Category: Cyprus

Cabinet approves signing of revised DTAA with Cyprus

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod for signing of revised double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) with Cyprus, a popular tax haven. It is also learnt to have approved the removal of island nation as a non-cooperative jurisdiction for income-tax purpose. Cyprus was the only country to have been… – Continue reading

Greece to Seek Help from Bulgaria, Cyprus to Find Suspected Tax Evaders

Greece intends to sign agreements with Bulgaria and Cyprus which will allow Athens to look into suspected tax evasion by Greek-owned companies registered in the two countries, Greek newspaper Kathimerini has reported. The closer inspection of Greek-owned companies registered in Bulgaria and Cyprus will aim to find out whether they… – Continue reading

Nine measures taken by government to curb black money

The government is hell-bent on cracking down on black money and undisclosed income of Indians within the country and safely stowed away abroad. While there is no proper estimation of the actual amount of black money in the economy, the government is actively taking measures to stop it. Recent media… – Continue reading

India, Cyprus finalise DTAA; capital gains to be taxed at source country

India and Cyprus have reached an in-principle agreement on all pending issues on Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, including taxation of capital gains, which once implemented would help remove the island-nation from a non-cooperative jurisdiction for income tax purposes. An official level meeting between India and Cyprus in New Delhi last… – Continue reading

European Commission gets closer to agreeing anti-tax avoidance directive

The European Commission is on the brink of agreeing its far-reaching anti-tax avoidance directive, but is waiting on approval of some elements of the package by the Belgian and Czech governments, before it introduces new rules at midnight on Monday 20 June At the end of last week the Commission’s… – Continue reading

Cyprus agrees to amend tax treaty ahead of GAAR with caveat

Ahead of India’s rolling out of anti-tax avoidance regulations, Cyprus has shown eagerness to amend the bilateral tax treaty allowing New Delhi to tax capital gains. In turn, has pitched to be taken off the blacklist or being considered a “notified jurisdiction” for not sharing tax information, which implies increased… – Continue reading

Cyprus says ‘very close’ to revising tax treaty with India

In a step forward, Cyprus has said it is “very close” to revising the bilateral tax treaty with India as the island nation has accepted “in principle” proposals made by the Indian side on taxing capital gains. Cyprus, a source of significant foreign fund flows into the country, said rising… – Continue reading

After Mauritius, now government wants to amend Dutch tax treaty; asks Netherlands to resume talks

India has asked the Netherlands to resume negotiations on amending their bilateral tax treaty as the government extends its efforts to plug loopholes in such accords to curb misuse. The Dutch tax treaty , which allows exemption from capital gains and a lower rate of tax on dividends, has led… – Continue reading

Cyprus and Latvia sign Treaty for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income

Cyprus and the Government of the Republic of Latvia signed in Brussels on Wednesday the Treaty for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income. The Treaty was signed by the Minister of Finance, Harris Georgiades, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Minister of Economics, Dana Reizniece-Ozola, on… – Continue reading

Cyprus and Latvia sign Treaty for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income

Cyprus and the Government of the Republic of Latvia signed in Brussels on Wednesday the Treaty for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income. The Treaty was signed by the Minister of Finance, Harris Georgiades, on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Minister of Economics, Dana Reizniece-Ozola, on… – Continue reading

Expert group to guide FIIs on capital gains tax, GAAR rules

The finance ministry expert panel is expected to pre-empt any potential confusion, assuage foreign investors facing twin changes in the tax regime New Delhi: The finance ministry is setting up an expert group to work out the modalities of implementing changes in the tax regime stemming from the withdrawal of… – Continue reading

India gearing up to apply Mauritius tax treaty fix to double taxation avoidance accord with Cyprus

NEW DELHI: Now that loopholes in the tax treaty with Mauritius have been plugged, the Indian government is gearing up to apply the same fix to its accord with Cyprus. Talks to amend the double taxation avoidance treaty are at an advanced stage and the two sides will soon exchange… – Continue reading

Canada’s record on finding tax evaders is dismal

Only a week after the so-called Panama Papers burst into the media spotlight early last month, the Canadian government issued a news release vowing to “crack down on tax evasion and tax avoidance.” The leak of a staggering 11.5 million documents from a Panama City law firm promised to reveal… – Continue reading

The problem of secretive tax havens

Panama is a tax haven, but Mauritius is one with which India has a comprehensive double tax treaty. This complicates matters more. In popular Indian imagination, a tax haven is generally associated with Switzerland and its numbered bank accounts. But tax havens are numerous, have grown in importance, and are… – Continue reading

Cyprus-India build on ties

Lobby groups and business associations from Cyprus and India are working to build trade relations between the two countries with an eye to a new double taxation agreement that is being negotiated. The two sides see mutual benefits to their cooperation. The Indian High Commissioner Ravi Bangar said in an… – Continue reading

