Insights

In the setup stage, enterprises need cash to invest in the assets (physical, intellectual) and human capital that will eventually generate the profits of the enterprise. Without a well-planned cash strategy that establishes how the business is to be funded and provides for contingencies, few enterprises manage to make it past the first year.   

On the 17th October 2025, a new optional fiscal incentive applicable to specific employment income was introduced through legal notice 250 of 2025: the Senior Employees of Family Offices, Back Offices and Treasury Management Operations Tax Rules, 2025, providing for a reduced 15% tax rate on certain qualifying employment income. The rules apply with effect from year of assessment 2026 (income derived after 1st January 2025).

The rapid globalisation and digitalisation of the economy have fundamentally altered how businesses operate, often to the detriment of traditional tax systems. Multinational enterprises (MNEs), leveraging the ability to move capital and profits across borders, have utilised gaps in tax rules to shift profits to low-tax jurisdictions. This practice, known as Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), has led to significant tax revenue losses for governments worldwide, particular

Fringe benefits, also referred to as payments-in-kind, encompass any benefit granted or considered to be granted due to an individual's employment or office. The circumstances regarded as fringe benefits, along with the method for valuing such benefits, are governed by the provisions set out in ‘The Fringe Benefits Rules’ under Subsidiary Legislation 123.55 (commonly known as the "FBR").

In any business, the relationship between shareholders and the company is more than just financial—it’s structural. Shareholders influence key decisions, help shape corporate strategy, and play a vital role in holding management accountable.

Accounting has recently undergone a major transformation, the digital transformation. Once known for paper ledgers, spreadsheets, and manual processes, the field is now embracing automation, artificial intelligence, and real-time data tools. This is not just changing how accountants work, it's reshaping how businesses operate and make financial decisions.

On 4th August 2025, the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) published JC 2023 18, a fully consolidated Q&A on the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and its Delegated Regulation. Bringing together over 80 Q&As from both the European Commission and the ESAs, the document clarifies long-standing grey areas and sets a stricter tone on data, definitions, and disclosures.

In a recent address to Parliament, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announced a significant crackdown on tax evasion in Malta. Backed by new legislation and enhanced enforcement tools, the government is taking an uncompromising stance on non-compliance, with Caruana warning that the government will come down on tax evaders “like a ton of bricks.”

Personal tax return season always serves as a refresher of Lesson 1 in Maltese tax law: The distinction between trading and capital gains. With the increasing number of individuals who venture into the stock and crypto markets, having a sound grasp of how profits and gains are taxed in Malta is an essential part of both traders' and investors' considerations when entering and closing a position. 

Money laundering is the process of hiding the origin of illegally gained money by passing it through legitimate financial transactions, making the proceeds look legitimate.

The IASB has introduced IFRS 18, ‘Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements’, a new standard replacing IAS 1.  While IFRS 18 retains many of IAS 1’s principles with minor adjustments, it does not impact the recognition or measurement of financial statement items. However, it may change how entities report their operating profit or loss.

Management accounts play a pivotal role in the strategic decision-making process for businesses. These accounts provide vital insights into a company's financial health, helping managers to make informed decisions. However, simply generating management accounts is not enough. Understanding the key factors that influence them and developing strategies that optimise business operations is crucial for maximising profitability and efficiency.

The Maltese government has announced significant changes to the Value Added Tax (VAT) system for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), set to