telfa moscow conference

TELFA MOSCOW CONFERENCE - June 7, 2013 1

WHERE DOES RUSSIAN MONEY GO NOW?

LUXEMBOURG

TELFA MOSCOW CONFERENCE, June 2013

LUXEMBOURG TAX OPPORTUNITIES

Philippe Raxhon


AGENDA

- LUXEMBOURG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE - BUSINESS CLIMATE

- LUXEMBOURG AS AN OFFSHORE JURISDICTION : REGULATORY ASPECTS AND BANK SECRECY

- TAX RULES AND MAIN SPECIAL TAX REGIMES

- RUSSIAN INBOUND AND OUTBOUND STRUCTURING USING Luxembourg


LUXEMBOURG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE – BUSINESS CLIMATE

- Constitutional Monarchy fully independent since 1867, about 500,000 inhabitants.- Founding member of the European Union. Currency : EUR

- 141 banks are active in Luxembourg, of which 5 are of Luxembourg origin, 37 from Germany, 1 from Russia (East-West United Bank). Gazprombank, Sberbank, Renaissance Capital are also active in Luxembourg.

- Rosneft recently used several Luxembourg companies upon their USD 55 Bio acquisition of 50% of TNK-BP, to become the world’s largest oil producer. Innova, Sodrugestvo also established in Luxembourg.


• Home of the European Investment Bank, The Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Auditors.

• French, German and Luxembourgish are official languages, English widely spoken.• Stable political environment with a strong pro-business legislation and administration.

• 1st globally in GDP per capita : US$ 89,801 in 2011 (OECD (2013), “Size of GDP” in OECD Factbook 2013, OECD publishing.

• 2nd globally in International Labour Productivity – GDP per hour worked, in USD, 2011 (OECD (2013), “Labour productivity levels”, in

OECD Factbook 2013.

• Public debt as a percentage of GDP: 25.1% (OECD, estimate for 2013).

• Budget deficit 2013 (est.) : -1.7% (OECD, estimate for 2013).

• Growth rate GDP 2012 : 0.5% (estimate)

• Unemployment rate : 6.4%

LUXEMBOURG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE – BUSINESS CLIMATE (2)


LUXEMBOURG AS AN OFFSHORE JURIDICTION : REGULATORY ASPECTS AND BANK SECRECY

• Flexible company law which allows for:

- The division of the capital of a public limited liability company into different types of shares, such as bearer or registered shares, voting and non – voting shares, shares with different profit entitlement, ….

- Organisation of the control of a company using shareholder’s agreements or via restriction in the company’s articles of association.

- Limited liability company with a sole shareholder (S.à r.l. or SA).

- The denomination of the contributed capital in EUR or in a foreign currency; and for the possibility to draw up the company’s annual accounts in the currency of the share capital.

• Attractive tax regime for a number of activities.


LUXEMBOURG AS AN OFFSHORE JURIDICTION (2)

• Regulatory environment- All EU rules and directives are strictly applicable in Luxembourg including laws on money laundering and

financing of terrorism.- The Financial Authority (« CSSF ») issues prudential rules and audits their proper application in the financial

sector; several investment company structures are subject to light or heavy regulation (SICAR, securitisation vehicle, SIF, SICAV, SICAF, FCP).

• Bank secrecy

Automatic exchange of information within the EU as from January 1st, 2015 announced in respect of interest income of individuals (savings directive). Limited scope.

• Exchange of information with a treaty country (Russia) applicable where foreseen in the double tax treaty (see Protocol)

• The commentary on Article 26 of the Model Tax Convention has been amended on July 2012 to address the transfer of information on a « group » basis i.e. not targeted to a specific individual but to a group of persons of foreseeable relevance. This may however not result in « fishing expeditions. So the requesting State will need to demonstrate the relevance of the requested information and of the group of persons targeted.

• Principle of bank secrecy remains valid and is strictly applicable in respect of Luxembourg residents.