French Tax Update – Recent Case Law and Other Noteworthy Publications

The present French Tax Update will focus on an overview of several noteworthy publications, including decisions issued during the past few months by the French Administrative Supreme Court (Conseil d’Etat) and French Constitutional Court (Conseil Constitutionnel), as well as the European Commission decision in respect of the Belgian Excess Profit… – Continue reading

Cyprus Yacht Registration – New Preferable VAT Treatment

A. INTRODUCTION On the 13th of March 2012, the Cyprus VAT Authority has launched a scheme making Cyprus one of the most attractive EU jurisdictions for yacht registration. According to this scheme, a Cyprus company can enter into a lease-sale agreement of a yacht with a third party, paying VAT… – Continue reading

How to take your UK pension pot overseas-and not be hit by a big tax bill

Once the thrill of deciding to retire overseas has subsided, you normally start to think of all the things you need to do before you go. Picking the right removal firm, a lawyer to help you buy a new home are a couple, but the tax & financial implications of… – Continue reading

The hidden wealth of nations

India’s biggest source of FDI is India itself, money departing on a short holiday to a tax haven and then routed back as FDI. Will the government muster up the political will to clamp down on the tax-allergic business elite? This could be a bumper year for the ever-lucrative tax… – Continue reading

On tax avoidance

The only thing worse than paying taxes is the idea that other people avoid paying their fair share of them. On the subject of tax avoidance by other people, I can think of at least three principal feelings. As the kids say, I feel all the feelings. Outright tax fraud… – Continue reading

End nears for tax cheats

The government aims to turn the screws on tax delinquents this year as well as those who have escaped the taxman’s radar, finance minister Harris Georgiades told MPs on Tuesday. The Tax Department is preparing to launch a drive to track down and tax the owners of luxury assets, such… – Continue reading

CYPRUS TAX UPDATE

On 10 December 2015 the remaining changes to the income tax and the capital gains tax laws aiming to improve the tax system of Cyprus and make it more attractive to both the local and international business community were voted. The changes came into effect with their publication in the… – Continue reading

Cyprus: Taxation – Amendments On The Double Tax Treaty Between The Republic Of Cyprus And Ukraine

Representatives of the Cyprus and the Ukrainian governments have signed, in Kiev, on Friday, 11 December 2015, a protocol amending their Double Tax Avoidance Treaty. The protocol is based on the Model Tax Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation OECD. The changes need to be ratified by both the… – Continue reading

Georgia avoids double taxation with Iceland

Georgia and Iceland are stepping up their bilateral cooperation in taxation and customs affairs. Today a cooperation agreement on avoidance of double taxation, prevention of evasion of income and capital taxes, came into force. The agreement initially was signed in May this year when Finance Ministers of Cyprus, Liechtenstein and… – Continue reading

Cyprus: Latest Tax Updates To Attract International Corporations Investing Through Cyprus

As the year comes to an end, the Cyprus Parliament in its last session before the holidays passed a series of tax updates attempting once again a balancing act between flexibility and tax transparency. Some of the most important provisions passed include the FOREX Neutralisation which targets the significant exchange… – Continue reading

Russian business shifts upmarket

It has been a tough year for Russian businesses. The latest monthly forecast of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) predicts a contraction in Russian real GDP of 3.8% in 2015 and another 0.5% in 2016. “Structural weaknesses will keep trend GDP growth below 2% a year in the medium term,”… – Continue reading

Spain and Finland sign new treaty to avoid double taxation and to fight tax fraud

Given that the latest treaty was signed on 15 November 1967, the two countries felt it was appropriate to revise it in full. The new treaty, signed on Tuesday by the Spanish Ambassador to Finland, María Jesús Figa, and the Finnish Minister for Finance, Alexander Stubb, seeks to enable tax… – Continue reading

Cyprus: Relocate To Cyprus And Be Tax Exempt On Your Worldwide Income

Provide high-net-worth individuals with (further) incentives to relocate to Cyprus. This is one of the objectives of the introduction of the non-domicile rules (voted on the 9th of July 2015, among other tax reforms) that came into force on the 17th of July 2015 (date of the publication in the… – Continue reading

Russian Nuke Exec Gets Jail for Bribe Scheme

(CN) – A Russian nuclear energy official living in Maryland has been sentenced to four years in federal prison on money laundering charges, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. Vadim Mikerin, 56, of Chevy Chase. Md. was also ordered to forfeit more than $2.1 million, after he pleaded guilty to charges… – Continue reading

Poroshenko hopes revamped agreement on taxation would benefit for Ukraine and Cyprus

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hopes that the signing of the revamped intergovernmental agreement to avoid double taxation would facilitate the development of economic relations between Ukraine and Cyprus. “Following the negotiations, the parties signed 4 documents, inter alia, those allowing the avoidance of double taxation. The head of state expressed… – Continue reading

