Ferenc Kiss, a Hungarian
high net-worth individual living in Budapest, is investing substantial
amounts of his wealth in real property, both in Hungary and in other
Central and Eastern European countries.
Mr. Kiss wonders how the return on his investment can be arranged
for in a tax-effective manner. The same question arises in case he
sells the property in these countries and he realises a gain.
Suggested solution:
Assuming that Mr. Kiss is not engaged in developing real property,
the nature of his income is rental income or, in the case of sale,
a capital gain. In many countries, this is considered "passive income"
for tax purposes.
The acquisition of the real property in the countries concerned can
be made through local companies directly or indirectly controlled
by Mr. Kiss. These local companies can be wholly owned by a holding
company in a country with a favourable holding company regime. Any
dividends distributed by the companies in the countries where the
real property is situated should:
Not be subject to withholding tax on dividends (or only at a
low rate)
Not be subject to corporate income tax upon receipt by the holding
company
Not be subject to withholding tax on dividends paid by the holding
company
Moreover, if the holding company sells the shares in the real property
companies, any capital gains resulting therefrom should not be subject
to corporate tax.
A country meeting the above conditions for the holding company regime
is Luxembourg. A Cyprus company holding the Luxembourg company and
directly or indirectly owned by Mr. Kiss would be a tax-effective
solution. See the diagram below.