Doing Business in Ukraine - RSM International
Doing Business in Ukraine - RSM International
Doing Business in Ukraine - RSM International
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<strong>Do<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e
In a world of different<br />
cultures, it’s good to<br />
have advisors who are<br />
consistent everywhere.<br />
<strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong> is one of the largest networks of <strong>in</strong>dependent audit<br />
and consult<strong>in</strong>g firms <strong>in</strong> the world. <strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong> is represented <strong>in</strong><br />
90 countries and br<strong>in</strong>gs together the talents of 32,500 <strong>in</strong>dividuals. <strong>RSM</strong><br />
member firms are driven by a common vision of provid<strong>in</strong>g high quality<br />
professional services to ambitious and grow<strong>in</strong>g organisations.
Foreword<br />
We are pleased to present the first edition of the <strong>RSM</strong> APiK guide to <strong>Do<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. It conta<strong>in</strong>s brief background <strong>in</strong>formation about Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g some recent<br />
events <strong>in</strong> the country’s history and an overview of current the economic situation.<br />
In this brochure we have tried to summarize the primary aspects of runn<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
activity <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, start<strong>in</strong>g with the entity type options to choose from, highlight<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the specifics of their account<strong>in</strong>g and taxation systems, and through to entity w<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g<br />
up procedures. All the <strong>in</strong>formation is based on the regulatory and legal acts <strong>in</strong> effect<br />
as of June 2012.<br />
In over 21 years of <strong>in</strong>dependence Ukra<strong>in</strong>e has made great leaps <strong>in</strong> establish<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
goods and services market and develop<strong>in</strong>g relevant laws, regulations and standards to<br />
regulate it. It is not a secret that Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is not an overtly easy country <strong>in</strong> terms of do<strong>in</strong>g<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess; our legislative and regulatory systems cont<strong>in</strong>ue to undergo development and<br />
clarification processes.<br />
However, Ukra<strong>in</strong>e still has a great deal to offer to <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong>ternational bus<strong>in</strong>ess. There<br />
is a large presence of <strong>in</strong>ternational bus<strong>in</strong>ess organizations that unite the <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess community <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, such as the American and the British Chambers of<br />
Commerce, European <strong>Bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> Association and the Swiss <strong>Bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> Club.<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e has unlimited potential as a consumer and labour market; it is a great tourist<br />
dest<strong>in</strong>ation; it is rich <strong>in</strong> fertile land and has favourable climate for agriculture; it has<br />
vast deposits of m<strong>in</strong>eral resources. But the greatest asset Ukra<strong>in</strong>e possesses is its<br />
people: highly qualified and educated specialists that are will<strong>in</strong>g to work hard to see<br />
our country develop <strong>in</strong>to the best place for work and pleasure.<br />
Welcome to Ukra<strong>in</strong>e!<br />
Tatayana Bernatovych<br />
President of <strong>RSM</strong> APiK
Swallow’s Nest castle, Yalta<br />
Previous image: Fortress on the<br />
Dniester Estuary, near the town of<br />
Bilhorod-Dnistrovski, Odessa<br />
Cover image: Vydubychi<br />
Monastery, Kiev
Contents<br />
Foreword<br />
1 General Information 5<br />
2 Types of bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities with some applicable laws 18<br />
3 National Bank of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e currency control regulations 30<br />
4 Taxation system <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e 35<br />
5 Taxation of non-residents <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e: Permanent Establishment 52<br />
6 <strong>International</strong> treaties on avoidance of double taxation 54<br />
7 Withhold<strong>in</strong>g tax 55<br />
8 Regulation on transfer pric<strong>in</strong>g 58<br />
9 Adm<strong>in</strong>istration of Taxes 60<br />
10 Audit and Account<strong>in</strong>g 64<br />
11 About <strong>RSM</strong> APiK 70<br />
12 About <strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong> 75<br />
Contacts 76<br />
Orthodox church, Kiev
1 General Information<br />
1.1 Country Profile<br />
• Total area: 603,550 sq. km<br />
• Population: ~44,855 million<br />
• Capital: Kyiv<br />
• Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal cities: Kyiv (Kiev), Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya (Zaporozhye), Dnipropetrovs’k<br />
(Dnepropetrovsk), Kharkiv (Kharkov), Lviv (Lvov), Odesa (Odessa)<br />
• Official language: Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian (although Russian is widely used <strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
communication)<br />
• Currency: Hryvnya (UAH)<br />
• Government type: republic<br />
• Membership: the United Nations, the <strong>International</strong> Monetary Fund (IMF), the World<br />
Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World<br />
Trade Organization (WTO), etc.<br />
• Time difference: GMT+2<br />
1.2 Geography and Climate<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is located <strong>in</strong> Eastern Europe at the boundaries of Europe and Asia. Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is the<br />
second largest country <strong>in</strong> Europe, with an area of 603, 550 square kilometer. Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is<br />
bordered by Russia <strong>in</strong> the east, the Black Sea <strong>in</strong> the south, Moldova, Romania, Hungary,<br />
Slovakia and Poland <strong>in</strong> the west, and Belarus <strong>in</strong> the north.<br />
Most regions of the country are low-lands, fertile pla<strong>in</strong>s and plateaus with two highland<br />
areas: the Crimea Mounta<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> the south (the highest peak is the Ramantkosh at 1,545m)<br />
and the Carpathian Mounta<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> the west (the highest po<strong>in</strong>t is the Hoverla at 2,061m). In<br />
the south, Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is bordered by the Black Sea and the Azov Sea. The largest rivers are<br />
the Dnipro, Dnister, Danube, Desna and Pivdenyy (Southern) Booh.<br />
The climate <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is temperate cont<strong>in</strong>ental <strong>in</strong> most regions of the country and<br />
Mediterranean on the southern Crimean cost. W<strong>in</strong>ters vary from cool along the Black<br />
Sea to cold farther <strong>in</strong>land (average w<strong>in</strong>ter temperature is from -8 to-15C). Summers are<br />
warm across the greater part of the country and hot <strong>in</strong> the south (average temperature<br />
is from+18 to +25C, though can sometimes get over +35C).<br />
The country is rich <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>eral resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, sulfur,<br />
graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaol<strong>in</strong>, nickel, mercury, timber and others.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 5
1.3 Population<br />
The population of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is about 44,855 million (July 2012 est.), which is 6.3% lower<br />
than reported <strong>in</strong> 2001. The urban population is made up 69% of total population <strong>in</strong> 2010,<br />
with 2,779 million people liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Kyiv. It is estimated that 77.8% of the population are<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian and 17.3% are Russian. People from neighbor<strong>in</strong>g countries are represented <strong>in</strong><br />
strong m<strong>in</strong>orities, such as Belarusian, Moldovan, Crimean Tatar, Bulgarian, Hungarian,<br />
Romanian, Polish, Jewish and others.<br />
The majority of the population is a member of one of the branches of the Orthodox<br />
Church (about 84%). Around 10% are Catholic, while 4% are Muslim, represented by<br />
Tatar who mostly reside <strong>in</strong> the Crimea.<br />
1.4 History<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which dur<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state <strong>in</strong> Europe. Weakened<br />
by <strong>in</strong>ternec<strong>in</strong>e quarrels and Mongol <strong>in</strong>vasions, Kyivan Rus was <strong>in</strong>corporated <strong>in</strong>to the<br />
Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and eventually <strong>in</strong>to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The<br />
cultural and religious legacy of Kyivan Rus laid the foundation for Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian nationalism<br />
<strong>in</strong> subsequent centuries.<br />
A new Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established dur<strong>in</strong>g the mid-17th<br />
century after an upris<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>st the Poles. Despite cont<strong>in</strong>uous Muscovite pressure, the<br />
Hetmanate managed to rema<strong>in</strong> autonomous for well over 100 years. Dur<strong>in</strong>g the latter<br />
part of the 18th century, most Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the<br />
Russian Empire. Follow<strong>in</strong>g the collapse of czarist Russia <strong>in</strong> 1917, Ukra<strong>in</strong>e was able to<br />
achieve a short-lived period of <strong>in</strong>dependence (1917-20), but soon became a part of the<br />
USSR.<br />
F<strong>in</strong>al <strong>in</strong>dependence for Ukra<strong>in</strong>e was achieved <strong>in</strong> 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR,<br />
when on 24 August Ukra<strong>in</strong>e proclaimed its <strong>in</strong>dependence. S<strong>in</strong>ce then, the country has<br />
been support<strong>in</strong>g a position of democracy, freedom and development of the rule of law.<br />
The Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian national emblem is a golden Trident (tryzoob), which dates back to Rjurik<br />
Dynasty, the governors of Kievan Rus.<br />
6 | DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
1.5 Political and legal environment<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is a republic with a constitutional democracy form of government, headed<br />
by the President. The president is elected for a period of 5 years. The power is<br />
divided among executive, legislative and judicial branches. The legislative branch<br />
is a unicameral Supreme Council (Verkhovna Rada) of 450 seats. Supreme Council<br />
members are allocated on a proportional basis to those parties that ga<strong>in</strong> 3% or more<br />
of the national electoral vote and serve five-year terms. The President designates a<br />
Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister and regional governors. The Supreme Council can veto his decisions.<br />
The executive branch is the Cab<strong>in</strong>et of M<strong>in</strong>isters appo<strong>in</strong>ted by the President and<br />
approved by the Supreme Council. The judicial branch constitutes the Supreme Court<br />
and Constitutional Court. The Presidential Adm<strong>in</strong>istration helps draft presidential<br />
edicts and provides policy support to the president.<br />
The country is subdivided <strong>in</strong>to 24 regions (oblast), each with its own adm<strong>in</strong>istrative<br />
center. The country also <strong>in</strong>cludes 2 municipalities with oblast status and the<br />
autonomous republic of Crimea.<br />
1.6 Education and culture<br />
The educational system <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is divided <strong>in</strong>to three levels: elementary, secondary<br />
and higher education. Educational <strong>in</strong>stitutions of all levels are represented by some<br />
public and some private schools and universities. Some universities have voluntary<br />
adopted Bologna Process.<br />
More <strong>in</strong>formation on useful sites <strong>in</strong> Section 1.12.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 7
1.7 Economic <strong>in</strong>formation and key figures<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e’s economic sectors are diverse, but <strong>in</strong> need of new capital and <strong>in</strong>vestments<br />
to compete with sectors <strong>in</strong> the West. Export and bus<strong>in</strong>ess restrictions have been<br />
significantly reduced follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dependence from the Soviet Union, with core<br />
export categories <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g ferrous and non-ferrous metals, steel products and steel<br />
structures; chemical products (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g fertilizers; plastics and rubber); agricultural<br />
products and food (ma<strong>in</strong>ly gra<strong>in</strong>s, cereals; food process<strong>in</strong>g and packag<strong>in</strong>g). Ukra<strong>in</strong>e’s<br />
dependence on energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have made<br />
the Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian economy vulnerable to external shocks. Ukra<strong>in</strong>e depends on imports to<br />
meet about three-fourths of its annual oil and natural gas requirements and 100% of<br />
its nuclear fuel needs.<br />
A drop <strong>in</strong> steel prices - Ukra<strong>in</strong>e’s top export - and Ukra<strong>in</strong>e’s exposure to the global<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisis because of aggressive foreign borrow<strong>in</strong>g lowered the GDP growth rate<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2008. Ukra<strong>in</strong>e reached an agreement with the IMF for a USD 16.4 billion Stand-By<br />
Arrangement <strong>in</strong> November 2008 to deal with the economic crisis, but the program<br />
quickly stalled because little progress was made <strong>in</strong> implement<strong>in</strong>g reforms. The economy<br />
contracted nearly 15% <strong>in</strong> 2009--one of the worst economic performances <strong>in</strong> the world.<br />
In April 2010, Ukra<strong>in</strong>e negotiated a price discount on Russian gas imports <strong>in</strong> exchange<br />
for extend<strong>in</strong>g Russia’s lease on its naval base <strong>in</strong> Crimea. In August 2010, Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
reached a new agreement with the IMF for a USD 15.1 billion Stand-By Agreement to<br />
put the country on the path to fiscal susta<strong>in</strong>ability, reform the gas sector, and shore up<br />
the country’s bank<strong>in</strong>g system. Economic growth resumed <strong>in</strong> 2010 and 2011, buoyed by<br />
exports. After <strong>in</strong>itial disbursements, the IMF program stalled <strong>in</strong> early 2011 due to the<br />
lack of progress <strong>in</strong> implement<strong>in</strong>g key gas sector reforms, namely gas tariff <strong>in</strong>creases.<br />
Agriculture fell to 9.3% of the total GDP <strong>in</strong> 2011 compared with 14% <strong>in</strong> 1999. Industry,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, manufactur<strong>in</strong>g and construction, cont<strong>in</strong>ued to account for 34.7% <strong>in</strong><br />
this period. Meanwhile, trade and other services grew from 51 to 56.1 percent.<br />
The labour force <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> the economy <strong>in</strong> 2011 was 22.09 million people with 15.8%;<br />
18.5% and 65.7% <strong>in</strong> the agriculture, <strong>in</strong>dustry and services sectors, respectively.<br />
8 | DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
Description 2009 2010 2011 2012 est.<br />
GDP, billion USD 300.2 312.7 324.4 340.6<br />
GDP-real growth rate,% -14.5 4.2 4.7 4.9<br />
Gross fixed <strong>in</strong>vestment, % -52.9 6.9 8.7 10,3<br />
Total revenues, % to GDP 31.6 28.7 28.7 29.7<br />
Total expenditures, % to GDP 33.7 33.2 33.7 32.5<br />
Balance, % to GDP -2.1 -4.5 -4.0 -2.9<br />
Exports of goods and services, billion USD 54,253 66, 840 72, 655 82, 972<br />
Imports of goods and services, billion USD 56,206 67, 897 75, 230 85, 912<br />
Balance of foreign trade, billion USD -1,953 -1,057 -2,575 -2,941<br />
Public debt as percentage of GDP n/a 42.3 44.8 n/a<br />
Inflation rate,% n/a 9.4 9 11.5<br />
Unemployment rate,% 9.0 8,8 8.6* 8.6*<br />
Exchange rate, average for period, UAH/USD 7.8 7.93 7.96 8-8.3<br />
*Note: officially registered; large number of unregistered or underemployed workers.<br />
Source: Institute for Economics and Forecast<strong>in</strong>g, Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian National Academy of<br />
Sciences. Ukra<strong>in</strong>e Country report: The forecast of ma<strong>in</strong> economic development<br />
<strong>in</strong>dicators for Ukra<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> 2010-2012, October 2010.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 9
1.8 Macroeconomic forecast for 2013-2015<br />
Uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty about the possible development of the global f<strong>in</strong>ancial market <strong>in</strong> the<br />
medium term creates considerable variation <strong>in</strong> economic growth <strong>in</strong>dicators <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
Generally, it is assumed that the ma<strong>in</strong> leverage of economic growth is the expansion of<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestment demand with real <strong>in</strong>vestment rate grow<strong>in</strong>g at an average of 7.7%.Variations<br />
<strong>in</strong> experts’ forecasts are caused by the <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g risk of f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>stability and<br />
unsusta<strong>in</strong>able development <strong>in</strong> a number of risk countries of the euro zone. However,<br />
forecasters agree there will be a very high level of foreign capital <strong>in</strong>flow to Ukra<strong>in</strong>e,<br />
with average value of foreign direct <strong>in</strong>vestment of USD 8.2 billion. At the same time,<br />
the experts forecast a rather modest growth of government consumption rate of 2.6%.<br />
In recent years, much experience has been ga<strong>in</strong>ed on the implications of the Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian<br />
economy function<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a dynamic expansion of domestic consumer demand. Accord<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to analysts, <strong>in</strong> the medium term, both the state and economic entities will focus more<br />
attention on the updat<strong>in</strong>g of fixed assets, modernization of production, scientific and<br />
technological development and rais<strong>in</strong>g of their competitiveness.<br />
Experts also predict somewhat of an <strong>in</strong>flation downfall <strong>in</strong> the medium term: the average<br />
forecast for the consumer price <strong>in</strong>dex and producer price <strong>in</strong>dex (annual average) is<br />
106.2% and 108.7%, respectively.<br />
There is no consensus observed <strong>in</strong> the medium term forecast of foreign trade<br />
development. Average forecast figures for the export of goods and services growth<br />
is 11.1% and 11.2%, respectively. Forecasts of average annual exchange rate aga<strong>in</strong>st the<br />
U.S. dollar for the period from 2014 to 2015 range from 8 to 8.8 UAH / USD.<br />
In the public sector forecasters believe that, <strong>in</strong> the medium term, budget expenditures<br />
will exceed revenues (average value of the budget deficit will be 1.6% of GDP <strong>in</strong> the<br />
2014-2015 year with a maximum of “m<strong>in</strong>us” 2.2% of GDP).<br />
Source: M<strong>in</strong>istry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e – Ukra<strong>in</strong>e: development<br />
prospects. Consensus forecast. Issue 29 (April 2012).<br />
10 | DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
1.9 Investment climate <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
As of January 1, 2011 total foreign direct <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e was USD 44.7 billion (per<br />
capita USD 926.7), show<strong>in</strong>g 8.5% from the previous year.<br />
The growth of total foreign capital <strong>in</strong> the economy, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g its revaluation, losses,<br />
exchange rate differences etc. <strong>in</strong> 2010, amounted to USD 4.66 billion.<br />
The growth of foreign capital was observed <strong>in</strong> enterprises engaged <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial activities<br />
at the amount of USD 2.6 billion; <strong>in</strong>dustry ,USD 0.8 billion; real estate transactions,<br />
leas<strong>in</strong>g, eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g and services for entrepreneurs , USD 0.5 billion; trade, repair of<br />
motor vehicles, household goods and personal consumption , USD 0.4 billion.<br />
Lead<strong>in</strong>g countries-<strong>in</strong>vestors are Cyprus, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, Austria,<br />
France and the United K<strong>in</strong>gdom.<br />
Among the ma<strong>in</strong> advantages of <strong>in</strong>vest<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are the follow<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
• 44 million consumers - one of the largest markets <strong>in</strong> Eastern Europe;<br />
• High scientific and educational potential - powerful network of universities and<br />
research centers;<br />
