Financing

Financial assistance by the subsidiary

Financial assistance is possible in the Czech Republic provided certain requirements are satisfied.

Subordinate debt (mezzanine capital)

The use of subordinate debt is allowed.

Interest expenses for acquisition financing

Interest on debt used to purchase a share in a subsidiary (participation > 10 %, time period of possession at least 12 consecutive months) is not tax-deductible (exemption possible). Interest on debt used to asset deal is tax deductible (exemption possible).

Interest expense on subordinate debt

Interest expense for subordinate debt is tax-deductible (exemption possible).

EU interest barrier

Thresholds for tax deductibility of net borrowing costs is CZK 80,000,000 (EUR 3,192,338) or 30 % of EBITDA. Net borrowing costs exceeding the higher of the two thresholds are considered tax non-deductible. Financing expenses of credits and loans if the interest rate depends on the borrower's profit, are not tax deductible (in case of such dependence, higher profits mean higher interest).

Squeeze-out options

Buy-out of minority shareholders (squeeze-out)

Squeeze-out option is available for shareholder with a share of more than 90 % on the registered capital. There is also an option for majority shareholders to takeover of assets.

Capital gains – corporations and partnerships

Sale of shares in a joint stock corporation

The gain on the sale of shares is taxable income, except the conditions of the participation exemption are met (new strict conditions for natural persons from 2025).

Sale of shares in a limited liability company

The gain on the sale of ownership interest in a limited liability company is taxable income, except the conditions of the participation exemption are met (new strict conditions for natural persons from 2025).

Sale of interest in a partnership

In the Czech Republic neither the ownership interest in a general partnership nor the ownership interest of the general partner in a limited partnership can be sold. The income from the sale of ownership interest of the limited partner in a limited partnership is taxable income.

International participation exemption

Capital gains from the sale of a share in a subsidiary company with EU residency by a parent company are exempt. The minimum holding period is 12 consecutive months and the minimum interest in the subsidiary company is 10 %. Capital gains from the sale of a share in a subsidiary company with non-EU residency are also exempt under conditions stipulated in the Income Tax Act and DTAs.

Sale of business

Definition

A business can be sold as a whole. The parts of the business include tangible and intangible fixed assets (CAPEX), current assets, liabilities, and employees as well as all the rights & obligations connected with the business.

Valuation

Option between two methods:

  1. Assets and liablities are entered in the accounts at book value, the difference between book value and fair value of the business is disclosed among fixed assets as special item “valuation difference”.
  2. Individual assets are entered in the accounts at fair value based on an expertise, liabilities are entered in the accounts at book value. The remaining difference to the fair value of the business is disclosed in the balance sheet as goodwill or negative goodwill.

Goodwill

Goodwill is generally amortised within 60 months for accounting purposes and over 180 months for tax purposes. The valuation difference is amortised over 180 months for accounting, as well as tax purposes.

Mergers & demergers

Types of mergers described by commercial law

Merger by acquisition or merger by formation, including cross-border mergers within the EU, takeover of assets by majority shareholders. Demerger, spin-off.

Valuation

Merger: revaluation of companies being acquired (dissolved) in the merger. The revaluation has no tax effect.

Where a parent company is merged with a wholly owned subsidiary, revaluation is possible but not required by law.

In mergers of companies in common ownership with the same relationship, a revaluation is possible but not required. Valuation during demerger and spin-off has similar conditions.

Valuation in financial accounting

Selection of two methods:

1. Assets and liabilities are recognised at carrying values, and the difference between aggregate carrying values and fair values (valuation required) is disclosed separately as an special item "valuation difference".
2. The individual assets are recognized at fair values based on valuation, and liabilities are taken over at carrying values. Any remaining difference in the total value of the business is disclosed as goodwill or negative goodwill.

Goodwill amortization

Amortisation of goodwill is generally spread within 60 months for accounting purposes.

The difference on valuation is written down over a period of 180 months for accounting purposes.

Tax treatment of revaluation

Differences on valuation and goodwill resulting from mergers are not tax deductible.

Contributions (transfer of assets into the equity of a company)

Contribution in kind

Contribution in kind made by a shareholder into the equity is possible if the contributed assets are considered to be utilizable for business operations. The value of such a contribution must be set by an expert opinion or valuation.

Tax treatment

Differences on valuation and goodwill resulting from the contribution in kind are not tax deductible.

Goodwill amortisation

Amortisation of goodwill is generally spread within 60 months for accounting purposes.
The difference on valuation is written down over a period of 180 months for accounting purposes.

Contact

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1100 Vienna

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