Cyprus: Double Tax Treaty Between Cyprus And Swiss Confederation

On 15th October 2015, the Double Tax Treaty between the Republic of Cyprus and Swiss Confederation had entered into force (the “Treaty“). The said Treaty is based on the OECD Model Convention on the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income and on Capital. Under the Treaty, there is no withholding… – Continue reading

Anastasiades to sign deals with Kiev

Cyprus will sign agreements with Ukraine on Friday, as President Nicos Anastasiades visits Ukraine to make deals on bilateral issues such as double taxation, higher education, energy, and other areas of cooperation. Anastasiades is on an official visit to Ukraine and will meet on Friday with the President of Ukraine… – Continue reading

Worldwide: A Guide To The Top 20 Offshore Fund Locations

There are a variety of benefits to moving offshore, yet few would argue the assertion that tax neutrality is paramount among them. As anyone familiar with the phrase “tax haven” would surely recognize, many countries offer strongly favorable tax terms as an incentive to draw new business. Written by CT… – Continue reading

Cyprus: Income tax treaty with Switzerland, effective 2016

An income tax treaty between Cyprus and Switzerland has entered into force, and will be effective 1 January 2016. 10 December 2015 The Cyprus-Switzerland income tax treaty does not include a limitation on benefits (LOB) clause. Withholding tax provisions The treaty includes the following withholding tax provisions: Dividend payments subject… – Continue reading

‘India examining how to tax in a digital eco’

Akhilesh Ranjan, joint secretary (foreign tax), who led India’s initiative in the BEPS project, candidly shared his views on India’s plans for its implementation and what lies in the future. The fundamental principle of the BEPS project, is that income of MNCs should be taxed in that country where economic… – Continue reading

Removing the obligation to declare payments made by companies to individuals established in Cyprus, Luxembourg and Seychelles.

On October 30, 2015, the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes decided that Cyprus, Luxembourg and Seychelles have actually and substantially implemented the international standard on transparency and exchange of tax information. Therefore, companies no longer have the obligation to declare payments made to persons… – Continue reading

Cyprus: Tax Incentives For Expatriate And High Net Worth Individuals Relocating To Cyprus (In Russian)

INTRODUCTION In the context of changes in the international system of taxation of the company in the choice of jurisdiction for the implementation of operational activities closely fit to the question of economic feasibility, to protect their interests. The strategic location of Cyprus, the presence of the country’s full membership… – Continue reading

Yanukovych-era digital TV monopoly fined for abuses

A digital TV monopoly left over from the era of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych has caught the eye of anti-trust authorities and lawmakers. The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine on Dec. 4 fined Zeonbud, the nation’s monopoly digital TV provider, Hr 44 million (less than $2 million) for abusing its position on… – Continue reading

Cyprus link to ‘universally condemned’ Russia tax fraud case

Police last week raided the Nicosia offices of the law firm representing the Hermitage Fund, embroiled in the largest fraudulent tax rebate case in Russian history, the Cyprus Mail has learned. On Friday, two senior Russian interior ministry officials along with local police officers searched the Nicosia offices of a… – Continue reading

Clampdown on tax evasion

As Common Reporting Standard (CRS) comes into operation. OHANNESBURG – South Africans with undeclared offshore funds may only have a few months to get their affairs in order or risk facing significant penalties and even criminal prosecution as revenue authorities start the automatic exchange of information. The Common Reporting Standard… – Continue reading

Wanted: central bank boss to fix 1,700-year-old European tax haven

MILAN (Reuters) – San Marino is looking for a new central bank governor to clean up its banks – traditional havens for tax dodgers – and fix their badly damaged balance sheets. Big problems for the micro-state began in 2009 when Italy, hit hard by the global financial crisis, added… – Continue reading

Four further double taxation agreements with Iceland, Cyprus, Estonia and Uzbekistan in force

Bern, 11.24.2015 – Four additional double taxation agreements (DTAs) have entered into force between Switzerland and Cyprus, Iceland, Estonia and Uzbekistan. They contain provisions on mutual assistance in accordance with the internationally applicable standard. At the same time they promote the development of bilateral economic relations. With Cyprus, Switzerland has… – Continue reading

Turkey launches golden visa residency scheme

Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci says the country is set to follow in the footsteps of Spain, Portugal and Cyprus and launch its own Golden Visa scheme to grant citizenship to those foreigners who invest from €500,000-€1m in property, reports Property Showrooms. Leading Istanbul agent, Universal21, says the move could… – Continue reading

Taxation of dividends payable by a South African company to a Cypriot shareholder

SARS may now impose a dividends tax on dividends paid by a South African company to a Cypriot shareholder as provided for in the Protocol to the current agreement for the avoidance of double taxation between South Africa and Cyprus. In terms of the current agreement for the avoidance of… – Continue reading