Other Malta Tax Benefits
Malta’s tax system is designed to attract investors, businesses and High Net Worth Individuals. Some of these beneficial tax treatments include:
However, there are other tax benefits offered to make you more tax effective.
No Outbound Withholding Taxes
Withholding tax is when a tax deducted at source, especially one levied by some countries on interest or dividends paid to a person resident outside that country. For example, Royalties.
In Malta, there is no withholding tax imposed on:
Group Taxation Provisions
Two companies that, for tax purposes, are resident exclusively in Malta, where one company has over 50% control over the subsidiary. Alternately, both companies have over 50% control of a third Malta-resident company, qualify as members of a group of companies.
Therefore, where assets (including shares, other securities and immovable property) are transferred between companies being members of the same group is deemed that no loss or gain has arisen from the transfer.
Maltese resident companies being members of the same group of companies may surrender and claim tax losses between them.
Payment of Tax and Refunds
A company pays tax in the currency in which it’s share capital is denominated. Furthermore, any tax refunds are made in the same currency.
For companies with more than 90% of business interests outside Malta, tax is payable on the earlier of the date of distribution of profits. Alternately, eighteen months after the end of the relevant accounting period of the company.
Refunds are issued no later than fourteen days after tax has been paid and a valid claim for the refund is submitted.
Taxation Delays for International Businesses
Maltese companies require an annual audit, and the accounts must be IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) compliant. For companies with more than 90% of business interests outside Malta, accounts may be laid before the company in a general meeting up to eighteen months after the end of the relevant accounting period of the company.
Advance Revenue Rulings
The International Tax Unit within the Inland Revenue Department deals with all international tax matters. Furthermore, they provide advanced rulings in areas where there might otherwise be uncertainty or fear of infringing Maltese legislation.
Therefore, fiscal implications of investing in or through Malta or of any particular international transaction must be clear ahead of time.
Rulings are available to confirm the tax position issues such as:
The rulings guarantee the tax position for five years, and companies can renew this for a further five-year period. They will also withstand any changes in legislation for two years after the introduction of the new law.