• A competitive skilled labour force - accord<strong>in</strong>g to research company Bra<strong>in</strong> Bench,<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e has the 4th place <strong>in</strong> the world <strong>in</strong> number of certified professionals <strong>in</strong> the<br />
field of hi-tech;<br />
• Strategic advantages of location - Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is at the crossroads of trade routes East-<br />
West and North-South;<br />
• Widely developed transport <strong>in</strong>frastructure; railways, ports <strong>in</strong> the Black Sea and<br />
the pan-European transport corridors;<br />
Recently, Ukra<strong>in</strong>e has seen a steady improvement of the legal bus<strong>in</strong>ess and <strong>in</strong>vestment<br />
environment by adopt<strong>in</strong>g a number of laws and establish<strong>in</strong>g the State Agency of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
for Investments and National Projects to facilitate the relationships of foreign <strong>in</strong>vestors<br />
with state bodies and local authorities. The advantages <strong>in</strong> legal environment <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />
• Foreign <strong>in</strong>vestors on the territory of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e enjoy national treatment for<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestment and other economic activity. Foreign <strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e shall not<br />
be nationalized;<br />
• In the event of term<strong>in</strong>ation of <strong>in</strong>vestment activity, a foreign <strong>in</strong>vestor has the right to<br />
recoup his <strong>in</strong>vestment. The <strong>in</strong>vestment can be recovered <strong>in</strong>-k<strong>in</strong>d or <strong>in</strong> the currency<br />
of <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> the amount of the actual contribution without payment of duty,<br />
along with profits from those <strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong> monetary form or <strong>in</strong> goods;<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 11
• The State also guarantees to foreign <strong>in</strong>vestors an unimpeded and prompt remittance<br />
abroad of their profits and other sums <strong>in</strong> foreign currency obta<strong>in</strong>ed legally as a<br />
result of foreign <strong>in</strong>vestments.<br />
• In order to systematize the tax legislation, the Tax Code (TC) has been adopted. It<br />
is the first codified legislative act <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e regulat<strong>in</strong>g taxation issues. The ma<strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>novations of the TC relat<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>in</strong>vestment activities are:<br />
• Promotion of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e’s transition to <strong>in</strong>novation model of development, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
through the phased reduction of corporate tax rate from 25 to 16 percent (23% <strong>in</strong><br />
2011 , 21% <strong>in</strong> 2012 ,19% <strong>in</strong> 2013, and 16% <strong>in</strong> 2014);<br />
• Temporary (until January, 1 2020) <strong>in</strong>come tax exemption for producers of biofuels<br />
for electricity and thermal energy and profits from the extraction and use of gas<br />
(methane) of coal deposits;<br />
• 10-years <strong>in</strong>come tax exemption start<strong>in</strong>g January 1, 2011 of hotel services for all<br />
categories of five, four and three stars hotels. This <strong>in</strong>cludes newly constructed<br />
or reconstructed hotels <strong>in</strong> which there is an overhaul or restoration of exist<strong>in</strong>g<br />
build<strong>in</strong>gs and structures, as well as enterprises of light <strong>in</strong>dustry sectors (except<br />
for companies that produce raw materials for), and <strong>in</strong>come from sell<strong>in</strong>g electricity<br />
produced from renewable energy sources, profit shipbuild<strong>in</strong>g and aircraft <strong>in</strong>dustries;<br />
• Tax at 5% of <strong>in</strong>come on deposits, <strong>in</strong>terest or discount <strong>in</strong>come from a personal<br />
sav<strong>in</strong>gs (deposit) certificates, dividends and some other earn<strong>in</strong>gs related to<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestment activity is <strong>in</strong>troduced;<br />
• Gradual reduction of the value added tax (VAT) to 17%;<br />
• Introduction of “automatic” refund of VAT to the “honest” payers of taxes and the<br />
s<strong>in</strong>gle register of tax <strong>in</strong>voices and the implementation of the State’s responsibility<br />
for the late refund of value added tax for such payers.<br />
Source: Permanent Representation of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e to the Council of Europe –Investment<br />
Climate of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. www.mfa.gov.ua<br />
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1.10 Stock market <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e: the PFTS Stock Exchange<br />
The development of the stock market <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e started <strong>in</strong> the mid 1990s with the<br />
adoption a the number of relevant laws and resolutions, such as the Law on Securities<br />
and Stock Market (1991), On State Commission on Securities and Stock Market (1995),<br />
On state regulation of securities market of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e (1996), and others.<br />
There are number of stock exchanges operat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, the dom<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g are PFTS<br />
(First Stock Trad<strong>in</strong>g System) Stock Exchange and Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian Exchange.<br />
The PFTS Stock Exchange has been <strong>in</strong> operation s<strong>in</strong>ce 1996 and currently is the<br />
largest marketplace and self-regulatory organization <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e’s stock market.<br />
The PFTS Stock Exchange Trad<strong>in</strong>g System consists of “Quote-Driven” and “Order-<br />
Driven” markets. In addition, PFTS performs the auctions of the State Property Fund,<br />
companies accomplish<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>itial public offer<strong>in</strong>gs (IPO) or companies sell<strong>in</strong>g their<br />
own assets <strong>in</strong> securities.<br />
For the eligible circulation on PFTS admitted stocks, government bonds, municipal<br />
bonds, corporate bonds, state treasury notes, sav<strong>in</strong>gs certificates, <strong>in</strong>vestment<br />
certificates, these and other types of securities were issued <strong>in</strong> compliance with<br />
effective Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian legislation. PFTS <strong>in</strong>dex rema<strong>in</strong>s the only <strong>in</strong>dex of Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian stocks<br />
to be recognized and closely tracked by the <strong>in</strong>ternational f<strong>in</strong>ancial community.<br />
PFTS Stock Exchange is a member of <strong>International</strong> Association of CIS Exchanges and<br />
a correspondent member of the World Federation of Exchanges.<br />
More <strong>in</strong>formation on www.pfts.com<br />
Established <strong>in</strong> 2008, Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian Exchange has become one of the fastest develop<strong>in</strong>g<br />
exchanges <strong>in</strong> the world. Now it offers trad<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a wide array of f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>struments<br />
rang<strong>in</strong>g from cash equities to futures and options.<br />
In 2009 Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian Exchange launched UX Index, the first real time cash equities <strong>in</strong>dex<br />
<strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. Now UX Index tracks the 15 most liquid and highly capitalized local shares<br />
and is widely recognized as the ma<strong>in</strong> benchmark for the Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian securities market.<br />
Currently, Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian Exchange offers trad<strong>in</strong>g on order-driven and quote-driven<br />
markets, repo market and the derivatives market. In 2011 Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian Exchange launched<br />
trad<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> options contracts.<br />
More <strong>in</strong>formation on www.ux.ua.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 13
1.11 Visas, residence and work permits<br />
Resolution No. 567, recently adopted by the Cab<strong>in</strong>et of M<strong>in</strong>isters of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, <strong>in</strong>troduced<br />
new rules for the issuance of Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian visas and temporary residence permits.<br />
The amendments entered <strong>in</strong>to force on 11 September 2011 and provide for only 3 types<br />
of visas:<br />
• transit (type B);<br />
• short-term (type C); and<br />
• long-term (type D).<br />
The transit visa (type B) is issued for one, two or multiple entries for up to 1 year and<br />
allows for a stay <strong>in</strong> the territory of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e for up to 5 days dur<strong>in</strong>g each transit.<br />
The short-term visa (type C) is issued for <strong>in</strong>dividuals who <strong>in</strong>tend to stay <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
for up to 90 days with<strong>in</strong> 180 days from the date of first entry. This visa may be issued<br />
for one, two or multiple entries for the duration <strong>in</strong>dicated <strong>in</strong> the application but not<br />
exceed<strong>in</strong>g 5 years.<br />
The long-term visa (D) is issued to <strong>in</strong>dividuals enter<strong>in</strong>g Ukra<strong>in</strong>e with the purpose<br />
stay<strong>in</strong>g for more than 90 days. Such visa is issued to <strong>in</strong>dividuals who are:<br />
• study<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e pursuant to a work permit;<br />
• work<strong>in</strong>g at a representative office of a foreign company or a foreign bank;<br />
diplomatic missions and <strong>in</strong>ternational organisations; <strong>in</strong> religious organisations;<br />
representative office, departments or a branch of foreign NGOs; foreign<br />
correspondents or representatives of a foreign mass media; immigrat<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e pursuant to an immigration permit and family members of all previous<br />
categories; and those participat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the Euro 2012 preparation.<br />
D-visa now gives formal grounds to obta<strong>in</strong> a temporary residence permit which allows<br />
enter<strong>in</strong>g and stay<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e for the period of residence permit validity (usually for<br />
a year).<br />
Foreign visitors from visa-exempt countries or C-visa holders can stay <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e for up<br />
to 90 days (<strong>in</strong> aggregate) from the day of their first entry to the country with<strong>in</strong> 180 day<br />
period without registration with local immigration authorities.<br />
14 | DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
Due to the exist<strong>in</strong>g quotas, <strong>in</strong> order to employ a foreign citizen, the employer <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
should obta<strong>in</strong> the permit to hire a foreigner to occupy a certa<strong>in</strong> position on the grounds<br />
of a conv<strong>in</strong>c<strong>in</strong>g reason (i.e. lack of relevant expertise <strong>in</strong> the country (region) or no<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>ians capable to perform such work, etc.). The package of documents is filed with<br />
the State Employment Centre of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. It takes 30 days for the work permit to be<br />
issued. It is usually valid for a year period and can be prolonged. A work permit is a<br />
legal basis for a foreign citizen to obta<strong>in</strong> a relevant type of visa, to get registration of a<br />
temporary residence location and to obta<strong>in</strong> a residence permit <strong>in</strong> due course. Foreign<br />
citizens work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e without proper work permits are subject to immediate<br />
deportation. The employer bears all expenses and is liable for a substantial penalty<br />
(more than USD 2,600 as of January 2012).<br />
More <strong>in</strong>formation on the website of the M<strong>in</strong>istry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mfa.gov.<br />
ua/mfa/en/509.htm.<br />
1.12 Other useful <strong>in</strong>formation and l<strong>in</strong>ks<br />
• Measurements: Metric system<br />
• Date notation: day/month/year<br />
• Numeral Separator: Comma for decimals and full stop for thousand.<br />
Work<strong>in</strong>g hours<br />
State and public offices are opened from 9 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday, with a<br />
lunch hour from 1 pm as a rule.<br />
• Stores and Shopp<strong>in</strong>g centers are open from 10 am to 8/10 pm 7 days a week; some<br />
can be closed on Sunday. Lunch is usually either from 1 to 2 pm or from 2 to 3 pm.<br />
• Food stores: many of them work 24 hours, 7 days a week; a few from 8 am to 8 pm<br />
• Cafes and restaurants are usually open from 10-12 am until the last customer leaves.<br />
• Banks are open to public from 9 am to 4 pm with a lunch hour from 1 to 2 pm and<br />
are closed on Saturday, Sunday.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 15
Holidays<br />
January 1 – New Year<br />
January 7 – Orthodox Christmas<br />
March 8 – <strong>International</strong> Women’s Day<br />
Easter Day –accord<strong>in</strong>g to lunar calendar<br />
May 1 – orig<strong>in</strong>ally the Day of <strong>International</strong> Solidarity of Workers<br />
May 9 – Victory Day (WWII)<br />
Tr<strong>in</strong>ity Day – accord<strong>in</strong>g to lunar calendar<br />
June 28 – Constitution Day<br />
August 24 – Independence Day<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian law, <strong>in</strong> case an official holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday,<br />
the follow<strong>in</strong>g Monday will be day-off.<br />
Useful l<strong>in</strong>ks<br />
http://www.ukra<strong>in</strong>e.com - Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.com provides <strong>in</strong>formation about “all th<strong>in</strong>gs Ukra<strong>in</strong>e”.<br />
http://www.uazone.net - UA Zone is a public, volunteer-driven project aimed at provid<strong>in</strong>g<br />
reliable <strong>in</strong>formation about Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian culture and Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian bus<strong>in</strong>ess.<br />
http://www.bizukra<strong>in</strong>e.com - Onl<strong>in</strong>e Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian resources <strong>in</strong> English.<br />
16 | DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
2 Types of <strong>Bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> Entities with<br />
some applicable laws<br />
Start<strong>in</strong>g a bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e beg<strong>in</strong>s with the choice of the legal form of the future<br />
company, which shall be coherent with its bus<strong>in</strong>ess activity. It is illegal to run a<br />
company <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e without its state registration.<br />
The Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian legal framework provides for a number of forms of bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities to<br />
be opened <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. Foreign entities are entitled to pursue their activities <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
through a variety of options offered by the legislation of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e and the norms of<br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational law. Among them are the open<strong>in</strong>g of a foreign representative office<br />
without legal status, <strong>in</strong>corporation of a legal entity <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e with 100% foreign<br />
capital and the participation of Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian <strong>in</strong>dividuals and/or legal entities (residents).<br />
They not only differ <strong>in</strong> registration requirements, <strong>in</strong>corporation and ma<strong>in</strong>tenance<br />
costs, but also <strong>in</strong> the type of bus<strong>in</strong>ess activities each type of bus<strong>in</strong>ess entity can<br />
carry out.<br />
The Law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e foresees open<strong>in</strong>g of the follow<strong>in</strong>g forms of bus<strong>in</strong>ess entity:<br />
• Representative office (this stands for a commonly known Branch office);<br />
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) (Tovarystvo), or a Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian subsidiary;<br />
• Jo<strong>in</strong>t Stock Company<br />
Unlike a representative office, an LLC has legal status. However, an LLC rema<strong>in</strong>s a<br />
dependent legal entity from the parent company.<br />
A representative office is a separate unit of a legal entity located off-site the parent’s<br />
location. A representative office performs all or part of the parent’s functions and is<br />
governed by provisions approved by the parent company. The head of a rep-office is<br />
designated by the parent legal entity and operates under the parent’s warrant.<br />
An LLC operates under the Charter which is approved by the parent company (legal entity).<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 17
Applicable laws<br />
Incorporation and operation of the company <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are regulated by the<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g legal documents: the Civil Code and the Commercial Code of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, the<br />
Law on <strong>Bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> Associations, the Law on Jo<strong>in</strong>t Stock Companies, the Law on State<br />
Registration of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs and the number of other<br />
laws and resolutions of the government.<br />
Licens<strong>in</strong>g<br />
The law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is exhaustive of the list of activities subject to licens<strong>in</strong>g, for<br />
example:<br />
• bank<strong>in</strong>g and f<strong>in</strong>ancial services;<br />
• stock market activity;<br />
• construction;<br />
• production and sale of ethanol, cognac/fruit spirits, alcohol beverages and tobacco;<br />
• production and sale of pharmaceuticals;<br />
• bus<strong>in</strong>ess activities <strong>in</strong> telecommunications, TV and radio broadcast<strong>in</strong>g etc.<br />
A license is obta<strong>in</strong>ed upon submission of a standard application form and a set<br />
of other required documents to a relevant licens<strong>in</strong>g authority. Unless otherwise<br />
provided by the law, the decision is announced with<strong>in</strong> 10 days after submission.<br />
Licens<strong>in</strong>g is subject to a state duty.<br />
Licenses are valid with<strong>in</strong> a term prescribed by the law for a particular type of license.<br />
Generally, it is at least 5 years.<br />
A license is obta<strong>in</strong>ed for each particular type of licensed activity and is term<strong>in</strong>ated<br />
upon closure of a bus<strong>in</strong>ess or can be cancelled by the licens<strong>in</strong>g authority as a result<br />
of violation of the licens<strong>in</strong>g conditions. Carry<strong>in</strong>g out a licensed activity without an<br />
appropriate license is subject to adm<strong>in</strong>istrative sanctions.<br />
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Account<strong>in</strong>g and Audit requirements<br />
Bookkeep<strong>in</strong>g and tax account<strong>in</strong>g are mandatory for all types of bus<strong>in</strong>esses under<br />
the law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. Bookkeep<strong>in</strong>g is a compulsory type of account<strong>in</strong>g ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed by<br />
the legal entity. F<strong>in</strong>ancial, tax, statistical and other report<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>formation is based on<br />
bookkeep<strong>in</strong>g data.<br />
For <strong>in</strong>dividual entrepreneurs, who use a simplified taxation system, there is a<br />
simplified form of account<strong>in</strong>g and report<strong>in</strong>g to tax and pension fund authorities. As<br />
a result, this type of bus<strong>in</strong>ess is the most appropriate for bus<strong>in</strong>esses not aimed at<br />
receiv<strong>in</strong>g super profits.<br />
Jo<strong>in</strong>t-stock companies are subject to annual audit of annual f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements<br />
under the Law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e on Jo<strong>in</strong>t-Stock Companies.<br />
The auditor’s report can be required by the state registration authorities <strong>in</strong> some<br />
cases prescribed by the legislation, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
• upon an entity liquidation;<br />
• upon a legal entity liquidation as a result of merger, acquisition or conversion, etc.<br />
For more <strong>in</strong>formation see Section 10.<br />
2.1 Representative offices<br />
A Representative office is not a separate legal entity but only represents the foreign<br />
company and acts on its behalf <strong>in</strong> accordance with the law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
Depend<strong>in</strong>g on bus<strong>in</strong>ess objectives, it is possible to register commercial representative<br />
