Russia

PERSONS COVERED This Convention shall apply to persons who are residents of one or both of the Contracting States.

TAXES COVERED 1. This Convention shall apply to taxes on income and on capital imposed on behalf of a Contracting State or of its political subdivisions or local authorities, irrespective of the manner in which they are levied. 2. There shall be regarded as taxes on income and on capital all taxes imposed on total income, on total capital, or on elements of income or of capital, including taxes on gains from the alienation of movable or immovable property, as well as taxes on capital appreciation. 3. The existing taxes to which the Convention shall apply are in particular: a) in Spain: (i) income tax on individuals; (ii) corporation tax; (iii) capital tax; and (iv) local taxes on income and on capital; (hereinafter referred to as "Spanish Tax"). b) in Russia: (i) tax on profits or income of enterprises and organisations; (ii) income tax on individuals; (iii) tax on property of enterprises; and (iv) tax on property of individuals; (hereinafter referred to as "Russian Tax"). 4. This Convention shall also apply to any identical or substantially similar taxes which are imposed after the date of signature of this Convention in addition to, or in place of, the existing taxes.

GENERAL DEFINITIONS 1. For the purposes of this Convention, unless the context otherwise requires: a) the term "Spain" means the Spanish State, and when used in a geographical sense means the territory of the Spanish state, as well as any maritime area beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea upon which in accordance with international law and in application of its domestic legislation, the Spanish State exercises or may exercise jurisdiction or sovereign rights with respect to the seabed, its subsoil and superjacent waters, and their natural resources, as defined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982); b) the term "Russia" means the territory of the Russian Federation as well as its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as defined in its legislation subject to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea; c) the terms "a Contracting State" and "the other Contracting State" mean Spain or Russia as the context requires; d) the term "person" includes an individual, a company and any other body of persons; e) the term "company" means any body corporate or any entity which is treated as a body corporate for tax purposes; f) the terms "enterprise of a Contracting State" and "enterprise of the other Contracting State" mean, respectively, an enterprise carried on by a resident of a Contracting State and an enterprise carried on by a resident of the other Contracting State; g) the term "national" means: (i) any individual possessing the nationality of a Contracting State; (ii) any legal person, partnership or association deriving its status as such from the laws in force in a Contracting State; h) the term "international traffic" means any transport by a ship or aircraft operated by an enterprise of a Contracting State, except when the ship or aircraft is operated solely between places in the other Contracting State; i) the term "competent authority" means: (i) in Spain, the Minister of Economics and Finance or his authorised representative; (ii) in Russia, the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation or its authorised representative. 2. As regards the application of this Convention by a Contracting State, any term not defined therein shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning which it has at that time under the law of that State for the purposes of the

taxes to which the Convention applies, any meaning under the applicable tax laws of that State prevailing over a meaning given to the term under other laws of that State.

RESIDENT 1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term "resident of a Contracting State" means any person who, under the laws of that State, is liable to tax therein by reason of his domicile, residence, place of management, place of registration, or any other criterion of a similar nature, and also includes that State and any political subdivision or local authority thereof. This term, however, does not include any person who is liable to tax in that State in respect only of income from sources in that State or capital situated therein. 2. Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then his status shall be determined as follows: a) he shall be deemed to be a resident of the State in which he has a permanent home available to him; if he has a permanent home available to him in both States, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the State with which his personal and economic relations are closer (centre of vital interests); b) if the State in which he has his centre of vital interests cannot be determined, or if he has not a permanent home available to him in either State, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the State in which he has an habitual abode; c) if he has an habitual abode in both States or in neither of them, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the State of which he is a national; d) if he is a national of both States or of neither of them, the competent authorities of the States shall settle the question by mutual agreement. 3. Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 a person other than an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then it shall be deemed to be a resident of the State in which its place of effective management is situated.

PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT 1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term "permanent establishment" means a fixed place of business through which the business of an enterprise is wholly or partly carried on. 2. The term "permanent establishment" includes especially:

a) a place of management; b) a branch; c) an office; d) a factory; e) a workshop; and f) a mine, an oil or gas well, a quarry or any other place of extraction of natural resources. 3. A building site or construction or installation project constitutes a permanent establishment only if it lasts for more than twelve months. 4. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, the term "permanent establishment" shall be deemed not to include: a) the use of facilities solely for the purpose of storage, display or delivery of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise; b) the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise solely for the purpose of storage, display or delivery; c) the maintenance of a stock of goods or merchandise belonging to the enterprise solely for the purpose of processing by another enterprise; d) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of purchasing goods or merchandise or of collecting information, for the enterprise; e) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for the purpose of carrying on, for the enterprise, any other activity of a preparatory or auxiliary character; f) the maintenance of a fixed place of business solely for any combination of activities mentioned in sub-paragraphs a) to e), provided that the overall activity of the fixed place of business resulting from this combination is of a preparatory or auxiliary character. 5. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, where a person - other than an agent of an independent status to whom paragraph 6 applies- is acting on behalf of an enterprise and has, and habitually exercises, in a Contracting State an authority to conclude contracts in the name of the enterprise, that enterprise shall be deemed to have a permanent establishment in that State in respect of any activities which that person undertakes for the enterprise, unless the activities of such person are limited to those mentioned in paragraph 4 which, if exercised through a fixed place of business, would not make this fixed place of business a permanent establishment under the provisions of that paragraph. 6. An enterprise shall not be deemed to have a permanent establishment in a Contracting State merely because it carries on business in that State through a broker, general commission agent or any other agent of an independent status, provided that such persons are acting in the ordinary course of their business. 7. The fact that a company which is a resident of a Contracting State controls or is controlled by a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State, or which carries on business in that other State (whether through a permanent establishment or otherwise), shall not of itself constitute either company a permanent establishment of the other.

INCOME FROM IMMOVABLE PROPERTY 1. Income derived by a resident of a Contracting State from immovable property (including income from agriculture or forestry) situated in the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State. 2. The term "immovable property" shall have the meaning which it has under the law of the Contracting State in which the property in question is situated. The term shall in any case include property accessory to immovable property, livestock and equipment used in agriculture and forestry, rights to which the provisions of general law respecting landed property apply, rights known as usufruct of immovable property and rights to variable or fixed payments as consideration for the working of, or the right to work, mineral deposits, sources and other natural resources; ships and aircraft shall not be regarded as immovable property. 3. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply to income derived from the direct use, letting or use in any other form of immovable property. 4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 3 shall also apply to the income from immovable property of an enterprise and to income from immovable property used for the performance of independent personal services.

BUSINESS PROFITS 1. The profits of an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that State unless the enterprise carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein. If the enterprise carries on business as aforesaid, the profits of the enterprise may be taxed in the other State but only so much of them as is attributable to that permanent establishment. 2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3, where an enterprise of a Contracting State carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein, there shall in each Contracting State be attributed to that permanent establishment the profits which it might be expected to make if it were a distinct and separate enterprise engaged in the same or similar activities under the same or similar conditions and dealing wholly independently with the enterprise of which it is a permanent establishment. 3. In determining the profits of a permanent establishment, there shall be allowed as deductions expenses which are incurred for the purposes of the permanent establishment, including executive and general administrative expenses so incurred, whether in the State in which the permanent establishment is situated or elsewhere. 4. No profits shall be attributed to a permanent establishment by reason of the mere purchase by that permanent establishment of goods or merchandise for the enterprise.

5. Where profits include items of income which are dealt with separately in other Articles of this Convention, then the provisions of those Articles shall not be affected by the provisions of this Article.

INCOME FROM INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC 1. Profits from the operation of ships or aircraft in international traffic derived by an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that State. 2. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall also apply to profits from the participation in a pool, a joint business or an international operating agency.

ADJUSTMENT TO PROFITS OF ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES 1. Where a) an enterprise of a Contracting State participates directly or indirectly in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of the other Contracting State, or b) the same persons participate, directly or indirectly, in the management, control or capital of an enterprise of a Contracting State and an enterprise of the other Contracting State, and in either case conditions are made or imposed between the two enterprises in their commercial or financial relations which differ from those which would be made between independent enterprises, then any profits which would, but for those conditions, have accrued to one of the enterprises but, by reason of those conditions, have not so accrued, may be included in the profits of that enterprise and taxed accordingly. 2. Where a Contracting State includes in the profits of an enterprise of that State -and taxes accordingly- profits on which an enterprise of the other State has been charged to tax in that other Contracting State and that other State agrees that the profits so included are profits which would have accrued to the enterprise of the first-mentioned State if the conditions made between the two enterprises had been those which would have been made between independent enterprises, then that other State shall make an appropriate adjustment to the amount of the tax charged therein on those profits. In determining such adjustment, due regard shall be had to the other provisions of this Convention and the competent authorities of the Contracting States shall if necessary consult each other.

