (2010-TIOL-446-HC-MUM-IT) : A Designer was held to be an Artist Harsha Bhogle vs ITO (2003-TIOL-46-ITAT-MUM) : A presenter, commentator and programme compere of sports on television was held to be not an artist

6 6 Judicial Precedents - Artist, Actor, Entertainer Canadian Case Law - Cheek vs the Queen: The Court has provided detailed reasoning why a radio broadcaster cannot be considered as a radio artiste as per 1980 US-Canada Tax Treaty stating: It is obvious that athletes and sportsmen "perform" in their chosen athletic avocation; and their performance is inherently entertaining. The fans who turn on the radio to hear a particular Baseball game want to know how the team is performing on the field. While he may be able to hold the attention and interest of the fans with his "down time" commentary but he is not the reason why the fan turns on the radio. Pilcom vs Income-tax Officer (2003-TII-86-ITAT-KOL-INTL) : Held that the players of the cricket associations of the participating countries in the World Cup Cricket Tournament, 1996, should be considered as Entertainers. Issue : Whether the IPL can be considered has having more entertainment value than actually being a sport? Artificially crafted teams and not all the players of Mumbai Indians are actually from Mumbai? Rajasthan Royals? CSK? Article 17 of OECD Model Convention, various tax treaties and Section115BBA of the Act apply in equal measure to both Sportspersons and Entertainers

7 7 Taxability of Resident Entertainers and Sportsmen performing outside India Article 17 of Tax Treaties and OECD Model Tax Convention Main reason for this special treatment is that top artistes and sportsmen are very mobile and can easily move their residency to a tax havens, which levies no income tax. The OECD believes that without Art. 17 (and the taxing right for the source country) these top artistes and sportsmen would escape from taxation under Art Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 7 and 15, income derived by a resident of a Contracting State as an entertainer, such as a theatre, motion picture, radio or television artiste, or a musician, or as a sportsman, from his personal activities as such exercised in the other Contracting State, may be taxed in that other State. 2. Where income in respect of personal activities exercised by an entertainer or a sportsman in his capacity as such accrues not to the entertainer or sportsman himself but to another person, that income may, notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 7 and 15, be taxed in the Contracting State in which the activities of the entertainer or sportsman are exercised. Discussion draft on Article 17 Revised Commentary(issued for public comments in April 2010) (changes proposed in red) - Recommended to substitute the term Artiste with the term Entertainer and the term Appearances with Performances

8 Preliminary Conditions 8 Income derived from personal activities would be taxable in Country of Performance ( Country P ) irrespective of number of days stay in Country P. Conditions for applicability: Resident of one of the contracting states ( Country R ); From Performance of Personal Activities in Country P. As per the thesis of Mr. Milan Matijevic, set of criteria: Must be a performance; Performance should be in public, i.e. directly before an audience or recorded and later reproduced for an audience; Predominant element of the performance must be artistic and entertaining (level is irrelevant); Performer by himself / herself should be the direct or indirect reason why the audience is listening to or watching the performance.

9 Meaning of Artiste and Sportsmen 9 9 No precise definition of artiste - Theatre, motion picture, radio or television artiste, or musician, stage performer, film actor, former sportsman in TV commercial Who acts as such even for a single event One time appearance in a movie or a Amatuer winning a Sports Prize Does not include: Visiting conference speaker : former politician as a Speaker, a model presenting clothes during a fashion show, support staff Cameramen, producers, film directors, choreographers, technical staff, road crew No precise definition of sportsmen Not restricted to traditional athletic events (e.g. runners, jumpers, swimmers) Also covers, golfers, jockeys, footballers, cricketers, tennis players, racing drivers Income from certain other activities of an entertainment character Billiards and snooker, chess and bridge tournaments Merely reporting of an event is not covered