office and non-commercial (not-for-profit) representative office.<br />
A commercial representative office carries out commercial activity or provides<br />
services and earns <strong>in</strong>come as a result of its activity. This requires rep. office<br />
registration for tax purposes. It is subject to normal corporate <strong>in</strong>come tax and VAT.<br />
If the foreign company <strong>in</strong>tends to limit its operation <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e to representative<br />
functions, monitor<strong>in</strong>g, collect<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>formation or establish<strong>in</strong>g contacts, etc., it can<br />
apply for a non- profit status. However, the law provides for the list of organizations<br />
eligible for non- profit status and the foreign entity shall either comply with the<br />
requirements listed or be able to justify any requirements it cannot comply with. The<br />
entity must not make a profit <strong>in</strong> accordance with Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian law.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 19
Because of the double tax treaty <strong>in</strong> place between Ukra<strong>in</strong>e and the foreign company’s<br />
tax jurisdiction, some of the rep. office profits may be tax exempt. Non-commercial<br />
rep. offices generally are not VAT payers.<br />
Rep. offices are subject to state registration <strong>in</strong> due course under the Law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
on State Registration of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs.<br />
Open<strong>in</strong>g a rep. office requires the follow<strong>in</strong>g steps:<br />
• A documented decision of the parent entity’s management to create a rep. office<br />
(a branch), the approval of its location, name, assignment of its chief executive,<br />
approval of the rep. office govern<strong>in</strong>g provisions;<br />
• Fil<strong>in</strong>g the required documents with the state registrar.<br />
Representative office shall normally be registered with the M<strong>in</strong>istry of Economic<br />
Development and Trade, the State Tax Authority, the State Statistics Authority, and with<br />
the pension and social security funds. The foreign bank shall register with the National<br />
Bank of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. In order to use its official stamp, the rep. office shall obta<strong>in</strong> a permit of<br />
the M<strong>in</strong>istry of Internal Affairs. Depend<strong>in</strong>g on the list of <strong>in</strong>tended activities registration<br />
with other authorities can be required. As soon as registrations are completed the<br />
rep. office can open a bank account. The registration process usually takes up to three<br />
months after all necessary documents have been submitted. Preparation of documents<br />
takes a considerable time, as normally they require approval, notarization, translation<br />
and legalization.<br />
20 | DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
2.2 Limited liability company<br />
Schonbrunn Palace,<br />
Vienna<br />
Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the most wide-spread form of company <strong>in</strong>corporation<br />
<strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. This is due to the follow<strong>in</strong>g reasons:<br />
• There are no specific law requirements regard<strong>in</strong>g m<strong>in</strong>imum company capital, so<br />
the participants can <strong>in</strong>dividually decide on its size and percentage (participatory<br />
<strong>in</strong>terest) and specify this <strong>in</strong> the Charter;<br />
• There can be up to a hundred participants;<br />
• The Chartered capital is formed by the participants’ <strong>in</strong>vestments on a share basis<br />
(participants’ responsibility is def<strong>in</strong>ed by their shares);<br />
• Participants are entitled to transfer their shares to third parties and can voluntarily<br />
withdraw from the company with the proportionate share of company’s capital, or<br />
can be withdrawn by other participants upon failure to perform assigned duties;<br />
• LLC is managed by a govern<strong>in</strong>g body - the General meet<strong>in</strong>g of the participants.<br />
It can be created on a collegial or sole basis and their votes are proportional to<br />
their <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> the Chartered capital. All the decisions are made through and<br />
documented by the General meet<strong>in</strong>gs’ m<strong>in</strong>utes, provided there is the quorum;<br />
• The executive body of LLC is the Board of Directors, or a Director, and the audit<br />
committee. The LLC’s structure, authority and responsibilities are def<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Charter. It also conta<strong>in</strong>s the company’s objectives, scope of activities, rules and<br />
regulations.<br />
• There are no statutory audit requirements unless under participants’ demand.<br />
• Incorporation of LLC provides for the follow<strong>in</strong>g steps:<br />
• The General Meet<strong>in</strong>g of participants is held to consider and approve a new Company<br />
<strong>in</strong>corporation, its name, address, chartered capital, the allocation of shares between<br />
the participants, word<strong>in</strong>g of the Charter, and to appo<strong>in</strong>t the executive body. The<br />
decision of the General Meet<strong>in</strong>g of participants is recorded <strong>in</strong> the m<strong>in</strong>utes of the<br />
General Meet<strong>in</strong>g and is signed by all participants;<br />
• The required set of documents (accord<strong>in</strong>g to the Law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e “On State<br />
Registration of Legal Entities and Individual entrepreneurs”) is filed with the state<br />
registrar;<br />
• The LLC’s stamp is obta<strong>in</strong>ed (no stamp permit is required);<br />
• LLC is registered with the State statistics and tax authority, and with pension fund;<br />
• LLC opens its bank accounts.<br />
The law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e provides for the possibility to create LLC on the basis of a model<br />
Charter, which is developed and approved by the Cab<strong>in</strong>et of M<strong>in</strong>isters of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. In such<br />
case there are no requirements regard<strong>in</strong>g the notarization of participants’ signatures,<br />
which significantly reduces the time and cost of LLC <strong>in</strong>corporation.<br />
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2.3 Jo<strong>in</strong>t-stock company<br />
Jo<strong>in</strong>t-stock companies (JSC) <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are regulated by the Law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e On Jo<strong>in</strong>t<br />
Stock Companies. The special feature of JSC <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is that under the law they fall <strong>in</strong>to<br />
two types: public and private JSC.<br />
The number of shareholders of a private jo<strong>in</strong>t stock company cannot exceed 100<br />
shareholders and the shares can only be offered to the private JSC shareholders. The<br />
shareholders’ preemption rights shall be provided by the Charter.<br />
Unlike a private JSC, a public JSC shall be listed with a stock exchange <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e and can<br />
make public and private offer<strong>in</strong>gs. Public JSC shares can be traded on a stock exchange<br />
market.<br />
The follow<strong>in</strong>g entities are entitled to be founders of jo<strong>in</strong>t stock companies under the law:<br />
• the state, represented by the body authorized to manage state property;<br />
• local community, represented by the body authorized to manage municipal<br />
property; and<br />
• <strong>in</strong>dividual and/or legal entity that decided on such company type <strong>in</strong>corporation.<br />
A JSC (private or public) and its shares shall be registered with the State Securities and<br />
Stock Market Commission <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
Registration of JSC requires fil<strong>in</strong>g of the set of documents under the law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. The<br />
application and registration procedure takes longer <strong>in</strong> comparison with other forms of<br />
legal entities. For more <strong>in</strong>formation see the Chart <strong>in</strong> Section 2.5.<br />
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2.4 Private enterprise<br />
In comparison with the entity types above-legal entities def<strong>in</strong>ed by the legislation of<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e- a private enterprise is the least regulated <strong>in</strong> terms of regulatory and legal<br />
requirements that apply. By the def<strong>in</strong>ition given <strong>in</strong> the Commercial Code of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, a<br />
private enterprise is a legal entity that acts on the basis of private property of one or<br />
several <strong>in</strong>dividuals.<br />
The law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e does not provide any specific requirements on the m<strong>in</strong>imum Chartered<br />
capital of the private enterprise, its corporate management structure or requirements to<br />
property. Therefore the owner (owners) applies regulations adopted for legal entities or<br />
act at their own discretion.<br />
For more <strong>in</strong>formation see the Chart <strong>in</strong> Section 2.5.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 23
2.5 Comparison of the most popular entity forms <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Type of Entity Private enterprise Limited Liability Company (LLC)<br />
Overall description<br />
The company that operates on the basis of the<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividual or legal entity private ownership<br />
The company that has Chartered capital<br />
proportionally divided between the shareholders.<br />
The size of the shares is set up by the Charter.<br />
M<strong>in</strong>imum capital No special requirements No special requirements<br />
Founders / shareholders Owner /Owners Founder /Participant<br />
Founders /Participants<br />
Founder’s/ shareholder’s<br />
liability for the<br />
obligations of the entity<br />
Owner of the legal entity or the owner of the<br />
property are not liable for legal entity’s liabilities;<br />
legal entity is not liable for the liabilities of<br />
the owner or the founder except for the cases<br />
stipulated by law or the legal entity foundation<br />
documents<br />
Participants of LLC are not liable for the company’s<br />
liabilities and bear risk of losses as a result of LLC<br />
activity with<strong>in</strong> their shares’ limits<br />
Legal entity (yes/no) Yes Yes<br />
Full account<strong>in</strong>g (yes/no) Yes Yes<br />
Income tax<br />
Taxation of <strong>in</strong>come for<br />
founders/ shareholders<br />
Income tax rates depend on the chosen taxation<br />
system (general or simplified)<br />
Dividends paid by legal entity-resident are 5%<br />
taxable at source;<br />
Dividends received by legal entity-non-resident<br />
from a resident are 15% taxable at source of<br />
payment (paid by a resident).<br />
Dividends paid to <strong>in</strong>dividuals (regardless of<br />
residence) on securities or other corporate rights<br />
are 15% or 17% taxable (unless otherwise provided<br />
by the treaty, which provisions prevail for nonresidents<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividuals and legal entities).<br />
Income tax rates depend on the chosen taxation<br />
system (general or simplified)<br />
Dividends paid by legal entity-resident are 5%<br />
taxable at source;<br />
Dividends received by legal entity-non-resident<br />
from a resident are 15% taxable at source of<br />
payment (paid by a resident).<br />
Dividends paid to <strong>in</strong>dividuals (regardless of<br />
residence) on securities or other corporate rights<br />
are 15% or 17% taxable (unless otherwise provided<br />
by the treaty, which provisions prevail for nonresidents<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividuals and legal entities).<br />
Form of transfer of<br />
profits to founders/<br />
participants/<br />
shareholders<br />
Audit of f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
statements<br />
Time required for<br />
registration<br />
Stipulated by the <strong>in</strong>corporat<strong>in</strong>g document (Charter)<br />
By owner’s demand<br />
Up to 10 calendar days<br />
Stipulated by the <strong>in</strong>corporat<strong>in</strong>g document (Charter)<br />
By founders’/ participants’ demand<br />
Up to 10 calendar days<br />
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Jo<strong>in</strong>t Stock Company (JSC)<br />
Legal entity with authorized capital divided <strong>in</strong>to<br />
a number of shares of equal nom<strong>in</strong>al value. The<br />
corporate rights for shares are confirmed by the<br />
securities.<br />
1250 of m<strong>in</strong>imum salaries, as effective on the<br />
date of JSC registration. As of June 2012 it is UAH<br />
1,367,500.00<br />
Shareholders<br />
Individual Entrepreneur<br />
An <strong>in</strong>dividual runn<strong>in</strong>g own bus<strong>in</strong>ess at own risk, not<br />
a legal entity<br />
No special requirements<br />
Individual Entrepreneur<br />
JSC is <strong>in</strong>dependently liable for all its liabilities by<br />
JSC total assets. Shareholders are not liable for JSC<br />
liabilities and bear risk of losses as a result of JSC<br />
activity with<strong>in</strong> the value of shares they possess<br />
Individual Entrepreneur is liable for its bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
activity by all its property, except for the property<br />
that cannot be pledged under the law.<br />
Yes<br />
Yes<br />
Income tax rates depend on the chosen taxation<br />
system (general or simplified)<br />
Dividends paid by legal entity-resident are 5%<br />
taxable at source;<br />
No<br />
No<br />
Income tax rates depend on the chosen taxation<br />
system (general or simplified)<br />
-<br />
Dividends received by legal entity-non-resident from<br />
a resident are 15% taxable at source of payment<br />
(paid by a resident).<br />
Dividends paid to <strong>in</strong>dividuals (regardless of<br />
residence) on securities or other corporate rights<br />
are 15% or 17% taxable (unless otherwise provided<br />
by the treaty, which provisions prevail for nonresidents<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividuals and legal entities).<br />
Stipulated by the <strong>in</strong>corporat<strong>in</strong>g document (Charter)<br />
Yes<br />
No<br />
Preparation stage takes from 3 to 6 months;<br />
registration with authorities takes up to 10 calendar<br />
days<br />
Up to 5 calendar days<br />
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2.6 Other forms of bus<strong>in</strong>ess co-operation<br />
Currently there is no legal entity of a jo<strong>in</strong>t venture enterprise <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. A jo<strong>in</strong>t<br />
venture enterprise is formed by establish<strong>in</strong>g a legal entity (LLC or JSC) with<br />
participation of various foreign entities.<br />
There is a possibility, though, to organize a jo<strong>in</strong>t venture based on a jo<strong>in</strong>t activity<br />
agreement without register<strong>in</strong>g a legal entity. Such agreements set up provisions for<br />
relationship between the parties, changes or term<strong>in</strong>ation of their rights and liabilities,<br />
withdrawal procedures and actions <strong>in</strong> case of violation or damage.<br />
2.7 Individual Entrepreneurship<br />
Recently enacted Tax Code of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e def<strong>in</strong>es a self-employed person as a taxpayer<strong>in</strong>dividual<br />
entrepreneur that performs <strong>in</strong>dependent professional activity (runs<br />
own bus<strong>in</strong>ess), provided that such person is not employed with<strong>in</strong> that bus<strong>in</strong>ess or<br />
<strong>in</strong>dependent professional activity. Jobs of <strong>in</strong>dependent professional activity <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
notaries, lawyers, artists, etc.<br />
Individuals wish<strong>in</strong>g to run their own bus<strong>in</strong>ess are required to register with the state<br />
tax authority by their residence as a private entrepreneur and to get a registration<br />
certificate. In addition, such an <strong>in</strong>dividual is required to keep records of bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
accounts and submit a tax return every report<strong>in</strong>g year.<br />
Procedure of registration of private entrepreneurship of a foreign citizen or a<br />
stateless person is similar. However, a foreign nation or a stateless person registered<br />
<strong>in</strong> the state tax authority as a private entrepreneur is considered a resident of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
and is taxed on worldwide <strong>in</strong>come or other proceed<strong>in</strong>gs, which shall be appropriately<br />
stated <strong>in</strong> the annual tax return, along with <strong>in</strong>come sources <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
The registration procedure of private a entrepreneur <strong>in</strong>cludes registration with the<br />
Unified State Register of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs, the State Tax<br />
Authorities and the Pension Fund.<br />
The ma<strong>in</strong> advantage of be<strong>in</strong>g a private entrepreneur <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is the ability to use a<br />
simplified taxation scheme. More details <strong>in</strong> Section 4.6.<br />
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2.8 Procedure of clos<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Clos<strong>in</strong>g a bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e has is carried out both on a voluntary and forced basis<br />
(as a result of court proceed<strong>in</strong>g as anticipated by the law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e).<br />
Voluntary liquidation of a bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, both for <strong>in</strong>dividual entrepreneurs and<br />
legal entities, foresees the follow<strong>in</strong>g steps:<br />
• Approv<strong>in</strong>g of a decision of closure (liquidation) <strong>in</strong> the form of an application to a<br />
tax authority for <strong>in</strong>dividuals, a decision of a higher manag<strong>in</strong>g body for a legal entity<br />
(<strong>in</strong> case of JSC, a decision of a General Meet<strong>in</strong>g of the Shareholders; for LLC, a<br />
decision of a General Meet<strong>in</strong>g of Participants; recorded <strong>in</strong> the respective m<strong>in</strong>utes);<br />
• Submission of documents to the state registration authority.<br />
Liquidation of <strong>in</strong>dividual entrepreneurs <strong>in</strong>volves actions concern<strong>in</strong>g seek<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
acknowledgement and satisfy<strong>in</strong>g creditor’s requirements.<br />
After two months from the day when a notice of liquidation is published, a legal entity<br />
may address the state registration authority with documents to confirm the absence of<br />
liabilities to budgets and funds and other documents <strong>in</strong> order to make an appropriate<br />
record <strong>in</strong> the Unified State Register of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs<br />
about the closure (liquidation) of bus<strong>in</strong>ess.<br />
The closure of a bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>volves the follow<strong>in</strong>g important <strong>in</strong>termediary<br />
stages: the <strong>in</strong>spection of a tax authority and social <strong>in</strong>surance fund to justify the<br />
absence of budget and funds liabilities. Generally, liquidation procedures take takes 3<br />
to 6 months for private entrepreneurs and from 6 months to 1 year for a legal entity.<br />
The follow<strong>in</strong>g elements may <strong>in</strong>fluence the tim<strong>in</strong>g of a bus<strong>in</strong>ess closure: (a) character<br />
of economic activity; (b) number of employees; (c) form of <strong>in</strong>corporation; (d) scope of<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess transactions etc.<br />
Forced liquidation as a result of a court proceed<strong>in</strong>g is possible <strong>in</strong> a case of <strong>in</strong>solvency or if<br />
there is <strong>in</strong>compliance with legal and regulatory requirements set forth by the legislation<br />
of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e (violation of registration procedures, failure to meet tax liabilities, etc.).<br />
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2.9 Labour Code of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
The Labour Code is the ma<strong>in</strong> set of laws that governs labour relationships between<br />
employers and employees. This regulatory and legal act def<strong>in</strong>es the basic rights and<br />
duties of the employee and the employer; the procedure and grounds for the creation<br />
and term<strong>in</strong>ation of the employment; guarantees compensation, work<strong>in</strong>g hours and<br />
terms of vacation; the procedure of dispute resolution; etc.<br />
The Labour Code admits employment based on the labour agreements. However, terms<br />
and provisions of such an agreement shall provide for the m<strong>in</strong>imum guaranteed by the<br />
Labour Code. Employment without formal registration of labour relationships is illegal.<br />
2.10 Social security system<br />
One of the compulsory fees <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e apart from taxes is a unified social contribution<br />
that applies to employers or employees of all companies <strong>in</strong>corporated <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e,<br />
private entrepreneurs or employed under labour or civil agreements.<br />
For employees on salaries or wages, a social contribution is withheld at source at the<br />