A FAVORABLE JURISDICTION FOR TAXATION

- Stable tax rules

- Pro-business attitude of tax authorities

- Possibility to secure tax treatment of transactions via advance rulings

- Favorable corporate and tax rules for (among others) : Holding activity Intellectual property rights licensing Financing activity Specialised investment funds Securitisation companies Investment companies in risk capital Family wealth management companies


- Corporate income tax rate

(including municipal business tax and employment fund contribution): 29.22%

- Net Wealth tax applicable on net assets: 0.5%

- Withholding taxes to foreign corporates: Dividends 0% to 15% Liquidation proceeds 0% Interests 0% Royalties 0%

- Lowest VAT rate of the E.U. 15% (or less)

- No capital duties

- Personal income tax rate (progressive) 0% to 43.6%

- No wealth tax for individuals

- No Luxembourg inheritance tax on estate of a deceased Luxembourg resident transferred to his children and to his spouse, if they had children together. Otherwise, inheritance rates vary from 0% to 48%

STABLE TAX RULES


FINANCIAL INVESTMENT COMPANY (“SOPARFI”)

- Basically a normal fully taxable company, possibly a mixed company running a commercial activity and/or holding shares

- Access to double tax treaties (64 are in force) and to EU tax directives

- Dividend income full exemption if: the participation cost is at least EUR 1.2 Mio or represents at least 10% of the share capital of the

subsidiary the subsidiary is fully subject to a tax similar to the Luxembourg corporate income tax (compulsory

tax, similar base as in Luxembourg, rate of at least 10.5%, tax paid by the company itself) or is a EU company listed in the Parent-Subsidiary directive

the SOPARFI must hold or commit to hold the minimum participation for at least 12 months

Capital gain exemption if: the participation cost is at least EUR 6 Mio or represents at least 10% of the share capital of the

subsidiary the subsidiary must be fully subject to tax (see above) the minimum participation in the subsidiary must be held for an uninterrupted period of at least 12

months

• Thin capitalisation rules limit the ratio equity/debt to 15/85 as far as the financing of participations is

concerned

Wealth tax exemption : same criteria as for the dividend income exemption with no minimum holding period


- Costs (i.e. interests, …) related to the holding of the subsidiaries during a year must be deducted from the exempt dividend income of the year; accumulated costs deducted for tax purposes and related to the holding of the subsidiary over the full holding period are deducted from the capital gain amount to be exempted (claw back).

- The 15% standard dividend withholding tax is reduced to 0% upon: the winding up/liquidation of the company payments to any EU company that fulfils the conditions foreseen in the EU parent subsidiary

directive, or to a treaty country, Swiss or EEA parent company subject to an income tax similar to the Luxembourg corporate income tax, when the beneficiary company has held or undertakes to hold at least 10% or at least EUR 1.2 Mio of the capital of the SOPARFI, for at least 12 months.

If no exemption is available, reduced withholding tax rates may apply based on the double tax treaty provisions.

- SOPARFI having over 90% of their assets in the form of financial assets, securities and bank deposits are subject to a minimum corporate taxation of EUR 3,210 per year. Other companies are subject to a minimum taxation per year ranging from EUR 535 to EUR 21,400 (including the solidarity surcharge) depending on their balance sheet total.

FINANCIAL INVESTMENT COMPANY (“SOPARFI”) (2)


SHIPPING ACTIVITY

• Subject to full corporate income rate of 22.47%

• Exempt from municipal business tax

• Investment tax credits (ITC) of up to 14% in aggregate

• Most of the ITC can be carried forward for 10 years;• General provisions for large scale repair and maintenance are deductible

• Accelerated depreciations may be applied (3 times linear, maximum 30%)

• Capital gains realised as asset deals may be rolled over to new assets including shareholdings

• Tax losses may be carried forward indefinitely

• Net Wealth tax 0.5% can be reduced for profitable companies by booking a 5 years reserve up to the corporate income tax due

