Ukraine:
"Diia City": A special legal and tax regime for IT companies in Ukraine comes into play
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July 2021 – On July 15, 2021, the Ukrainian
Parliament has adopted the Law "On Promotion of Development"
of the digital economy in Ukraine "No. 4303
("City law of Diia"). To take effect,
the city law of Diia has to be signed by the president and officially
released*. The law comes into force on the following day
Publication.
General regime of the city of Diiaia
The city law of Diia provides a general framework for the introduction of a
special IT industrial regime in Ukraine called Diia City, the
The aim is to create favorable framework conditions for companies that are active in
the tech industry. The regime lasts indefinitely
but not less than 25 years.
Diia City Resident Status is only available
to Ukrainian companies that meet the criteria of Diia. fulfill
City law, in particular:
- the average monthly minimum employee / gig
Employee is EUR 1,200; - performing IT-related activities that include:
Software development activities, game publishing, EdTech, data
Processing, cybersports and others as required by law; - the availability of at least 9 employees or gig workers on
End of each calendar month; - the net income from skilled activities is at least 90% of the total
Income; and - the company doesn't fall into a restricted category, since
provided by law.
Diia City Law introduces, among other things:
- Concert contracts – a new concept in Ukrainian law that is a mixture of
an employment contract and a service contract. Gig contracts can
be concluded in electronic form; - social guarantees for gig workers;
- new rules for the distribution of IP rights to created objects
by gig workers and white-collar workers; - Requirements for non-disclosure and non-competition obligations;
- the conversion of outstanding debt into equity of Diia City
Resident; - the concept of guarantees and compensations for
misrepresentation; - additional regulation for put / call option agreements;
- the ability for Diia City residents to appoint legal counsel
Entity as executive body; and - the possibility of the shareholder agreement foreign
Law.
Please note that the city law of Diia is subject to changes
Civil Code, Commercial Code, Labor Code and Law on Ukraine
Limited and additional liability companies, it will
an effect not only on the residents of Diia City, but also on the entire area
Regulatory landscape.
Diia City Tax System
The one for residents of Diia City and theirs
The workforce is regulated by an independent law. The bill
"About changes to the Tax Code of Ukraine in relation to the
Stimulating the development of the digital economy in Ukraine "
No. 5376 ("Diia City Tax Bill") was
adopted at first reading on June 2, 2021. The date of the second
Reading is not yet known.
The Diia City Tax Bill introduces the following tax
Services. Diia City residents (i.e., legal entities) can choose one
of two tax systems that may be applicable to them. Special,
You can choose to be subject to current corporate law
Income tax ("CIT") at a standard price of
18% based on profit (subject to tax adjustments, if applicable) or
Changeover to the new regime, which provides for CIT at a rate of 9%
Volume of certain transactions with non-payers of CIT (which a
a kind of exit capital tax).
When switching to special taxation, the tax
Diia City resident base would include, among other things:
the following payments to non-payers of CIT:
- Service fees paid to private entrepreneurs from a certain
Border**; - the import and export of goods and services under certain conditions
conditions provided by law; - Payment of royalties / interest / dividends under certain conditions
provided by law; and - Payments to nonprofits and zero interest
Loans under certain conditions provided by law.
Employees / gig workers employed by residents of Diia City
subject to:
- a reduced income tax of 5%
Salary / remuneration; - a 1.5% military fee on salaries / wages; and
- a uniform social contribution of 22%
("USC") on: - the salary of the employees of the residents of Diia City – in the amount
the minimum USC; and - Remuneration for the provision of services within the framework of gig contracts
(limited in between (i) the maximum upper limit calculated as 22% USCx15
Minimum wages and (ii) minimum USC).
Overall, the Diia City regime will only come into effect once
Both Diia City laws have come into effect.
The content of this article is intended to be general
Instructions on the subject. Expert advice should be sought
about your particular circumstances.
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