10 Income covered by Article 17 Income covered by Article 17 Directly or indirectly related to performance, irrespective of the payer Income of agent received on behalf of Individual Sponsorship and Advertising fees, if related to performance (Wearing Logo during Match) Income from image rights ie name, signature or personal image, if related to performance Income from Merchandising, if related to performance Income from preparation and training, regardless of whether or not related to performance Payments for simultaneous broadcast of performance, benefiting Entertainer / Sportsman Having Entertainment character, even if activities are of political, religious or charitable nature Income covered by other Articles No direct link between the income and the performance of activities Income of agent arranging appearance Sponsorship and Advertising fees, if not related to performance Income from image rights ie name, signature or personal image, if not related to performance Merchandising income derived from sales not related to performances- Article 12 or Article 7 Payments received in the event of the cancellation of a performance - Article 7 Income from restrictive covenants, (an agreement, a legal obligation imposed) to do or not to do something - Article 7

11 Other provisions 11 Dual Role : Mr. Subhash Ghai - appearance in most of his movies Actual nature of activities Activities predominantly of performing nature, apply to all resulting income Performing element is a negligible part, whole income will fall outside the Article In other cases,an apportionment should be necessary Applicable regardless of the Payer Performance as an Employee of the Company, receiving annual salary Country P entitled to tax proportionate salary corresponding to the performance Member of orchestra paid salary and not payment for each separate performance Tax proportion of musician's salary which corresponds to performance Employed by one person company, Country P may tax proportionate remuneration Domestic laws look through entities and treat income accruing to individual: Country P can tax income accruing in the entity for individual's benefit, even if not actually paid as remuneration to the individual (eg Brad Pitt s company receiving income for his benefit)

12 Examples 12 A cyclist employed by a Team, required to travel with the team, appear in public press conferences, participate in training activities and races in different countries. Paid fixed annual salary plus bonuses based on race results. Allocate the salary based on number of working days during which he is present in each State performing employment-related activities (e.g. travel, training, races, public appearances) and allocate bonuses to where the relevant races took place. Organiser of a football tournament holds all IPR in the event and receives payments for broadcasting rights - Article 17 is not applicable to income and also to any share of these payments distributed to participating teams. Depending on legal nature, may constitute royalties covered by Article 12. Indian Cricket Team goes to Australia to play a series and fly in 3 weeks in advance to practice on the ground- Taxability of income from practice sessions? It will be appropriate to allocate that salary or remuneration on the basis of the working days spent in each State in which the entertainer or sportsman has been required, under his employment contract, to perform these activities

13 Computation of Income 13 Computation of Income under Article 17 Article does not provide for Computation of income Country P s domestic law - deductions for expenses Domestic laws differ - Taxation at source, gross based taxation, low rate

14 Income accruing to other persons 14 Income accrues to another person and Country P does not look through the person receiving the income to tax it as income of the Individual, as per Paragraph 2, portion of income which cannot be taxed in the hands of the Individual, may be taxed in the hands of the other person receiving it Business Income may be taxable even in the absence of a PE in Country P Three situations: Management company receives income for appearance of a group (not constituted as a legal entity) Team, team, troupe, orchestra, etc., constituted as a legal entity Income for performances may be paid to entity Individual members liable to tax under Paragraph 1 Profit element of legal entity under Paragraph 2 Entertainer / Sportsman Company (Neither as personal activities or business income) Taxable under Paragraph 2 (Individual and Star Company may be residents of different States) If Country P Looks Through, taxable under Paragraph 1

15 Article 17(2) 15 Article 17(2) not applicable : Prize money of owner of horse or race car since not related to personal activities of the jockey or race car driver Income of enterprises involved in production of entertainment or sports events. Income of independent promoter of concert from sale of tickets and allocation of advertising space Same income should not be taxed twice through application of these two paragraphs Paragraph 2 : Star-company on payment with respect to activities performed by the Individual; and Paragraph 1 : Part of remuneration paid by Company to the Individual, attributed to activities. Depending on domestic law of Country P, tax only the company or Individual on the whole income attributable to activities or tax each of them on part of the income, e.g. by taxing the income received by the company but allowing a deduction for the relevant part of the remuneration paid to the Individual and taxing that part in the hands of the Individual

