VAT DEFINITIVE GUIDES ISSUE 3 THE CYPRUS VAT YACHT LEASING SCHEME NOVEMBER 2017 PAGE 1

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1 VAT DEFINITIVE GUIDES ISSUE 3 DEFINITIVE GUIDES ISSUE 3 NOVEMBER 2017 THE CYPRUS VAT YACHT LEASING SCHEME PAGE 1

2 Index 1. What is the VAT Yacht Leasing Scheme (VYLS) Yacht leasing agreement VAT legislation VAT treatment of the Yacht Leasing Agreement Determining the extent to which a yacht is used within or outside EU territorial waters Conditions for using the VYLS VAT paid certificate Other taxes Corporation tax Stamp duty Examples Published by Chelco VAT Ltd Release Date: November All Rights Reserved Reproduction or any other use without the express written consent of Chelco VAT Ltd is strictly prohibited PAGE 2 CHELCO VAT 2017 PAGE 3

3 1.0 What is the VAT Yacht Leasing Scheme (VYLS) The VYLS allows yacht owners to benefit from the most attractive VAT regime currently in place within the EU. The VAT Authorities published the below circulars as guidelines and conditions governing the VYLS: Circular 163 published 13 March 2012 (has been retracted) Circular 176 published 27 May 2013 (has been retracted) Circular 181 published 30 January 2014 (has been retracted) Circular 188 published 11 September 2014 (has been retracted) Circular 191 published 29 April 2015 (has been retracted) Circular 198 published 25 November 2015 Below we consider the guidance offered by the above circulars and their applicability via practical examples. 2.0 Yacht leasing agreement The leasing agreement requires that a long term (minimum 3 months (specifically 91 days) and maximum 48 months) leasing agreement be put in place whereby the lessor leases the yacht to the lessee for an agreed consideration. The VYLS allows for the agreement to include an option for the lessee to purchase the yacht at the end of the lease period. The VYLS requires that the lessor (owner of the yacht) be a Cyprus resident and VAT registered limited company. The lessee may be any company or individual, regardless of residency. PAGE 4 CHELCO VAT 2017 PAGE 5

4 3.0 VAT legislation A. EU VAT Directive 2006/112 Article 56: Quote 2. The place of hiring, other than short-term hiring, of a means of transport to a non-taxable person shall be the place where the customer is established, has his permanent address or usually resides. However, the place of hiring a pleasure boat to a non-taxable person, other than short-term hiring, shall be the place where the pleasure boat is actually put at the disposal of the customer, where this service is actually provided by the supplier from his place of business or a fixed establishment situated in that place. 3. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, short-term shall mean the continuous possession or use of the means of transport throughout a period of more than thirty days and, in the case of vessels, not more than 90 days. Unquote Article 59a: Quote In order to prevent double taxation, non-taxation or distortion of competition, Member States may, with regard to services the place of supply of which is governed by Articles 44, 45, 56, 58 and 59: a. consider the place of supply of any or all of those services, if situated within their territory, as being situated outside the Community if the effective use and enjoyment of the services takes place outside the Community; b. consider the place of supply of any or all of those services, if situated outside the Community, as being situated within their territory if the effective use and enjoyment of the services takes place within their territory. Unquote Regulation 60 ΚΔΠ 314/2001 Quote 60. (1) Όταν παροχή υπηρεσιών αποτελείται από: (α) τη μίσθωση οποιωνδήποτε μεταφορικών μέσων, ή (β) υπηρεσίες που περιγράφονται στις παραγράφους 7 ή 8 ή 8Α του Τρίτου Παραρτήματος, ή (γ) υπηρεσίες που περιγράφονται στην παράγραφο 8Β του Τρίτου Παραρτήματος, όταν λαμβάνονται από πρόσωπο για τους σκοπούς επιχείρησης που ασκείται από αυτό, και οι εν λόγω υπηρεσίες (α ή β ή γ) θα θεωρούνταν, χωρίς να λαμβάνεται υπόψη ο παρών κανονισμός, ότι παρέχονται στη Δημοκρατία, δεν θεωρούνται ότι παρέχονται στη Δημοκρατία κατά την έκταση που η ουσιαστική χρήση και απόλαυση των υπηρεσιών πραγματοποιείται εκτός των Κρατών μελών. (2) Όταν παροχή υπηρεσιών αποτελείται από: (α) τη μίσθωση οποιωνδήποτε μεταφορικών μέσων, ή (β) υπηρεσίες που περιγράφονται στις παραγράφους 7 ή 8 ή 8Α του Τρίτου Παραρτήματος, ή (γ) υπηρεσίες που περιγράφονται στην παράγραφο 8Β του Τρίτου Παραρτήματος, όταν λαμβάνονται από πρόσωπο για τους σκοπούς επιχείρησης που ασκείται από αυτό, και οι εν λόγω υπηρεσίες (α ή β ή γ) θα θεωρούνταν, χωρίς να λαμβάνεται υπόψη ο παρών κανονισμός, ότι παρέχονται σε τόπο εκτός των Κρατών μελών, θεωρούνται ότι παρέχονται στη Δημοκρατία κατά την έκταση που η ουσιαστική χρήση και απόλαυση των υπηρεσιών πραγματοποιείται στη Δημοκρατία. Unquote B. Cyprus VAT Law N.95(I)/2000 The above provisions of the EU VAT Directive have been enacted into the Cyprus VAT Law via the below articles and regulation of the Cyprus VAT Law. Paragraph 14A(2), Thirteenth Schedule: Quote Παροχή υπηρεσιών σε πρόσωπο που δεν είναι σχετικό υποκείμενο στο φόρο πρόσωπο (τον λήπτη) που συνίσταται στη μίσθωση σκάφους αναψυχής, εκτός από βραχυχρόνια μίσθωση, είναι η χώρα όπου το σκάφος αναψυχής τίθεται πράγματι στη διάθεση του λήπτη, όταν ο παρέχων παρέχει πράγματι την υπηρεσία αυτή από την επιχειρηματική ή κάποια άλλη μόνιμη εγκατάσταση της επιχείρησης που βρίσκεται στη χώρα αυτή. Unquote PAGE 6 CHELCO VAT 2017 PAGE 7