rate of 3.6% of gross remuneration (2.6% for those employed under labour or civil<br />
agreements).<br />
Employers pay 36.7% - 49.7% of gross employee remuneration, depend<strong>in</strong>g on the<br />
accident risk level of the company’s sector of <strong>in</strong>dustry (34.7% for remuneration paid<br />
under labour or civil agreements).<br />
The respective monthly personalized reports are filed by the employers to the Pension<br />
Fund of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e with<strong>in</strong> 20 days follow<strong>in</strong>g the report<strong>in</strong>g month.<br />
Private entrepreneurs are liable for monthly social contributions and report to the<br />
Pension Fund once a year.<br />
Violation and avoidance of social security obligations is severely penalized.<br />
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2.11 Foreign director appo<strong>in</strong>tment<br />
The law requirement of hav<strong>in</strong>g a work permit to work <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e makes it legally<br />
impossible for a newly created Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian company to start its operation under the<br />
lead of a foreign director (unless s/he has already been liv<strong>in</strong>g and work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e).<br />
However, a foreign director can be hired by a Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian company on the basis of written<br />
employment agreement (contract).<br />
The foreign director’s education, qualification and experience shall comply with the<br />
requirements set up by the applicable law.<br />
Upon the appo<strong>in</strong>tment, the foreign director shall register with the STA to obta<strong>in</strong> a<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian personal Tax ID number. The process usually takes up to three weeks upon<br />
submission of a package of required documents. As a result, a foreign national becomes<br />
a taxpayer of Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian taxes.<br />
More <strong>in</strong>formation on Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian tax and taxation of worldwide <strong>in</strong>come of non-residents<br />
who live and work <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is provided <strong>in</strong> Section 5.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 29
3 National Bank of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e currency<br />
control regulations<br />
Germany Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the Decree of Cab<strong>in</strong>et of M<strong>in</strong>isters of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e on the Currency<br />
Regulation System and Currency Control (1993), some currency transactions are<br />
subject <strong>in</strong>dividual and general licenses issued by the National Bank of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
General licenses are issued to commercial banks and other f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>stitutes<br />
of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, and to the national postal company for the whole period of currency<br />
regulations <strong>in</strong> effect.<br />
Individual licenses are issued to residents and non-residents to perform a one-time<br />
currency transaction for the period needed for the transaction to be accomplished.<br />
Transactions, which require an <strong>in</strong>dividual license <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />
i. export<strong>in</strong>g and transferr<strong>in</strong>g foreign exchange assets through the Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian<br />
border, except for:<br />
ii.<br />
iii.<br />
• The transferr<strong>in</strong>g of foreign currency abroad by residents and non-residents of<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, if that currency was brought by them <strong>in</strong>to Ukra<strong>in</strong>e on legal grounds;<br />
• payments made by residents <strong>in</strong> favor of non-residents relat<strong>in</strong>g to purchase<br />
of goods, services, <strong>in</strong>tellectual property and other property rights apart from<br />
payments for foreign exchange assets and life <strong>in</strong>surance contracts;<br />
• transferr<strong>in</strong>g abroad <strong>in</strong>terests and <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong>come <strong>in</strong> foreign currency;<br />
• transferr<strong>in</strong>g abroad previous foreign currency <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> case of the<br />
ceas<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>in</strong>vestment activity etc.<br />
grant<strong>in</strong>g and receiv<strong>in</strong>g foreign currency loans from residents if the amounts of<br />
these loans exceed established limits;<br />
the use of foreign currency on the territory of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e as means of payment or<br />
pledge;<br />
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iv.<br />
deposition of foreign exchange assets on foreign bank accounts and deposits,<br />
except for:<br />
• the open<strong>in</strong>g of foreign currency accounts by <strong>in</strong>dividual for the time of their<br />
stay<strong>in</strong>g abroad;<br />
• the open<strong>in</strong>g of correspondent accounts by authorized banks;<br />
v. mak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>vestments abroad, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the purchas<strong>in</strong>g of securities.<br />
Foreign currency trade regulations<br />
Residents and non-residents of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e must buy or sell foreign currency exclusively<br />
at the <strong>in</strong>terbank currency exchange of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e through authorized banks and other<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>stitutions licensed by the NBU for conduct<strong>in</strong>g foreign currency trade.<br />
Compulsory report<strong>in</strong>g of valuables located abroad<br />
Currency valuables and other residential property abroad are filed through<br />
compulsory report<strong>in</strong>g to the NBU, which sets up procedures and terms for the<br />
report<strong>in</strong>g fil<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Settlements for import-export operations<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the Resolution of NBU on the Control Procedure Over Import-Export<br />
transactions (1999), goods imported by residents on supply delay terms require<br />
the permission of the M<strong>in</strong>istry of Economic Development and Trade if this delay<br />
exceeds a 180-day period follow<strong>in</strong>g the date of the advance payment, The issu<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of promissory notes or us<strong>in</strong>g a letter of credit settlements from the date of bank<br />
transfer to non-resident may also be used,<br />
Advance payments to foreign companies on future supply terms must be fulfilled<br />
with<strong>in</strong> a 180-day period follow<strong>in</strong>g the date of the advance payment. If goods or<br />
services are not received dur<strong>in</strong>g this period, the company becomes subject to severe<br />
penalties, which may be avoided by extend<strong>in</strong>g the period of supply based on an<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividual permission granted by the M<strong>in</strong>istry of Economic Development and Trade.<br />
It is also required that residents credit their bank accounts with the amount of<br />
proceeds subject to debt recovery accord<strong>in</strong>g to their contracts, with<strong>in</strong> 180 days<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g the date of completion of a custom-clearance declaration for exported<br />
goods.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 31
Foreign currency transfer<br />
Any national and foreign currency transfer by the authorized banks and other<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>stitutions from a resident of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e legal entity to non-residents is based<br />
on the follow<strong>in</strong>g documents:<br />
• a contract with the non-resident prepared accord<strong>in</strong>g to current legislation of<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e or another document, which legally has the power of a contract;<br />
• documents which justify actually provided services, works or transferred <strong>in</strong>tellectual<br />
property rights.<br />
If the amount of such transaction exceeds EUR 100,000 (or its equivalent), it must<br />
be approved by the State Information and Analytic Center for Monitor<strong>in</strong>g of External<br />
Commodity Markets, which identifies the compliance of correspond<strong>in</strong>g contract<br />
prices to the market prices.<br />
In case of a written refusal, those operations are permitted only with the permission<br />
of the National Bank of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
The follow<strong>in</strong>g transactions are exempt from these requirements:<br />
• f<strong>in</strong>ancial, tourist, transport and communicational service transactions by residents<br />
if they hold licenses (permits) of authorized bodies to run bus<strong>in</strong>esses <strong>in</strong> those areas<br />
of service;<br />
• transactions of residents, def<strong>in</strong>ed accord<strong>in</strong>g to current procedures of correspond<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational agreements, conducted accord<strong>in</strong>g to those agreements;<br />
• transactions under an <strong>in</strong>dividual National Bank of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e license;<br />
• payments to the <strong>International</strong> Bank for Reconstruction and Development by a<br />
borrower-resident, conducted as part of loan agreement performance, etc.<br />
Foreign loan <strong>in</strong>terest cap<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the NBU rules, residents (legal entities, private entrepreneurs and <strong>in</strong>dividuals<br />
– citizens of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e) may receive loans from non-residents, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g payback f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
assistance <strong>in</strong> foreign currency <strong>in</strong> accordance with agreements and legal procedures on<br />
a non-cash basis.<br />
In order to receive f<strong>in</strong>ancial assistance <strong>in</strong> foreign currency, a resident has to register a<br />
contract with the NBU.<br />
32 | DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
Resident borrowers (except for authorized banks of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e) raise funds from nonresidents<br />
through authorized banks of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e upon their approval to service these<br />
transactions. If the contract with the non-resident foresees borrow<strong>in</strong>g funds through a<br />
money transfer to the resident borrower’s account, and abroad and/or debt repayment<br />
on such loan is conducted from the resident’s account abroad, than the resident borrower<br />
must, accord<strong>in</strong>g to established procedures, receive an appropriate <strong>in</strong>dividual license.<br />
Contracts that foresee the repayment of debt liabilities <strong>in</strong> foreign currency by resident<br />
borrowers to non-residents are subject to compulsory registration with the NBU. Nonbank<br />
resident borrowers are provided with certificates of registration by the local<br />
departments of the NBU.<br />
Resident borrower is obliged to register an agreement before receiv<strong>in</strong>g a loan.<br />
Commercial loans, received by residents from non-residents and loans received by the<br />
state or provided by the state guarantees are not subject to registration with the NBU.<br />
The amount of loan <strong>in</strong>terest payments <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g commissions, penalties and other<br />
payments, set up by the contract shall not exceed established by the NBU maximum<br />
<strong>in</strong>terest rate on the contracts <strong>in</strong> effect on the date of submission of the registration<br />
documents to the NBU.<br />
Tak<strong>in</strong>g account of the value of <strong>in</strong>ternational f<strong>in</strong>ancial markets borrow<strong>in</strong>gs, NBU<br />
establishes the follow<strong>in</strong>g maximum <strong>in</strong>terest rates for 1 group by the Currency Classifier<br />
of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e:<br />
• for short-term loans (up to 1 year ) – no more than 9.8% per year ;<br />
• for middle-term loans (from 1 to 3 years) – no more than 10% per year; and<br />
• for long-term loans (over 3 years) – no more than 11% per year.<br />
For the float<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>terest rate the maximum rate is a LIBOR rate for three-months USD<br />
deposits plus 750 basis po<strong>in</strong>ts.<br />
Foreign borrow<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> currencies of 2 and 3 groups of the Currency Classifier shall not<br />
exceed 20% per year.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 33
Olympiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv
4 Taxation system <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
4.1 Legal framework<br />
The tax legislation of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is regulated by the follow<strong>in</strong>g documents:<br />
• Constitution of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• Tax Code of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• Customs Code of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• number of laws on customs regulations on import or export duties;<br />
• <strong>in</strong>ternational treaties on avoidance of double taxation <strong>in</strong> effect as ratified by the<br />
Verkhovna Rada of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• legal and regulatory documents adopted under and pursuant to the TC and other<br />
laws on customs regulation;<br />
• resolutions of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea; and<br />
• resolutions of local authorities on local taxes and fees adopted under the rules<br />
established by the TC.<br />
If an <strong>in</strong>ternational treaty ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e sets tax rules other<br />
than those provided by the TC, the rules <strong>in</strong>troduced by the <strong>in</strong>ternational treaty apply.<br />
4.2 The Tax Code of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e (TC)<br />
2011 became a year of change for the system of taxation <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e due to release of<br />
the new Tax Code of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e that came <strong>in</strong>to effect start<strong>in</strong>g January 1, 2011.<br />
It <strong>in</strong>troduced a lot of amendments (of positive and negative nature) <strong>in</strong> tax account<strong>in</strong>g<br />
rules and adm<strong>in</strong>istration of taxes <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g corporate <strong>in</strong>come tax (CIT) applicable to all<br />
enterprises subject to CIT; taxable <strong>in</strong>come and expenses; tax account<strong>in</strong>g of assets <strong>in</strong><br />
terms of tax amortization, etc.<br />
However, there are still cases of ambiguous word<strong>in</strong>g and lack of clarifications that can<br />
cause disputes between taxpayers and tax authorities, so further amendments and<br />
clarifications are likely to be <strong>in</strong>troduced <strong>in</strong> the near future.<br />
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4.3 Types of taxes <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e has established the follow<strong>in</strong>g state (national) and local taxes and fees.<br />
The state taxes and fees are established by the Tax Code and are mandatory throughout<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
State taxes and fees <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />
• Corporate <strong>in</strong>come tax;<br />
• Personal <strong>in</strong>come tax;<br />
• Value Added Tax;<br />
• Excise tax;<br />
• Tax for first registration of the vehicle;<br />
• Environmental tax;<br />
• Land tax;<br />
• Use of subsoil tax;<br />
• Customs Duty;<br />
• Pension Fund charges;<br />
• Rental fee for extraction of oil, gas and gas condensate <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• Rental fee for transportation of oil and oil products by pipel<strong>in</strong>es; transit pipel<strong>in</strong>e<br />
transportation of natural gas and ammonia through Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• Fee for use of radio frequency resource of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• Fee for special use of water;<br />
• Fee for special use of forest resources;<br />
• Fixed agricultural tax;<br />
• Fee for development of viticulture, horticulture and hop;<br />
• Fee as a surcharge to the current tariff for electricity and heat than electricity<br />
generated by qualified cogeneration facilities;<br />
• Duty as a supplement to the exist<strong>in</strong>g natural gas tariff for consumers of all forms<br />
of ownership.<br />
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Local taxes and duties are laid down accord<strong>in</strong>g to the list and with<strong>in</strong> the limit rates<br />
prescribed by the TC, by the resolutions of local village and town councils and are<br />
obligatory <strong>in</strong> the respective communities.<br />
Local taxes and fees comprise:<br />
• Tax on real estate other than land;<br />
• Tax on immovable property;<br />
• Fee for runn<strong>in</strong>g certa<strong>in</strong> types of bus<strong>in</strong>ess;<br />
• Park<strong>in</strong>g fee;<br />
• Tourist tax.<br />
4.4 Corporate Income Tax (CIT)<br />
The procedure of calculation and payment of corporate <strong>in</strong>come tax (CIT) is set up <strong>in</strong><br />
the provisions of Section III of the TC and is regulated by the number of acts adopted<br />
by the State Tax Adm<strong>in</strong>istration of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e (STA) on the development of provisions of<br />
the TC.<br />
CIT payers<br />
Pursuant to TC, CIT payers are legal entities-residents of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e (Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian and<br />
foreign entities <strong>in</strong>corporated <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e through permanent establishment), <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
• those runn<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>ess both <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e and abroad;<br />
• not-for-profit <strong>in</strong>stitutions and organizations for <strong>in</strong>come sourced from their noncore<br />
activities and/or <strong>in</strong>come subject to CIT under this section;<br />
• separate units of entities-CIT payers, except for representative offices.<br />
In accordance with TC, foreign entities – non-resident of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are subject to CIT only if:<br />
• their <strong>in</strong>come orig<strong>in</strong>ates from Ukra<strong>in</strong>e (activity performed <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e or property<br />
located <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e), except for <strong>in</strong>stitutions and organizations with diplomatic<br />
privileges or immunity under <strong>in</strong>ternational treaties of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e; and<br />
• Permanent Missions of non-residents that receive <strong>in</strong>come from sources <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
or perform agent (representative) and other functions <strong>in</strong> respect of such nonresidents<br />
or their founders.<br />
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Tax Base<br />
Pursuant to TC, the tax base for tax purposes is the monetary representation of profit<br />
that is subject to taxation. By this it means <strong>in</strong>come from core operational activity and<br />
other <strong>in</strong>come for the report<strong>in</strong>g period as supported by appropriate source documents.<br />
However, TC foresees a separate list of 23 tax-exempt items of <strong>in</strong>come which are<br />
excluded from taxable <strong>in</strong>come for the purpose of tax base, such as:<br />
• advance payments and VAT (exclud<strong>in</strong>g cases when seller is not a VAT payer);<br />
• direct <strong>in</strong>vestments or re<strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong> corporate rights;<br />
• loans and accommodations;<br />
• monetary funds of jo<strong>in</strong>t <strong>in</strong>vestment;<br />
• additional paid-<strong>in</strong> capital;<br />
• dividends;<br />
• property and funds transferred to broker (attorney or agent) under commission<br />
contract, consignment, etc.;<br />
• property and funds returned to the owner after entity liquidation or term<strong>in</strong>ation of<br />
jo<strong>in</strong>t operation;<br />
• <strong>in</strong>ternational technical assistance; and others.<br />
The costs taken <strong>in</strong>to account for the tax base consist of expenses for core operational<br />
activity, as listed <strong>in</strong> the Charter, and other expenses. TC also provides for a detailed<br />
description of deductible expenses. Unless the expenses meet the described<br />
requirements, they are considered non-deductible.<br />
The list of non-deductible expenses <strong>in</strong>cludes the follow<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
• Fees for consult<strong>in</strong>g, advertis<strong>in</strong>g, market<strong>in</strong>g and eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g services provided by<br />
non-residents with offshore status;<br />
• Royalty payments to:<br />
• Non-resident (if exceeds 4% of the previous year report<strong>in</strong>g revenue);<br />
• Offshore companies;<br />
• To non-beneficiary unless is entitled by the beneficiary;<br />
• Regard<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>tellectual property rights of residents of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, etc.<br />
