Capstone Group hosts Integra International Cross Border Tax workshop

Integra International members from over 20 countries attended an annual tax workshop organised and hosted by the Malta member firm, Capstone Group at the Westin Dragonara Resort on 15 and 16 September.

The tax workshop brings together tax specialists from the network’s member firms to discuss the latest developments in tax legislation and how this impacts on cross-border transactions. Specific case studies, relative to the theme set for the annual workshop are presented by the various speakers, which focus on how the specific situation would be handled from a domestic perspective.

This year’s topic was Exit Taxation & Succession Planning with previous themes including BEPS and the introduction of the Common Reporting Standard.

Luana Scicluna, tax manager of Capstone Group described the theme of the workshop as follows: “An exit tax is a tax on accrued gains that becomes chargeable when a taxpayer moves assets outside a jurisdiction, without transferring them to third parties or when a taxpayer changes residence.”

David Borg, Advisory partner at Capstone Group and a member of the Integra International Global Board of Directors commented: “Integra tax workshops offer member firms a platform from where topical issues can be discussed with each delegate giving focus on treatment of a particular transaction in his or her particular country. This allows all members participating to understand the impact that cross-border transactions will have on their clients’ business and apply this knowledge for the best interests of their clients as well as stimulating dialogue between the participants.”

For Europe, the harmonisation between member states through the implementation of the AntiTax Avoidance Directive was also discussed. Some EU member states are already compliant with ATAD, whereas other EU member states are expected to introduce an exit tax or amend their exit tax rules in line with ATAD by 1 January 2020.”

Tax Special Interest Group coordinators, Franz Schweiger from BF Consulting and Dirk Lehmann from Wagemann & Partner, were this year’s main speakers. Other speakers included Alessia Vinci from Studio Scibetta Poamaro, Ben Taleb Soumaya from Londen & Holland, Colclough James and Tim Cook from Wilder Coe, Dando Patrice from DPA Expertise Conseil, SARL, Hardbattle Angela from Gilmour Group, Esposito Gerard from Leaf Saltzman, Lopez-Chicheri Julieta from Bellavista Legal, S.L., Mannaert Els from Norgay Accountants, Oishi Takuya from Actus Tax Corporation, Luana Scicluna from Capstone Group and Eddy Yeung from CPS Taxation Services Limited.