A Malta HOLDING or TRADING company is an ONSHORE Limited Liability Company (minimum share capital of $1,200) with its registered office in Malta, and managed from Malta (optional Maltese directors). All company shares must be owned by non-residents operating in any currency except Maltese Liri, FROM but not 'with' Maltese residents / assets.

The taxation process combines Malta's full imputation tax system and repayment provisions contained in the Income Tax Management Act 1994. The Act stipulates that while a non-resident shareholder (NRS) receiving dividends from an ITC is liable to Malta Tax at the rate of 27.5% , a NRS may then claim a REFUND of 2/3 of the tax paid by the ITC. This, coupled with the fact that Malta adopts a full imputation system on dividends, makes the ITC or IHC an excellent SAFE & TAX EFFICIENT vehicle for non-resident shareholders.