There is also a list of partly-deductible expenses. For example, expenses on petrol for<br />
cars are only 50% deductible.<br />
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TC specifies the procedure for determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the date when the tax liability arises:<br />
• <strong>in</strong>come from the sale of goods is recognized at the date when the title of ownership<br />
of such goods is transferred to the buyer;<br />
• <strong>in</strong>come from provid<strong>in</strong>g services and work is recognized at the date of Acceptance<br />
Protocol of service delivery (or another appropriate document), which confirms<br />
the execution of works or services.<br />
CIT rate<br />
TC provides three types of CIT rates depend<strong>in</strong>g on the taxpayer bus<strong>in</strong>ess activity.<br />
• the basic rate;<br />
• the tax rate for entities engaged <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>surance activities;<br />
• the tax rate for <strong>in</strong>come of non-residents and similar persons which is sourced<br />
from Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
TC sets up gradual reduction of basic tax rate, as follow<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
• January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 <strong>in</strong>clusive - 21%;<br />
• from 1 January 2013 to December 31, 2013 <strong>in</strong>clusive - 19%;<br />
• from 1 January 2014 on - 16%.<br />
0% CIT rate applies to <strong>in</strong>come received from life <strong>in</strong>surance contracts.<br />
Different CIT rates (0, 4, 6, 12, 15 and 20%) apply to Ukra<strong>in</strong>e-sourced <strong>in</strong>come of nonresidents<br />
and similar persons depend<strong>in</strong>g on the type of <strong>in</strong>come that should meet the<br />
provided by TC description <strong>in</strong> detail.<br />
There are no progressive CIT rates <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
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Tax holidays<br />
TC <strong>in</strong>troduced a “tax holiday” for certa<strong>in</strong> categories of taxpayers. In particular, this<br />
paragraph <strong>in</strong>troduced 0% tax rate for the period of almost 5 years for taxpayers<br />
who are not engaged <strong>in</strong> certa<strong>in</strong> activities (i.e. the “taboo” activities are foreign trade,<br />
real estate, wholesale trade and mediation <strong>in</strong> wholesale trade activity, law practices,<br />
account<strong>in</strong>g, eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g or corporate services).<br />
Incentive regimes are applied to the follow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustries:<br />
• Agriculture<br />
• Publishers<br />
• Investment funds<br />
• Ship and aircraft-build<strong>in</strong>g<br />
• Producers of mach<strong>in</strong>ery for agriculture<br />
• Bio-fuel producers<br />
• Entities engaged <strong>in</strong> energy-sav<strong>in</strong>g projects, and others.<br />
Tax holiday is applied if the amount of annual <strong>in</strong>come does not exceed UAH 3 million<br />
(circa USD 375,000); an employee’ wage is not less than two m<strong>in</strong>imum wages, and if<br />
other criteria of the company’s history are met. In the event of any <strong>in</strong>consistency with<br />
these requirements, the taxpayer is subject to CIT for the period <strong>in</strong> which such failure<br />
occurred.<br />
In addition, if the company pays dividends, it is required to pay advance corporate tax<br />
and advance tax on dividends for the report<strong>in</strong>g tax period <strong>in</strong> which dividends are paid.<br />
These advance tax payments are available for offsett<strong>in</strong>g by the company or can be<br />
carried forward, but not refunded.<br />
CIT assessment and report<strong>in</strong>g<br />
TC def<strong>in</strong>es the procedure for CIT assessment. It is calculated by the taxpayer on a<br />
self-assessed and currently adjusted basis at the standard CIT rate for each report<strong>in</strong>g<br />
period. CIT is reported for the follow<strong>in</strong>g tax periods: quarter (three months), half a year,<br />
three – quarters (none months), and a year.<br />
Generally the report<strong>in</strong>g tax period is January 1 - December 31 and beg<strong>in</strong>s on the first<br />
calendar day of the period and f<strong>in</strong>ishes on the last calendar day of the tax period,<br />
except for agricultural producers. Their annual tax period is from 1 July till June 30 of<br />
the follow<strong>in</strong>g year.<br />
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F<strong>in</strong>ancial district,<br />
Frankfurt<br />
CIT return: deadl<strong>in</strong>es and penalties<br />
CIT return is completed with self-assessed data on cumulative basis and filed with the<br />
tax payer supervisory tax authority with<strong>in</strong> the period prescribed by law. CIT return is the<br />
basis for payment of tax liability. Together with the appropriate tax return the taxpayer<br />
submits quarterly or annual f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements (except for small bus<strong>in</strong>esses) under<br />
the prescribed procedure for fil<strong>in</strong>g tax returns.<br />
Quarterly CIT returns are filed with<strong>in</strong> 40 days follow<strong>in</strong>g the last calendar day of<br />
the report<strong>in</strong>g (tax) quarter. The annual CIT return is filed before February 9 of the<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g year.<br />
Tax liability specified <strong>in</strong> the filed CIT return is due with<strong>in</strong> 10 calendar days follow<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
last day of the relevant deadl<strong>in</strong>e of the respective CIT return.<br />
Legal entities, representative offices – CIT payers, <strong>in</strong>dividual CIT taxpayers and their<br />
legal or authorized representatives and tax agents – all take responsibility for failure to<br />
provide accurate and timely CIT return to supervisory authorities, and for <strong>in</strong>accurate<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation provided there<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Failure or delay of fil<strong>in</strong>g is penalized by UAH 170 (~ USD 21) for each case of such failure<br />
or untimely fil<strong>in</strong>g. Repeated cases of violation dur<strong>in</strong>g a year <strong>in</strong>crease the penalty to<br />
UAH1020 (~ USD 128) for each such case.<br />
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4.5 Personal Income Tax (PIT)<br />
Taxpayers of PIT and taxable <strong>in</strong>come<br />
Both residents and non-residents of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are subject to Personal Income Tax.<br />
Residents of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are taxed <strong>in</strong> their worldwide <strong>in</strong>come (this also applies to foreign<br />
nations with residency status), while non-residents are only taxed on <strong>in</strong>come sourced<br />
from Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
The taxable <strong>in</strong>come <strong>in</strong>cludes salaries or remuneration for work or services provided<br />
or bus<strong>in</strong>ess activity performed <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e and paid for either by Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian or foreign<br />
company, together with any other benefits, compensations, reimbursement of<br />
expenses and other receipts orig<strong>in</strong>ated from Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
Law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e def<strong>in</strong>es a tax resident by a number of criteria, apart from Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian<br />
citizenship. These <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />
• hav<strong>in</strong>g a domicile <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• hav<strong>in</strong>g a permanent place of residence <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• hav<strong>in</strong>g center of vital <strong>in</strong>terests <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e; or<br />
• stay<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e for the period of more than 183 days dur<strong>in</strong>g a calendar year<br />
(tax year).<br />
Obligatory registration and PIT rate<br />
All taxpayers <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are required to be registered with the State Registry of STA for<br />
Individual Tax Number (ID code). This number is essential for runn<strong>in</strong>g any bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong><br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e (to register a company, open a bank account), as well as for rent<strong>in</strong>g apartments<br />
or to pay PIT tax.<br />
Private entrepreneurs and freelancers registered <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are also considered tax<br />
residents. However, for a non-resident (foreign nation) with no Ukra<strong>in</strong>e-sourced <strong>in</strong>come<br />
registration is not required unless voluntary chosen.<br />
Generally applied PIT rate is 15% or 17%. 15% applies to <strong>in</strong>come not <strong>in</strong> excess of limit<br />
estimated annually on a 10 m<strong>in</strong>imum salary basis (for 2012 it is UAH 10,730 (~ USD<br />
1,341) per month). The excess <strong>in</strong>come is subject to 17% tax rate.<br />
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If not otherwise <strong>in</strong>troduced by the <strong>in</strong>ternational treaty, these rates also apply to <strong>in</strong>terest<br />
and dividends from foreign banks (start<strong>in</strong>g January 1, 2015) and companies, sales of<br />
real estate and movable property by a tax resident if sold abroad or by non-residents.<br />
Until December 31, 2014 PIT exempt are <strong>in</strong>terest from Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian and foreign banks and<br />
first sales of property by tax residents.<br />
Interest and dividends from Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian banks (start<strong>in</strong>g January 1, 2015) and companies,<br />
as well as repeated sales of property are 5% PIT taxable.<br />
Adm<strong>in</strong>istration of PIT<br />
In general, personal <strong>in</strong>come from salaries paid through payroll by the company <strong>in</strong><br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is taxed at source and does not require any other report<strong>in</strong>g by an <strong>in</strong>dividual.<br />
All other <strong>in</strong>come not taxed at source is subject to PIT on the basis of annual tax return.<br />
The obligation to complete an annual tax return and file it with the local tax authority<br />
rests with the <strong>in</strong>dividual and PIT is calculated on a self-assessment basis.<br />
The annual PIT return is due by 1 May of the follow<strong>in</strong>g after a report<strong>in</strong>g year; the<br />
payment deadl<strong>in</strong>e for the assessed tax is July 31.<br />
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4.6 Taxation of small bus<strong>in</strong>esses and private entrepreneurs<br />
Tax system <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e provides for a simplified or unitary tax available for small<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>esses and <strong>in</strong>dividuals registered as private entrepreneurs. They are entitled to<br />
pay a fixed amount of tax depend<strong>in</strong>g on the qualify<strong>in</strong>g category.<br />
Small bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities and <strong>in</strong>dividuals registered as private entrepreneurs can<br />
voluntary choose and register as unitary taxpayers accord<strong>in</strong>g to the follow<strong>in</strong>g groups:<br />
• Group 1 <strong>in</strong>cludes private entrepreneurs engaged <strong>in</strong> sell<strong>in</strong>g goods or services to<br />
consumers, that do not employ personnel, with total <strong>in</strong>come up to UAH 150,000 (~<br />
USD 18,750) per year;<br />
• Group 2 <strong>in</strong>cludes private entrepreneurs engaged <strong>in</strong> sell<strong>in</strong>g goods or services to<br />
consumers and other private entrepreneurs (not legal entities), employ up to 10<br />
people, with annual <strong>in</strong>come not exceed<strong>in</strong>g UAH 1,000,000 (~ USD 125,000).<br />
Group 1 and 2 pay unified fixed tax depend<strong>in</strong>g on type of provided activity.<br />
• Group 3 <strong>in</strong>cludes private entrepreneurs that employ up to 20 people and earn up to<br />
UAH 3,000,000 (~ USD 375,000) of <strong>in</strong>come annually;<br />
• Group 4 <strong>in</strong>cludes legal entities employ<strong>in</strong>g up to 50 people with total <strong>in</strong>come less<br />
than UAH 5,000,000 (~ USD 625,000) per year.<br />
Groups 3 and 4 are subject to 5% s<strong>in</strong>gle tax of their total annual <strong>in</strong>come. A unitary tax<br />
system relives small bus<strong>in</strong>esses and private entrepreneurs from other taxes (PIT, VAT<br />
and others) unless voluntary chosen. Small entities registered as VAT taxpayers pay<br />
3% simplified tax of their sales proceeds.<br />
Tax returns are filed quarterly and annually. The deadl<strong>in</strong>es for fil<strong>in</strong>g and payment are<br />
similar to those of PIT.<br />
However, private entrepreneurs are required to pay a unified social contribution<br />
of 34.7% of the m<strong>in</strong>imum salary (subject to annual approval and <strong>in</strong>dexation by the<br />
government).<br />
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4.7 Tax on goods and services (VAT)<br />
Taxpayers and scope of application<br />
In general VAT is levied on the supply of goods and services <strong>in</strong> the customs territory<br />
of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e and on the importation of goods and services to the customs territory<br />
of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e with<strong>in</strong> the customs clearance of imports at a rate of 20%. Start<strong>in</strong>g from<br />
January 1, 2014 VAT rate will be reduced to 17%.<br />
Export of goods (concomitant services) except for some cases stipulated by TC if their<br />
export is confirmed with an appropriate customs declaration executed <strong>in</strong> accordance<br />
with requirements of the customs legislation is taxed at 0% rate. Also 0% tax rate is<br />
applied to other designated types of supply, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g some k<strong>in</strong>ds of goods, services <strong>in</strong><br />
the field of <strong>in</strong>ternational transportation activity, etc.<br />
The TC establishes follow<strong>in</strong>g registration requirements for the persons as VAT payers:<br />
• Mandatory - <strong>in</strong> cases where the total amount of transactions of supply goods/<br />
services subject to VAT taxation <strong>in</strong> accordance with TC, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g those that <strong>in</strong>volve<br />
us<strong>in</strong>g the local and global Internet accrued (paid) to this person dur<strong>in</strong>g the last 12<br />
calendar months exceed UAH 300,000 (before value added tax);<br />
• Voluntary - if a person that performs taxable transactions (who is not a taxpayer<br />
because the amount of taxable transactions is lower than the amount stipulated<br />
by TC and amounts of supply of goods/services to other VAT payers dur<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
last twelve months constitute no less than 50 percent of total amount of supplied<br />
goods/services) f<strong>in</strong>ds it reasonable to register as a taxpayer on a voluntary basis;<br />
registration is based upon a person’s application. Apart from aforementioned,<br />
a person with statutory capital or assets exceed<strong>in</strong>g UAH 300,000 also may be<br />
registered as a VAT payer irrespective of volume of taxable transactions and<br />
supplied goods/services to other VAT payers.<br />
If persons that are not registered as VAT payers import goods <strong>in</strong>to the customs territory<br />
of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> the amount subject to taxation <strong>in</strong> accordance with the legislation, they pay<br />
VAT dur<strong>in</strong>g the customs clearance of goods without be<strong>in</strong>g registered as VAT payers.<br />
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Place of performance <strong>in</strong> case of sell<strong>in</strong>g goods or provid<strong>in</strong>g services<br />
VAT charge depends on the place of supply of goods/services. Accord<strong>in</strong>g to TC the<br />
ma<strong>in</strong> def<strong>in</strong>ition a place of provid<strong>in</strong>g goods and services are:<br />
For goods:<br />
i. the actual location of goods at the moment of supply (except for the case ii and<br />
iii below);<br />
ii.<br />
iii.<br />
a place where goods are at the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of their transportation or send<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
case that goods are transported or sent by a seller, a buyer, or the third party;<br />
a place of assembly or <strong>in</strong>stallation <strong>in</strong> cases where goods are erected, assembled<br />
or <strong>in</strong>stalled (with test<strong>in</strong>g or without it) by a seller or on its behalf.<br />
For services:<br />
i. the actual location where services related to movable property are provided<br />
(auxiliary services to transportation activities, services of exam<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and assess<strong>in</strong>g<br />
movable property, repairs services and services of process<strong>in</strong>g raw materials and<br />
other k<strong>in</strong>ds of work and services related to movable property);<br />
ii.<br />
iii.<br />
iv.<br />
the actual location of real estate <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g construction <strong>in</strong> progress for the<br />
services related to real estate;<br />
an actual place of provid<strong>in</strong>g services of arts, culture, education, science, sports,<br />
enterta<strong>in</strong>ment or similar services <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g services of organizers of activities<br />
<strong>in</strong> these areas and services provided to hold paid exhibitions, conferences,<br />
workshops and other similar events.<br />
a place of provid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>tellectual property rights, creation of <strong>in</strong>tellectual property<br />
objects by order and their use, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g under licens<strong>in</strong>g agreements, provision<br />
of advertis<strong>in</strong>g services, consult<strong>in</strong>g, eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g, legal (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g advocacy),<br />
account<strong>in</strong>g, audit, actuary as well as services of development, delivery and<br />
test<strong>in</strong>g of software, data process<strong>in</strong>g and consult<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>in</strong>formational technology<br />
and other services <strong>in</strong> this field, provision of <strong>in</strong>formation services, provision of<br />
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personnel, telecommunication services, etc. shall be considered the place where<br />
a recipient of services is registered as bus<strong>in</strong>ess entity or (<strong>in</strong> absence) - the place<br />
of his permanent or pr<strong>in</strong>cipal residence.<br />
v. a place of services provision shall be the place of registration of a supplier except<br />
for the transactions referred to <strong>in</strong> a)-d) of aforementioned list.<br />
VAT liability is <strong>in</strong>curred on supply of goods/services on the date of funds remittance<br />
from the bank account of the buyer/customer to a VAT payer’s bank account as<br />
payment for goods/services to be delivered; or on the date of deliver<strong>in</strong>g of goods<br />
or the date of the issu<strong>in</strong>g a document confirm<strong>in</strong>g the fact that services have been<br />
delivered (Acceptance protocol of service delivery – the legal document <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e)<br />
depend<strong>in</strong>g on which of the dates occurs earlier.<br />
The VAT base for supply of goods/services is a negotiated (contract) price, which is not<br />
less than regular (market) price def<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> accordance with TC, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g state taxes<br />
and fees (exclud<strong>in</strong>g VAT).<br />
The VAT base for import<strong>in</strong>g goods is a negotiated (contract) price, but not less than the<br />
customs value of goods specified under the Customs Code of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e (market price),<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g duty and excise tax payable, exclud<strong>in</strong>g VAT, which <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> the price of<br />
goods/services.<br />
The date of aris<strong>in</strong>g of tax liability when import<strong>in</strong>g goods <strong>in</strong>to the customs territory of<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is the date of customs declaration for customs clearance.<br />
In case of export of goods the date of VAT liability is the date of execution of a customs<br />
declaration which testifies the fact of cross<strong>in</strong>g the customs border of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e and is<br />
prepared <strong>in</strong> accordance with requirements of the customs legislation.<br />
Tax deduction<br />
The amount of VAT liability of a registered VAT payer is offset by VAT paid by this<br />
taxpayer on purchases of goods and services (VAT <strong>in</strong>put) to calculate the f<strong>in</strong>al VAT<br />
payable to (or refundable from) the budget.<br />
The <strong>in</strong>put VAT amount <strong>in</strong> excess of the VAT liabilities may be used to offset VAT<br />
liabilities of subsequent tax periods or refunded <strong>in</strong> cash. In practice this process is quite<br />
