Recent News

The Lithuanian government has approved a proposal by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour to increase the minimum wage effective January 1, 2025. Key Changes: Minimum Monthly Wage: The gross minimum monthly wage will rise from €924 to €1,038, marking a 12.3% increase. After taxes, this equates to approximately €777, providing minimum wage earners with an additional €69 in disposable income. Minimum Hourly Wage: The gross minimum hourly wage will increase from €5.65 to €6.35. Implications for Employers: Employers are required to adjust their payroll systems to accommodate these changes and ensure compliance with the updated wage standards. Social insurance contributions, both employer and employee portions, must be calculated based on the new minimum wage thresholds. Exceptions apply for certain categories of workers, including pensioners, individuals with disabilities, workers under the age of 24, and those receiving maternity, paternity, or child care benefits. Economic Context: This decision aligns with Lithuania's ongoing efforts to enhance living standards and reduce income inequality. The increase follows a...

British neobank Revolut has launched a beta test of its application in Ukraine, providing a limited group of users with access to international financial services with Ukrainian language support. Key features of the beta version: Multicurrency operations: Users can conduct transactions in over 30 currencies within a single application. International transfers: Ability to send money abroad without fees. Virtual card: Free virtual card for use in over 150 countries. Account opening: Registration without a fee under the Standard plan. Verification and account replenishment: New users can verify their identity through the state application "Diia". Account replenishment is available from foreign currency cards in dollars or euros. Replenishment from hryvnia cards is currently unavailable due to NBU regulatory restrictions. Revolut provides services to Ukrainian residents on a cross-border basis through Revolut Bank UAB in Lithuania. For more details on the beta test, visit...

On December 17, 2024, the rating agency Moody’s announced a downgrade of the credit ratings of leading French banks BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole. This decision followed a general downgrade of France’s sovereign credit rating, reflecting the country’s growing economic and financial risks. Reasons for the downgrade Economic challenges in France: Rising public debt and slowing economic growth increase financial pressure on the country. Impact on the banking sector: French banks are closely tied to the national economy, and the downgrade of the sovereign rating directly affects their creditworthiness. Consequences for BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole Increase in borrowing costs: A lower rating may lead to higher interest rates on loans, affecting the banks’ profitability. Decline in investor confidence: Investors may become more cautious about investing in French financial institutions, impacting their liquidity. Need to strengthen capital: Banks may be forced to increase capital reserves to maintain financial stability. Impact on clients and the market Potential rise in loan interest rates: Banks might...

10 Trends That Will Influence the Payment Sector by the End of 2025 MasterCard, one of the world’s leading payment companies, has outlined key trends that are transforming the approach to transactions, particularly regarding their security, speed, and convenience. 1. AI in Fighting Fraud By 2025, artificial intelligence will become a powerful tool in combating financial threats. By analyzing vast amounts of data, models will predict threats and respond instantly. This approach could triple the level of security for financial operations. 2. New Opportunities for Small Businesses Small enterprises will gain access to new platforms that automate routine processes, help create marketing strategies, and make data-driven decisions. 3. Integration of Local Digital Wallets The ability to link cards to local digital wallets will simplify international transactions, eliminating the need to top up accounts. 4. Biometric Authentication Passwords and one-time codes will gradually become obsolete. They will be replaced by biometric technologies and machine learning algorithms, making authentication faster and more...

Chinese banks are tightening control over legal entities in response to global sanctions. This new measure focuses on enhanced client checks, particularly for companies whose registered addresses match those of sanctioned organizations.Key aspects of the new regulations:Major banks, such as Chouzhou Commercial Bank and Bank of China, are forming "blacklists" of addresses.Restrictions apply even to companies not directly linked to sanctions but sharing similar registered addresses.Banks are strengthening compliance mechanisms to avoid violations of international sanctions.This creates risks for international companies cooperating with Chinese banks.For businesses, this means the need for careful monitoring of their data, legal addresses, and partners. Regular screening for sanction risks and compliance with requirements becomes critically important.If you operate in international markets and collaborate with Chinese banks, our company is ready to assist with legal support, risk monitoring, and the implementation of effective compliance solutions.Contact us to learn more about how to protect your business in the current...

Portugal offers unique opportunities for international entrepreneurs, particularly for business registration on Madeira and the Azores. These regions are characterized by attractive tax benefits, simplified registration procedures, and support from local authorities. Key advantages: Reduced corporate tax rate of 14.7%, significantly lower than on the mainland (21%). Companies with an International Business Centre of Madeira (IBCM) license benefit from a tax rate as low as 5%. Corporate tax refund programs allow shareholders to recover up to 100% of the paid taxes. Easy access to the European market with minimal barriers and costs. Business registration simplifies obtaining residency permits for business owners and their families. Developed infrastructure, including access to a highly skilled workforce and modern IT solutions. The use of English as a business language, facilitating partnerships with international clients. Additionally, entrepreneurs benefit from stable legislation, accessible administrative services, and investment programs tailored to support international businesses. These conditions make Madeira and the Azores an ideal platform for...

Starting in 2025, Estonia introduces significant changes to its tax legislation. These changes will affect individuals, businesses, and vehicle owners. Key changes include: Tax on mechanical vehicles: From January 1, 2025, owners of mechanical vehicles will be required to pay a new tax. An online calculator is available to calculate the tax amount. The law is available in Estonian and English on the Tax and Customs Board website. Changes to income tax rates: The rate for individuals will increase from 20% to 22%. The corporate tax system will change from 20/80 to 22/78. The reduced dividend tax rate (14/86) will be abolished. The 7% withholding tax on dividends will also be removed. Temporary defense tax: Introduced on July 1, 2025, and will remain in effect until December 31, 2028. Main components include: From July 1, 2025, the VAT rate will increase by 2% to reach 24%. From January 1, 2026,...

In October 2024, the Philippines passed a new law aimed at taxing digital services. The goal is to ensure a level playing field for both local and foreign companies and increase tax revenue from the digital economy. Key provisions of the law: Filing and VAT payment: Non-residents providing digital services in the Philippines must register as VAT payers. A 12% VAT applies to digital services consumed in the Philippines, including: Cloud services; Online advertising; Sale of digital goods (books, music, movies); Activities on marketplaces. Taxation mechanism: In cases where VAT-registered buyers consume services in the Philippines, a reverse charge mechanism is applied, where the VAT is withheld by the buyer. Requirements for foreign companies: Registration as a VAT payer is mandatory for non-residents whose revenue exceeds a certain threshold. They must submit tax returns...

In 2019, the United States enacted the Corporate Transparency Act, requiring most legal entities registered in the U.S. to disclose information about their beneficial owners. This measure aims to enhance business transparency and combat financial crimes. What Does the Law Require? Filing reports with FinCEN – the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Creating a non-public database accessible only to authorized entities. Reporting deadlines: 1. For companies registered before 2024, reports must be submitted by January 1, 2025. 2. For companies established in 2024, reports are due within 90 days of registration. Who Must File a Report? The law applies to most legal entities, but certain categories are exempt. These include: Banks, insurance companies, accounting firms. Nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status. Inactive companies that meet specific criteria. A full list of exemptions is available in the FAQ FinCEN. Penalties for Non-Compliance Fines: $500 per day of delay (up to $10,000 total). Criminal liability: Intentional non-compliance may lead to imprisonment. How to File a Report? Reports can be...