DIVIDENDS 1. Dividends paid by a company which is a resident of a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State. 2. However, such dividends may also be taxed in the Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident and according to the laws of that State, but if the recipient is the beneficial owner of the dividends the tax so charged shall not exceed: a) 5 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends if: (i) the beneficial owner is a company (other than a partnership) which has invested at least 100,000 ECU (one hundred thousand ECU) or the equivalent amount in any other currency in the capital of the company paying the dividends; and (ii) those dividends are exempt from tax in the other Contracting State; b) 10 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends if only one of the conditions (i) or (ii) above is met; c) 15 per cent of the gross amount of the dividends in all other cases. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall by mutual agreement settle the mode of application of these limitations. This paragraph shall not affect the taxation of the company in respect of the profits out of which the dividends are paid. 3. The term "dividends" as used in this Article means income from shares, founders' shares or other rights, not being debt-claims, participating in profits, as well as income from other corporate rights which is subjected to the same taxation treatment as income from shares by the laws of the State of which the company making the distribution is a resident. 4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the dividends, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State of which the company paying the dividends is a resident, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply. 5. Where a company which is a resident of a Contracting State derives profits or income from the other Contracting State, that other State may not impose any tax on the dividends paid by the company, except insofar as such dividends are paid to a resident of that other State or insofar as the holding in respect of which the dividends are paid is effectively connected with a permanent establishment or a fixed

base situated in that other State, not subject the company's undistributed profits to a tax on the company's undistributed profits, even if the dividends paid or the undistributed profits consist wholly or partly of profits or income arising in such other State.

INTEREST 1. Interest arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State. 2. However, such interest may also be taxed in the Contracting State in which it arises and according to the laws of that State, but if the recipient is the beneficial owner of the interest the tax so charged shall not exceed 5 per cent of the gross amount of the interest. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall by mutual agreement settle the mode of application of this limitation. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2, interest arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State shall be taxable only in that other State if the recipient is the beneficial owner of the interest and a) the interest is beneficially owned by a Contracting State, a political subdivision or a local authority thereof; or b) the interest is paid on a long-term loan (7 or more years) granted by a bank or other credit institution, which is a resident of a Contracting State. 4. The term "interest" as used in this Article means income from debt- claims of every kind, whether or not secured by mortgage and whether or not carrying a right to participate in the debtor's profits, and in particular, income from government securities and income from bonds or debentures, including premiums and prizes attaching to such securities, bonds or debentures, as well as all other income assimilated to income from money lent by the taxation laws of the State in which the income arises. Penalty charges for late payment shall not be regarded as interest for the purpose of this Article. 5. The provisions or paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the interest, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State in which the interest arises, through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the debt-claim in respect of which the interest is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply. 6. Interest shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is a resident of that State. Where, however, the person paying the interest, whether he is a resident of a Contracting State or not, has in a Contracting State a permanent establishment or a fixed base in connection with which the indebtedness on which the interest is paid was incurred, and such interest is borne by such permanent

establishment or fixed base, then such interest shall be deemed to arise in the State in which the permanent establishment or fixed base is situated. 7. Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the interest, having regard to the debt-claim for which it is paid, exceeds the amount which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the beneficial owner in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the last-mentioned amount. In such case, the excess part of the payments shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting State, due regard being had to the other provisions of this Convention.