complicated as it takes too long to obta<strong>in</strong> confirmation from STA for tax offsett<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
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Accord<strong>in</strong>g to TC the right to claim the tax amount as a VAT credit arises for the<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g transactions:<br />
• purchas<strong>in</strong>g or manufactur<strong>in</strong>g goods (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g their import <strong>in</strong>to the customs<br />
territory of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e) and services;<br />
• acquir<strong>in</strong>g (build<strong>in</strong>g, construction, creation) of non-current assets, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g their<br />
import <strong>in</strong>to the customs territory of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• receiv<strong>in</strong>g services provided by a non-resident on the customs territory of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
and <strong>in</strong> case where place of provision of services is the customs territory of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g of non-current assets <strong>in</strong>to the customs territory of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e under<br />
contracts of operat<strong>in</strong>g or f<strong>in</strong>ance lease.<br />
VAT payer‘s has the right to <strong>in</strong>clude the tax amounts <strong>in</strong> a tax credit on the earlier date<br />
of: the date of funds remittance from a VAT payer‘s bank account as a payment for<br />
goods/services; or the date of receiv<strong>in</strong>g goods/services confirmed by a tax <strong>in</strong>voice.<br />
If a person - an importer of goods, not registered as VAT payer, imports goods <strong>in</strong>to<br />
the customs territory of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, such person shall pay tax at the time of customs<br />
clearance of goods without register<strong>in</strong>g as taxpayer of this tax. In such case VAT credit<br />
does not arise.<br />
If the importer of goods is registered as VAT payer then tax paid will result <strong>in</strong> a VAT<br />
credit. For import of goods <strong>in</strong>to the customs territory of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e a taxpayer can<br />
recognize the VAT credit on the date of pay<strong>in</strong>g (accru<strong>in</strong>g) a tax as a tax liability.<br />
The right to accrue VAT credit arises regardless of the commencement of the use of<br />
such goods/services for the taxable transactions with<strong>in</strong> the scope of the taxpayer<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess activity dur<strong>in</strong>g the report<strong>in</strong>g tax period; and whether the tax payer performed<br />
taxable transactions dur<strong>in</strong>g the same report<strong>in</strong>g tax period.<br />
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The tax amount paid (accrued) as a result of acquir<strong>in</strong>g goods/services but not<br />
confirmed with tax documents; or documented <strong>in</strong>correctly; or not confirmed by<br />
customs declarations (or other similar documents under TC requirements), is not<br />
treated as a tax credit.<br />
Tax <strong>in</strong>voices issued by VAT payer must be registered <strong>in</strong> the Unified Register of Tax<br />
Invoices if VAT amount <strong>in</strong> one tax <strong>in</strong>voice exceeds UAH 10,000. In case this rule is<br />
violated the buyer of goods/services is not permitted to claim VAT credit.<br />
If a taxpayer failed to <strong>in</strong>clude VAT <strong>in</strong> a tax credit based on a tax <strong>in</strong>voices received dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the respective tax period, it shall reta<strong>in</strong> the right to do so with<strong>in</strong> 365 calendar days as<br />
of the date of the tax <strong>in</strong>voice issuance.<br />
Transactions that are not subject to taxation<br />
Transactions that are not subject to taxation <strong>in</strong>clude the follow<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
• issue and placement of securities;<br />
• property hand-over <strong>in</strong>to custody (safekeep<strong>in</strong>g), for lease other than f<strong>in</strong>ancial lease;<br />
• property transferr<strong>in</strong>g as a pledge;<br />
• provision of services of cash collection, cash and payment services; rais<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
placement and payback of funds under loan, deposit and contribution, etc.<br />
Tax-exempt transactions<br />
An extensive list of transactions are exempt from VAT, for example:<br />
• supply of <strong>in</strong>fant food products and baby goods accord<strong>in</strong>g to the list, as approved by<br />
the Cab<strong>in</strong>et of M<strong>in</strong>isters of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• provision of higher, secondary, vocational and pre-school education services at<br />
the educational <strong>in</strong>stitutions which hold licenses to provide these services, etc.<br />
Other special rules<br />
There is a number of peculiarities of VAT base calculation <strong>in</strong> some cases, such as: us<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of goods/services <strong>in</strong> non-bus<strong>in</strong>ess activities, commissions sales, transfer of assets<br />
under f<strong>in</strong>ance lease, liquidation of assets, transactions with raw materials supplied by<br />
a customer, etc.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 49
Tax base is determ<strong>in</strong>ed based on the actual costs of transactions but not lower than the<br />
regular price determ<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> accordance with TC when goods/services are delivered free<br />
of charge, under partial payment or under barter transactions; for payments <strong>in</strong> k<strong>in</strong>d<br />
as a labor remuneration to taxpayer’s employees; when goods/ services are delivered<br />
with<strong>in</strong> the limits of a taxpayer‘s balance for non-productive use; <strong>in</strong> cases when the<br />
supply of goods/services is provided to a person related to a supplier, a bus<strong>in</strong>ess entity<br />
not registered as a taxpayer or to <strong>in</strong>dividual; and <strong>in</strong> number of other cases.<br />
When the acquired and/or produced goods/services are only partially used <strong>in</strong> taxable<br />
transactions, tax amounts that a taxpayer has the right to claim as VAT credit <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
only the part of paid (accrued) tax that corresponds to the part of these goods/services<br />
used <strong>in</strong> taxable transactions.<br />
VAT Report<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to TC, VAT report<strong>in</strong>g period is a calendar month and <strong>in</strong> some cases specified<br />
by TC - a calendar quarter.<br />
A tax return is submitted for the basic tax period with<strong>in</strong> 20 calendar days from the last<br />
calendar day of the tax period.<br />
A VAT payer is obligated to pay the amount of tax liabilities specified on self-assessment<br />
basis <strong>in</strong> the tax return with<strong>in</strong> 10 calendar days which follow the last day of the tax<br />
return to be submitted to STA.<br />
The form and procedure for complet<strong>in</strong>g a tax return is approved by M<strong>in</strong>istry of F<strong>in</strong>ance<br />
of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. Start<strong>in</strong>g from April 1, 2012 forms and procedures for complet<strong>in</strong>g tax returns<br />
were updated.<br />
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St. Stephen’s Cathedral,<br />
Vienna<br />
4.8. Other significant taxes and duties<br />
Excise tax<br />
Excise tax is payable on domestic sales and import of certa<strong>in</strong> goods. Excisable goods<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude alcohol, tobacco, cars and motorcycles, petrol, fuel and diesel fuel. Excise duty<br />
rates are established <strong>in</strong> Euro or Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian Hryvnia per unit or as a percentage of sales.<br />
Excise duty is deductible for CPT purposes.<br />
Tax for first registration of the vehicle<br />
Any legal entities and <strong>in</strong>dividual owners of vehicles registered <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are subject<br />
to this tax. The tax rates are established <strong>in</strong> Hryvnia and vary depend<strong>in</strong>g on the eng<strong>in</strong>e<br />
volume of the vehicle. Legal entities pay the tax on a quarterly basis for all vehicles<br />
registered by the legal entity as of January 1 of the current year.<br />
Environmental tax<br />
Any legal entities that discharge contam<strong>in</strong>ants <strong>in</strong>to air, water or disposes of waste are<br />
subject to tax for environmental pollution. The environmental tax rates depend on the<br />
type and toxicity of wastes.<br />
Land tax<br />
Any land owners or users are taxpayers of land tax. Land plots are divided by different<br />
categories and valuated accord<strong>in</strong>gly by the state. The tax rates vary depend<strong>in</strong>g on this<br />
valuation and location of the land. The tax due is assessed once a year and paid by<br />
equal payments every month of the follow<strong>in</strong>g year.<br />
Use of subsoil tax<br />
Use of subsoil tax is imposed on the companies work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g of m<strong>in</strong>eral resources<br />
<strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e, oil and gas <strong>in</strong> particular. The tax rate depends on the volume of production<br />
multiplied by the established coefficient. Use of subsoil tax rate for storage of extracted<br />
products is different. Use of subsoil tax is deductible for CIT purposes.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 51
Customs Duty<br />
Customs duty is due for import of goods and is payable dur<strong>in</strong>g customs clearance<br />
procedures and is calculated on the basis of customs value of the imported goods,<br />
which <strong>in</strong>cludes the contractual value of the goods and all other actual expenses related<br />
to their import<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
In Ukra<strong>in</strong>e a customs duty rate is either fixed <strong>in</strong> Euro or is a percentage of the imported<br />
goods price as def<strong>in</strong>ed by the Customs Codifier of Goods by goods description. There<br />
are three types of import customs duty rates: full, privileged and preferential depend<strong>in</strong>g<br />
on the treaties signed between Ukra<strong>in</strong>e and the country of goods orig<strong>in</strong>.<br />
Pension Fund Charges<br />
Pension Fund of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e charges special fees on a number of bus<strong>in</strong>ess activities. The<br />
fee rates vary depend<strong>in</strong>g on the type of operation and def<strong>in</strong>ed as a percentage of a<br />
transaction value. For example:<br />
• mobile communication services are 7.5% chargeable;<br />
• transfer value of the car is 3% chargeable;<br />
• purchase of real estate by <strong>in</strong>dividuals or legal entities is 1% chargeable; etc.<br />
Other state taxes are payable by companies <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e engaged <strong>in</strong> the specific <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
or bus<strong>in</strong>ess activity.<br />
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5 Taxation of non-residents <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
In general, non-resident bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are treated under the follow<strong>in</strong>g legal<br />
regimes:<br />
• national regime, which means that the scope of rights and obligations applied to<br />
any non-resident bus<strong>in</strong>ess entity is at least similar to that applied to any resident.<br />
National regime applies to all non-resident bus<strong>in</strong>ess operations related to their<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestments and export-import operations <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• most-favorable regime means that this non-resident bus<strong>in</strong>ess entity has wider<br />
scope of rights, preferences, tax and duty benefits it can and will use. Mostfavorable<br />
regime is provided to foreign economic enterprises of countries, Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
has relevant treaties with;<br />
• special regime applies to special (free) economic zones with different specializations.<br />
Such zones can have different economic targets. Their ma<strong>in</strong> objective is competitive<br />
recovery of national production, <strong>in</strong>crease of currency <strong>in</strong>flow from goods and<br />
services export operations and from foreign <strong>in</strong>vestments.<br />
TC <strong>in</strong>troduced status of permanent establishment (PE) for foreign bus<strong>in</strong>ess entity. By<br />
this <strong>in</strong>novation a representative office <strong>in</strong>corporated <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is considered non-resident.<br />
TC sets up the criteria to be met <strong>in</strong> order to receive permanent establishment status, e.g.:<br />
• provid<strong>in</strong>g services for more than six months (except for recruit<strong>in</strong>g services, services<br />
of preparatory or auxiliary nature);<br />
• hav<strong>in</strong>g appropriate authority entitled formally by a parent company;<br />
• hav<strong>in</strong>g permanent location <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• hav<strong>in</strong>g a legal status.<br />
CIT of PE is accounted on the similar to resident’s basis. Non-repayable parent structure<br />
f<strong>in</strong>anc<strong>in</strong>g is seen as <strong>in</strong>come and is also 21 % taxable (19% <strong>in</strong> 2013 and 16% from 2014 on),<br />
similar to any other <strong>in</strong>come. However, the f<strong>in</strong>ancial assistance of owners that is repaid<br />
with<strong>in</strong> one year is not taxable.<br />
Unlike residents, PE is likely unable to record negative <strong>in</strong>come (losses) <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. At least<br />
the TC word<strong>in</strong>g gives reasons to draw such conclusion. As before, non-resident <strong>in</strong>come<br />
(<strong>in</strong>terests, dividends, royalty, and “other <strong>in</strong>come” – by open TC list) can be exempt under<br />
different <strong>in</strong>ternational treaties for avoid<strong>in</strong>g double taxation. But there is an attempt of<br />
the lawmakers to clear the ambiguity by sett<strong>in</strong>g up a new concept of non-residence <strong>in</strong><br />
TC: so called concept of beneficiary owner, which cannot be a Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian entity <strong>in</strong> order<br />
to have tax exemption. Therefore, any official agent or <strong>in</strong>termediary company, or the like<br />
lose the ability to apply such tax benefits.<br />
In general, the rules for <strong>in</strong>come accrual are similar for residents and non-residents.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 53
6 <strong>International</strong> treaties on avoidance<br />
of double taxation<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>s double tax treaties with more than 65 countries of the world.<br />
Some of them were entered <strong>in</strong>to under USSR governance and are still b<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>e. Under these treaties the reduced rates apply to dividends, <strong>in</strong>terests and<br />
royalties on the follow<strong>in</strong>g conditions:<br />
• non-resident is a beneficial owner of the Ukra<strong>in</strong>e-sourced <strong>in</strong>come;<br />
• tax residency is appropriately proved to the respective tax authority.<br />
54 | DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
7 Withold<strong>in</strong>g tax<br />
Domestic withhold<strong>in</strong>g tax rate on dividends, <strong>in</strong>terests and royalties for both nonresident<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividuals and companies is generally 15%.<br />
The list of withhold<strong>in</strong>g tax rates accord<strong>in</strong>g to the double taxation treaties <strong>in</strong> effect are<br />
given <strong>in</strong> the chart below.<br />
Country Effective from Dividends, (%) Interest, (%) Royalties, (%)<br />
Algeria July 2004 5/15* 10 10<br />
Armenia Nov. 1996 5/15 10 0<br />
Austria May 1999 5/10 2/5 5<br />
Azerbaijan July 2000 10 10 10<br />
Belarus Jan. 1995 15 10 15<br />
Belgium Feb. 1999 5/15 2/10 0/10<br />
Brazil Apr. 2006 10/15 15 15<br />
Bulgaria Oct. 1997 5/15 10 10<br />
Canada Aug. 1996 5/15 10 10<br />
Ch<strong>in</strong>a Oct. 1996 5/10 10 10<br />
Croatia June 1999 5/10 10 10<br />
Cyprus Aug. 1983 0 0 0<br />
Czech Republic Apr. 1999 5/15 5 10<br />
Denmark Aug. 1996 5/15 0/10 0/10<br />
Egypt Feb. 2002 12 12 12<br />
Estonia Dec. 1996 5/15 10 10<br />
F<strong>in</strong>land Feb. 1998 5/15 5/10 5/10<br />
France Nov. 1999 5/15 2/10 5/10<br />
Georgia Apr.1999 5/10 10 10<br />
Germany Oct. 1996 5/10 2/5 0/5<br />
Greece<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 55
Country Effective from Dividends, (%) Interest, (%) Royalties, (%)<br />
Hungary<br />
Iceland Nov.2008 5/15 10 10<br />
India Oct. 2001 10/15 10 10<br />
Indonesia Nov. 1998 10/15 10 10<br />
Iran July 2001 10 10 10<br />
Israel Apr.2006 5/10/15 5/10 10<br />
Italy Feb.2003 5/15 10 7<br />
Japan Nov.1086 15 10 0/10<br />
Jordan Nov.2008 10/15 10 10<br />
Kazakhstan Apr.1997 5/15 10 10<br />
Korea March 2002 5/15 5 5<br />
Kuwait Feb.204 5 0 10<br />
Kyrgyzstan May 1999 5/15 10 10<br />
Latvia Nov. 1996 5/15 10 10<br />
Lebanon Sept.2003 5/15 10 10<br />
Libya Jan.2010 5/15 10 10<br />
Lithuania Dec.1997 5/15 10 10<br />
Macedonia Nov.1998 5/15 10 10<br />
Malaysia July 1988 15 15 10/15<br />
Moldova May 1996 5/15 10 10<br />
Mongolia March 2003 10 10 10<br />
Morocco March 2009 10 10 10<br />
Netherlands Nov.1996 0/5/15 2/10 0/10<br />
Norway Sept.1996 5/15 10 5/10<br />
Pakistan Sept. 2011 10/15 10 10<br />
Poland March 1994 5/15 10 10<br />
Portugal March 2002 10/15 10 10<br />
Romania Nov.1997 10/15 10 10/15<br />
56 | DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
Country Effective from Dividends, (%) Interest, (%) Royalties, (%)<br />
Russia Aug.1999 5/15 10 10<br />
Serbia and<br />
Montenegro<br />
Nov. 2001 5/10 10 10<br />
S<strong>in</strong>gapore March 2010 5/15 10 7.5<br />
Slovakia Nov. 1996 10 10 10<br />
Slovenia March 2007 5/15 5 5/10<br />
South Africa Dec. 2004 5/15 10 10<br />
Spa<strong>in</strong> Aug.1986 15 0 0/5<br />
Sweden June 1996 0/5/10 0/10 0/10<br />
Switzerland Feb.2002 5/15 0/10 0/10<br />
Syria May 2004 10 10 15<br />
Tajikistan June 2003 10 10 10<br />
Thailand Nov.2004 10/15 10/15 15<br />
Turkey Apr. 1998 10/15 10 10<br />
Turkmenistan Oct. 1999 10 10 10<br />
United Arab<br />
Emirates<br />
March 2004 5/15 3 0/10<br />
United K<strong>in</strong>gdom Aug. 1993 5/10 0 0<br />
USA June 2000 5/15 0 10<br />
Uzbekistan July 1995 10 10 10<br />
Vietnam Nov.1996 10 10 10<br />
*Slashed numbers refer to different ownership thresholds detailed <strong>in</strong> the treaties<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 57
8 Regulation on transfer pric<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Transfer pric<strong>in</strong>g mostly relates to pric<strong>in</strong>g of goods and services between related parties,<br />
mostly <strong>in</strong>tra-group transactions. The question of transfer pric<strong>in</strong>g raises particular<br />
<strong>in</strong>terest when it comes to cross border transaction consider<strong>in</strong>g the variations <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>come tax rates between countries and effect of avoidance of double taxation treaties<br />
where applicable.<br />
For many years companies operat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e had little or close to none experience<br />
with the transfer pric<strong>in</strong>g provisions. Even though there was a h<strong>in</strong>t of transfer pric<strong>in</strong>g<br />
rules <strong>in</strong> the treaties on avoidance of double taxation between Ukra<strong>in</strong>e and applicable<br />
countries, not much attention was dedicated by authorities to the matter. As a<br />
result, the freedom of no-transfer pric<strong>in</strong>g regulations was enjoyed by many. The tax<br />
authorities have tried challeng<strong>in</strong>g low <strong>in</strong>come/cost transactions on the grounds of lack<br />
of commercial substance, rather than established legislation base.<br />
TC presumes every transaction to be at arm’s length unless proved otherwise. The<br />
burden of proof still lies with the tax authorities, which has not changed s<strong>in</strong>ce the<br />
previous law was <strong>in</strong> effect.<br />
However, the approach to determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the arm’s length price has been changed<br />
significantly. Commenc<strong>in</strong>g January 1, 2013a new section of TC comes <strong>in</strong>to effect and<br />
lists 5 criteria which need to be applied when establish<strong>in</strong>g the arm’s length price:<br />
• comparable uncontrolled price;<br />
• resale price;<br />
• cost plus, profit;<br />
• split <strong>in</strong>come;<br />
• net <strong>in</strong>come.<br />
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Palais de la Bourse,<br />
Bordeaux<br />
The arm’s length pr<strong>in</strong>ciple applies to:<br />
• exchange of goods with no monetary consideration (barter);<br />
• transactions with related parties;<br />
• transactions with a non-taxpayer under general rules of TC (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g non-residents<br />
• or taxpayers that are subject to a special tax regime or reduced tax rate);<br />
• other transactions specified by Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian tax law.<br />
The arm’s length pr<strong>in</strong>ciple is used to determ<strong>in</strong>e transaction value for both CIT and VAT<br />
purposes.<br />
TC requires only official sources of <strong>in</strong>formation to be used while establish<strong>in</strong>g the arm’s<br />
