Consultation on the introduction of substance requirements for companies tax-resident in Jersey/Guernsey

08 August, 2018

In November 2017, Guernsey and Jersey, in common with a number of other jurisdictions, were requested by the EU Code of Conduct Group on Business Taxation (COCG) to give reassurances to EU member states on the issue of lack of a substance requirement for companies tax resident in their territories, and to discuss with the COCG what further steps could better ensure businesses have sufficient economic substance. It was indicated by the COCG group this might entail introducing additional accounting and tax reporting obligations and an appropriate notification regime for entities that give rise to risks and concerns.

The governments of Guernsey and Jersey have now published a consultation document describing the outcome of their discussions with COCG and at a high level the principles of the approach that is intended to apply for companies with accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.  

The paper notes the Crown Dependencies have engaged closely with the OECD. This is because the EU scoping paper issued in early June indicated that substance requirements should mirror those used in the OECD’s Forum on Harmful Tax Practices (FHTP) work on preferential regimes.

Informed by the FHTP approach the proposals discussed in the consultation consist of three distinct stages:

  • Stage I identify companies carrying on relevant activities
  • Stage II impose substance requirements on companies undertaking relevant activities
  • Stage III enforce the substance requirements

The paper proposes the relevant activities be derived from the categories of geographically mobile income identified by the FHTP as follows:

  • Banking
  • Insurance
  • Fund management
  • Financing and leasing
  • Shipping
  • Holding company activities
  • Intellectual property

The substance requirements for companies carrying on relevant activities will be aimed at showing direction and management occurring in Jersey through board meetings, and secondly the demonstration of the existence of core income generating activities allied to the relevant activity, and in particular demonstrating adequate levels of employees, expenditure, and availability of premises or adequate outsourcing to service providers.

As regards holding company activities, companies which purely hold equities will need to confirm they meet all applicable corporate law and tax filing requirements, where holding companies also conduct other relevant activities they will have to demonstrate the core income generating activities for those activities.

Enhanced substance requirements are proposed for intellectual property income generating companies and it is noted that reduced substance requirements, aligned with the regulatory framework in Jersey, should apply to collective investment vehicles.

The proposals on enforcement cover a range of triggers and sanctions including detailed audit, financial penalties, exchange of information with member states and striking off.

The consultation paper also notes plans to make progress on two additional transparency measure requirements sought by the EU relating to beneficial ownership information and mandatory disclosure rules. The Government of Jersey plans to introduce legislation for mandatory disclosure, aligned to the EU's DAC6, by 31 December 2019.

Companies tax resident in Jersey and Guernsey will need to consider the principles discussed in the consultation and how they will apply in their circumstances, bearing in mind the intended application of the new rules from 1 January 2019.

If you have any queries in relation to the consultation or wish to discuss this matter further, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Justin Woodhouse or David Waldron.

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David Waldron

David Waldron

Partner, PwC Channel Islands

Tel: +44 7781 138617

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