• Seamen taxable in Luxembourg under favourable regime : 10% rate on 90% of salary less a lump sum allowance of EUR 1,800 per month (EUR 72 per day)

Investor

Lux Co

Income from shipping

activities

0%WHT (conditions)

LOW/NIL effective Tax rate


INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS LICENSING (via a “SOPARFI”)

• Qualifying Intellectual Property net positive income enjoys an 80% exemption of corporate tax, which results in a 5.84% effective tax rate

• The 80% exemption is also applicable upon capital gains realised on the qualifying assets

• The qualifying assets also enjoy a 100% exemption from net wealth tax

• The qualifying assets are : - Patents - Trademarks

- Designs- Models- Software copyrights- Internet domain names

• IP rights must be acquired from not directly related companies, or developed by the company after 31 december 2007 in order to qualify.


FINANCE COMPANY

• Low capitalisation requirement : 1% of the nominal value of loans granted or 2 millions EUR for group finance companies with possible confirmation of the tax treatment through advance tax agreement (subject to some substance requirements with delivery of a transfer pricing report).

• No withholding tax on interest paid to foreign companies.

• The margin between interest received and paid must be at arm’s length.

• Hybrid instruments can be found with a number of countries in view to optimise the cash repatriation by providing

for a divergent qualification (i.e. debt for Luxembourg tax purposes and equity from the perspective of the

investor’s jurisdiction).

FOREIGN PARENT

AFFILIATE 1

AFFILIATE 2

LUX FIN CO

dividendhybrid loan 1

-

+-interest

dividend

hybrid loan 2

Interest -


INVESTMENT COMPANY IN RISK CAPITAL (SICAR)

• Lightly regulated investment vehicle in (high) risk capital; approval from Luxembourg financial authority (CSSF) is required upon set up, reporting twice a year to the CSSF. Limited prospectus obligation if no offer is made to the public.

• Can take the form of a company or of a limited partnership. Restricted to well-informed investors. No risk diversification requirement. Total subscribed share capital and share premium must reach EUR 1 million within 12 months of authorisation.

• Flexible from a structural point of view (multiple compartments possible with possibility to create a compartment for a single asset)

• Income tax exemption for income derived from transferable securities. Other income not connected with investments in risk capital subject to the 29.22% corporate income tax rate. No dividend withholding tax, no wealth tax.

• A SICAR established in the form of a limited partnership will be treated as a tax transparent entity and is not subject to municipal business tax.

• VAT : exemption on management services

• Access to double tax treaties : foreign tax treatment should be checked on a case-by-case basis

• Depositary bank and auditors have to be based in Luxembourg.

Foreign investors

Luxembourg SICAR

Privateequity

investmentstructure

HoldingStart-up company

Target company

Shares or bonds

Shares or bondsShares or bonds


SPECIALISED INVESTMENT FUND (SIF)

Profit Shares(no voting right)

Shares withvoting right

Nominee bond(private bond)

Real estate Art Listed stock

Board of Directors

SICAV – SIF

Fund 1 Fund 2…..

…..

• Regulated investment fund : approval from CSSF required upon set up, monthly reporting to CSSF

• Targeted to institutional, professional and experienced investors.

• Structured either as a single fund or as an umbrella fund.

• May invest in all types of assets provided it is well diversified

• May be set up as a contractual co-ownership scheme (FCP - FIS) having no legal personality or as an investment

company with variable capital (SICAV / SICAF – FIS) or use the underlying legal form of an SA, SàRL, SCA or SCo

SA.

• Favourable tax regime: 0.01% annual subscription tax and, where incorporated as a SICAV/FIS, should benefit

from a number of tax treaties (including Lux-Russia …).

• Exempt from income tax, net wealth tax, withholding tax (except if EU Savings Directive applies), VAT (on

management services).