length price; however it does not prescribe such sources leav<strong>in</strong>g the decision up to the<br />
taxpayer.<br />
It is important to note that the leeway of 20% from the arm’s length price applies to<br />
the transaction price for both CIT and VAT. That is if the price of a transaction deviates<br />
from the arm’s length price by 20% no tax reassessment is allowed.<br />
The arm’s length price for the imported goods cannot be less that the customs value<br />
established on import. If a non-resident company decides to sell at a significant discount<br />
to a Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian importer, the local importer would be liable to pay import duties and VAT<br />
on the imported goods based on the customs value rather than the contract price of<br />
the imported goods. Such treatment cuts short flexibility of promotional discounts and<br />
price reductions, and raises prices of imported goods for the end consumer <strong>in</strong> general.<br />
DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE | 59
9 Adm<strong>in</strong>istration of taxes<br />
Tax return preparation and fil<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Tax returns are self-prepared by the taxpayers for the report<strong>in</strong>g period and are filed<br />
with the appropriate STA office of the taxpayer registration with<strong>in</strong> the terms established<br />
by the TC and disregard<strong>in</strong>g the scope of bus<strong>in</strong>ess activity dur<strong>in</strong>g the report<strong>in</strong>g period.<br />
TC def<strong>in</strong>es the form of the Tax return and the deadl<strong>in</strong>e for its fil<strong>in</strong>g. Tax return form<br />
shall conta<strong>in</strong> all necessary <strong>in</strong>formation required and conform to the standards and<br />
content of the related taxes and fees.<br />
Deadl<strong>in</strong>es to file tax returns for basic report<strong>in</strong>g (tax) periods are the follow<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
• for a calendar month - with<strong>in</strong> 20 calendar days follow<strong>in</strong>g the last calendar day of<br />
the report<strong>in</strong>g (tax) month;<br />
• for a calendar quarter or calendar half a year - with<strong>in</strong> 40 calendar days follow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the last calendar day of the report<strong>in</strong>g (tax) quarter (half a year);<br />
• for a calendar year - with<strong>in</strong> 60 calendar days follow<strong>in</strong>g the last calendar day of the<br />
report<strong>in</strong>g (tax) year;<br />
• for a calendar year for personal <strong>in</strong>come tax - May 1 of the year follow<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
report<strong>in</strong>g year;<br />
• for a calendar year for personal <strong>in</strong>come tax of entrepreneurs - with<strong>in</strong> 40 calendar<br />
days follow<strong>in</strong>g the last calendar day of the report<strong>in</strong>g (tax) year.<br />
Tax returns of bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities are filed <strong>in</strong> electronic form, while <strong>in</strong>dividual taxpayers<br />
can choose from the follow<strong>in</strong>g options, unless otherwise provided by the TC: <strong>in</strong> person<br />
by a taxpayer or by an authorized person; by registered mail; by e-mail <strong>in</strong> case of<br />
registration of electronic signatures of a taxpayer <strong>in</strong> accordance with the law.<br />
60 | DOING BUSINESS IN UKRAINE
Settlements with budget<br />
Tax liability and/or penalties are self-assessed by a taxpayer and self-stated <strong>in</strong> a tax<br />
return or <strong>in</strong> an adjusted calculation, which are filed with the controll<strong>in</strong>g authority with<strong>in</strong><br />
terms established by the TC. This amount of the liability and/or penalty is considered<br />
as reconciled.<br />
The responsibility to pay its tax liability, specified <strong>in</strong> the filed tax return, rests with the<br />
taxpayer with<strong>in</strong> 10 calendar days follow<strong>in</strong>g the last day of the relevant deadl<strong>in</strong>e for tax<br />
return fil<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Late fil<strong>in</strong>gs or underestimated tax liabilities result <strong>in</strong> severe penalties.<br />
Tax Audits<br />
The state tax authorities are entitled to conduct desk, documentary (scheduled or<br />
unscheduled, on-site or off-site) and the actual audits.<br />
Desk audits are conducted at the state tax authority on the basis of data specified <strong>in</strong><br />
the tax return (calculations) of the taxpayer.<br />
Documentary audits can be scheduled and unscheduled. A documentary audit is<br />
carried out on the basis of tax return (calculations), f<strong>in</strong>ancial, statistical and other<br />
reports, tax and account<strong>in</strong>g registers, and on the basis of other tax documents and tax<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation <strong>in</strong> possession of the STA, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the results of other taxpayers’ audits.<br />
The decision to perform a documentary audit is made by the head of the state tax<br />
authority.<br />
Frequency of the scheduled audit depends on the risk of a taxpayer bus<strong>in</strong>ess, def<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
as high, medium and small. Small risk bus<strong>in</strong>esses are generally audited every three<br />
years, medium risk bus<strong>in</strong>esses - every two years, high risk bus<strong>in</strong>esses – once a year.<br />
The audit of large entities shall not exceed 30 work<strong>in</strong>g days while for small bus<strong>in</strong>esses<br />
it lasts 10 work<strong>in</strong>g days, for other taxpayers it is 20 bus<strong>in</strong>ess days.<br />
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By the decision of the head of a state tax authority the tax audit can be extended for<br />
less than 15 work<strong>in</strong>g days for large taxpayers; for less than5 work<strong>in</strong>g days for small<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>esses and for other taxpayers –for less than 10 work<strong>in</strong>g days.<br />
The results of tax audits (except for desk audits) are presented to the taxpayer <strong>in</strong> the<br />
form of a protocol or a certificate to be signed by officials of the state tax authority and<br />
taxpayers or their legal representatives (if any).<br />
In case of disagreement with the audit conclusions the taxpayer shall sign the audit<br />
protocol with the own comments that are filed with the signed copy of the Protocol<br />
or separately. Disagreements can be appealed by the taxpayer adm<strong>in</strong>istratively or <strong>in</strong><br />
the court.<br />
Appeals<br />
In case of disagreement appeals are filed by the taxpayer or his legal representatives<br />
together with the audit conclusions and the respective protocol with<strong>in</strong> five work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
days s<strong>in</strong>ce its receipt. The appeals are considered by the state tax authority with<strong>in</strong> five<br />
work<strong>in</strong>g days follow<strong>in</strong>g the day of their fil<strong>in</strong>g and the taxpayer is sent a response. The<br />
taxpayer (the Agent and / or representative) is entitled to participate <strong>in</strong> the procedure<br />
of appeal consideration.<br />
If the appeal is rejected or the taxpayer disagrees with the decision made at a lower tax<br />
authority level it is possible to appeal to a higher level tax authority.<br />
Appeals are responded with<strong>in</strong> 20 work<strong>in</strong>g days s<strong>in</strong>ce its fil<strong>in</strong>g by registered mail.<br />
Decision of the STA is def<strong>in</strong>ite and not subject to further adm<strong>in</strong>istrative appeal, but<br />
may be appealed <strong>in</strong> court.<br />
Dur<strong>in</strong>g the period of adm<strong>in</strong>istrative or court appeal the payment of tax liability, as well<br />
as any penalties are suspended until the court decision comes <strong>in</strong>to effect. Interest and<br />
penalties are due only upon the taxpayer’s failure <strong>in</strong> the case.<br />
Late payments of tax due are penalized by 10% of underpaid tax for up to 30 day delay<br />
and by 20% for more than 30 day past-due payments.<br />
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Tax debts and pledges<br />
In order to ensure that a taxpayer will settle its tax liabilities, the property of the<br />
taxpayer <strong>in</strong> debt is pledged <strong>in</strong> the amount of the respective tax debt.<br />
The right to execute tax pledge applies to any property <strong>in</strong> possession of the taxpayer<br />
(or funds available) <strong>in</strong> the follow<strong>in</strong>g terms:<br />
• for self-assessed tax liability – on the day that follows the tax liability due date;<br />
• for tax liability as determ<strong>in</strong>ed by the supervisory body –on the date of aris<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
the respective tax debt.<br />
The taxpayer can cont<strong>in</strong>ue to use its property only upon the respective tax office<br />
permission.<br />
In some cases the taxpayer’s property can be arrested. Should the taxpayer be <strong>in</strong> need<br />
of the property disposal <strong>in</strong> order to recover its debt, it would have to ask for the tax<br />
authority permission to do so.<br />
In 60 days follow<strong>in</strong>g taxpayer’s notification by the tax authority the pledged property<br />
(funds on bank accounts) may be seized.<br />
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10 Audit and Account<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Account<strong>in</strong>g regulations and standards<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the Law on Account<strong>in</strong>g and F<strong>in</strong>ancial Report<strong>in</strong>g set forth <strong>in</strong> 2000,<br />
account<strong>in</strong>g is mandatory for all enterprises, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g foreign bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities’<br />
representative offices. F<strong>in</strong>ancial, tax, statistical and other report<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> money<br />
equivalent are based on bookkeep<strong>in</strong>g records.<br />
<strong>Bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> entities which are permitted to use simplified <strong>in</strong>come and cost account<strong>in</strong>g<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> their bookkeep<strong>in</strong>g records and submit their f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements to<br />
executive authorities or other users <strong>in</strong> a manner stipulated by law concern<strong>in</strong>g<br />
simplified account<strong>in</strong>g and report<strong>in</strong>g issues.<br />
The organiz<strong>in</strong>g of account<strong>in</strong>g is <strong>in</strong> the competence of the entity owner(s) or other<br />
authorized body (chief executive officer, director) accord<strong>in</strong>g to the law and statutory<br />
documents.<br />
Entities keep their bookkeep<strong>in</strong>g records <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian Hryvnia.<br />
Account<strong>in</strong>g and f<strong>in</strong>ancial report<strong>in</strong>g of an entity <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is regulated by the M<strong>in</strong>istry<br />
of F<strong>in</strong>ance of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e by approv<strong>in</strong>g national account<strong>in</strong>g regulations (standards)<br />
(here<strong>in</strong>after – NAS) and by other regulatory and legal acts concern<strong>in</strong>g account<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and f<strong>in</strong>ancial report<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Account<strong>in</strong>g and f<strong>in</strong>ancial report<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> banks is regulated by the NBU accord<strong>in</strong>g to the<br />
Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian law and <strong>International</strong> Standards of F<strong>in</strong>ancial Report<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Responsibility for organiz<strong>in</strong>g of account<strong>in</strong>g and for record<strong>in</strong>g of all bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
transactions <strong>in</strong> source documents, reta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g of all processed documents, ledgers and<br />
statements with<strong>in</strong> established terms but not less than for three years, rests with<br />
owner(s) or official who manages the company.<br />
There is a separate procedure established for account<strong>in</strong>g of f<strong>in</strong>ancial and bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
activity of <strong>in</strong>vestor related to provision of goods (services) stipulated by agreement<br />
on output distribution.<br />
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For bookkeep<strong>in</strong>g purposes a bus<strong>in</strong>ess entity selects its organizational form from the<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g options:<br />
• appo<strong>in</strong>tment of an accountant or creat<strong>in</strong>g an account<strong>in</strong>g department headed by a<br />
chief accountant;<br />
• outsourc<strong>in</strong>g account<strong>in</strong>g services of an accountant – private entrepreneur or an<br />
audit firm on contractual basis;<br />
• keep<strong>in</strong>g account<strong>in</strong>g by the owner or an entity executive capacity. This form of<br />
bookkeep<strong>in</strong>g organization is not permitted for bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities that disclose<br />
their f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements or for state <strong>in</strong>stitutions.<br />
Report<strong>in</strong>g requirements<br />
<strong>Bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> entities are obliged to prepare f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements based on the<br />
bookkeep<strong>in</strong>g data.<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ancial statements of an entity (except for budget <strong>in</strong>stitutions, foreign bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
entities’ representative offices and small bus<strong>in</strong>esses recognized as such accord<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to the law) comprise of the balance sheet, <strong>in</strong>come statement, cash flow statement,<br />
statement of changes <strong>in</strong> equity and notes to f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements.<br />
The report<strong>in</strong>g period for bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities’ f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements is a year. Interim<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements are prepared quarterly on cumulative basis from the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of a year and comprise of balance sheet and <strong>in</strong>come statement. The balance sheet is<br />
prepared as of the closure of bus<strong>in</strong>ess at a quarter (year) end.<br />
The first report<strong>in</strong>g period for newly established bus<strong>in</strong>ess entity may be less than 12<br />
months, but not more than 15 months.<br />
Public stock companies, enterprises – bond issuers, banks, trust companies, currency<br />
and stock exchanges, <strong>in</strong>vestment funds, <strong>in</strong>vestment companies, credit unions, nongovernment<br />
pension funds, <strong>in</strong>surance companies and other f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>stitutions are<br />
required to disclose their annual <strong>in</strong>dividual and consolidated f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements<br />
by publish<strong>in</strong>g them <strong>in</strong> the periodical press or by distribut<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the form of separate<br />
pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g editions.<br />
Enterprises are obliged to submit their quarterly and annual f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements to<br />
their govern<strong>in</strong>g bodies, to their employees on request and to owners accord<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
statute and the law.<br />
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Adoption of IFRS <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the amendments made by the Cab<strong>in</strong>et of M<strong>in</strong>isters of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong><br />
December 2011 <strong>in</strong>to the Regulation on Procedure of F<strong>in</strong>ancial Statements Preparation,<br />
<strong>International</strong> Standards of F<strong>in</strong>ancial Statements are applied <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e start<strong>in</strong>g from<br />
2012 as follows:<br />
• mandatory - by public stock companies, banks, <strong>in</strong>surance companies;<br />
• voluntary – by other entities (bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities except for budget <strong>in</strong>stitutions)<br />
where the expedience of IFRS implement<strong>in</strong>g was recognized.<br />
Legal entities which provide f<strong>in</strong>ancial services, except for <strong>in</strong>surance and pension funds<br />
and non-government pension funds must apply IFRS start<strong>in</strong>g from January 1, 2013,<br />
auxiliary to f<strong>in</strong>ancial and <strong>in</strong>surance services – start<strong>in</strong>g from January 1, 2014.<br />
It is worth admitt<strong>in</strong>g that historically, from beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of their implementation, NAS<br />
were based on <strong>International</strong> Account<strong>in</strong>g Standards but due to lack of timely changes,<br />
absence of explanatory and application guidance there are significant issues to analyze<br />
and rely upon professional judgment to reconcile two sets of f<strong>in</strong>ancial report<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
every separate case to ensure report<strong>in</strong>g under IFRS.<br />
Due to lack of proper qualified accountants, high quality tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g opportunities, and<br />
<strong>in</strong>terpretive guidance made by authorized bodies available <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian language, the<br />
proficient audit and accountancy community realize the complexity of transition to<br />
IFRS and claim the M<strong>in</strong>istry of F<strong>in</strong>ance and National Bank of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e for strong support<br />
of that process.<br />
Audit obligations<br />
Audit<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e is regulated by the Law on Audit<strong>in</strong>g (1993), which establishes<br />
rules for audit firms and auditors <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividual practice, sets out the legal framework<br />
of Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian Chamber of Auditors activity and regulates other issues.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to this law:<br />
• audit <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e must be conducted by <strong>in</strong>dependent audit firms and auditors;<br />
• audit can be voluntary, conducted by entities’ <strong>in</strong>itiative, and mandatory (conducted<br />
<strong>in</strong> cases provisioned by law);<br />
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Auditors and audit firms can provide other audit services, related to their professional<br />
activity (for <strong>in</strong>stance, conduct<strong>in</strong>g and restoration of account<strong>in</strong>g, consultations on<br />
account<strong>in</strong>g and f<strong>in</strong>ancial report<strong>in</strong>g, bus<strong>in</strong>ess assessment and due diligence and so on).<br />
By the law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e:<br />
• Only those audit firms <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong>to the Register of Audit Firms and Auditors are<br />
entitled to conduct audit activity;<br />
• Overall participation of founders – non-auditors <strong>in</strong> the equity capital cannot<br />
exceed 30%;<br />
• Only an auditor can be the chief executive of an audit firm.<br />
• Mandatory audit is required <strong>in</strong> the follow<strong>in</strong>g cases:<br />
• confirmation of fairness and completeness of annual f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements and<br />
consolidated f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements of public jo<strong>in</strong>t-stock companies, entities –<br />
securities issuers, professional stock market agents, f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>stitutions and<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess entities, whose f<strong>in</strong>ancial report<strong>in</strong>g, accord<strong>in</strong>g to the law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e,<br />
is subject to public disclosure (except for <strong>in</strong>stitutions and organizations, fully<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed by the state funds);<br />
• exam<strong>in</strong>ation of f<strong>in</strong>ancial position of bank’s founders, foreign <strong>in</strong>vestments entities,<br />
public jo<strong>in</strong>t-stock companies, <strong>in</strong>surance and hold<strong>in</strong>g companies, jo<strong>in</strong>t <strong>in</strong>vestment<br />
<strong>in</strong>stitutions, trust companies and other f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>termediaries;<br />
• licens<strong>in</strong>g security issuers for conduction of professional stock market activity.<br />
Other cases of mandatory audit requirements are stipulated by the Law on Economic<br />
entities, the Law on Insurance, the Cab<strong>in</strong>et of M<strong>in</strong>isters Decree on Trust companies,<br />
the Law on Credit Unions, the Law on Securities and Stock Market, the Law on Output<br />
