2020 Cyprus Country Report
The 2020 Cyprus Country Report features in-depth articles on the economy, foreign direct investment, international trade and headquartering as well as detailed sector profiles and insights from Cyprus’ 100 most influential political, economic and business leaders shaping the future of their country and its industries.
The 2020 Cyprus Country Report features in-depth articles on the economy, foreign direct investment, international trade and headquartering as well as detailed sector profiles and insights from Cyprus’ 100 most influential political, economic and business leaders shaping the future of their country and its industries.
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Business Operating Environment<br />
Key Features of the <strong>Cyprus</strong> Tax System<br />
w Simple, transparent and EU harmonised tax system<br />
following recommended OECD practices<br />
w Enjoys the tax benefits of EU Directives (Parent<br />
– Subsidiary Directive, Merger Directive<br />
and Interest and Royalties Directive)<br />
w Extensive Tax Treaty network with 65 countries<br />
w A corporate income tax rate of 12.5%, one of the lowest within<br />
the EU with possibility to enjoy a much lower effective tax rate<br />
w Availability of a Notional Interest Deduction for companies<br />
receiving new equity funding. The tax deduction can reach<br />
up to 80% of the taxable income generated by the new equity<br />
w IP Box regime based on the nexus approach which<br />
allows 80% deemed deduction on qualifying<br />
profits from the business use of qualifying IP<br />
w Attractive Tonnage Tax (TT) regime for ship<br />
owners, managers and charterers<br />
w Attractive tax jurisdiction for funds and<br />
attractive tax regime for fund managers<br />
w Capital gains are exempt from tax (except<br />
for capital gains arising from the disposal of<br />
immovable property located in <strong>Cyprus</strong>)<br />
w Profits of a foreign Permanent Establishment exempt from tax<br />
w Gains from trading in securities (shares, bonds and certain<br />
other financial instruments) are exempt from tax<br />
w Unilateral credit relief for foreign taxes<br />
w No withholding tax on dividend, interest or royalty payments<br />
(for use of royalties outside of <strong>Cyprus</strong>) made abroad<br />
w No taxes on entry and on qualifying reorganisations<br />
w Carry forward of tax losses for five years<br />
w Tax incentives for expatriate employees taking up<br />
employment in <strong>Cyprus</strong> (20%/50% exemption)<br />
w Dividend income and interest income are<br />
exempt from SDC for non-domiciled individuals<br />
taking up tax residency in <strong>Cyprus</strong><br />
w Possibility to obtain <strong>Cyprus</strong> tax residency by spending<br />
only 60-days in <strong>Cyprus</strong> (subject to conditions)<br />
w No inheritance tax<br />
w No immovable property tax<br />
Special contribution for defence<br />
Special contribution for defence (“SDC”) is imposed on the dividend,<br />
interest and rental income earned by Cypriot tax resident<br />
and domiciled individuals. Non-domiciled Cypriot tax residents<br />
are exempt from SDC.<br />
Submission of tax returns<br />
The tax year is the calendar year. Tax on employment income is<br />
withheld by the employer under the PAYE system and remitted to<br />
the tax authorities. Self-employed individuals pay tax through the<br />
provisional and self-assessment systems. Tax returns must be filed<br />
electronically by 31st of July following the tax year for employees,<br />
30th of September for self-employed persons who are not required<br />
to file audited accounts and 31st of March of the year following<br />
the year under consideration (i.e. 15 months from the year-end)<br />
for self-employed persons whose returns are accompanied by<br />
audited accounts. Sole proprietors with an annual turnover more<br />
than €70,000 are obliged to prepare audited financial statements.<br />
Double Tax Treaties<br />
<strong>Cyprus</strong> has concluded Double Taxation Treaties (DTTs) with<br />
65 countries, which provide important tax advantages.<br />
Andorra<br />
Armenia<br />
Austria<br />
Azerbaijan<br />
Barbados<br />
Belarus<br />
Belgium<br />
Bosnia<br />
Bulgaria<br />
Canada<br />
China<br />
Czech Republic<br />
Denmark<br />
Egypt<br />
Estonia<br />
Ethiopia<br />
Finland<br />
France<br />
Georgia<br />
Germany<br />
Greece<br />
Hungary<br />
Iceland<br />
India<br />
Iran<br />
Ireland<br />
Italy<br />
Jersey<br />
Kazakhstan<br />
Kingdom of Bahrain<br />
Kuwait<br />
Kyrgyzstan<br />
Latvia<br />
Lebanon<br />
Lithuania<br />
Luxembourg<br />
Malta<br />
Mauritius<br />
Moldova<br />
Montenegro<br />
Norway<br />
Poland<br />
Portugal<br />
Qatar<br />
Romania<br />
Russia<br />
San Marino<br />
Saudi Arabia<br />
Serbia<br />
Seychelles<br />
Singapore<br />
Slovakia<br />
Slovenia<br />
South Africa<br />
Spain<br />
Sweden<br />
Swiss Confederation<br />
Syria<br />
Thailand<br />
The States of Guernsey<br />
Ukraine<br />
United Arab Emirates<br />
United Kingdom<br />
USA<br />
Uzbekistan<br />
156 <strong>Country</strong> <strong>Report</strong> CYPRUS <strong>2020</strong>