A constructive use of the Cyprus Treaties’ Network has rendered considerable advantages to businesses and individuals who have chosen to establish legal entities in Cyprus. Tax treaties legally supersede local tax legislation and for this reason they are a useful tax-planning tool to protect businesses and individuals against double taxation of income earned in other countries.

The main purpose of these treaties is the avoidance of double taxation of income earned in any of these countries. Under these agreements, a credit is usually allowed against the tax levied by the country in which the tax payer resides for taxes levied in the other treaty country, and as a result the tax payer pays no more than the higher of the two rates (a number of the treaties also contain very beneficial “tax-sparing credits”).

The EU Parent Subsidiary and the Interest & Royalties Directives can be used to eliminate withholding taxes on payments of dividends, interest and royalties from or to EU Group Companies and the EU Merger Directive to eliminate the tax effects of EU Group reorganizations