Finland Tax Guide
2012
foreword A country’s tax regime is always a key factor for any business considering moving into new markets. What is the corporate tax rate? Are there any incentives for overseas businesses? Are there double tax treaties in place? How will foreign source income be taxed? Since 1994, the PKF network of independent member firms, administered by PKF International Limited, has produced the PKF Worldwide Tax Guide (WWTG) to provide international businesses with the answers to these key tax questions. This handy reference guide provides clients and professional practitioners with comprehensive tax and business information for 100 countries throughout the world. As you will appreciate, the production of the WWTG is a huge team effort and I would like to thank all tax experts within PFK member firms who gave up their time to contribute the vital information on their country’s taxes that forms the heart of this publication. I would also like thank Richard Jones, PKF (UK) LLP, Kevin Reilly, PKF Witt Mares, and Kaarji Vaughan, PKF Melbourne for co-ordinating and checking the entries from countries within their regions. The WWTG continues to expand each year reflecting both the growth of the PKF network and the strength of the tax capability offered by member firms throughout the world. I hope that the combination of the WWTG and assistance from your local PKF member firm will provide you with the advice you need to make the right decisions for your international business. Jon Hills PKF (UK) LLP Chairman, PKF International Tax Committee jon.hills@uk.pkf.com
I
PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
important disclaimer This publication should not be regarded as offering a complete explanation of the taxation matters that are contained within this publication. This publication has been sold or distributed on the express terms and understanding that the publishers and the authors are not responsible for the results of any actions which are undertaken on the basis of the information which is contained within this publication, nor for any error in, or omission from, this publication. The publishers and the authors expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person, entity or corporation who acts or fails to act as a consequence of any reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. Accordingly no person, entity or corporation should act or rely upon any matter or information as contained or implied within this publication without first obtaining advice from an appropriately qualified professional person or firm of advisors, and ensuring that such advice specifically relates to their particular circumstances. PKF International is a network of legally independent member firms administered by PKF International Limited (PKFI). Neither PKFI nor the member firms of the network generally accept any responsibility or liability for the actions or inactions on the part of any individual member firm or firms.
PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
II
preface The PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012 (WWTG) is an annual publication that provides an overview of the taxation and business regulation regimes of 100 of the world’s most significant trading countries. In compiling this publication, member firms of the PKF network have based their summaries on information current as of 30 September 2011, while also noting imminent changes where necessary. On a country-by-country basis, each summary addresses the major taxes applicable to business; how taxable income is determined; sundry other related taxation and business issues; and the country’s personal tax regime. The final section of each country summary sets out the Double Tax Treaty and Non-Treaty rates of tax withholding relating to the payment of dividends, interest, royalties and other related payments. While the WWTG should not to be regarded as offering a complete explanation of the taxation issues in each country, we hope readers will use the publication as their first point of reference and then use the services of their local PKF member firm to provide specific information and advice. In addition to the printed version of the WWTG, individual country taxation guides are available in PDF format which can be downloaded from the PKF website at www.pkf.com
PKF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED APRIL 2012 ©PKF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ALL RIGHTS RESERVED USE APPROVED WITH ATTRIBUTION
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PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
about pKf international limited PKF International Limited (PKFI) administers the PKF network of legally independent member firms. There are around 300 member firms and correspondents in 440 locations in around 125 countries providing accounting and business advisory services. PKFI member firms employ around 2,200 partners and more than 21,400 staff. PKFI is the 10th largest global accountancy network and its member firms have $2.6 billion aggregate fee income (year end June 2011). The network is a member of the Forum of Firms, an organisation dedicated to consistent and high quality standards of financial reporting and auditing practices worldwide. Services provided by member firms include: Assurance & Advisory Corporate Finance Financial Planning Forensic Accounting Hotel Consultancy Insolvency – Corporate & Personal IT Consultancy Management Consultancy Taxation PKF member firms are organised into five geographical regions covering Africa; Latin America; Asia Pacific; Europe, the Middle East & India (EMEI); and North America & the Caribbean. Each region elects representatives to the board of PKF International Limited which administers the network. While the member firms remain separate and independent, international tax, corporate finance, professional standards, audit, hotel consultancy, insolvency and business development committees work together to improve quality standards, develop initiatives and share knowledge and best practice cross the network. Please visit www.pkf.com for more information.
PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
IV
structure of country descriptions a. taXes payable FEDERAL TAXES AND LEVIES COMPANY TAX CAPITAL GAINS TAX BRANCH PROFITS TAX SALES TAX/VALUE ADDED TAX FRINGE BENEFITS TAX LOCAL TAXES OTHER TAXES b. determination of taXable income CAPITAL ALLOWANCES DEPRECIATION STOCK/INVENTORY CAPITAL GAINS AND LOSSES DIVIDENDS INTEREST DEDUCTIONS LOSSES FOREIGN SOURCED INCOME INCENTIVES c. foreiGn taX relief d. corporate Groups e. related party transactions f.
witHHoldinG taX
G. eXcHanGe control H. personal taX i.
V
treaty and non-treaty witHHoldinG taX rates
PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
international time Zones AT 12 NOON, GREENwICH MEAN TIME, THE sTANDARD TIME ELsEwHERE Is: A Algeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Angola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 am Australia Melbourne . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 pm Sydney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 pm Adelaide . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.30 pm Perth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 pm Austria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm B Bahamas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am Bahrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 pm Belgium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Belize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 am Bermuda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am Brazil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am British Virgin Islands . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am C Canada Toronto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am Winnipeg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 am Calgary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 am Vancouver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 am Cayman Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am Chile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am China - Beijing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 pm Colombia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am Croatia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Cyprus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm Czech Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm D Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Dominican Republic . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am E Ecuador. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm El Salvador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 am Estonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm F Fiji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 midnight Finland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm France. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm G Gambia (The) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 noon Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 pm Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 noon Greece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm Grenada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am Guatemala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 am PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
Guernsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 noon Guyana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am H Hong Kong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 pm Hungary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm I India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.30 pm Indonesia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 pm Ireland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 noon Isle of Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 noon Israel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm J Jamaica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 pm Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 noon Jordan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm K Kazakhstan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 pm Kenya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 pm Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 pm Kuwait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 pm L Latvia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm Lebanon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm Liberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 noon Luxembourg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm M Malaysia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 pm Malta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Mauritius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 pm Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 am Morocco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 noon N Namibia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm Netherlands (The). . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . .12 midnight Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Norway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm O Oman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 pm P Panama. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am Papua New Guinea. . . . . . . . . . .10 pm Peru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am Philippines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 pm Poland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Portugal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Puerto Rico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am
VI