16 Article 17 - Paragraph 2 16 Profit element accruing from a performance to legal entity liable to tax Example 1 : I Co pays Brad Pitt s Company USD 10 Million for performance in India; Company pays Brad Pitt USD 9.50 Million - amount taxable in under Article 17? USD 9.5 Million in the hands of the Entertainer USD 0.50 Million in the hands of the Company Example 2 : American Sports Company sends group of eight sportsmen to India for playing at a football tournament Sports Company receives USD 10 million from I Co and pays USD 8 million to the sportsmen as remuneration Expenses of Sport Company in relation to football tournament USD 0.50 Million Profit of the Sports Company USD 1.50 Million - Taxable under Article 17(2)

17 Article 17(2) 17 Peculiar India-Australia Treaty Australian Cricketer s Management Company receives the income on his behalf Article 17(2) gives the impression that Management Companies of only Entertainers are covered ie Management Companies of Sportsmen may not covered by Article 17(2) and hence not taxable ARTICLE XVII - Entertainers - 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 14 and 15, income derived by residents of one of the Contracting States as entertainers, such as theatre, motion picture, radio or television artists, musicians and athletes, from their personal activities as such exercised in the other Contracting State, may be taxed in that other State. 2. Where income in respect of the personal activities of an entertainer as such accrues not to that entertainer but to another person, that income may, notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 7, 14 and 15, be taxed in the Contracting State in which the activities of the entertainer are exercised

18 18 Performance in India Non-Resident Entertainers and Sportsmen

19 19 Taxation of Non-Resident Entertainers and Sportsmen in India Residential status - Period of stay in India (not only shooting, including promotion and practice sessions) Rate of tax not provided in the treaty - Taxable at rates under the Act Rates of withholding taxes Section 115BBA r.w. Section 194E

20 20 Taxation in India Amendment in Section 115BBA by Budget 2012 Income of : Sportsman, Non-Resident and not a Citizen of India, includes any income from: Participation in India in any game (other than lotteries, puzzles, gambling) or sport; Advertisement; Contribution to Articles relating to any game or sport in India Non-Resident Sports Association or Institution, includes: Any amount guaranteed in relation to any Game or sport played in India An Entertainer, NR not a Citizen of India, includes any income from: Performance in India Income-tax payable at the rate of 20% (Gross Based Taxation) No deduction of expenses Not necessary to file return of income in India, if: No other income in India other than Section 115BBA; and Appropriate taxes withheld at source

21 Amendment Impact 21 Does not cover cases of when income accrues to a person other than the Entertainer / Sportsman as per Article 17(2) Continue to be taxed as per normal income tax provisions Withholding taxes - Section 194E With respect to Income specified in Section 115BBA, taxes to be withheld at the rate of 20% Section 115BBA applicable from 1 April 2012 Section 194E applicable from 1 July 2012 Withholding taxes in the interim for one month Better view at the rate of 20%

22 Circular 787 dated Scenario i. If the artist performs in India gratuitously, without any consideration, or performs in India to promote sale of his records but no consideration is paid for the performances by anyone. ii. Consideration received by artist for live performance and/or simultaneous live telecast or broadcast in India. iii. Consideration received to acquire copyrights of performance in India for subsequent sale abroad (of records, CDs etc) or consideration to acquire license for broadcast or telecast overseas. iv. Consideration to acquire copyright of performance in India for subsequent sale in India or consideration to acquire license for broadcast or telecast in India. v. Endorsement fees which relates to artist s performance in India. Taxability No Tax Taxable in India / Article 17 Not taxable in India u/s. 9(1)(vi) Taxable in India u/s. 9(1)(vi) / Article 12 - Royalties Taxable in India u/s. 5 / Article 17

23 Sportsmen 23 Foreign players who become residents during the year? If two series are played in India, possibility that players may become tax residents of India Section 115BBA not applicable since only applicable to NR sportsmen Section 194J applicable Required to file return of income Taxable as per normal Income-tax provisions Can claim deduction for expenses Payments already made under Section 115BBA for part of the year? Rate of different under both Section 115BBA and Section 194J In case the Deductor is aware that the Sportsman would become resident during the year, should taxes be withheld under Section 194J?

