Luxembourg: Flat minimum net wealth tax partly declared unconstitutional (Constitutional Court decision)

The Constitutional Court decided that the current minimum net wealth tax (MNWT) regime, as applied to collective entities, partly violates the constitutional principle of equal treatment.

The case involved a company eligible for the flat MNWT of €4,815 based on its assets’ composition and total balance sheet value. However, if the balance sheet had been slightly different (i.e., less than 90% of financial assets—those recorded under accounts 23, 41, 50 and 51 of the standard chart of accounts), it would have been subject to €1,605 of (progressive) MNWT.

The company argued that penalizing companies vis-à-vis other companies on the sole basis of a differently structured balance sheet, would be contrary to the purpose of Article 10bis, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution (before its amendment on 1 July 2023) based on which all taxpayers should be treated equally.

The company challenged what it considered to be unequal treatment in front of the Lower Administrative Court, who in turn referred the question to the Constitutional Court, the sole authority with capacity to rule over the constitutionality of laws. Read TaxNewsFlash

• Unconstitutionality of flat MNWT in some cases: The court found the flat MNWT of €4,815, applicable to entities with certain financial assets exceeding 90% of their total balance sheet and more than €350,000, to be unconstitutional. This decision was based on the absence of an acceptable rationale for the €350,000 threshold.
• Impact on taxpayers: This ruling primarily affects collective entities with a total balance sheet between €350,000 and €2 million, and with qualified holdings and financing assets exceeding 90% of their total balance sheet. For these entities, the MNWT would now be €1,605, replacing the previous €4,815 flat amount.
  
• Application of progressive MNWT: Until legislative amendments are enacted: 
  
  • For entities with total assets of less than €350,000, the MNWT would be €535.
    
  • For entities with total assets between €350,000 and €2 million the MNWT would be €1,605, regardless of the percentage of financial assets (i.e., above or below the 90% threshold).
  • For entities with total assets of more than €2 million and holding less than 90% of financial assets, the progressive MNWT ranging from €5,350 and €32,100 would apply.
  • For entities with total assets of more than €2 million and holding more than 90% of financial assets, the MNWT would be the flat €4,815.

• Legislative changes anticipated: The Luxembourg government and Parliament are expected to respond to this ruling with legislative reforms to address the unconstitutional aspects of the net wealth tax (NWT) law. 
• Review and assessment: Taxpayers liable to the MNWT may need to assess their situation to determine if a lower NWT charge could be applicable and verify their tax assessment when issued after the decision. 
• Claiming refunds: Entities that have paid the higher rate in the past may be eligible for refunds of MNWT previously paid in excess, depending on the way the new rule is implemented.

Read a November 2023 report prepared by the KPMG member firm in Luxembourg