ROYALTIES 1. Royalties arising in a Contracting State and paid to a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State. 2. However, such royalties may be taxed in the Contracting State in which they arise, and according to the laws of that State, but if the recipient is the beneficial owner of the royalties the tax so charged shall not exceed 5 per cent of the gross amount of the royalties. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall by mutual agreement settle the mode of application of this limitation. 3. The term "royalties" as used in this Article means payments of any kind received as a consideration for the use of, or the right to use, any copyright of literary, artistic or scientific work, including cinematographic films or films, tapes, and other means of image or sound reproduction, any patent, trade mark, design or model, plan, secret formula or process, or for the use of, or the right to use, industrial, commercial or scientific equipment, or for information concerning industrial, commercial or scientific experience. 4. The provisions or paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply if the beneficial owner of the royalties, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State in which the royalties arise through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the right or property in respect of which the royalties are paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case, the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply. 5. Royalties shall be deemed to arise in a Contracting State when the payer is a resident of that State. Where, however, the person paying the royalties, whether he is a resident of a Contracting State or not, has in a Contracting State a permanent establishment or fixed base in connection with which the obligation to pay the royalties was incurred, and those royalties are borne by the permanent establishment or fixed base, then such royalties shall be deemed to arise in the Contracting State in which the permanent establishment or fixed base is situated. 6. Where, by reason of a special relationship between the payer and the beneficial owner or between both of them and some other person, the amount of the royalties paid, having regard to the use, right or information for which they are paid, exceeds the amount which would have been agreed upon by the payer and the

beneficial owner in the absence of such relationship, the provisions of this Article shall apply only to the last mentioned amount. In that case, the excess part of the payments shall remain taxable according to the laws of each Contracting State, due regard being had to the other provisions of this Convention.

CAPITAL GAINS 1. Gains derived by a resident of a Contracting State from the alienation of immovable property referred to in Article 6 and situated in the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State. 2. Gains from the alienation of shares or other participation rights in a company, the assets of which consist, directly or indirectly, mainly of immovable property situated in one of the Contracting States, may be taxed in that State. 3. Gains from the alienation of movable property forming part of the business property of a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting State has in the other Contracting State or of movable property pertaining to a fixed base available to a resident of a Contracting State in the other Contracting State for the purpose of performing independent personal services, including such gains from the alienation of such a permanent establishment (alone or with the whole enterprise) or of such fixed base, may be taxed in that other Contracting State. 4. Gains from the alienation of ships or aircraft operated in international traffic or movable property pertaining to the operation of such ships or aircraft derived by an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that State. 5. Gains from the alienation of any property other than that referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article shall be taxable only in the Contracting State of which the alienator is a resident.

INCOME FROM INDEPENDENT PERSONAL SERVICES 1. Income derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of professional services or other activities of an independent character shall be taxable only in that State unless he has a fixed base regularly available to him in the other Contracting State for the purpose of performing his activities. If he has such a fixed base, the income may be taxed in the other State but only so much of it as is attributable to that fixed base. 2. The term "professional services" includes especially independent scientific, literary, artistic, educational or teaching activities as well as the independent activities of physicians, lawyers, engineers, architects, dentists and accountants.

INCOME FROM EMPLOYMENT 1. Subject to the provisions of Articles 16, 18 and 19, salaries, wages and other similar remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of an employment shall be taxable only in that State unless the employment is exercised in the other Contracting State. If the employment is so exercised, such remuneration as is derived therefrom may be taxed in that other State. 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, remuneration derived by a resident of a Contracting State in respect of an employment exercised in the other Contracting State shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned State if: a) the recipient is present in the other State for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 183 days in any twelve month period commencing or ending in the fiscal year concerned; and b) the remuneration is paid by, or on behalf of, an employer who is not a resident of the other State; and c) the remuneration is not borne by a permanent establishment or a fixed base which the employer has in the other State. 3. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, remuneration derived in respect of an employment exercised aboard a ship or aircraft operated in international traffic by an enterprise of a Contracting State, may be taxed in that State.

DIRECTORS' FEES Directors' fees and other similar payments derived by a resident of a Contracting State in his capacity as a member of the board of directors of a company which is a resident of the other Contracting State may be taxed in that other State.

INCOME OF ARTISTES AND SPORTSMEN 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 14 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 an 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 an 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, 14 and 15, be taxed in the Contracting State in which the activities of the entertainer or sportsman are exercised. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, income derived from activities referred to in paragraph 1 performed under a cultural agreement or arrangement between the Contracting States shall be exempt from tax in the Contracting State in which the activities are exercised if the visit to that State is wholly or substantially supported by public funds of the other Contracting State or of a political subdivision or local authority thereof.

