Malta Tax System
The Malta system aims to attract investors, entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals to the island by offering excellent tax incentives and schemes for businesses and individuals. Malta, based within the EU, is an ideal jurisdiction to set up a company either as a holding company or as a trading operation as it offers many tax benefits.
Contact our professional team today to arrange a consultation by completing the form below or call us directly on +356 2258 2000, and we will respond to you within 24 hours.
Malta Corporate Tax System
The Malta corporate tax system outlines that companies, incorporated or managed and controlled in Malta, are subject to Malta corporate tax rate of 35% on a worldwide basis. However, through Malta tax laws, you can reduce the rate of corporate tax to an effective rate of 5%. Moreover, there are many tax benefits that Malta offers that make the Malta tax system attractive to business.
Malta Tax Benefits for Companies
Malta is an excellent, alternative company jurisdiction due to the tax benefits given to investors, entrepreneurs and businesses. What we mean by alternative company jurisdiction is that Malta has the qualities of an offshore jurisdiction such as low effective tax rates and a beneficial holding company jurisdiction. However, the Malta tax system is monitored and regulated by EU standards, making it a safe and compliant onshore jurisdiction.
Malta Full Imputation System
Malta corporate tax system works off of a Full Imputation System. In simple terms, this means that company profits are taxed at the source, but dividends distributed to shareholders are not taxed again.
This system is different from the classical system, whereby company profits are subject to tax and shareholders are taxed on dividends.
Malta Tax Refund System
The Malta tax refund system enables shareholders of a company registered in Malta to claim up to a 6/7th tax refund of tax paid in Malta. Therefore, we can set up trading companies in Malta to have an effective tax rate of 5%.
Malta Participation Exemption
Participation Exemption is the relief from taxation for a shareholder in a company on dividends and capital gains received from the sale of shares. However, this occurs when a Maltese company holds shares in another entity (qualifying as a Participating Holding).
EU-Malta Tax Benefits
Malta has come into line with the various EU directives and tax laws. However, this does open up various international tax planning opportunities for businesses. For example:
Malta Holding Company
A Malta holding company in Malta offers several fantastic international tax planning opportunities. For business, a Malta holding company allows you to not only to consolidate subsidiary companies under one roof, but it also allows businesses to take advantage of the tax as mentioned above benefits.
An IHC offers protection for both business and personal assets. The Malta holding company is an excellent vehicle able to hold assets such as real estate holdings, shares in companies, intellectual property and more.
Malta Income Tax Rates
Malta income tax rates work off of a progressive tax rate, meaning that the more income you generate, the more tax you pay. In short, the Malta income tax rates 2019 are:
Income Tax Rates 2019
Malta Tax Benefits for Individual’s
While Malta does have a progressive income tax system, there are tax residence programmes available for individuals and expats in Malta.
Malta Tax Residence Programmes
There are two residence programmes made to reduce the tax for an individual’s living in Malta. Both these residence programmes offer special tax status by setting an individual’s tax rate on income remitted to Malta at 15%.
Moreover, there is a tax residency programme for all nationals to apply for called the Highly Qualified Persons Rules. The programme seeks to attract highly qualified persons in the financial, gaming and aviation sectors by offering a 15% flat rate of tax on income generated in Malta. (Update: These Rules have been superseded by The Residence Programme (TRP) and the Global Residence Programme (GRP) Rules)
Malta Retirement Programme
Retiring in Malta is a goal for many individuals in Europe because of the climate, sunshine, Maltese culture and the fantastic standard of living. However, if you’re an EU/EAA/Swiss national planning on retiring in Malta, there is a Malta Retirement Programme.
The Malta Retirement Programme sets tax rate on pension income remitted to Malta at 15%. Therefore, this allows you to know your pension tax rates as well as enjoy a better standard of living when retiring in Malta.
Note: these Malta tax residence programmes are only obtainable through the services of an Authorised Registered Mandatory.
Thomas Jacobsen, Managing Director of Papilio Services, is an Authorised Registered Mandatory, therefore if you’re interested in exploring these programmes, we can guide you accordingly following Maltese law.
