Tonnage Tax

Moore Stephens: HMRC May Rethink Tonnage Tax Changes

Moore Stephens, understands that Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has agreed to re-examine, in consultation with the shipping industry, its earlier intention to unilaterally reinterpret the UK Tonnage Tax rules to the potential detriment of many shipowners. Widely disputed changes based on unspecified ‘legal advice’ were set out in HMRC’s tonnage tax manual in September 2009. These focused in particular on a reinterpretation of the strategic and commercial management tests that are fundamental to qualification for the tonnage tax regime. UK tonnage tax is widely credited with having helped increase the UK fleet substantially since its introduction in 2000, when it was regarded as a model of clarity and stability. Then, as now, there was the need for a stable UK tax regime to both support British business and to encourage international businesses to operate and stay in the UK. Under the reinterpretation of the rules, some groups would not have qualified for the UK regime, despite having previously received HMRC clearance, with the result that internationally mobile shipping groups could consider leaving the UK. Sue Bill, a tax partner with Moore Stephens, says, “HMRC’s reinterpretation of the rules created a lack of certainty and sent completely the wrong signals to international shipowners who had relocated to the UK to take advantage of its tonnage tax regime

Rising Profit Tide for Horizon

AP reported that Horizon Lines Inc. said its third-quarter profit rose, aided by a large tax benefit. For the quarter ended Sept. 24, the company reported net income of $52.9 million, or $1.57 per share, versus prior-year profit of $2.8 million, or 14 cents per share. Revenue rose to $304.7 million from $289.1 million in the year earlier period. Horizon elected to pay an alternative tonnage tax instead of federal corporate income tax on qualifying shipping activities

Shipping Income Tax Reform

Shipping income tax reform may be one of the key legislative initiatives in the U.S. Congress this year according to Michael G. Roberts, who holds down the Washington D.C. office of Crowley Maritime Corporation. Roberts noted it has been almost three years since the Maritime Security Act (MSP) was passed, giving 47 U.S.-flagged ships a new lease on life through a non-permanent operating subsidy program. Now, he says, something must be done about the threatened extinction of American shipping

WW Posts 2005 Results

Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA (WW) posted its results for 2005. Net operating profit was $232 million, while total operating income came to $2.2 billion. Profit before taxes was $209 million. WW's net operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2005 came to $67 million, with total operating income at $608 million. Profit before taxes came to $21 million, compared with $45 million in the same period of 2004. This decline is entirely attributable to a repricing, without liquidity effect

Horizon Lines Reports 2Q Results

Horizon Lines, Inc. reported solid earnings for the second quarter of 2007. Net income for the second quarter of 2007 was $9.6m or $.28 per diluted share compared to net income of $6.4m or $.19 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2006. After adjustment to exclude the non-recurring loss on extinguishment of debt in 2007 and secondary offering expenses in 2006, and to retroactively apply tonnage tax to 2006, adjusted net income was $10.0 million or $

Moore Stephens Rues Missed Opportunity

International accountant and shipping consultant Moore Stephens says it is regrettable that changes announced for inclusion in the UK Finance Bill 2013 have failed to remove exchange rate distortions from the calculation of capital gains on ships.   Currently, all capital gains and losses subject to UK corporation tax are calculated by reference to sterling, with the result that capital gains and losses arising on non-sterling assets, including certain ships

American Club Reports Solid Performance

The American Club reported its results for 2002 at its annual meeting in New York. “The future is bright,” said Paul Sa (Standard Shipping Inc.), the club’s chairman, “and I am certain that the club will continue to enjoy success at the forefront of the global P&I industry over the years to come.” In addition to a further increase in entered tonnage, taking the club to a total of nearly 19m. gross tons, it also achieved a post-tax operating profit of $3.2m

Shipping Income Tax Reform

Shipping income tax reform may be one of the key legislative initiatives in the U.S. Congress this year according to Michael G. Roberts, who holds down the Washington D.C. office of Crowley Maritime Corporation. Roberts noted it has been almost three years since the Maritime Security Act (MSP) was passed, giving 47 U.S.-flagged ships a new lease on life through a non-permanent operating subsidy program. Now, he says, something must be done about the threatened extinction of American shipping

When It Comes to Shipping, Norway Forks in the Road

Representing the new owners of Norwegian shipping company Bergesen, Andreas Sohmen-Pao delivered a clear message in his well received speech at the Annual Meeting of the NSA Tank and Bulkship Group last week. Sohmen-Pao told industry members, which had turned out in record numbers, that he thought Norway was at a crossroads when it came to shipping. Politicians had to decide whether to give the shipping industry equal treatment with that enjoyed by competitors internationally

Tonnage Numbers Steady at U.S. Ports

U.S. ports continued to post positive tonnage numbers in October. The Seaway’s year-to-date total cargo shipments from March 22 to October 31 were 29 million metric tons, up 2 percent from the same period last year.   “With just two months left in the 2011 navigation season, the Seaway is on track to meet its projected seven percent improvement over last year’s tonnage performance,” says Rebecca Spruill