Q Qatar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am R Romania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm Russia Moscow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 pm St Petersburg. . . . . . . . . . . .3 pm s Sierra Leone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 noon Singapore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 pm Slovak Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Slovenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm South Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 pm T Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 pm Thailand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 pm Tunisia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 noon Turkey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm Turks and Caicos Islands . . . . . . . 7 am U Uganda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 pm Ukraine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 pm United Arab Emirates . . . . . . . . . .4 pm United Kingdom . . . . . . .(GMT) 12 noon United States of America New York City. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 am Washington, D.C. . . . . . . . . . 7 am Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 am Houston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 am Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 am Los Angeles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 am San Francisco . . . . . . . . . . . 4 am Uruguay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 am V Venezuela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am Vietnam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 pm
VII
PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
Finland
finland Currency: Euro (EUR)
Dial Code To: 358
Dial Code Out: 990
Please email Oliver Grosse-Brauckmann, PKF International EMEI Director at oliver.grosse-brauckmann@pkf.com for details of Finnish tax contacts. a. taXes payable FEDERAL TAxEs AND LEVIEs COMPANy TAx Finnish resident companies are liable to corporate income tax on their worldwide income. Non-resident companies are taxed on their Finnish-sourced income only. Corporate residence is not defined in the tax legislation but residency is usually associated with registration. Corporate income tax rate is 24.5% of the taxable income. The tax year consists of the financial period (or periods) that end during the calendar year. The final tax assessment for the tax year is determined based on the tax return. Corporate bodies must file the tax return within four months of the end of their accounting period. Tax returns are processed within ten months of the end of the accounting period. CAPITAL GAINs TAx Capital gains are normally taxed as ordinary income. Where shares or land have been held for business purposes, the disposal is subject to normal income tax. In specific circumstances, capital gains from the disposal of shares of a subsidiary are tax exempt. The shares need to be owned for at least one year prior to disposal and the seller has to have owned at least 10% of the company whose shares are being disposed of. BRANCH PROFITs TAx There is no specific branch profits tax in Finland. The taxable income for branches of foreign companies in Finland is calculated on the same basis as for Finnish resident companies. sALEs TAx/VALUE ADDED TAx (VAT) VAT is paid on the sale of goods and services, on the importation of goods, on intracommunity acquisitions, and on the removal of the goods from a fiscal warehousing arrangement when the removal takes place in Finland. In principle, all sales of goods and services are subject to VAT. However, there are some supplies of goods and services which are exempt under the conditions defined in the VAT Act. The general VAT rate is 23%. Other applicable rates are as follows: • 13% for individuals’ food and animal feed • 9% for medicines, books, cultural events, passenger transportation, hotel accommodation and other services • exports outside the European Union are zero rated. FRINGE BENEFITs TAx (FBT) There is no specific fringe benefits tax in Finland. However, the employer has a legal responsibility to withhold income taxes and social security contributions from salaries and benefits paid to their employees. LOCAL TAxEs Basically, there are no local taxes imposed on companies. However, municipal real estate tax is levied on properties owned by companies. It is normally 0.32% to 0.75% (residential buildings) and 0.6% to 1.35% (other buildings) of the taxation value of the immovable property, depending on the municipality where the property is situated, and is deductible, up to certain limits, for income tax purposes. OTHER TAxEs Employers must make social security contributions to cover the costs of health insurance at the rate of 2.12% on gross remuneration paid to employees between 16 and 67 years of age. Pension insurance contributions are also payable at 17.1% (on average), unemployment contributions (0.8% on the first EUR 1,879,500 and 3.2% on the excess) and accidental injury insurance contribution of approximately 1.07% of annual gross wages and salaries. b. determination of taXable income Taxable income is determined based on financial accounting income adjusted for nontaxable and non-deductible items. In practice, the determination of taxable income is PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
1
Finland
