New Transfer Pricing Rules in Cyprus

  • Post category:News

On 30 June 2022, a package of measures containing comprehensive transfer pricing (“TP”) requirements for businesses has been voted into law by the Cyprus House of Representatives. The measures are in line with the recommendations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) within the framework of Action 13 of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project. The new rules have been implemented via amendments to the Cyprus Income Tax Law (ITL) and the issuance of Regulations. The Assessment and Collection of Taxes Law has also been amended to introduce penalties for non-compliance with the new TP documentation…

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CORPORATE UPDATES – July 2022

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1. Reduction of the administrative penalties for late submission of Annual Returns (HE32) The House of Representatives has recently voted amendments regarding the penalty imposed from the late submission of Annual Returns (HE32) to the Department of Registrar of Companies. According to Cyprus Companies Law, all Cyprus companies are obliged to file Annual Returns to the Registrar of Companies, which must be accompanied by the Company's financial statements of the previous year. Further to the new amendments, Cyprus Companies that fail to submit the Annual Return on time will have a reduction of the maximum penalty from EUR 500 to…

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EMI LICENSING IN CYPRUS

  • Post category:Banking

https://youtu.be/yCypJFjLWcA The licensing Procedure and the operation of E-Money (EMI) institutions is currently regulated by the EU Directive 2009/110/EC and harmonized in Cyprus by the Electronic Money Law of 2012 AND 2018 which transposed into national law as per the directives of the European Parliament and of the Council. The Regulatory body for the licensing and supervision of EMI's in Cyprus is the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC). Services provided by an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) A company that wishes to issue electronic money will require to apply for an EMI license to the Central Bank of Cyprus. Therefore, with…

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CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL TRUST

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DEFINITION OF A TRUST Incorporating an international trust provides a variety of financial planning opportunities. The use of the Trust as a vehicle of International Tax planning and business structuring is constantly growing. Trusts are used today more than ever before in a myriad of circumstances, many of which would have been impossible to conceive at the time the concept was originally formed.  THE TRUST The concept of a trust is legally defined as a relationship created during one’s lifetime or upon death by a person (the settlor) who places assets under the control of another person (the trustee) for…

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CYPRUS RESIDENCY: New legislation: No Minimum Amount of Investment is required!

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The Council of Ministers approved on October 15th 2021, the “Strategy for Attracting Businesses for Activities or/and Expansion of their Activities in Cyprus”. The strategy includes a series of actions and reforms in several areas of intervention, aiming to enhance Cyprus position as an international high-growth business centre. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Eligible businesses must meet the following criteria: Third-country shareholders should own the majority of the company’s shares. OR In cases where the percentage of foreign participation in the company’s share capital is equal to or less than 50% of the total share capital, in order for the company to be…

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FUNDS (Alternative Investment Funds)

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Cyprus has been one of the first EU countries to transpose the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive into law. Further to this, it now offers an effective and flexible legislative framework for all types of Investment Funds. How can we help ? Choosing the right form of your AIF We examine the alternative forms that the fund can take so that it meets your requirements. Preparation of the application package: We can prepare the full application package that needs to be submitted to the Regulator. During this process, our experienced team will advise you on how better to structure your…

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CYPRUS IP REGIME

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CYPRUS: AN IDEAL IP LOCATION Intellectual Property (IP) can be one of the most valuable assets of an organisation. Choosing the right location for the centralisation and management of IP is a very important strategic business decision. The ideal location to establish an IP structure is one that can serve the organisation’s business strategies/model, safeguard and protect its IP and contribute to its tax optimisation. Cyprus offers an efficient IP tax regime coupled with the protection afforded by EU Member States and by the signatories of all major IP treaties and protocols. FOREWORD In October 2016 the Income Tax Law…

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Banks Vs. Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs)

  • Post category:Banking

https://youtu.be/SmOJ8dvIRug Banks Banks are licensed by the respective Central Bank in the country where they operate and are subject to tight supervision. They are required to report to the Central Bank quarterly and keep a predetermined level of liquidity.Banks have to be funded with a large capital base, normally set at a minimum of €5 million or up. Banks can offer a wide range of services, including but not limited to checking accounts, overdrafts, mortgages, direct debit functionality, payment services, asset management, etc. and can issue their own debit and credit cards. Generally, these obligations lead to banks adopting more…

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New strategy for attracting businesses to Cyprus

  • Post category:News

Implementation in January 2022 On the 15th of October 2021, the Cyprus government announced a new strategy for attracting businesses to Cyprus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHGO0rsJjKY Amendment of the International Business Companies policy for Companies that will be part of the newly established Business Facilitation Unit: Salary/position-based categories of employment (Directors, Key Personnel, Specialists) will no longer apply and a general Minimum salary of €2.500 is introduced for all highly skilled employees, provided that they have the required academic skills or at least 2 years of experience. The validity of the residence and work permit can be up to 3 years. Maximum number…

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SUBSTANCE / VIRTUAL OFFICE Solutions

Why is substance so important? Financial institutions, banks and government bodies pay attention to substance. They can even check whether a company has its own official website in a jurisdiction, utility bill, fax or phone, even employees. If a company is a tax resident of a certain country and shows real presence of its business in that country, such a company will have undeniable competitive advantages in all areas, especially when opening bank accounts or interacting with counter-parties. Regulators, including international ones, tighten requirements every year. Therefore, in some cases, without substance, conducting activities in a jurisdiction will simply be…

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