In its decision of 3 June 2025 – VIII R 21/22, the Supreme Tax Court referred various questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) for a preliminary ruling in connection with the dividend withholding tax paid to third-country companies.
The ECJ has rejected a claim by the Commission that the German withholding tax on gross dividends discriminates against foreign pension funds, because the Commission did not substantiate the expenses excluded from deduction.
In a case brought by the Commission, the ECJ has held that Germany’s withholding tax on dividends to other corporations is in breach of community law in that it discourages persons from other member states from investing in Germany.
Does the free movement of capital require a Member State to tax non-resident and resident investment vehicles according to the same tax system? This is the question raised in the request for a preliminary ruling submitted to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) by the Portuguese tax court (Tax Arbitration Tribunal). Contrary to the Opinion of the Advocate General the ECJ decided that the withholding tax on dividends paid to non-resident Undertakings for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities (UCITS) is in violation with current EU Law.
The Supreme Tax Court has followed an ECJ case in holding that a foreign corporate shareholder may claim from the local tax office a refund of the tax deducted at source from its dividend.
The Supreme Tax Court has followed an ECJ case in holding that a foreign corporate shareholder may claim from the local tax office a refund of the tax deducted at source from its dividend.
The Supreme Tax Court has rejected a scheme involving the sale of securities cum div and their immediate return to the seller by way of loan in such a manner that both parties can claim credit for the dividend withholding tax.
The Lower Tax Court of Munich referred preliminary questions to the European Court of Justice regarding the compatibility of the German regime of dividend withholding tax imposed on a Canadian pension fund with the free movement of capital as provided in Article 63 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Dividend withholding tax paid by a foreign intermediary company may not be deducted from the taxable income of the local shareholder of a German company if the entire arrangement is abusive and if, therefore, the dividend income is to be allocated to the German shareholder.
The Italian Supreme Court issued seven important judgments in which it ruled that Italian withholding taxes levied on dividends distributed to a German investment fund and six US investment funds are in violation of the EU principles on the free movement of capital (Article 63 (TFEU).
The finance ministry has announced the arrangements for claiming withholding tax exemption under the EU Parent/Subsidiary Directive on dividends on shares held in the custody of a bank.
The Supreme Tax Court has held that a dividend payable by a solvent subsidiary to its shareholder with a controlling interest is generally taxable income for the latter on the date of the resolution regardless of a resolution for a later date of payment.
The Supreme Tax Court has held that the Corporation Tax Act prohibition on impairment write-downs on foreign investments in 2001 must be disapplied if the investment is protected by the EU freedoms of establishment or capital movement, or if it leads to retrospective taxation.
In a most recent decision on the procedural approach to obtain a WHT exemption, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has reaffirmed that procedural aspects and formalities can amount to disguised restrictions, and that the practical realization of fundamental freedoms must be ensured. This requires considering not only the relevant provisions of tax law but also any procedural requirements and formalities that may hinder the application of tax benefits or relief.
An ECJ advocate general has suggested the court recognise a restriction on the free movement of capital from the differing treatment of the corporation tax underlying domestic and foreign dividends, but hold it to be justified in the interests of maintaining the internationally agreed balance of taxing rights.
