Meaning
Tax reporting requirements apply to any domestic entity transferring funds to an overseas affiliate for the use of intellectual property. The cross border royalty remittance filing is a mandatory step before the bank can process the payment of licensing fees. It ensures that the transaction is recorded for withholding tax purposes and aligns with transfer pricing regulations.
This process applies to trademarks, patents and proprietary software licenses.
Calculation Base
The amount reported in the filing must match the royalty rate specified in the registered technology transfer agreement. Tax authorities check the cross border royalty remittance filing against the revenue generated by the local entity to ensure the fee is reasonable. Any discrepancy leads to a request for more documentation.
Documentation Burden
Companies must provide the original contract and a tax clearance certificate to the bank. The cross border royalty remittance filing requires a detailed description of the intellectual property being used. Proof of the ownership of the asset by the overseas party is also necessary.
Tax Clearance
Withholding tax must be paid or a treaty benefit must be claimed before the filing is finalized. The cross border royalty remittance filing acts as the trigger for the local tax bureau to assess the applicable tax rate. Payment cannot proceed until the tax office issues a stamped confirmation.