Tax

Ganado Advocates’ tax team provides advice and assistance on all aspects of Maltese tax, including income tax, capital gains tax, stamp duty and VAT in relation to companies, partnerships, trusts, foundations and individuals.

Ganado Advocates was the first major law firm in Malta to develop a dedicated tax practice, and its tax practice remains the largest one amongst the Maltese law firms.

As a significant part of our tax advisory services relate to cross-border transactions, we regularly coordinate with our clients’ non-Maltese tax advisors to develop the most tax-efficient solutions and opportunities for any clients who are making use of Malta in such transactions.

Our tax team can assist clients with:

• the tax implications and benefits for Malta companies and their shareholders as a result of Malta’s imputation system of taxation which prevents economic double taxation;
• the Maltese fiscal consolidation rules and notional interest deductions available under Malta’s tax rules;
• the Malta tax aspects for joint ventures, cross-border mergers, and companies re-domiciling to Malta;
• the tax treatment of structured financial products offered by the financial services sector in or through Malta;
• the preparation of technical submissions to the International Corporate and Tax Unit at the Inland Revenue, and procuring an agreed technical interpretation by the tax authorities in respect of international transactions;
• maximising use of Malta’s wide double tax treaty network of more than 70 treaties through Malta-based operations with substance in Malta;
• the Malta tonnage tax regime applicable for shipping organisations;
• the VAT rules and benefits in lease structures for yachts and aircraft, and issuance of certificates by the Maltese VAT authorities for use within the European Union;
• the Malta tax treatment for retirement schemes, securitisation vehicles, and reinsurance special purpose vehicles;
• tax status and benefits for high-net-worth individuals and retirees who take up Maltese tax residency;
• tax status as highly qualified persons for Malta-based senior executives in the financial services, gaming and aviation sectors; and
• the tax treatment of trusts and foundations, including their use for private purposes and for commercial transactions.