The Finance Ministry could be closer to removing Cyprus from an official “blacklist” of tax havens that don’t meet the ministry’s standards for financial disclosure following the State Duma’s approval of changes to the tax treaty between Russia and its largest foreign investor.
By ratifying a protocol to the existing Russia-Cyprus double tax treaty — which governs what types of income are taxed in each country — the Duma confirmed a treaty revision letting the Federal Tax Service obtain more financial details about Cyprus-based companies.
This was “one of the most important” changes, said Andrei Tereshchenko, a partner and tax lawyer at Pepeliaev Group. Russian authorities now have more power to seek information about a Cyprus company’s beneficial owners, financial statements and bank accounts, Tereshchenko said.
Previously, he said, “it was very, very difficult to get this information.”
Tereshchenko said Cyprus wants “to become more open for Russian tax authorities” and to be removed from the Finance Ministry’s list. The ministry didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment on Cyprus.
Kirill Vikulov, a lawyer and associate with Baker & McKenzie in Moscow, also called the improved information access a “significant” part of the protocol, which includes changes to taxation of some capital gains.
The commercial counselor at the Cypriot Embassy, Andreas Christodoulou, couldn’t comment in detail on the new protocol, saying tax treaty revisions are handled by the Cypriot Finance Ministry. The Cypriot parliament ratified the changes in September and the Duma did so last week, he said.
Cyprus is home to the offshore branches of numerous Russian holding companies.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
