Taxation in Gibraltar

Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. It is a well known and regulated international finance centre and has been a popular jurisdiction for European offshore companies. The financial sector, tourism, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods generate revenue.[1]

The law of Gibraltar is based on English law, but is separate from the UK legal system.[2] Non-resident businesses do not pay income tax unless the source of this income is Gibraltar proper. There is no tax on capital income.[3]

In Gibraltar there is no capital gains tax, wealth tax, sales tax or value added tax. Import duty is payable on most items at 12% The main tax for companies is Corporation Tax, and Social insurance contributions. There are also stamp duties on certain transactions, and property taxes ('rates').

Non-resident companies can take advantage of a number of offshore regimes in order to reduce taxation, although in line with the elimination of unfair tax practices this is being phased out. Individuals pay quite high taxes on their income in Gibraltar unless they are able to take advantage of high-net-worth individual status or gain exemption as an expatriate executive. There is a moderately high estate duty, and import duties are quite high on some items.

Assessment and collection of tax is administered by the Commissioner of Income Tax; the tax year runs from first July to the following 30 June.

The information in this article is taken from the publication "Gibraltar Tax facts".[4] It may be incorrect or out of date. For the latest data see the Government of Gibraltar website listed in external links.

Value added tax

Gibraltar is a VAT free jurisdiction.

Gaming tax (Online gaming)

Levied at the rate of 1% of relevant income (gaming yield for online casinos and bets placed for online bookmakers), capped at £425,000 with a minimum payable of £85,000.

Import duties

Import duties are levied on goods imported into Gibraltar, mostly at rates 0% - 12%. As of 1 July 2010, import duty on pedal cycles, electric cars, solar paneling and related equipment has been reduced to 0%. Import duty on hybrid cars has similarly been reduced, though it has increased for petrol and diesel powered vehicles.

Excise duties

Levied mainly on spirits, wines, tobacco and mineral oils.

Social insurance, 2009

Class Rate Minimum Maximum
Employee (under 60) 10% earnings £5.00 £25.16
Employee (Aged 60 & Over) 0% earnings £0.00 £0.00
Employer 20% earnings £15.00 £32.97
Self Employed 20% earnings £10.00 £30.17

Minimums and maxima shown are per week. No contributions are payable if the person is not in receipt of earnings. Income earned by a student on holiday is exempt.

Corporation tax

Before 2009, the rate of corporation tax was 22%. With effect from 1 July 2009, regarding any new businesses, a start up rate of 10% will apply to any business established in Gibraltar after 1 July 2009. Tax will be assessed on an actual year basis. With effect from 1 January 2011, a new rate of 10% will apply to all companies except energy and utility providers, which will pay a 10% surcharge and thus incur a rate of 20%. These will include electricity, fuel, telephone service and water providers.

As an anti-avoidance provision, it will not apply in respect of any commercial activity being carried out before 25 June 2009 and that is reorganized by the taxpayer in the name of a different entity for the purpose of benefiting from the scheme.

Withholding tax

Class Rate
dividends 0%
In interest paid to resident individuals 0%
On interest paid to resident companies 22%
On interest paid to non-residents 0%

In addition, no tax is payable on dividends between Gibraltar companies

Companies enjoying special concessions

Tax rate/amount (irrespective of profits) Ordinarily resident Flat rate of £450 per annum. This will be phased out in 2010.

Capital taxation

Income tax rates

Gibraltar has two tax systems, one based on gross income which does not provide any allowances, and another with different rates which does. The choice of which system to apply is made by the taxable person.

GROSS INCOME BASED SYSTEM

1. Persons on gross income up to £16,000

Income Rate Payable
0 - £10,000 8% £800
£10,001 - £16,000 20% £1200

2. Persons on gross income £16,000 to £25,000

Income On first Rate Balance at 20% Payable
£16,001 - £17,000 £6000 0% £10,001 - £11,000 £2,000 - £2,200
£17,001 - £18,000 £5,000 0% £12,001 - £13,000 £2,400 - £2,600
£18,001 - £19,000 £4000 0% £14,001 - £15,000 £2,800 - £3,000
£19,001 - £20,000 £3000 0% £16,001 - £17,000 £3,200 - £3,400
£20,001 - £25,000 £2000 0% £18,001 - £23,000 £3,600 - £4,600

3. Persons on gross income between £25,001 and £35,000

A rate of 20% applies less tapering relief on gross income between £25,001 and £26,000. With the tapering relief on gross income of £25,000, there is a tax-free amount of £2000 that reduces by £2 for every £1 increase in gross income.

4. Persons on gross income between £35,001 and £100,000

The effective (average) tax rate is reduced by 0.5% from the previous year using a complex formula to give a maximum effective tax rate of 26.25% on gross income of £100,000. The tax liability is arrived at by first calculating using the previous year’s tax band (i.e. 20% for tax bands of £0 - £25,000 and 29% for £25,001 - £100,000), then reducing it by 0.5% and finally applying the resulting rate of taxable income (gross income less tapering relief). With the tapering relief on gross income of £35,001, there is a tax-free amount of £3284 that reduces by £2 for every £1 increase in gross income.

5. Persons on gross income between £100,001 and £353,000

A rate of 20% on the first £25,000 of gross income applies, with the balance taxed at 29%. With the tapering relief on gross income of £100,001, there is a tax-free amount of £1722 that reduces by £2 for every £1 increase in gross income.

6. Individuals on Gross Income over £353,000

Taxed As Follows Tax Rate
First £25,001 20%
£25,001 - £353,000 29%
£353,001 - £704,800 20%
£704,801 - £1,000,000 10%
Excess over £1,000,000 5%

ALLOWANCE BASED SCHEME

Bands Tax Rate Tax on band
0 - 4,000 17% (reduced rate) £680
4,001 - 16,000 30% (standard rate) £3,600
Over - 16,000 40%

A wide range of allowances apply for children, single parents, mortgage relief etc. (Below)

Main Income Tax Allowances & Reliefs
Personal Allowance £2812
Spouse Allowance £2632
Nursery School Allowance (per child) £1023
Child Relief in respect of first child only £997
Child Relief in respect of each child educated abroad £1105
Disabled Person £2724
Dependent Relatives (maximum for Resident) £190
Dependent Relatives (maximum for Non-resident) £139
Blind person £627
Apprentice £380
Single parent £2632
Home Purchase Allowance (deduction) £11,500
Home Purchase (Special - £1000 maximum p.a.) £4000
Social Insurance (Employee) £335
Social Insurance (Self-employed) £432

Stamp duty

Stamp Duty is only payable on real estate and capital transactions at the following rates:

On purchase of Real Estate:

Other Allowances & Reliefs

References