5 4.0 VAT treatment of the Yacht Leasing Agreement For VAT purposes the leasing of the yacht is a standard rated supply which grants the right to recover the related input VAT. In Cyprus the supply of such a service is subject to the standard rate of VAT (currently at 19%) to the extent that the place of supply for the transaction is Cyprus, i.e. the lessor is a Cyprus VAT registered entity and the leased yacht is used within the territorial waters of the EU. 5.0 Determining the extent to which a yacht is used within or outside EU territorial waters For the sake of simplicity and to eliminate the need to keep detailed log books of the yacht s movements, the Cypriot VAT Authorities have applied a scheme whereby the usage of the vessel has been predetermined based on its length and motoring power (i.e. motorboat or sailing boat) as per the below tables. Table A: Motor Boats Boat Length % use within EU Applicable VAT rate on the lease payment Length > 65m 10% 1,9% (10%*19%) Length 45,01m 65m 15% 2,85% (15%*19%) Length 24,01m 45m 20% 3,8% (20%*19%) Length 14,01m 24m 30% 5,7% (30%*19%) Length 8,01m 14m 50% 9,5% (50%*19%) Length 8m Boat eligible to sail only within sheltered waters 60% 100% 11,4% (60%*19%) 19% Table B: Sailing Boats Boat Length % use within EU Applicable VAT rate on the lease payment Length > 65m 10% 1,9% (10%*19%) Length 45,01m 65m 15% 2,85% (15%*19%) Length 24,01m 45m 20% 3,8% (20%*19%) Length 20,01m 24m 30% 5,7% (30%*19%) Length 10,01m 20m 50% 9,5% (50%*19%) Length 10m 60% 11,4% (60%*19%) PAGE 8 CHELCO VAT 2017 PAGE 9

6 6.0 Conditions for using the VYLS Conditions for using VYLS are: a. The lease agreement must be concluded between a Cyprus company that is registered for VAT in Cyprus (lessor) and any other legal or physical person (lessee) regardless of their residency. b. The yacht needs to sail to Cyprus within one month from the time the lease agreement is put in effect. (Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the Commissioner which cannot exceed the lease duration). c. Over the length of the leasing agreement the lessor must have a profit of no less than 5% of the yacht value. This means that the total value of the lease agreement should represent the purchase value of the yacht plus an additional minimum 5% margin. Half of that margin, that is 2,5% of the yacht value, is applied over the lease payments and the other half over the last payment. d. The lessee needs to contribute a minimum initial contribution of 40% of the yacht value. This is subject to VAT at the effective rate based on the yacht specifications. e. Lease payments will be monthly and the agreement can neither be shorter than 3 months (91 days, to meet the long term leasing definition) nor longer than 48 months. f. During the lease agreement, the total lease payments amount should be increased by half of the profit margin, being 2,5% of the yacht value. g. If the option to purchase the yacht is exercised by the lessee, the final payment cannot be less than 2,5% of the yacht value. The last payment is always subject to the full applicable standard rate (19% as of 13/01/2014). h. To be able to apply the VYLS prior application and written approval by the VAT Commissioner is required. 7.0 VAT paid certificate Should the lessee exercise the option to purchase the yacht at the end of the lease agreement, a certificate will be issued in its name confirming that all applicable VAT has been duly paid. PAGE 10 CHELCO VAT 2017 PAGE 11

7 8.0 Other taxes. Corporation Tax The lessor company is also subject to Corporation tax as per the below: Lessor shareholders are not Cyprus tax resident or are non-cyprus domicile for tax purposes: 12,5% on the annual taxable profit of the company Lessor shareholders are Cyprus tax resident and Cyprus domicile for tax purposes: 12,5% on the annual taxable profit of the company, plus special defence contribution (SDC) on any actual and deemed dividend distributions (DDD). Stamp Duty As from 1 March 2013: Amount Rate Stamp Duty < % ,15% 247, ,20% Capped at a gross total of No amount noted Fixed duty of 35 Maximum amount of stamp duty is per contract, which applies to contracts with a consideration value of or more. PAGE 12 CHELCO VAT 2017 PAGE 13