24 Case Study Akon, an American singer visited India for live stage performances, hosted in 3 cities in a span of 15 days, organised by a Foreign Management Company ( F Co ) and in India by Indian Event management Company ( I Co ) Remuneration - Rs. 2 crores paid by I Co I Co released a compilation of audio and video CDs / DVDs the Concert, released globally by an XYZ Music Company, an Indian Company and remuneration paid was Rs 1 crore on acquiring rights by XYZ Music Guest Appearance on Indian Idol, remuneration of Rs 50 lakhs Payment of Commission to F Co - Rs 20 lakhs Taxability if I Co directly made the entire payment to F Co

25 Case Study Remuneration for performance Section 115BBA Acquiring rights by XYZ Music Circular Subsequent Sale abroad not taxable and subsequent Sale in India taxable XYZ Music Company to release it globally Rs 1 crore to be apportioned between India and other than India Guest Appearance on Indian Idol, remuneration of Rs 50 lakhs Section 115BBA F Co s income not taxable in India (Wizcraft decision) If I Co made the entire payment to F Co: F Co could be taxable on portion of Akon s remuneration in India under Article 17 and not covered by Section 115BBA

26 Case Study Mr. Micheal Barboza (Brazil Resident), contracted by UK Club to play in IPL in India, Sri lanka and China Play-off matches in India, Sri Lanka and China (to be played over 3 weeks) and final match in India, with two matches played in a week, training only in India Income of the Club - Prize money for winning IFL- Rs. 50 lakhs (50% to be distributed among players) Income of Mr. Micheal Barbosa Monthly compensation - Rs.2 lakhs (including time spent in training) Player of the Series - Rs.10 lakhs Share of Prize money for winning IFL (50%) Rs 25 lakhs Nike promotion fees for wearing gear: Rs. 2 lakhs: during matches Rs. 5 lakhs: during public appearances Rs. 25 lakhs for guest appearance in a Bollywood movie

27 Case Study Income of Mr. Micheal Barbosa Monthly compensation - Rs.2 lakhs Attributable to India activity taxable u/s 115BBA at the rate of 20% on gross basis Player of the Series - Rs.10 lakhs Since player of the Series, Portion of the Player of the Series award attributable to India, taxable u/s 115BBA at the rate of 20% on gross basis Share of Prize money for winning IPL Whether merely because Final match played in India is won by the Club, entire amount can be taxable in India? Whether amount attributable to India fits within income earned by way of participation in any game u/s 115BBA? Rs. 25 lakhs for guest appearance in a Bollywood movie Taxable under Section 115BBA as an Entertainer

28 Case Study Income of Mr. Micheal Barbosa Nike promotion fees for wearing gear: Rs. 2 lakhs: during matches Directly related to performance and hence taxable under Section 115BBA Rs. 5 lakhs: during public appearances Taxable as Income from Advertisement under Section 115BBA Income of Club Prize money attributable to Players would be taxable under Article 17(2) Prize of the Club (50%) Rs 25 lakhs payment under Article 7 The Club is not a Sports Association, prize money not covered u/s 115BBA Taxable in India on net basis under normal provisions Other views?

29 Case Study Mr. LB, a South African cricketer During FY , played matches in Indian Premier League 2012 Participating in FY , as a fielding coach Dashing Sports Ltd - a US Company, acquires world-wide rights from LB to use his face, name and character in Indian Premier Gaming League 2012 animation game LB has advertisement agreement with I Co. Advertisement would be for Indian products

30 Case Study Taxability of Income from IPL Same as per principles outlined in Case Study 2 Income as a player covered under Art. 17 Income as a coach Covered under Art. 14 May not be taxable if threshold period not crossed Taxability of Advertisement Income Section 115BBA Taxability of Gaming Rights Whether celebrity rights covered under IPR? Whether taxable under Article 17 or 12? Applicability of Section 115BBA

