1. The International Business Company is considered as non-resident for exchange control purposes and consequently it can operate freely foreign currency bank accounts (U.S.$, D.M. etc) with any bank in Cyprus or abroad. There are no restrictions or interventions by the Central Bank of Cyprus and local banks allow their overseas clients, in this case the International Business Company, to conclude transactions (i.e. opening of Letter of Credits). 2. The net profits of the company are liable to income tax at the rate of 10% 3. The beneficial owners of International Business Companies are not liable to additional tax on dividends or profits over and above the amount paid or payable by the respective international business company. 4. Foreign employees a. Foreign employees working and living in Cyprus are liable to Income Tax from nil to 20% as follows: Tax rates % % -Working outside Cyprus and paid through: Ø Bank account in Cyprus 0% Ø Bank account outside Cyprus: 0 – 6000 6001 – 9000 9001 – 12000 Over 12000 0% 2% 3% 4% -Working in Cyprus: 0 – 6000 6001 – 9000 9001 – 12000 Over 12000 0% 10% 15% 20% -Working partly in and partly outside Cyprus: Combination of the above rates b. Foreign Employees living and working abroad paid through a bank account in Cyprus; do not pay any tax (0%). If they are paid directly through a bank account situated abroad (outside Cyprus) they are liable to Income Tax from 0% to 4% maximum. 5. Full secrecy may be obtained by using nominee shareholders. 6. No capital gains tax is payable on the sale or transfer of shares in an International Business Company. No estate duty is payable on the inheritance of shares in an international business company in the case of the death of a shareholder. No capital gains tax is paid by the transfer of immovable property owned abroad (outside Cyprus). 7. International Tax planning Cyprus has signed double taxation Treaties with several countries for the avoidance of double taxation of income earned in any of the two contracting states. Countries listed below have entered into such agreements with Cyprus: Country 1. Austria, 2. Bulgaria, 3. Belarus, 4. Belgium, 5. Canada, 6. China, 7. Denmark, 8. Egypt, 9. France, 10. Germany, 11. Greece, 12. Hungary, 13. India, 14. Ireland, 15. Italy, 16. Kuwait, 17. Malta, 18. Mauritius, 19. Norway, 20. Poland, 21. Romania, 22. Russia, 23. Singapore, 24. South Africa, 25. Sweden, 26. Syria, 27. Thailand 28. United Kingdom, 29. United States, 30. *Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, 31. *Slovenia, 32. **Slovakia, 33. **Czech Republic, 34. ***Azerbaijan, 35. ***Armenia, 36. ***Kyrkyzstan, 37. ***Moldova, 38. ***Tajikistan, 39. ***Uzbekistan, 40. ***Ukraine * Old treaty between Cyprus and Yugoslavia ** Old treaty between Cyprus and Czech Republic *** Old treaty between Cyprus and USSR Currently negotiations are being carried out with Finland to enter into such Double Taxation Treaties. More particulars on this subject and on the content of each particular treaty can be given on request. 8. International Business Companies do not pay stamp duty on documents which relate to transactions connected with their normal overseas activities. 9. An International Business Company does not pay on its net profits any kind of special contributions or defense contribution. (Special Laws, which apply for Cypriot companies.) 10. Interest and royalties paid by the Cyprus International Business Company to non residents are not subject to withholding tax if the use of such rights is outside Cyprus. 11. There is no obligation of the international business company to register for V.A.T. (value added tax) which presently is at the rate of 10% in all sales of goods and services effected by those registered. 12. Duty free items Under the Customs and Excise Law, International Business Companies and their expatriate personnel may acquire duty free office and household equipment (apart from furniture) as well as motor cars, provided they have opened an office in Cyprus, have full time staff and the employee intended to use the benefit, has a salary of at least CY.P 12,000.00 per annum.
1. The International Business Company is considered as non-resident for exchange control purposes and consequently it can operate freely foreign currency bank accounts (U.S.$, D.M. etc) with any bank in Cyprus or abroad. There are no restrictions or interventions by the Central Bank of Cyprus and local banks allow their overseas clients, in this case the International Business Company, to conclude transactions (i.e. opening of Letter of Credits).
2. The net profits of the company are liable to income tax at the rate of 10%
3. The beneficial owners of International Business Companies are not liable to additional tax on dividends or profits over and above the amount paid or payable by the respective international business company.
4. Foreign employees
a. Foreign employees working and living in Cyprus are liable to Income Tax from nil to 20% as follows:
Tax rates
% %
-Working outside Cyprus and paid through:
Ø
Bank account in Cyprus
0%
Bank account outside Cyprus:
0 – 6000
6001 – 9000
9001 – 12000
Over 12000
2%
3%
4%
-Working in Cyprus:
10%
15%
20%
-Working partly in and partly outside Cyprus:
Combination of the above rates
b. Foreign Employees living and working abroad paid through a bank account in Cyprus; do not pay any tax (0%). If they are paid directly through a bank account situated abroad (outside Cyprus) they are liable to Income Tax from 0% to 4% maximum.
5. Full secrecy may be obtained by using nominee shareholders.
6. No capital gains tax is payable on the sale or transfer of shares in an International Business Company. No estate duty is payable on the inheritance of shares in an international business company in the case of the death of a shareholder. No capital gains tax is paid by the transfer of immovable property owned abroad (outside Cyprus).
7. International Tax planning
Cyprus has signed double taxation Treaties with several countries for the avoidance of double taxation of income earned in any of the two contracting states. Countries listed below have entered into such agreements with Cyprus:
Country
* Old treaty between Cyprus and Yugoslavia
** Old treaty between Cyprus and Czech Republic
*** Old treaty between Cyprus and USSR
Currently negotiations are being carried out with Finland to enter into such Double Taxation Treaties.
More particulars on this subject and on the content of each particular treaty can be given on request.
8. International Business Companies do not pay stamp duty on documents which relate to transactions connected with their normal overseas activities.
9. An International Business Company does not pay on its net profits any kind of special contributions or defense contribution. (Special Laws, which apply for Cypriot companies.)
10. Interest and royalties paid by the Cyprus International Business Company to non residents are not subject to withholding tax if the use of such rights is outside Cyprus.
11. There is no obligation of the international business company to register for V.A.T. (value added tax) which presently is at the rate of 10% in all sales of goods and services effected by those registered.
12. Duty free items
Under the Customs and Excise Law, International Business Companies and their expatriate personnel may acquire duty free office and household equipment (apart from furniture) as well as motor cars, provided they have opened an office in Cyprus, have full time staff and the employee intended to use the benefit, has a salary of at least CY.P 12,000.00 per annum.