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In the rapidly evolving financial landscape, regulatory compliance is more than just a checkbox; it’s a fundamental pillar ensuring the stability and integrity of financial markets. Two key regulations governing outsourcing and third-party ICT services in financial entities are CSSF CIRCULAR 22/806 and DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act). While they share a number of similarities, the unique features of DORA offer some important benefits.

On 12 September 2023, the European Commission adopted the proposal for a directive “Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation. BEFIT aims to introduce a single set of rules applicable to determine the corporate income tax base of multinational enterprises in all EU Member States as well as a simplified transfer pricing approach for assessing intercompany transactions. In the words of the EC, the Proposal is motivated by reduction of tax compliance costs for large, cross-border businesses in the European Union.

STATEC has confirmed, on Wednesday 30 August, the triggering of a new salary indexation as from 1 September 2023.

On 4 August 2023, the Luxembourg Government introduced to the Luxembourg Parliament the draft law no. 8292 (the "Draft Law"), aimed at implementing the provisions of the European Union (“EU”) Council Directive 2022/2523 of 14 December 2022 (the “EU Pillar Two Directive” or the “Directive”). In line with the Directive, and in order to ensure that large multinational enterprise (“MNE”) groups and significant large domestic groups pay a minimum level of tax, the Draft Law introduces three new taxes into Luxembourg national law.

The European Central Bank ("ECB"), on July 24th, announced a public consultation on Guide on effective Risk Data Aggregation and Risk Reporting (“RDARR”). The consultation is opened until October 6th and the ECB invites comments from Banks and other stakeholders on effective Risk Data Aggregation and Risk Reporting.

As stated in the March tripartite agreement, a new tax credit, the “Crédit d'Impôt Conjoncture” (economic tax credit) will increase salaries retroactively from January 2023.

On 13 July 2023, the Luxembourg Government presented the draft law no. 8276 to the Luxembourg Parliament. The Draft Law proposes changes to the current investment tax credit regime by increasing the rates of the global ITC and introducing a new ITC for investments and expenses related to the digital transformation and the ecological and energy transition. The proposed measures are planned to apply as from tax year 2024.

On 30 June 2023, the Luxembourg tax authority issued the updated guidance in form of an FAQ (the “Guidance”) on the law implementing the EU Directive on the mandatory disclosure rules and exchange of cross-border tax arrangements (“DAC 6”). The Guidance contains welcome clarifications concerning hallmarks C1 and E3, as well as an explanation regarding the notification obligations of persons covered by the legal professional privilege.

On 30 March 2023, Luxembourg Administrative Tribunal (the “Tribunal”) rendered a decision denying the use of carried forward tax losses to a Luxembourg company (“LuxCo”) based on the abuse of law provision (the “Decision”). The case concerned tax losses dating from a period during which LuxCo was a holding company, and which it intended to use after a number of years of being a dormant company in order to offset capital gain realised from the disposal of immovable property.

On 9 June 2023, the Luxembourg tax authorities (“LTA”) issued a circular L.I.R. n°168quater/1 (the “Circular”) clarifying the application of the reverse hybrid rules, as provided for in article 168quater of the Luxembourg Income Tax Law (“LITL”). Additionally, a FAQ on the related tax form 205 was published, detailing the tax compliance obligations of reverse hybrid entities.

Advocate General Juliane Kokott challenged the European Commission’s claim that Luxembourg provided unauthorized state aid to Amazon through tax advantages. In her Opinion on Amazon case (C-457/21), the AG highlights the critical flaws in the Commission’s approach, as well as supports the annulment of the Commission’s decision by the General Court. Nevertheless, the final judgment rests with the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The European Union finance ministers have reached a political agreement on the updated compromise text for the draft Council Directive amending Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation. The DAC8 Directive, among other, introduces tax transparency rules for crypto-assets and extends the automatic exchange of advance cross-border rulings, under certain conditions. It is expected to be formally adopted in early June 2023.

Further to the decision of the General Court in the Engie Cases, Engie and Luxembourg appealed before the CJEU. In her Opinion delivered on 4 May, AG Kokott suggests that the CJEU should uphold the appeals, set aside the judgment of the General Court and annul the decision of the EC.

As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, financial institutions and regulatory bodies increasingly recognise the importance of integrating sustainability into their operations. In response to this growing need, Luxembourg's Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) has recently outlined its supervisory priorities in sustainable finance, demonstrating its commitment to shaping a more environmentally and socially responsible financial sector.

On 28 March 2023, Luxembourg government introduced bill no. 8186 which proposes new procedures for concluding bilateral and multilateral advance pricing agreements, clarifies the conditions for contesting tax assessments, and outlines specific transfer pricing documentation requirements. The Draft Bill also introduces new bookkeeping requirements, and enhances administrative cooperation between the Luxembourg tax authority and other public authorities.

Following the monthly meeting of the Index Commission, the STATEC has confirmed the triggering of a new salary indexation as of 1 April 2023.