8 9.0 Examples A. Motor boat 38m long with a value of Tax amounts involved over the lease period Lease year Net Amount ( ) VAT Rate VAT Amount ( ) A Cypriot resident and VAT registered company wishes to purchase a yacht and lease it to a Cypriot individual. The yacht is motor powered and has a length of 38m. Purchase and valuation price is set at ( 10 million). Year 1 - Initial contribution ,8% Year 1-12 Lease payments 12*(F)= ,8% Net Amounts Involved Year 2-12 Lease payments 12*(F)= ,8% Calculations Year 3-12 Lease payments 12*(F)= ,8% Yacht value [(A)] Year 4-12 Lease payments 12*(F)= ,8% ,5% required profit [(B)=(A)*2,5%] Year 4 - Final payment % Total value incl. 2,5% expected profit [(C)=(A)+(B)] Total VAT paid for the lease period having exercised the option to purchase Initial contribution by lessee 40% [(D)=(A)*40%] Effective VAT rate / ,37% Total lease instalments [(E)=(C)-(D)] Monthly lease payments [(F)=(E)/48] ,33 per month Final payment [(G)=(A)*2,5%] PAGE 14 CHELCO VAT 2017 PAGE 15

9 B. Sailing boat 46m long with a value of Cypriot resident and VAT registered company wishes to purchase a yacht and lease it to a Cypriot individual. The yacht is a sailing boat and has a length of 46m. Purchase and valuation price is set at ( 2.3 million). Tax Amounts Involved over the lease period Lease year Net Amount ( ) VAT Rate VAT Amount ( ) Net Amounts Involved Year 1 - Initial contribution ,85% Calculations Year 1-12 Lease payments 12*(F)= ,85% Yacht value [(A)] Year 2-12 Lease payments 12*(F)= ,85% ,5% required profit [(B)=(A)*2,5%] Year 3-12 Lease payments 12*(F)= ,85% Total value incl. 2,5% expected profit [(C)=(A)+(B)] Year 4-12 Lease payments 12*(F)= ,85% Initial contribution by lessee 40% [(D)=(A)*40%] Total lease instalments [(E)=(C)-(D)] Year 4 - Final payment Total VAT paid for the lease period having exercised the option to purchase 19% Monthly lease payments [(F)=(E)/48] per month Effective VAT rate / % Final payment [(G)=(A)*2,5%] NOTE The above is issued as guidance only and should not be solely relied upon to structure business and other transactions without expert advice. PAGE 16 CHELCO VAT 2017 PAGE 17

10 About Chelco VAT Ltd Chelco VAT Ltd is the only VAT-dedicated company in Cyprus and specialises in strategic VAT planning and VAT compliance. Chelco VAT was formed in 2012 by highly accomplished indirect tax professionals with a combined 35 years of experience in the field. Based in the business capital of Cyprus, Limassol, Chelco VAT is now considered one of the foremost authorities on indirect tax matters in Cyprus. It has founded its success on the provision of specialised, highly customised and practical VAT solutions that are based on years of experience, knowledge and expertise in the field. Moreover, Chelco VAT is also a leader in the organisation of training seminars and workshops for businesses and professionals alike. The firm s professional development program includes general conferences, specialised training seminars and in-house technical courses and workshops. The firm maintains strong and durable relationships with the island s key public and private organisations, including the Department of Taxation, as well as professional bodies and decision makers and is frequently consulted on VAT and other industry policy-making decisions. Chelco VAT also works closely with an alliance of like-minded indirect tax specialists in jurisdictions around the world, allowing it to offer a wide range of VAT solutions to a local and international clientele. Our experienced team at Chelco VAT Ltd, supported by our strong and capable network of associates around the world, is ready to help you handle all your VAT needs and requirements. About the Authors Alexis Tsielepis, BSc, FCA Managing Director Alexis is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC). He also holds the coveted Expert in European Value Added Tax Degree from the VAT Forum after achieving the highest grade ever awarded in the history of the course. He lectures extensively on VAT, anti-money laundering and Cyprus direct taxation, and has written a number of related articles on matters pertaining to Cyprus and EU direct and indirect tax. a.tsielepis@chelcovat.com Panayiotis Panayi, BA, ACA Senior VAT Consultant Panayiotis is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC). He is highly specialised in VAT and possesses an extensive vocational and educational experience in tax, accounting, compliance and regulatory matters. He has an impressive track record of formulating, supervising and reviewing strategic VAT advice. p.panayi@chelcovat.com PAGE 18 CHELCO VAT 2017 PAGE 19

11 CHELCO VAT LTD 221, Chr. Chatzipavlou Str., Helios Court, 1st Floor, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus I P.O. Box 51625, 3507 Limassol, Cyprus T: I F: I E: info@chelcovat.com I PAGE 20 CHELCO VAT 2016