Tax Law · European Union
Stop the Same Income Being Taxed Twice
Double taxation happens when two countries each claim tax on the same income or gain — and the relief that should prevent it is rarely applied automatically. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who identifies where the double charge arises and claims the credits, exemptions and treaty relief that remove it.
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Who this is for
When two countries tax the same money, the relief is there — but you have to claim it
Double taxation arises when the same income, gain or asset is taxed by more than one country — for example, when you live in one country while your salary, pension, rental property or investments sit in another, and both jurisdictions treat the money as theirs. It is a common consequence of the two fundamental principles behind tax systems: residence and source. Without intervention, the combined burden can be severe, and it is rarely corrected on its own, because each country simply applies its own rules. Relief usually exists — through domestic rules, exemptions or a treaty between the two countries — but it must be identified and claimed correctly. A double taxation lawyer analyses where the overlap occurs, works out which country should yield, and pursues the refund or credit you are entitled to, so the same income is not taxed twice.
Why double taxation is hard to fix
Both countries think the money is theirs.
Neither will volunteer to let go.
Relief exists in most cases, but finding it and claiming it requires knowing which rules apply and how.
Tax withheld at source and again at home
A foreign employer, pension fund or bank may withhold tax at source, while your home country taxes the same income again — leaving you out of pocket unless a credit or exemption is claimed against the second charge.
Uncertainty over which country should yield
Whether it is the residence country or the source country that must give way depends on the type of income and any treaty between them — and guessing wrong can mean you pay both while the correct relief goes unclaimed.
Relief that is never automatic
Treaty benefits and foreign tax credits almost always require specific forms, evidence and filings, and missed deadlines or wrong forms can forfeit the relief. Doing it yourself, without knowing the process, often means paying double anyway.
What you get
The double charge removed, not just explained
We match you with lawyers who specialise in eliminating double taxation across borders.
The overlap precisely identified
Your lawyer maps exactly where the same income or gain is being taxed in two places, which rules apply, and which country should concede — so the problem is understood before anything is filed.
Credits and exemptions claimed
Whether the answer is a foreign tax credit, a domestic exemption or a treaty provision, your lawyer prepares and files the correct claims and evidence so the second charge is reduced or removed.
Treaty relief applied correctly
Where a double tax treaty governs, your lawyer invokes the right article, proves your residence and entitlement, and follows the procedure the two authorities actually accept.
Refunds and corrections pursued
If you have already paid twice, your lawyer seeks the refund or amended assessment you are owed, and corrects the underlying filings so the double taxation does not simply recur.
Coverage
Double taxation lawyers across Europe
Double taxation is resolved under the national rules and treaties of the specific countries involved, so the right lawyer is one who works with that pair of jurisdictions. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Double taxation — common questions
What is double taxation?
Double taxation is when the same income, gain or asset is taxed by two different countries — typically your country of residence and the country where the income arises. It can occur on salaries, pensions, rental income, dividends and capital gains, and the combined burden can be far higher than either country would impose alone.
How do I avoid paying tax twice on the same income?
Most countries provide relief, usually in the form of a credit for foreign tax already paid, an exemption for certain foreign income, or a provision in a double tax treaty that allocates the taxing right to one country. The relief must be identified and claimed through the correct forms and filings — it is rarely automatic.
What is a foreign tax credit?
A foreign tax credit allows you to offset tax paid in one country against the tax due in another on the same income, so you are not effectively taxed twice. The rules on what counts, how much can be credited and how to claim it vary by country, and getting them wrong can reduce or forfeit the relief.
Does a double tax treaty stop double taxation automatically?
A treaty allocates taxing rights and provides for relief, but you usually have to invoke it — by proving residence, identifying the relevant article and filing the appropriate forms. The treaty removes the double charge only when it is properly applied, which is where a lawyer’s help makes the difference.
What if I have already paid tax twice?
You can often still recover. Depending on the country and the circumstances, you may be entitled to a refund, a credit carried forward, or an amended assessment. There are usually time limits, so acting promptly matters — a lawyer will identify the correct route and pursue the money you are owed.
Which country gives up its tax in a double taxation situation?
It depends on the type of income and the rules or treaty between the two countries. For some income the source country retains the right to tax; for others it is the residence country that must provide relief. The answer is specific to your facts, and a lawyer can determine which country should concede in your case.
Free case review
Reclaim what you should never have paid twice
Tell us where you live and where your income arises, and we’ll connect you with a double taxation lawyer who will identify and remove the double charge — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.