SECURITIZATION VEHICLE

– Securitisation allows the company to raise finance and to optimise its balance sheet. Risks are transferred to investors via the securities issued by the SPV;

– Securitisation vehicles can be set up as a company or as a fund managed by a separate management company.

– Securitisation vehicle is fully subject to corporate income tax and to municipal business tax except if it is set up as a fund.

– However, the remuneration of investors is tax deductible as interest even if paid as a return on equity (but subject to the European Savings Directive). This achieves a tax neutrality.

– Securitisation vehicles are not subject to net worth tax. Management services rendered to the Securitisation vehicles are in principle exempt from VAT.

– Distributions are exempt from dividend withholding tax;– Securitisation vehicles set up as a company do have access to double tax treaties, those set up as funds do

not.– Regulated vehicle : agreement by CSSF required prior to set up if issuance of securities to the public ; half-

yearly reporting to CSSF if it issues securities to the public on a continuous basis.– Lux GAAP or IFRS may be applied.

Obligors

InvestorsSecuritisation vehicleOriginator

Assets

CashCash

Securities

Goodsor services

Payment over time


FAMILY WEALTH MANAGEMENT COMPANY (« SPF »)

– Set up as a limited liability company (SA, SàRL, SCA) where the reference « SPF » is added to the company form

– Capital can be represented by bearer shares, no public placement possible (family estate management)– No advance clearance by the CSSF– Activity limited to private wealth management : holding of financial instruments such as shares, bonds and

other debt instruments in addition to cash and other types of bank products– Strictly forbidden to interfer in the management of its subsidiaries; exclusion of any commercial activity– May not hold directly real estate nor intellectual property rights– Partners : trusts, private foundations, investor groups, family groups or individuals– Taxation limited to an annual subscription tax of 0.25% of the paid up capital increased by the share

premium and the debt exceeding eight times the paid up capital plus the said share premium, with a maximum of EUR 125,000 a year

– Excluded from double tax treaty benefits and cannot benefit from the Parent-Subsidiary directive.


RUSSIAN INBOUND STRUCTURINGHOLDING ACTIVITY

INVESTOR

HOLD COFIN CO

OP. CO’SRUSSIA

LUXEMBOURG

Interests

RUSSIAN DIVIDEND WITHHOLDING TAX :

-15% if Lux resident is the beneficial owner

-10% if Lux beneficial owner holds at least 30% and acquisition price is at least EUR 75,000

- 5% under Protocol (approval pending in Luxembourg) if Lux beneficial owner owns at least 10% and if acquisition price is at least EUR 80,000

RUSSIAN INTEREST WITHHOLDING TAX :

0% whitholding tax (no specific beneficial ownership clause in DTT in respect of interest)


RUSSIAN INBOUND STRUCTURING (2)REAL ESTATE

• ART 6 (current) of DTT : real estate taxable in the source country

• ART 6 § 5 (Protocol) of DTT : income of Luxembourg resident from Russian investment fund in real estate is taxable in Russia

• Practical issues (OECD com art. 10)

– Definition of « FUND »– Definition of revenue (repurchase of shares by a REIT?)– Timing : upon earning by the fund or upon distribution ?

INVEST CO

INVEST COINVEST CO

RUSSIAN FUND

REAL ESTATE

LUXEMBOURG

THIRD COUNTRY ?

RUSSIA


RUSSIAN INBOUND STRUCTURING (3)EUROBONDS

• Russian interest withholding tax issue (case of Irish SPV)

• Luxembourg can be a favourable juridiction because of no beneficial ownership requirement in the interest article, and a 0% withholding tax rate under the treaty

• Luxembourg SPV taxable on arm’s length spread which can be secured by an advance ruling

INVESTORINVESTOR

INVESTOR INVESTOR

SPV

RUSSIAN BORROWER

LUXEMBOURGLOAN


RUSSIAN INBOUND STRUCTURING (4)LUXEMBOURG FINANCING STRUCTURE

• Hybrid loan feature (Profit Participating)

– Long term (30 years)– Interest is profit dependent– Subordinated loan – Minimum 10% participation in Russian Op.Co.

