United States and Republic of Croatia sign new Income Tax Treaty

NFCA President Steve Rukavina with Croatia’s Finance Minister Dr. Marko Primorac
at the Croatian Embassy Reception on December 7th.

Painting by Rudolf Pater, Croatian artist living in Zagreb and Dubrovnik.
On that particular drawing, church of st. Peter is drown, from some village in Dubrovnik surroundings.

From Steve Rukavina, President — National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation December 13, 2022 United States and Republic of Croatia sign new Income Tax Treaty Washington, DC: The National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCA) is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, December 7th at the U.S. Department of State that Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez and Croatia’s Minister of Finance Dr. Marko Primorac, signed a comprehensive income tax treaty between the United States and Croatia. The new tax treaty must now be approved by the U.S. Senate and the Croatian Sabor before official implementation. This tax treaty closely follows the U.S. Model income tax treaty. Last week, both American and Croatian diplomats praised this significant step towards strengthening trade and commercial ties between the United States and Croatia. It is significant to note that this is the first comprehensive tax treaty that the United States has signed in over ten years. The Avoidance of Double Taxation Treaty will protect both American and Croatian taxpayers from double taxation through the allocation of taxation rights between the two countries. It also prevents potential excessive taxation by reducing the withholding tax imposed by the source country on taxable income, which is critical for both individual taxpayers and companies. NFCA President Steve Rukavina noted that, “the signing of this bilateral treaty is another sign of the ever-growing alliance between the United States and Croatia, that goes beyond the NATO and military partnership through adding this all important new tax treaty. It should be acknowledged that there was a serious collaborative effort by the National Federation of Croatian Americans and the Association of Croatian American Professionals, over the past six years to keep this treaty initiative on the priority radar screen for the American Ambassadors to Croatia, the State Department and the U.S. Treasury Department.” Croatia’s Finance Minister Dr. Marko Primorac led the Croatian delegation to Washington, D.C. for this treaty ceremony. The Croatian Ambassador to the United States, Pjer Simunovic hosted a reception on December 7th at the Embassy to celebrate the signing of this milestone tax agreement. The ninety guests in attendance included NFCA Board members: Steve Rukavina, Adam Radman, Tom Steich, Mark Plavetic, John Kraljic, Kruno Zivic, Judi Zivic and political consultant Joe Foley. The Croatian Fraternal Union was represented by Franjo Bertovic and Ivan Begg and the Association of Croatian American Professionals, by President Dr. Steven Pavletic. The acting US Ambassador to Croatia, Mark Fleming flew in from Zagreb to attend the Embassy reception to celebrate the historic signing event. Also, other American diplomats there were State Department’s Southeast Europe Director, Martin McDowell with Croatia Desk Officer, Adam Olszowka besides two former U.S. Ambassadors to Croatia, James Foley and Robert Bradtke. Here’s the press release issued by the US Treasury Department on Wednesday, December 7th and with a link to the actual treaty. content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USTREAS/bulletins/33c0f30 In January, the NFCA will release, a serious analysis of this Avoidance of Double Taxation Treaty with a focus on the key elements that will benefit Americans and Croatians, as individuals or as a business and the national umbrella NFCA group plans an educational “zoom” event too for early 2023. The NFCA is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization established in 1993 and is dedicated to promoting the interests of Croatian Americans by enhancing the relationship between the United States and Croatia through educational initiatives, public policy, political diplomacy, cultural activities, and media relations. The NFCA supports Croatian heritage through cultural initiatives, economic development, and democratic advocacy. This umbrella organization, represents individuals, professional associations, national and metropolitan groups, and fraternal lodges that collectively represent approximately 80,000 members. The website is: www.nfcacf.org

Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the USA,

with the sculpture of St. Jerome in front of it, carved by Ivan Meštrović.

Ivan Mestrovic‘s St. Jerome in front of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, Washington DC, USA.
A gift from Croatian Fraciscan Glagolitic Tertiaries in the USA.