Relocation, Investment Strategies and Opportunities

The economy worldwide is changing fast.

Likewise, the Investors and Shareholders need to re-assess and re-set their strategies. Part of such re-assessment can be the issue of relocation of head-quarters or part of their company or group functions. Such decision may result in serious tax savings.

Evaluation of Issues in the decision of Relocation

Re-location is a major issue. Below the main questions are pin-pointed to assist in the decision if re-location is appropriate and beneficial for a company and consequently which jurisdiction is the most suitable:

• What are the major financial difficulties the company/ group is currently facing after the pandemic?
• How the company/ group is responding to the current financial difficulties?
• Will a re-location assist in eliminating such negative consequences?
• Will this fall in the immediate but also in the long run strategies of the company/ group?
• Which jurisdictions may provide the best suitable solution for re-location?
• What other investment opportunities a jurisdiction provides?
• Is it fully understandable the difference between tax haven jurisdictions to tax incentive jurisdiction?
• Could Cyprus be the best suitable solution for re-location?

It goes without saying, that the assessment process and the decision should be based on high legal and ethical standards.

What is the difference between tax haven and tax incentive jurisdiction?

Tax heaven jurisdiction is considered any country that offers minimum or no tax obligations to foreign investors and individuals.

A tax haven is generally an offshore country that offers foreign individuals and businesses little or no tax liability. Tax havens also share limited or no financial information with foreign tax authorities. The lack of transparency and of reporting systems result to reputational risks. The international authorities scrutinize activities through such jurisdictions by established alert and notification systems.

Tax incentive jurisdiction, Cyprus is considered to be one of the countries with decent tax on profits. Tax resident corporations and individuals are established if they pass the substance test and they need to obey to legal and reporting statutory obligations as foreseen by law.

A tax incentive county offer effective tax burden and has on place an exchange of information with other national tax authorities. By such Companies/ Group enjoy a good reputation and smooth running of operations.

Why Cyprus is considered an attractive tax incentive jurisdiction?

Cyprus is a transparent EU country with a harmonized tax system following recommended OECD practices. It is a well-established and renowned financial and business incentives centre. Cyprus offers the opportunity that Investors/ Shareholders are looking for to create value. It processes all quantitative and quantitative characteristics offering a steady tax environment making it attractive to businesses and investors for over four decades now.

• Legal system based on English law and well versed in international commercial law
• High value telecommunications and logistics services
• Culture and government sympathetic to investors an non-residents
• Good working conditions
• Safe and good quality life

Key Features of Cyprus Tax Incentives

During the past few years Cyprus extended the tax incentives that would provide companies and their shareholders, benefits from investing into Cyprus companies (Cyprus company formation https://fci.com.cy/cyprus-company/) and relocate their activities in the country:

• Enjoys the tax benefits of EU Directives (Parent – Subsidiary Directive and Interest and Royalties Directive).
• Extensive double tax treaties network with 65 countries.
• Corporate tax rate of 12,5%, one of the lowest within the EU with possibility to enjoy a much lower effective tax rate.
• Availability of a National Interest Deduction for companies receiving new equity funding. The tax deduction can reach up to 80% of the taxable income produced by employing the new equity funding.
• IP Box regime based on the nexus approach which allows 80% deemed deduction on qualifying profits from the business use of IP.
• Attractive Tonnage Tax (TT) regime to ship owners, managers and charters.
• NO Taxation on Dividends received, capital gains on shares, net asset value of a fund.
• Profits of a foreign Permanent Establishment exempt from tax.
• Most international transactions free of VAT.
• Unilateral credit relief for foreign taxes.
• Carry forward of tax losses for five years.
• Tax incentives for expatriate employees taking up employment in Cyprus (up to 50% of employment income for individuals earning more than €100k per annum).
• Dividend income and interest income exempt from tax for non-domiciled individuals taking up tax residency in Cyprus.
• Possibility to obtain Cyprus tax residency by spending only 60-days in Cyprus (subject to conditions).
• No immovable property tax.
• No inheritance tax.

You can also refer to https://fci.com.cy/cyprus-tax/

Investment Opportunities in Cyprus

The major opportunities Cyprus is offering for investment nowadays are listed below:

• A reduction of specific immovable properties that might reach 50% reduction that can give up to 6% annual return if rented in the short term or sold at a higher price in the medium – long term.
• Cyprus is well positioned to support Businesses/ Investors on capitalizing in above mentioned opportunities.
• Possibility to obtain Cyprus tax residency by spending only 60-days in Cyprus (subject to conditions).

Next Step

Book a Complimentary Preliminary Teleconference Consultation Meeting. Contact us by email (info@fci.com.cy) or telephone (+357 22673800) for arrangements.