Quoracy.com

English: Nicosia view from skyline by night (late evening). Lights, cafeterias and high rise buldings of banks and hotels in downtown Nicosia, capital of Republic of Cyprus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dear Quoracy.com

We communicate with you to inform you about the latest developments of the ECB/EU/IMF troika financial assistance to Cyprus. Last Saturday the Eurogroup decided in favour of a financial assistance to be provided to Cyprus with a package of measures which include:

• an one off solidarity levy on bank deposits and credit balances of 6,75% for amounts of up to €100.000 and of 9,99% for amounts exceeding €100.000. This levy will apply to all bank accounts (current, deposit, notice etc.) with banks operating in Cyprus (local and international) and bank branches. Depositors will be compensated with the equivalent amount in shares in Cyprus banks, and a plan is being contemplated for those who will keep their deposits in Cypriot banks for the next two years to be given bonds linked to revenues from natural gas; and
• an increase of corporate tax rate from 10% to 12,5%.

The upside of Saturday’s Eurogroup decision is that the uncertainty over the Cyprus economy and the future of its major banks will disappear with the financial assistance agreement. The EU and the IMF have also confirmed that these measures will ensure that the Cyprus economy will be sustainable without any further support or measures.

As a firm, we believe that:

• the increase of the corporate tax rate by 2,5% will not negatively affect international business in any significant way as corporation tax affects mainly trading income. Most international companies in Cyprus are set up as investment holding companies or group financing companies. Cyprus companies will still benefit from full participation exemption on capital gains, full participation exemption on dividend income, no Cypriot withholding tax on dividends, interest and royalties, no thin cap rules, no CFC rules, no exit charges, effective tax on royalty income of 2,5% (from 2%), interest income being taxed on thin margin only and all the other current positives of the Cyprus tax regime. In addition, even with this corporation tax increase, Cyprus remains one of the lowest corporation tax jurisdictions in the EU.

• the imposition of the one off solidarity levy on bank deposits and credit balances in the Cypriot banking system is unacceptable as such a measure is unprecedented and undermines the European banking system. Shares in banks on major international stock exchanges took a pummelling on Monday (yesterday) as a result of the dangerous precedent that has been set.

The Eurogroup decision needs to be ratified by the Cyprus House of Representatives to be effective. The decision with respect to the levy on deposits has sparked huge public anger in Cyprus and beyond and it is currently questionable if the House of Parliament will ratify it – the Parliament is expected to hold a special session for this today at 6pm Cyprus time.

We shall keep you informed of developments on this important issue. Please feel free to contact us for further information, assistance or clarifications.

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