closely connected to the determination of net income for financial statement purposes. Generally, all expenses incurred in acquiring or maintaining business income are deductible. One exception is entertainment expenses of which only 50% are deductible. DEPRECIATION Buildings and other constructions are depreciated by using the declining balance method. Depreciation for each building is calculated separately, with the maximum percentage varying from 4% to 20%, depending on the type of the construction. Depreciation of machinery and equipment is calculated using the declining balance method with a maximum rate of 30%. Patents and other intangible rights, such as goodwill, are amortised on a straight-line basis for ten years for tax purposes, unless the taxpayer demonstrates that the asset has a shorter useful life. Assets with a useful life of less than three years may be written off using the free depreciation method, i.e. deduct up to 100% of the costs of assets in a single tax year. Assets with a useful life of less than three years may be written off using the free depreciation method, i.e. deduct up to 100% of the costs of assets in a single tax year. sTOCK/INVENTORy In principle, the acquisition costs of inventories are deducted when assets are sold, consumed or lost. Inventories on hand at the end of the tax year are valued at an amount not exceeding the lower of acquisition cost or market value. Acquisition cost is calculated on a FIFO basis. Certain overhead costs can be included in the acquisition cost of products. CAPITAL GAINs AND LOssEs As discussed above, capital gains are usually taxable as ordinary income. DIVIDENDs 70% of dividends between a quoted Finnish company and a resident private individual are counted as taxable capital income for the beneficiary. Dividends distributed by non-quoted companies representing a yield of less than 9% of the mathematical value of the shares are exempt from tax up to EUR 60,000 per private individual shareholder per year. Where the yield exceeds 9% of the net value, 70% of the dividend will be taxed as earned income for the beneficiary with the remaining 30% treated as exempt. Similarly, where the dividend exceeds the EUR 60,000 threshold but is below the 9% yield, 70% of the dividend is taxable and 30% is exempt. When dividends are paid to a non-resident, a withholding tax rate of 25% is applied unless a lower treaty rate applies. Inter-company dividends are tax exempt in most cases, although they are partly (75%) taxable if they are distributed by a quoted company to a non-quoted company that holds less than 10% of the capital in the distributing company, or the recipient company is a financial or insurance company holding the shares as investment assets. Tax agreements may entitle non-residents either to benefit from a lower withholding tax rate or to receive an imputation credit. Dividends are exempt from withholding tax when paid to a company resident in a European Union country if the company pays national corporate tax and holds at least 10% of the share capital in the distributing company. Tax exemption does not apply if the recipient is entitled to imputation credit. INTEREsT DEDUCTIONs Normally, interest on loans obtained for business purposes are deductible in full on an accruals basis. Interest paid by a company to its shareholders at a higher rate than is customary may be partially disallowed and treated as a deemed dividend distribution. The Finnish Government announced on 22 November 2011 that it would commence work on developing thin capitalisation rules to be introduced from 1 January 2013. LOssEs Losses may be carried forward and set off in the subsequent ten tax years. If more than 50% of the shares of the company are sold during a loss year or thereafter, losses from previous years cannot usually be deducted. The buyer of the shares can apply for exception to this rule from the tax office if it is necessary for the continuation of the company’s activities. The Finnish Supreme Administrative Court has referred a case regarding this exception and its compatibility with the EU State aid rules to the European Court of Justice. However, the Finnish tax authorities are continuing to apply this exception in the meantime. FOREIGN sOURCED INCOME If a foreign company falls under the Finnish controlled foreign company (CFC) legislation, then the foreign company’s undistributed profits can be allocated to the
2
PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
Finland
taxable income of a Finnish shareholder. The preconditions for the application of the CFC legislation are as follows: • one or more Finnish resident shareholders directly or indirectly own at least 50% of the capital or of the voting rights in the CFC or they are entitled to at least 50% of the yield of the net wealth of the CFC • the Finnish resident shareholder owns, directly or indirectly, at least 25% of the CFC • the effective tax rate of the CFC in its country of residence is less than threefifths of the tax of an equivalent company resident in Finland (currently 14.7%). INCENTIVEs Major incentives are available on equal terms to Finnish and foreign enterprises for investment in areas that need development (e.g. investment grants and start-up subsidies). Free depreciation is available for some types of investments in certain districts within the development areas. c. foreiGn taX relief Under tax treaties, foreign tax is most frequently relieved by an exemption or by a tax credit. If a tax treaty does not apply, Finnish domestic law grants a credit for foreign tax paid. The credit is granted only if the foreign tax is final. From 2010, a requirement to calculate available credits on a source country-bycountry basis was removed and the ability to carry forward unused credits was extended from one year to five years. d. corporate Groups Corporations are taxed separately in Finland. There is no concept of consolidated tax returns. However, it is possible to make group contributions if the parent company owns at least 90% of the subsidiary during the whole financial year. The payments will be tax deductible to the payer and taxable on the recipient. e. related party transactions Related party transactions are generally accepted if they are at arm’s length. Arm’s length pricing applies to transactions of all types including the purchasing of inventory and the provision of services and financial facilities. Documentation requirements apply to foreign-owned subsidiaries and branches in Finland and Finnish Groups with more than 250 employees and an annual turnover of above EUR 50m or a balance sheet of more than EUR 43m. f.
