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Luxembourg is well known as a centre for Holding companies. Conforming to the EU’s Parent/subsidiary Directive Luxembourg’s “Soparfi” financial holding company also benefits from Luxembourg’s impressive array of double tax treaties. The main advantage of a luxembourg “Soparfi” is where a participation is made (subject to certain rules) representing more than 10% in another company for more than one year; the effect can be no tax on dividends received or on capital gains.
The Luxembourg Soparfi benefits from the EU Directive on both receipts and payments of interest and Royalties.
In addition Luxembourg has no withholding taxes on payments of Interest and Royalties to countries outside the EU
In addition, for as long as it lasts, Luxembourg has its “1929 Holding company”, which is not subject to tax and does not normally benefit from Luxembourg tax treaties. This company has the advantage that it can very easily be transformed into a “Soparfi”. Or Vice Versa, if more than 5% of Dividends come from Offshore the 1929 Holding will be taxable like a Soparfi .
Luxembourg is not the only country with tax advantageous holding companies. Belgium, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Malta, Cyprus, Mauritius and the UK are all countries, amongst others, that offer tax advantages.
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