PENSIONS Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 19, pensions and other similar remuneration paid to a resident of a Contracting State in consideration of past employment shall be taxable only in that State.

REMUNERATION FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE 1. a) Salaries, wages and other similar remuneration, other than a pension, paid by a Contracting State or a political subdivision or a local authority thereof to an individual in respect of services rendered to that State or subdivision or authority shall be taxable only in that State. b) However, such salaries, wages and other similar remuneration shall be taxable only in the other Contracting State if the services are rendered in that State and the individual is a resident of that State who: (i) is a national of that State; or (ii) did not become a resident of that State solely for the purpose of rendering the services. 2. a) Any pension paid by, or out of funds created by, a Contracting State or a political subdivision or a local authority thereof to an individual in respect of services rendered to that State or subdivision or authority shall be taxable only in that State. b) However, such pension shall be taxable only in the other Contracting State if the individual is a resident of, and a national of, that State. 3. The provisions of Articles 15, 16, 17 and 18 shall apply to salaries, wages and other similar remuneration, and to pensions in respect of services rendered in connection with a business carried on by a Contracting State or a political subdivision or a local authority thereof.

AMOUNTS PAID TO STUDENTS AND BUSINESS APPRENTICES Payments which a student or business apprentice who is or was immediately before visiting a Contracting State a resident of the other Contracting State and who is present in the first-mentioned State solely for the purpose of his education or training receives for the purpose of his maintenance, education or training shall not be taxed in that State, provided that such payments arise from sources outside that State.

OTHER INCOME 1. Items of income of a resident of a Contracting State, wherever arising, not dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this Convention, shall be taxable in that State. 2. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not apply to income, other than income from immovable property as defined in paragraph 2 of Article 6, if the recipient of such income, being a resident of a Contracting State carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the right or property in respect of which the income is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment, or fixed base. In such case the provisions of Article 7 or Article 14, as the case may be, shall apply. 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, items of income of a resident of a Contracting State not dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this Convention and arising in the other Contracting State may also be taxed in that other State.

CAPITAL 1. Capital represented by immovable property, referred to in Article 6, owned by a resident of a Contracting State and situated in the other Contracting State, may be taxed in that other State. 2. Capital represented by movable property forming part of the business property of a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting State has in the other Contracting State or by movable property pertaining to a fixed base available to a resident of a Contracting State in the other Contracting State for the performance of independent personal services, may be taxed in that other Contracting State.

3. Capital represented by ships and aircraft operated in international traffic, and by movable property pertaining to the operation of such ships and aircraft owned by an enterprise of a Contracting State, shall be taxable only in that State. 4. All other elements of capital of a resident of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that State.

METHODS FOR ELIMINATION OF DOUBLE TAXATION 1. In Spain: In accordance with the provisions and subject to the limitations of the laws of Spain (as may be amended from time to time without changing the general principle thereof): a) Where a resident of Spain derives income or owns capital which, in accordance with the provisions of this Convention, may be taxed in Russia, Spain shall allow as deduction from the tax on the income or on the capital of that resident, an amount equal to the tax effectively paid in Russia. Such deduction shall not, however, exceed that part of the income tax or capital tax, as computed before the deduction is given, which is attributable, as the case may be, to the income or to the capital which may be taxed in Russia. b) In the case of a dividend paid by a company which is a resident of Russia to a company which is a resident of Spain and which holds at least 25 per cent of the capital of the company paying the dividend, or which holds the percentage established by the relevant Spanish legislation where such percentage is lower than 25 per cent, in the computation of the credit there shall be taken into account, in addition to the tax creditable under subparagraph a) of this paragraph, that part of the tax effectively paid by the first-mentioned company on the profits out of which the dividend is paid, which relate to such dividend, provided that such amount of tax is included, for this purpose, in the taxable base of the receiving company. Such deduction, together with the deduction allowable in respect of the dividend under subparagraph a) of this paragraph, shall not exceed that part of the income tax or capital tax, as computed before the deduction is given, which is attributable to the income subject to tax in Russia. For the application of this subparagraph it shall be required that the participation in the company paying the dividend is held on a continuous bases at least during the year preceding the date of payment of the dividend. c) Where in accordance with any provision of this Convention income derived or capital owned by a resident of Spain is exempt from tax in Spain, Spain may nevertheless, in calculating the amount of tax on the remaining income or capital of such resident, take into account the exempted income or capital. 2. In Russia: Where a resident of Russia derives income or owns capital which, in accordance with the provisions of this Convention is taxed in Spain, the amount of tax payable in Spain on that income or capital shall be credited against the tax imposed in

Russia. The amount of credit, however, shall not exceed the amount of the tax on that income or capital computed in accordance with the laws and regulations of Russia.