witHHoldinG taX
Withholding tax is not imposed on dividends paid to resident companies. Dividends paid to non-resident companies are generally subject to a final withholding tax of 25% which may be reduced or eliminated under tax treaties. Non-resident shareholders are not entitled to an imputation credit unless a tax treaty provides otherwise. Interest paid to resident companies is not subject to withholding tax. Interest paid to non-residents is generally exempt from tax. Withholding tax is not imposed on royalties paid to resident companies. Royalties paid to non-resident companies are generally subject to a final withholding tax of 25% which may be reduced or eliminated under a tax treaty. Royalties are, in certain cases, exempted from withholding tax when paid to a company resident in a European Union country. In certain circumstances, tax must be withheld on payments for work carried on by non-residents. G. eXcHanGe control In principle, there is no exchange control in Finland. H. personal taX Finnish resident individuals are subject to tax in respect of their worldwide income. Nonresidents are taxed on their income derived from Finland. A temporary expatriate regime applies for employment commencing in or before 2015 under which qualifying specialists and executives may apply for a flat rate of income tax of 35% to apply to income from duties carried out in Finland, instead of the ordinary progressive tax rates, and to become exempt from the health insurance premium. The tax year for individuals is the calendar year. Married persons are taxed separately both on earned income and investment income. Interest and insurance deductions are dependent, in certain circumstances, on the marital status of the taxpayer. In general, married persons will have their own deductions. PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
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Finland
Individuals are entitled to deduct from their investment income and earned income all expenses incurred in acquiring and maintaining such income. Individuals have a right to deduct interest expenses from investment income. Interest expenses are deductible if the debt is related to the acquisition of taxable income or the acquisition or repair of the taxpayer’s or his family’s permanent dwelling. An individual is deemed to be a resident in Finland if he has his main place of abode in Finland or if he is continuously present in Finland for a period of more than six months. A presence is deemed continuous irrespective of temporary absence. Finnish nationals are, in addition, subject to the three-year rule. According to this rule, a Finnish national is considered to remain resident in Finland for three years after the end of the year in which he left the country, unless he shows that he has not maintained essential ties in Finland during the tax years concerned. However, under the terms of tax treaties, the three-year rule may be negated if the individual is deemed resident in another country. An individual is taxed separately on earned income and on investment income. Earned income is subject to national income tax, municipal income tax and church tax. Earned income includes salaries, wages and benefits in kind. Investment income includes dividend income, capital gains, certain interest income and income from rental activities. Capital income up to EUR 50,000 is taxed at 30% whereas amounts over EUR 50,000 are taxed at 32%. Finland imposes both inheritance and gift tax. The minimum taxable amount for inheritance taxation is EUR 20,000 and for gift tax EUR 4,000. Tax rates for both inheritance and gift tax will vary from 7% to 32%, depending on who is the receiver of the inheritance or gift. Wages and salaries paid by an employer are subject to a withholding tax. The amount withheld is based on the amount of wages or salary as well as on the individual circumstances of the employee. The national income tax rates in 2012 for the earned income are as follows: Taxable income (EUR)
Tax on lower amount (EUR)
Rate on excess (%)
16,100 – 23,900
8
6.5
23,901 – 39,100
515
17.5
39,101 – 70,300
3,175
21.5
70,301 and over
9,338
30.0
i.
treaty and non-treaty witHHoldinG taX rates Dividend (1) (%)
Non-Treaty Countries:
(2) Interest (3) (%) (%)
Royalties (%)
28
28
28
Argentina
15
10
15
15
Armenia
15
5
5
5/10
10
5
10
5
Treaty Countries:
Australia
15
5
Austria
10
0
Azerbaijan
10
5
5
Barbados
15
5
5
5
Belarus
15
5
5
5
Belgium
15
0
10
5
Bosnia-Herzegovina
15
5
25
10 15
Brazil
10
10
15
Bulgaria
10
0
0
5
Canada
15
5
10
10
China
10
5
10
10
Croatia
15
5
0
10
Czech Republic
15
0
0
10
