Our Expert Blogs
Switzerland remains a popular jurisdiction for global investors, offering economic stability, a reliable financial system, and a wide double taxation treaty (DTT) network. However, foreign investors earning dividend income from Swiss companies must navigate a complex withholding tax (WHT) system. In 2025, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) updated its WHT refund process. These changes […]
Knowing the Right Time to Streamline Withholding Tax Recovery For global investors, pension funds, and asset managers, withholding tax (WHT) reclaims can become an operational burden. While recovering dividend tax withheld at source helps boost net returns, the process is often complex. Each jurisdiction imposes different documentation rules, language requirements, and filing standards. At a […]
Bilateral tax disputes are becoming more common and more disruptive. Countries are clashing over tax treaty interpretations, and this friction is now affecting global investment flows. Investors, pension funds, and asset managers increasingly struggle to recover withholding tax (WHT) on dividends, interest, and royalties. This rise in disputes is reshaping the way investors claim WHT […]
Understanding WHT on Dividends in South Africa South Africa’s dividend tax regime directly affects the net returns of foreign institutional investors. A 20% withholding tax (WHT) applies to dividends paid by South African companies to non-resident shareholders. Although tax treaties may reduce this rate, many investors face difficulties reclaiming overpaid amounts. The process is especially […]
Introduction: A Shifting Global Landscape Withholding tax (WHT) recovery plays a key role in helping cross-border investors reduce tax drag on dividend income. But today’s geopolitical tensions are complicating the reclaim process. Sanctions, once a foreign policy tool, now impact how tax authorities and financial institutions handle WHT refunds. Investors must understand how global sanctions […]
Maximising Tax Efficiency in a Complex Withholding Tax Landscape As global markets evolve, passive income streams have become more attractive to institutional investors seeking long-term, stable returns. These income sources—especially dividends and interest—offer steady cash flow without constant portfolio rebalancing. However, when these streams cross borders, they are often subject to withholding tax (WHT). This […]
Introduction: A New Frontier in Withholding Tax Regulation In recent years, international tax policy has undergone significant changes driven by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Among the most notable developments is the Subject to Tax Rule (STTR), introduced under Pillar Two of the OECD’s global tax framework. While initially designed to prevent […]
Withholding tax on dividends remains a major challenge for institutional investors and cross-border asset managers. Relief-at-source mechanisms were designed to simplify the process by applying reduced treaty rates at the time of payment. In practice, however, these mechanisms often fail. Overpayments of withholding tax are common, creating costly and time-consuming obstacles for investors. When the […]
The global minimum tax marks a major shift in international tax policy. Spearheaded by the OECD and G20, it introduces a 15% minimum effective corporate tax rate for large multinational corporations. While designed to create fairer taxation and reduce profit shifting, the rules may have unintended effects. One of the most significant is the impact […]
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is launching a new initiative in 2025 that could reshape international tax compliance. The pilot project uses blockchain technology to modernise withholding tax (WHT) systems, especially for cross-border dividend tax recovery. For institutional investors, this development may simplify reclaim procedures and enhance transparency in global tax administration. […]