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Cyprus Banks Advocate For Streamlined Supplementary Tax Declaration Process

Simplified Declarations For Exempt Entities

The Association of Cyprus Banks (ACB) has called for a simplification of the declaration process under the supplementary tax regime. The ACB’s submission, part of a public consultation on amending the Administrative Cooperation in Taxation Law from 2012 to 2025, emphasizes reducing the administrative burden on companies that ultimately incur no additional tax under the new rules.

Targeted Relief For De Minimis And Multinational Entities

ACB’s comments underscore the need to tailor the declaration process for companies exempt under the de minimis rule and for multinational groups in the early stages of international operations. According to the association, if a company qualifies for exemptions that result in a zero top-up tax, the declaration should be adapted to recognize such cases, thereby eliminating unnecessary fields and significantly reducing the compliance workload.

Clarifications On DAC9 And Submission Protocols

In addition to advocating for simplified declarations, the association has requested further clarifications regarding the draft declaration annexed to the bill. Key issues include the method for submitting supplementary tax information, whether special tools or software will be required, and if manual submission remains an option. The ACB stressed the importance of timely notifications and provided guidance from the Cyprus Tax Department to help taxpayers adjust to any new technical requirements.

Enhancing Cross-Border Transparency

Another area of concern is the process for Cypriot groups to notify local tax authorities about foreign entities expecting to receive information through exchange channels. The association seeks confirmation on how the Cypriot parent entity can indicate that its foreign subsidiaries fall under the de minimis exemption. By clarifying these points before the implementation deadline, companies will have sufficient time to make the necessary adjustments.

Transposition Of The EU Directive And Broader Implications

The revised bill aims to transpose EU Directive 2025/872 (DAC9) into national law. In line with the new EU mandates, DAC9 introduces standardized reporting for the automatic exchange of top-up tax information, targeting a uniform declaration process across member states. With a June 30, 2026 deadline for the first top-up tax submission and an automatic exchange starting December 31, 2026, the directive also expands reporting obligations for financial institutions including banks, investment firms, fund managers, and insurance companies.

The directive and the accompanying national legislation represent a significant step toward enhanced transparency and streamlined compliance for multinational enterprises and large domestic groups. With all EU member states required to implement DAC9 by December 31, 2025, and effective from January 1, 2026, stakeholders are urged to prepare for the impending changes in the regulatory landscape.

EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.

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