NON-DISCRIMINATION 1. The nationals of a Contracting State shall not be subjected in the other Contracting State to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which nationals of that other State in the same circumstances, in particular with respect to residence, are or may be subjected. This provision shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 1, also apply to persons who are not residents of one or both of the Contracting States. 2. The taxation on a permanent establishment which an enterprise of a Contracting State has in the other Contracting State shall not be less favourably levied in that other State than the taxation levied on enterprises of that other State carrying on the same activities. 3. Nothing contained in this Article shall be interpreted as obliging a Contracting State to grant to residents of the other Contracting State any personal allowances, reliefs and reductions for tax purposes on account of civil status or family responsibilities which it grants to its own residents. 4. Except where the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 9, paragraph 7 of Article 11, or paragraph 6 of Article 12, apply, interest, royalties and other disbursements paid by an enterprise of a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting State shall, for the purpose of determining the taxable profits of such enterprise, be deductible under the same conditions as if they had been paid to a resident of the first-mentioned State. Similarly, any debts of an enterprise of a Contracting State to a resident of the other Contracting State shall, for the purpose of determining the taxable capital of such enterprise, be deductible under the same conditions as if they had been contracted to a resident of the first-mentioned State. 5. Enterprises of a Contracting State, the capital of which is wholly or partly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by one or more residents of the other Contracting State, shall not be subjected in the first-mentioned Contracting State to any taxation or any requirement connected therewith which is other or more burdensome than the taxation and connected requirements to which other similar enterprises of that first-mentioned State are or may be subjected. 6. The provisions of this Article shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 2, apply to taxes of every kind and description.

MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROCEDURE 1. Where a person considers that the actions of one or both of the Contracting States result or will result for him in taxation not in accordance with this Convention, he may, notwithstanding the remedies provided by the national laws of those States, present his case to the competent authority of the Contracting State of

which he is a resident, or, if his case comes under paragraph 1 of Article 24, to that of the Contracting State of which he is a national. The case must be presented within three years from the first notification of the action resulting in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. 2. The competent authority shall endeavour, if the objection appears to it to be justified and if it is not itself able to arrive at an appropriate solution, to resolve the case by mutual agreement with the competent authority of the other Contracting State, with a view to the avoidance of taxation not in accordance with the Convention. Any agreement reached shall be implemented notwithstanding any time limits in the domestic law of the Contracting State. 3. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall endeavour to resolve by mutual agreement any difficulties or doubts arising as to the interpretation or application of the Convention. They may also consult together for the elimination of double taxation in cases not provided for in the Convention. 4. The competent authorities of the Contracting States may communicate with each other directly, including through a joint commission consisting of themselves or their representatives, for the purpose of reaching an agreement in the sense of the preceding paragraphs.

EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION 1. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall exchange such information as is necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Convention or of the domestic laws of the Contracting States concerning taxes covered by the Convention insofar as the taxation thereunder is not contrary to the Convention. The exchange of information is not restricted by Article 1. Any information received by a Contracting State shall be treated as confidential in the same manner as information obtained under the domestic laws of that State and shall be disclosed only to persons or authorities (including courts and administrative bodies) involved in the assessment or collection of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the determination of appeals in relation to, the taxes covered by the Convention. Such persons or authorities shall use the information only for such purposes. They may disclose the information in public court proceedings or in judicial decisions. 2. In no case shall the provisions of paragraph 1 be construed so as to impose on a Contracting State the obligation: a) to carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws or the administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting State; b) to supply information which is not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administration of that or of the other Contracting State; c) to supply information which would disclose any trade, business, industrial, commercial or professional secret or trade process, or

information, the disclosure of which would be contrary to the vital interests of that State.