31 Case Study I Co engaged in entertainment event management and marketing Organised events/performances of renowned foreign artists/groups in India For performances of international artists in India, I Co entered into agreement with UK agent, also acting as agent for various event management companies As per agreement, I Co granted limited authority to UK agent To act on its behalf; enter into contract with artists; and ancillary acts required to be performed outside India Apart from payment of fees to artists, I Co paid commission to UK agent and reimbursed expenses incurred in connection with performances of artists in India Fee paid to artist - I Co deducted tax under Article 18 of India-UK DTAA Reimbursement of artist s expenses - I Co did not deduct tax Commission and reimbursement to UK Agent I Co did not deduct any tax since UK agent had rendered services outside India and it did not have PE in India

32 Case Study Commission paid to the UK agent was not for services of entertainers/artists. The UK agent had not taken any part in the events, nor performed any activities in India. Hence, it was not covered by Article 18 of India-UK DTAA. The UK agent did not have any PE in India [Carborandum Co. v. CIT, (1977) 108 ITR 335 (SC) and CBDT Circular Nos. 17 (XXXVII) dated and 786 dated ], commission paid to the UK agent was not taxable in India and no obligation on ICo to deduct tax at source Reimbursement of expenses - The law is well settled that reimbursement of expense not chargeable to tax and hence, no obligation to deduct tax at source [DIT (IT) Vs. Krupp UDHE Gmbh (2010) 38 DTR (Bom) 251 following own decision in CIT Vs. Siemens Aktiongesellschaft 220 CTR (Bom) 425] ACIT vs Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt Ltd I.T.A.No. 3208/Mum/2003 Reliance placed on Circular No. 786 dated 7 February 2000, which is withdrawn on 22 October Implications?

33 Case Study - Marathon 33 Every year Mumbai Marathon - Matter of pride to run the Marathon Celebrities, industrialists running for a cause Almost a social event

34 Marathon 34 Winner of Mumbai Marathon 2012? Laban Moiben, from Kenya Not an Indian

35 Marathon Africans come to India to run the Marathon Invited by the sponsors to run the Marathon, three situations: Directly - Payment made directly to the Athletes Through a sports association Through a management company Income of the athletes in India Participation fees Prize money Advertisement, if any Contribution to articles, if any Reimbursement of expenses

36 Taxability in India 36 Directly by Organisers Section 115BBA at the rate of 20 percent (plus surcharge and cess) Reimbursement of expenses - Discussed in Wizcraft Through a Sports Association If amount is not guaranteed? Covered by Section 115BBA? Through a Management Company Two situations: Own Company ie Star-Company; and Sports Companies

37 Marathon 37 Through a Star company Star company charges Organiser consolidated amount Makes the payment to the athlete on its own account One agreement between Organiser and Star Company Taxability Star company not covered under Section 115BBA However, covered under Article 17(2) Article 17 does not provide computation or rate of taxation Reference to domestic law Payment to Star Company taxable as per domestic law in India No special rate or method provided, taxable as per normal provisions Taxability of athlete in India? Can a view be taken that since ultimate beneficiary is the athlete, Section 115BBA should be applicable?

38 38 Marathon - Through a Sports management company ( SMC ) Model 1 - Mechanics SMC charges commission and makes payment to the athlete Agreement on Principal-Principal basis Taxability Athlete s remuneration - SMC covered under Article 17(2) and not under Section 115BBA, taxable as per normal income tax provisions Commission taxable as business income - No PE, not taxable Model 2 - Mechanics SMC charges Organiser commission and receives payment on behalf of the Athlete Agreement on Principal-Agent Basis Taxability Commission taxable as business income - No PE, not taxable Can a view be taken that since ultimate beneficiary is the athlete, Article 17(1) r.w. Section 115BBA applicable?

39 Way Forward 39 Need of a single code for Taxation of Entertainers and Sportsmen Section 115BBA and Circular 787 Article 17 changes proposed in discussion draft could be incorporated Radical Changes to Article 17

40 Queries 40 YOUR QUESTIONS PLEASE!!!

41 Source 41

42 Thank you!!! 42 Isha Sekhri