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PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
Finland
Dividend (1) (%)
(2) Interest (3) (%) (%)
Royalties (%)
Denmark
15
0
0
0
Egypt
10
10
15
25
Estonia
15
0/5
10
10
Faroe Islands
15
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
Georgia
10
0/5
0
0
Germany
15
0
0
5 10
France
Greece
13
13
10
Hungary
15
5
0
5
Iceland
15
0
10
0
India
10
10
10
10
Indonesia
15
10
10
15
Ireland
0
0
0
0
Israel
15
5
10
10
Italy
15
0
15
5
Japan
15
10
10
10
Kazakhstan
15
5
10
10
Korea, Republic of
15
10
10
10
Kyrgyzstan
15
5
10
5
Latvia
15
5
10
10 10
Lithuania
15
5
10
Luxembourg
15
5
0
5
Macedonia
15
0
10
0
Malaysia
15
5
15
5
Malta
15
5
0
0
Mexico
0
0
10/15
10
Moldova
15
5
5
3/7
Morocco
15
15
10
10
New Zealand
15
15
10
10
Norway
15
0
0
0
Pakistan
20
12/15
15
10
Poland
15
5
5
5
5
0
5
5
Romania Russia
12
5
0
0
Serbia
15
5
0
10
Singapore
10
5
5
5
Slovenia
15
5
5
5
South Africa
15
5
0
0
Spain
15
0
10
5 10
Sri Lanka
15
15
10
Sweden
15
0
0
0
Switzerland
10
0
0
0
Tanzania
20
20
15
20
Thailand
28
20
10/25
15
Turkey
20
15
15
10
Ukraine
15
5
5/10
10
United Kingdom United States
0
0
0
0
15
5
0
5
PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
5
Finland
Dividend (1) (%) United Arab Emirates
(2) Interest (3) (%) (%)
Royalties (%)
0
0
0
0
15
5
5
10
Vietnam
15
10/5
10
10
Zambia
15
5
15
15
Uzbekistan
1 2
3
Tax at source on dividend. The recipient is a company whose share in the company making the payment is at least the percentage indicated in the tax treaty. In some cases, the holding refers to share capital and in others to voting power. The relevant tax treaty should be checked to determine the exact requirements. According to the domestic tax law, interest paid to a non-resident is usually exempt from taxation in Finland.
france Currency: Euro (EUR)
Dial Code To: 33
Dial Code Out: 00
Member Firm: City: Paris
Name: Georges Civalleri
Contact Information: 1 48 88 57 57 g.civalleri@armand-associes.com
Lyon
Christian Laurain
4 72 53 25 50 laurain@pkf.fr
Strasbourg
Jean-Jacques Helle
3 90 40 17 17 helle@pkf.fr
Marseille
Guy Castinel
4 91 03 66 11 castinel@pkfaudit.fr
Since the publication of the Worldwide Tax Guide 2011, the French parliament has adopted several financial law projects, including the financial law for the year 2012. The WWTG takes into account the measures adopted by 1 January 2012. a. taXes payable FEDERAL TAxEs AND LEVIEs COMPANy TAx Companies are subject to French corporate tax on profits of any business carried on in France. A company is said to be carrying on a business in France if it has a permanent establishment, a dependent agent or a ‘complete commercial cycle’ in France. The fiscal year usually ends on 31 December although each company can choose its fiscal year end. The company tax rate is currently 33.33 %. There is a special lower rate of 15% for SMEs (turnover under EUR 7,630,000 and at least 75% owned by individuals). The first EUR 38,120 is taxed at the lower amount and the rest is taxed at 33.33 %. Companies whose turnover exceeds EUR 7,630,000 also have to pay 3.3% social security contributions. Tax is payable in four instalments, the due dates being respectively 15 March, 15 June, 15 September and 15 December for accounting years ending 31 December. The balance must be paid by the 15th of the fourth month after the accounting year end. Instalments amount to 8.33% of the fiscal profits of the last complete accounting period. IFA (minimum tax liability a corporation has to pay even if it does not generate profits) has been abolished as of 1 January 2011 except with respect to companies having a turnover higher than EUR 15,000,000 that remain liable for IFA until 2014. For such companies, the IFA ranges from EUR 20,500 (payable by those with turnover between EUR 15,000,000 and EUR 75,000,000) to EUR 110,000 (payable by those with turnover higher than EUR 500,000,000). IFA is deductible from the taxable result of the company. Payment is due on 15 March in respect of the previous year. As for the financial years ending between 31 December 2011 and 30 December 2013, companies with a turnover exceeding EUR 250,000,000 are liable for a special additional contribution representing 5% of the amount of their corporate income tax. This contribution cannot be deducted from the taxable result of the company and shall be paid on the 15th of the four month following the end of the financial year.
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PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
$100
www.pkf.com PKF Worldwide Tax Guide 2012
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