MEMBERS OF DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND CONSULAR OFFICES Nothing in this Convention shall affect the fiscal privileges of members of diplomatic missions or consular offices under the general rules of international law or under the provisions of special agreements.

ENTRY INTO FORCE 1. The Governments of the Contracting States shall notify to each other that the internal procedures required by the law of each Contracting State for the entry into force of this Convention have been complied with. 2. The Convention shall enter into force on the date of the later of the notifications referred to in paragraph 1 and its provisions shall have effect in respect of taxes on income or on capital relating to any tax year beginning on or after the first day of January in the calendar year next following that in which the Convention enters into force. 3. From the date on which this Convention enters into force in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article, the Convention between the Government of Spain and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the avoidance of double taxation on income and on capital, signed at Madrid on 1st March 1985, shall cease to have effect in relations between Spain and Russia.

TERMINATION This Convention shall remain in force until denounced by one of the Contracting States. Either Contracting State may terminate the Convention by giving, through diplomatic channels, notice of termination at least six months before the end of any calendar year following after the period of five years from the date on which the Convention enters into force. In such event, the Convention shall cease to have effect in respect of taxes on income or on capital relating to any tax year beginning on or after the first day of January in the calendar year next following that in which the notice of termination is given. In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto, have signed this Convention.

Done in duplicate at ... this ... day of ...in the Spanish, Russian and English languages, each text being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, it shall be resolved in accordance with the English text. For the Government of For the Government of the the Kingdom of Spain Russian Federation

At the moment of signing the Convention between the Government of the Kingdom of Spain and the Government of the Russian Federation for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, the undersigned have agreed upon the following provisions which shall be an integral part of the Convention: I. a) In Spain, it is understood that the reference to political subdivisions is made to "Comunidades Autónomas"; the reference to local authorities corresponds to "Entidades Locales"; as defined under the Spanish Constitution of 27th December 1978 and relevant laws. b) In Russia, it is understood that political subdivisions means Subjects of Federation as defined under the Constitution of the Russian Federation of 12th December 1993. II. Payments received in consideration for the use of, or the right to use, ships or aircraft on a bare boat basis or containers, in international traffic, shall be taxable only in the Contracting State of which the recipient is a resident. III. Ad Article 10, paragraph 2, a) (ii) In the case of Spain, it is understood that dividends are exempted from tax when a deduction of the total amount of the Spanish tax corresponding to such dividends is provided by the Spanish law now in force or by any other provision which could be adopted in the future establishing a substantially similar regime. IV. Ad Article 10, paragraph 3 It is understood that the term "dividends" includes revenue on the liquidation of a company. V. Ad Articles 10, 11, 12 and 13 a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Convention, a company resident in a Contracting State in which persons who are not residents of that State hold, directly or indirectly, a participation of more than 50 per cent of the share capital, shall not be entitled to the reliefs provided for by the Convention in respect of dividends, interests, royalties and capital gains arising in the other Contracting State. This provision shall not apply where the said company is engaged in substantive business operations, other than the mere holding of shares or property, in the Contracting State of which it is a resident. b) A company which under the preceding subparagraph would not be entitled to the benefits of the Convention in respect of the

aforementioned items of income, could still be granted such benefits if the competent authorities of the Contracting States agree under article 25 of this Convention that the establishment of the company and the conduct of its operations are founded on sound business reasons and thus do not have as its primary purpose the obtaining of such benefits. VI. Ad Article 17, paragraph 3 It is understood that the visit of artistes and sportsmen is "substantially" supported by public funds when 75% or more of the total expenses on transport, accommodation and daily allowance are financed by funds of such nature. VII. Ad Article 24, paragraph 5 It is understood that the provisions of Article 24 shall not prevent the application by a Contracting State of its domestic law concerning thin capitalization. VIII. Ad Article 24, paragraph 6 In the case of Russia, it is understood that the expression "taxes of every kind and description" does not include customs duties. In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised thereto, have signed this Protocol. Done in duplicate at ... this ... day of ... in the Spanish, Russian and English languages, each text being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, it shall be resolved in accordance with the English text. For the Government of For the Government the Kingdom of Spain of the Russian Federation