Tax Changes Make Ireland Prime Location for Global Venture Capital Firms – PwC Report

Taken together with the Irish Government’s commitment to the 12.5% corporate tax rate plus its incentives in the area of intellectual property and R&D, these additional taxation measures have positioned Ireland to the forefront of countries for IP development and management

Friday, 24 June: 2009:
PricewaterhouseCoopers

Recent budgetary changes in taxation have made Ireland a prime location for the establishment of global Venture Capital and Research & Development operations according to a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

“The changes have particular significance for global Venture Capital companies as the Irish Government has now introduced highly attractive tax incentives for carried interest,” commented Regina Breheny, director general, Irish Venture Capital Association. Carried interest refers to the share of the proceeds a VC realises from the sale of an investee firm.

Carried interest is treated as a capital gain rather than income and is now taxed at a lower rate of 15% for individuals holding interest through a partnership or 12.5% for corporates. The changes are effective from 1 January 2009.

The new rates apply to a widely defined category of businesses engaged in research, development or innovation activities according to Ronan MacNioclais, partner PricewaterhouseCoopers.

“In addition members of the international investment community locating to Ireland can realise a substantial part of the gains on carry and co-invest free of Irish tax,” he said. “Ireland is now one of the most attractive countries in the world for this type of VC investment.”

“Taken together with the Irish Government’s commitment to the 12.5% corporate tax rate plus its incentives in the area of intellectual property and R&D, these additional taxation measures have positioned Ireland to the forefront of countries for IP development and management”, states the report.

Copies of the PwC report can be downloaded from www.ivca.ie

About PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 155,000 people in 153 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. ‘PricewaterhouseCoopers‘ refers to the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

About IVCA
The Irish Venture Capital Association (www.ivca.ie) is the representative organisation for venture capital firms in Ireland. Irish VCs have invested €1.5 billion in Ireland in the last ten years and have successfully leveraged a further €1.5bn from international investors into the Irish market.