• Result :

– Interest treated as (exempt) dividend income at Luxembourg level

– Interest deductible in Russia at Op. Co. Level provided local conditions are fulfilled

– Advance pricing agreement possible in Luxembourg

PARENT

LUX CO

OP. CO.

Luxembourg

Russia

equity

Hybrid loan


RUSSIAN OUTBOUND STRUCTURING

• Luxembourg participation exemption on dividends and capital gains

• No withholding tax on dividend payments to Russia

INDIA CHINA EUROPE S-E ASIA AMERICA……..

RUSSIAN PARENT

LUXEMBOURG HOLDING CO

RUSSIA

LUXEMBOURG


DTT PROTOCOL OF 21 NOVEMBER 2011

• What’s new ?

- Dividends- Real estate- Other income- Exchange of information- Limitation of benefit- Additional amendments

• The Russian law has been signed by the Russian President in January 2013 and the Protocal should be approved soon by the Luxembourg Parliament. It should be applicable as from 1 January 2014.


DTT PROTOCOL OF 21 NOVEMBER 2011 (2)

• Dividends :

– Decrease of the reduced whithholding tax rate from 10% to 5% for a recipient which : • Is the beneficial owner of the dividend• Holds shares representing at least 10% (currently 30%) of the capital of the distributing company• Holds a shareholding with an acquisition price of a least EUR 80,000 (currently EUR 75,000) or the

equivalent in roubles

– Clarification of Dividends concept for WHT purposes which includes : • income derived from units in mutual investment funds and other collective investment vehicles

(except for investments in immovable property)• Income received on depositary receipts



• Real estate properties :

– Income deriving from units in mutual investment funds organised to invest mainly in real estate properties are regarded as « income from real estate properties », thus taxable in the country where the properties are located

– Capital gains realised upon the sale of shares in a company deriving more than 50% of its value from real estate properties located in the other country will also be taxable where the properties are located, except if :

• The sale takes place in the course of a corporate reorganisation• The shares are listed on a recognised stock exchange• The seller is a pension fund or the government

• Other income :

Income not specifically covered by another provision (e.g. Russian-source liquidation payments) is taxable in the country of residence but may also be subject to WHT in the source country (with a corresponding tax credit) according to the Protocol



• Exchange of information :

– Procedure extended to all taxes (not limited to the ones covered by the treaty)

– Two additional paragraphs added to comply with article 26 of the OECD Model Convention, stating that the following arguments cannot be raised to deny to obtain/supply the information :

• Because the country does not need the requested information for its own tax purposes, within the standard limitations (e.g. public policy, permitted under domestic laws, professional secret)

• The second one states that the fact that the information is held by a bank, financial institution is not sufficient to decline to supply the information

• The Annex depicts the conditions to request information (e.g. identification of person)



• Limitation on benefits :

– Benefit of DTT denied if the tax authorities of both countries decide that the companies involved are established mainly for treaty shopping

• Additional amendments :

– Mutual agreement and criteria for determining tax residence (e.g. board of directors, day-to-day management, work location of senior executives)

– Definition of permanent establishment (OECD Model in addition to involvement of individuals by a company for more than 183 days whithin a 12-month period)


CONTACT

Mrs Véronique Wauthier

Managing Partner

TABERY & WAUTHIER

10, rue Pierre d’Aspelt

B.P. 619

L-2016 Luxembourg

Telephone :+352-251.51.51

Fax : +352-45.94.61

Email : [email protected]

www.tabery.eu

Disclaimer :

This presentation contains general information only, and Tabery & Wauthier is, by means of this presentation, not rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business or your finances, you should consult a qualified professional adviser.

Tabery and Wauthier shall not be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this presentation.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.tabery.eu/

telfa moscow conference - june 7, 2013 1 where does russian money go now? luxembourg

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