Distribution Agreements, the Law on Agricultural Cooperation, the Law on Foreign<br />
Investment Regime and the Law on Non-government Pension Funds and others.<br />
Voluntary audit is usually related to the owner’s or director’s will<strong>in</strong>gness to<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>e the fairness and completeness of f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements, the effectiveness of<br />
account<strong>in</strong>g systems, design of economic operations and other matters.<br />
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Requirements to auditor of banks and f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>stitutions<br />
In accordance with the established procedures (2011) the audit of bank’s <strong>in</strong>dividual<br />
and consolidated f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements and other <strong>in</strong>formation related to bank’s<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial and bus<strong>in</strong>ess activity shall be performed by audit firms registered with the<br />
NBU Register of audit companies with permit to audit banks. Register conta<strong>in</strong>s list of<br />
auditors certified to conduct audit of banks.<br />
Audit of f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements of f<strong>in</strong>ancial <strong>in</strong>stitutions is permitted for auditors that are<br />
registered with a correspond<strong>in</strong>g National Commission on F<strong>in</strong>ancial Services Register.<br />
Relevant laws and NBU resolutions<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to the Law on Bank<strong>in</strong>g with amendments made <strong>in</strong> 2011, banks <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e are<br />
required to prepare f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements accord<strong>in</strong>g to the NBU rules based on IFRS.<br />
It is worth not<strong>in</strong>g that NBU rules are not exactly the same as IFRS due to objective<br />
reasons – scope limitation, <strong>in</strong> some cases –untimely changes and ambiguous<br />
<strong>in</strong>terpretation, lack of explanatory <strong>in</strong>formation and absence of <strong>in</strong>formation about<br />
newly adopted standards. Apart from this, NBU rules normally support its function<br />
as a regulatory body.<br />
Historically, Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian banks prepared two sets of f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements: one was<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>g to NAS and NBU rules and was submitted to the NBU, National Securities<br />
and Stock Market Commission, Guarantee Fund, Statistics and Tax authorities.<br />
Another set of f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements was prepared accord<strong>in</strong>g to IFRS under bank’s<br />
decision and submitted to the NBU.<br />
With enact<strong>in</strong>g of the Resolution of NBU on Procedures of preparation and disclosure<br />
of f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements by Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian banks, s<strong>in</strong>ce January 1, 2012 all Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian<br />
banks are required to prepare annual <strong>in</strong>dividual/consolidated and <strong>in</strong>terim f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
statements under IFRS.<br />
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Accord<strong>in</strong>g to this resolution the bank’s annual f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements comprise of<br />
statement of f<strong>in</strong>ancial position, statement of comprehensive <strong>in</strong>come, statement of<br />
changes <strong>in</strong> equity, cash flow statement and notes.<br />
Interim f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements of banks to be submitted to the NBU <strong>in</strong> electronic format<br />
consist of statement of f<strong>in</strong>ancial position, statement of comprehensive <strong>in</strong>come, and<br />
notes (dividends, cont<strong>in</strong>gent liabilities and separate performance <strong>in</strong>dicators).<br />
Banks may prepare and submit to the NBU hard copy of full set of <strong>in</strong>terim f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
statements (similar to annual f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements).<br />
Banks are obliged to submit an <strong>in</strong>dependent auditor’s report on their <strong>in</strong>dividual and<br />
consolidated f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements to the NBU with<strong>in</strong> 10 calendar days term upon<br />
their approval by General Shareholders Meet<strong>in</strong>g, but not later than April 14 and April<br />
24 of a year follow<strong>in</strong>g the report<strong>in</strong>g year respectively.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to this resolution banks are required to make publicly available the <strong>in</strong>terim<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements no later than one month follow<strong>in</strong>g the report<strong>in</strong>g period. Annual<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividual and consolidated f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements together with auditor’s report as<br />
well as <strong>in</strong>formation on their significant shareholders is published <strong>in</strong> periodic press<br />
and/or distributed <strong>in</strong> the form of separate pr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g editions or via <strong>in</strong>ternet by April<br />
30 of the year follow<strong>in</strong>g the report<strong>in</strong>g year.<br />
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11 About <strong>RSM</strong> APiK<br />
The Audit firm <strong>RSM</strong> APiK was created <strong>in</strong> July 1993 as the firm APiK (Audit Services<br />
and Consult<strong>in</strong>g). S<strong>in</strong>ce the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of its operation the firm’s specialists have provided<br />
audit services to more than 500 companies and 80 banks.<br />
It is one of the lead<strong>in</strong>g audit companies on the Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian audit and consult<strong>in</strong>g services<br />
market.<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce September 2007 our organization has become a member of <strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong><br />
and was renamed as <strong>RSM</strong> APiK.<br />
One of the ma<strong>in</strong> priorities of the Audit firm <strong>RSM</strong> APiK areas of activity is the provision of<br />
various types of audit and related services to commercial banks. S<strong>in</strong>ce its establishment,<br />
the firm has developed cooperative relationships with over 80 Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian and foreign<br />
banks.<br />
High professionalism of the firm’s employees and our contribution <strong>in</strong> the development<br />
of bank audit methodology has ga<strong>in</strong>ed recognition <strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess circles, state <strong>in</strong>stitutions,<br />
and <strong>in</strong> the professional auditors’ community <strong>in</strong> Ukra<strong>in</strong>e.<br />
In addition, AF <strong>RSM</strong> APiK has lengthy work experience with large jo<strong>in</strong>t-stock companies<br />
and state enterprises specializ<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the most important <strong>in</strong>dustry sectors (fuel and energy<br />
complex, technical connection and telecommunication, manufactur<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>in</strong>surance,<br />
agriculture, construction, not-for-profit organizations and funds, leas<strong>in</strong>g and factor<strong>in</strong>g<br />
companies, credit unions and others).<br />
Our services<br />
Audit Firm <strong>RSM</strong> APiK offers a wide range of high level audit and consult<strong>in</strong>g services<br />
which are based on a thoroughly developed problem-solv<strong>in</strong>g technology and aimed at<br />
clients’ bus<strong>in</strong>ess development, quality improvement and enhancement of efficiency of<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess as a whole.<br />
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Audit<br />
We offer the follow<strong>in</strong>g high standard audit and assurance services to our clients:<br />
• Audit of annual f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements prepared under the National Account<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Provisions (Standards) (NAP(S));<br />
• Audit of f<strong>in</strong>ancial statements prepared under <strong>International</strong> F<strong>in</strong>ancial Report<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Standards (IFRS, GAAP);<br />
• Audit of tax report<strong>in</strong>g (tax compliance);<br />
• Expert analysis of accounts and their compliance with the law <strong>in</strong> effect (compliance<br />
audit).<br />
Audit conducted by the firm’s professionals <strong>in</strong>cludes not only audit of f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
transactions, but also profound analysis of the entity operation to get a clear view of<br />
specific areas of client’s bus<strong>in</strong>ess, <strong>in</strong>ternal control and <strong>in</strong>herited risks.<br />
We work <strong>in</strong>dependently but <strong>in</strong> close cooperation with our clients. Audit and assurance<br />
services are driven by the common <strong>RSM</strong> audit methodology, adopted by all <strong>RSM</strong> member<br />
firms to help the clients align with <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g requirement for <strong>in</strong>formation transparency<br />
and improve their control and management systems; and make reasonable well-balanced<br />
decisions.<br />
Management Consult<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>RSM</strong> APiK offers to solve any problems your bus<strong>in</strong>ess may face. We can provide accurate<br />
diagnostic strategy along with tailored recommendations; can assist <strong>in</strong> their full<br />
implementation and your staff tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g; and ensure cont<strong>in</strong>uous <strong>in</strong>crease of your bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
efficiency.<br />
• Analysis and diagnostic of management systems;<br />
• Development of bus<strong>in</strong>ess-models on the basis of best bus<strong>in</strong>ess practices;<br />
• Development of company-balanced operat<strong>in</strong>g ratios system with consideration of<br />
risks;<br />
• Development and fil<strong>in</strong>g of bus<strong>in</strong>ess management system and corporate governance<br />
system under <strong>International</strong> and local standards;<br />
• Audit of systems and bus<strong>in</strong>ess processes.<br />
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F<strong>in</strong>ancial Consult<strong>in</strong>g<br />
We can offer you the range of f<strong>in</strong>ancial consult<strong>in</strong>g services. The activities we perform<br />
are aimed at prepar<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>in</strong>ternational <strong>in</strong>vestment rank<strong>in</strong>g and for promotion of<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestment. They <strong>in</strong>clude:<br />
• Assessment of bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong>vestment attraction;<br />
• Investment plann<strong>in</strong>g (design of <strong>in</strong>vestment budgets);<br />
• Optimization of sources and forms of rais<strong>in</strong>g funds;<br />
• F<strong>in</strong>ancial management analysis and optimization, design of f<strong>in</strong>ancial models.<br />
Due diligence<br />
The ma<strong>in</strong> objective of Due diligence is to get a comprehensive understand<strong>in</strong>g of actual<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial position of company, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g all risks that impact or could have an adverse<br />
impact on its operation.<br />
<strong>RSM</strong> APiK is a professional provider of f<strong>in</strong>ancial Due Diligence. We have extensive<br />
expertise <strong>in</strong> perform<strong>in</strong>g analysis of the company’s f<strong>in</strong>ancial operation and results<br />
engag<strong>in</strong>g professional resources of our auditors and lawyers and <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
experience of experts from <strong>RSM</strong> network.<br />
IT Consult<strong>in</strong>g<br />
With the purpose to achieve the best strategic bus<strong>in</strong>ess value from IT <strong>in</strong>vestments we<br />
offer the follow<strong>in</strong>g IT Consult<strong>in</strong>g services to our clients:<br />
• Tender<strong>in</strong>g support for IT-solutions and other capital <strong>in</strong>vestments;<br />
• Expert exam<strong>in</strong>ation on compliance of client’s account<strong>in</strong>g software product with the<br />
law <strong>in</strong> effect <strong>in</strong> terms of report<strong>in</strong>g (tax and account<strong>in</strong>g);<br />
• Consult<strong>in</strong>g support of IT-solutions efficiency with consideration of the client’s<br />
specific bus<strong>in</strong>ess;<br />
• Our engagements help IT managers improve performance, manage risk, reduce<br />
costs, and exert more effective and efficient control over the IT organization;<br />
• Consult<strong>in</strong>g support of IT-solutions efficiency with consideration of the client’s<br />
specific bus<strong>in</strong>ess.<br />
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Project Support<br />
Our firm offers the follow<strong>in</strong>g services to <strong>in</strong>volve our professionals <strong>in</strong>to successful and<br />
effective project execution:<br />
• Act<strong>in</strong>g as <strong>in</strong>dependent directors with<strong>in</strong> supervisory authority bodies;<br />
• Work<strong>in</strong>g of consult<strong>in</strong>g team with<strong>in</strong> supervisory authority bodies for the period of<br />
project implementation;<br />
• Consult<strong>in</strong>g and couch<strong>in</strong>g for the period of project implementation;<br />
• Organiz<strong>in</strong>g and outsourc<strong>in</strong>g control of client’s project office.<br />
Internal Audit<br />
The objective of the Internal Audit is to add value and improve an organization’s<br />
operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g a systematic,<br />
discipl<strong>in</strong>ed approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management,<br />
control, and governance processes. Internal audit<strong>in</strong>g is a catalyst for improv<strong>in</strong>g an<br />
organization’s effectiveness and efficiency by provid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>sight and recommendations<br />
based on analyses and assessments of data and bus<strong>in</strong>ess processes.<br />
We can offer the follow<strong>in</strong>g Internal Audit services to our clients:<br />
• Introduction of <strong>in</strong>ternal audit system (or the part of it), which meets <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
standards and law of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e requirements;<br />
• Consult<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>in</strong>ternal audit system implementation and on related problem issues,<br />
either exist<strong>in</strong>g or anticipated;<br />
• Outsourc<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>in</strong>ternal audit for banks and enterprises.<br />
Internal Audit Services are driven by a comprehensive, proven methodology executed<br />
by experienced professionals. Our Internal Audit Methodology is risk-based and can<br />
be readily tailored to an organization’s specific requirements and support both an<br />
outsourced and a co-sourced service model.<br />
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Account<strong>in</strong>g Accompany<strong>in</strong>g Services<br />
<strong>RSM</strong> APiK can offer a wide range of high-level account<strong>in</strong>g and report<strong>in</strong>g services to its<br />
clients, <strong>in</strong> compliance with both, Ukra<strong>in</strong>ian GAAP and <strong>International</strong> standards, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
Account<strong>in</strong>g Accompany<strong>in</strong>g Services:<br />
• Adaptation of accounts to <strong>in</strong>ternational report<strong>in</strong>g standards (IFRS, GAAP);<br />
• Outsource account<strong>in</strong>g for the client (NAP(S), IFRS, GAAP) by act<strong>in</strong>g as an<br />
accountant;<br />
• Preparation of account<strong>in</strong>g policy (NAP(S), IFRS),set of accounts, fil<strong>in</strong>g system;<br />
• Expert exam<strong>in</strong>ation of documents and provid<strong>in</strong>g analytical certificates and reports<br />
on the account<strong>in</strong>g issues;<br />
• Technical and legal support of accounts-related decisions;<br />
• Design of balance sheet consolidation methods and other forms of <strong>in</strong>ternal<br />
report<strong>in</strong>g for entities with a number of r<strong>in</strong>g-fence affiliates or subsidiaries;<br />
• Tax returns for foreign representative offices, expats and local <strong>in</strong>dividuals and legal<br />
entities;<br />
• Payroll account<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Account<strong>in</strong>g and Tax Consult<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
• Consult<strong>in</strong>g on regulations and practice of Tax Code of Ukra<strong>in</strong>e;<br />
• Tax plann<strong>in</strong>g and tax optimization for entities;<br />
• Tax returns preparation and assistance.<br />
Our professionals are experienced <strong>in</strong> servic<strong>in</strong>g private and state companies, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
foreign- <strong>in</strong>vested companies, and are capable to address the specific needs of the most<br />
demand<strong>in</strong>g client.<br />
Enjoy do<strong>in</strong>g your bus<strong>in</strong>ess with <strong>RSM</strong> APiK!<br />
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12 About <strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong><br />
<strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong> is a worldwide network of <strong>in</strong>dependent account<strong>in</strong>g and consult<strong>in</strong>g<br />
firms. <strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong> and its member firms are separate and <strong>in</strong>dependent legal<br />
entities. <strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong> does not itself provide account<strong>in</strong>g or consultancy services.<br />
All such services are provided by affiliate members practic<strong>in</strong>g on their own account.<br />
<strong>RSM</strong> is represented by affiliate <strong>in</strong>dependent members <strong>in</strong> over 85 countries and br<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
together the talents of over 32,500 <strong>in</strong>dividuals <strong>in</strong> over 698 offices worldwide. The<br />
network’s total fee <strong>in</strong>come of USD 3.9 billion places it amongst the top six <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
account<strong>in</strong>g organizations worldwide. Affiliate member firms are driven by a common<br />
vision of provid<strong>in</strong>g high quality professional services, both <strong>in</strong> their domestic markets and<br />
<strong>in</strong> serv<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>ternational professional service needs of their client base.<br />
<strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong> is a member of the Forum of Firms. The objective of the Forum of<br />
Firms is to promote consistent and high quality standards of f<strong>in</strong>ancial and audit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
practices worldwide.<br />
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13 Contact<br />
Audit Firm <strong>RSM</strong> APiK LLC<br />
Audit | Tax | Consult<strong>in</strong>g<br />
37/19 Donetska Str., Kyiv, 03151, Ukra<strong>in</strong>e<br />
T +38 (044) 244-76-62 | 501-59-34<br />
F +38 (044) 501-59-34<br />
E office@apik.com.ua<br />
W www.rsmapik.com.ua<br />
Manag<strong>in</strong>g Partner<br />
Tatyana Bernatovych<br />
E tatyana.bernatovych@rsmapik.com.ua<br />
<strong>International</strong> Contact Partner<br />
Olga Panchenko<br />
E olga.panchenko@rsmapik.com.ua<br />
Audit & Tax Partner<br />
Olga Poldyaeva<br />
E olga.poldyaeva@rsmapik.com.ua<br />
<strong>International</strong> Project Manager<br />
Maryna Dub<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>a<br />
E maryna.dub<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>a@rsmapik.com.ua<br />
<strong>International</strong> Contact<br />
Olena Starush<br />
E olena.starush@rsmapik.com.ua<br />
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Orthodox church, Kiev
<strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong> Executive Office<br />
11 Old Jewry<br />
London<br />
EC2R 8DU<br />
United K<strong>in</strong>gdom<br />
T: +44 (0)20 7601 1080<br />
F: +44 (0)20 7601 1090<br />
E: rsmcommunications@rsmi.com<br />
www.rsmi.com<br />
<strong>RSM</strong> is the brand used by a network of <strong>in</strong>dependent account<strong>in</strong>g and advisory firms each of which practices <strong>in</strong> its own right. The<br />
network is not itself a separate legal entity of any description <strong>in</strong> any jurisdiction.<br />
The network is adm<strong>in</strong>istered by <strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong> Limited, a company registered <strong>in</strong> England and Wales (company number 4040598)<br />
whose registered office is at 11 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DU.<br />
The brand and trademark <strong>RSM</strong> and other <strong>in</strong>tellectual property rights used by members of the network are owned by <strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong><br />
Association, an association governed by article 60 et seq of the Civil Code of Switzerland whose seat is <strong>in</strong> Zug.<br />
© <strong>RSM</strong> <strong>International</strong> Association, 2012<br />
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