The Maltese archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, at the crossroads between Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, Malta offers a gateway between regions to or from the EU and neighbouring Mediterranean markets.
Malta And Investment
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a key driver in the service-oriented economy of Malta, and the legal structure is set up to encourage it. The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness report ranks Malta 11th in the world in this regard.
The economy has a number of competitive advantages including an English-speaking workforce and excellent communications infrastructure. Social and labour costs are generally lower than in most other European countries.
The increase in the number of collective investment schemes was facilitated by Malta’s highly favourable business environment. This includes the role played by the island’s Single Regulator, renowned throughout the industry for its flexibility coupled with meticulous attention to detail.
Malta’s highly competitive, cost-effective business environment and the presence of all of the Big Four accounting firms are a further advantage.
A midshore EU jurisdiction allowing passporting and domiciliation of funds, together with Malta’s efficient fiscal regime, Mediterranean climate and multilingual, ethical and professional workforce, ensure a winning combination specifically designed to foster further growth and maximise success.
Tax Information Exchange Agreements
Tax information exchange provisions are included in the Double Tax Treaties themselves.
Malta has over 30 bilateral or multilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) or other agreements with other regulatory authorities. These MoUs cover regulatory co-operation and exchange of regulatory information in a number of sectors. A full list of these agreements can be found at www.mfsa.com.mt (Memoranda of Understanding).
Double Taxation Treaties
Malta has an extensive double taxation treaty network. The following are the agreements currently in force with the respective countries: Albania, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, U.A.E, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Taxation Of Funds
As a general rule, collective investment schemes are exempt from tax on income and capital gains, as long as they are not investing in immovable property situated in Malta.
Certain Malta-based funds, with a value of specified assets situated in Malta amounting to at least 85% of the value of the total assets of the fund, may be taxed on their investment income at the rate of 35%.
In the case of Value Added Tax, the activities of a CIS are considered exempt without credit for VAT purposes.
Financial Statement Requirements
Directors are required by Law to prepare financial statements for each financial period. These financial statements must give a true and fair view of the fund as at the end of the financial period and of the profit or loss for that period in accordance with the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standard) requirements.
Audit Requirement
Funds are required to be audited.
Regulator
Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)
Notabile Road
Attard BKR 3000
Malta
T: (+356) 2144 1155
E: [email protected]