Recent statistics have boosted Malta’s reputation in the international maritime transport sector by acknowledging Malta’s ship register as the largest ship register in Europe and sixth largest globally. There are many factors contributing to such success including the steady adherence to international standards, a relatively quick registration procedure and the establishment of various fiscal benefits for ship owners/charterers and an advantageous taxation regime.
Malta Tonnage Tax - Advantages
Indeed, one of the major factors of success for Malta is the efficient implementation of the Malta Tonnage Tax Regime resulting in a number of fiscal benefits including:
- Inapplicability of the Income Tax Act, exempting tax payment on income derived from shipping activities;
- Tax exemptions on the distribution of profits derived from shipping activities to the shareholders; provided that such profits are also declared exempt from tax when in the hands of the shipping organisation;
- Inapplicability of the Social Security Act. Specifically, in the case that persons operating as officers or employees of a licensed shipping organisation are not resident in Malta, such organisation shall, in respect of such officers and employees, be entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Social Security Act. As a result, such employees need not pay any national income contributions in Malta;
- Inapplicability of the Duty on Documents and Transfers Act. There will be an exemption from duty on documents in respect of any instrument connected with or involving (a) the registration of a Malta tonnage tax ship under the Malta flag,(b) the issue or allotment of any security or interest of a licensed shipping organisation or the purchase, transfer, assignment or negotiation of any security or interest of any licensed shipping organisation; or (c) the sale or transfer of a Malta tonnage tax ship or any share thereof; and
- Inapplicability of the External Transactions Act, where external transaction for all capital transactions involving operations between resident and non-resident persons or other entities, whether in or outside Malta, including their related payments, may be carried out without restriction (unless otherwise held). Inapplicability of such Act means that any restrictions which may be imposed from time to time on capital transactions, shall not apply for transactions relating to the ownership, operation, administration, management, purchase or financing of a Malta tonnage tax ship.
Malta Tonnage Tax - Requirements
For the Malta tonnage tax regime to apply, the following conditions need to be fulfilled:
- the vessels are operated through a shipping organisation
- the vessels are classified as Malta tonnage tax ships as defined in the law;
- the activities undertaken are qualifying shipping activities;
- separate accounts are kept clearly distinguishing receipts and payments relating to shipping activities from those relating to any other business; and
- ship registration fees and Malta tonnage tax are paid.
Whilst establishing itself as a growing maritime hub, Malta is attracting various shipping organisations as a result of the newly approved Malta Tonnage Tax Regime. Such fiscal benefits will continue to put Malta on the map within the merchant shipping industry, maintaining its reputation as a leader within the field. As can be noted, the Tonnage Tax Scheme has quite wide application, allowing for different types of ships carrying out different shipping activities to be considered eligible.
Log-in to our portal to read up on the full details of the application, the benefits and requisites to apply for the Malta Tonnage Tax Scheme.
Recent statistics have boosted Malta’s reputation in the international maritime transport sector by acknowledging Malta’s ship register as the largest ship register in Europe and sixth largest globally. There are many factors contributing to such success including the steady adherence to international standards, a relatively quick registration procedure and the establishment of various fiscal benefits for ship owners/charterers and an advantageous taxation regime.
Malta Tonnage Tax - Advantages
Indeed, one of the major factors of success for Malta is the efficient implementation of the Malta Tonnage Tax Regime resulting in a number of fiscal benefits including:
- Inapplicability of the Income Tax Act, exempting tax payment on income derived from shipping activities;
- Tax exemptions on the distribution of profits derived from shipping activities to the shareholders; provided that such profits are also declared exempt from tax when in the hands of the shipping organisation;
- Inapplicability of the Social Security Act. Specifically, in the case that persons operating as officers or employees of a licensed shipping organisation are not resident in Malta, such organisation shall, in respect of such officers and employees, be entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Social Security Act. As a result, such employees need not pay any national income contributions in Malta;
- Inapplicability of the Duty on Documents and Transfers Act. There will be an exemption from duty on documents in respect of any instrument connected with or involving (a) the registration of a Malta tonnage tax ship under the Malta flag,(b) the issue or allotment of any security or interest of a licensed shipping organisation or the purchase, transfer, assignment or negotiation of any security or interest of any licensed shipping organisation; or (c) the sale or transfer of a Malta tonnage tax ship or any share thereof; and
- Inapplicability of the External Transactions Act, where external transaction for all capital transactions involving operations between resident and non-resident persons or other entities, whether in or outside Malta, including their related payments, may be carried out without restriction (unless otherwise held). Inapplicability of such Act means that any restrictions which may be imposed from time to time on capital transactions, shall not apply for transactions relating to the ownership, operation, administration, management, purchase or financing of a Malta tonnage tax ship.
Malta Tonnage Tax - Requirements
For the Malta tonnage tax regime to apply, the following conditions need to be fulfilled:
- the vessels are operated through a shipping organisation
- the vessels are classified as Malta tonnage tax ships as defined in the law;
- the activities undertaken are qualifying shipping activities;
- separate accounts are kept clearly distinguishing receipts and payments relating to shipping activities from those relating to any other business; and
- ship registration fees and Malta tonnage tax are paid.
Whilst establishing itself as a growing maritime hub, Malta is attracting various shipping organisations as a result of the newly approved Malta Tonnage Tax Regime. Such fiscal benefits will continue to put Malta on the map within the merchant shipping industry, maintaining its reputation as a leader within the field. As can be noted, the Tonnage Tax Scheme has quite wide application, allowing for different types of ships carrying out different shipping activities to be considered eligible.
Log-in to our portal to read up on the full details of the application, the benefits and requisites to apply for the Malta Tonnage Tax Scheme.