Fractional CFO services in Malta

Maltese tax refund system

Malta's full-imputation tax system combined with the 6/7 (and partial) refund mechanisms can reduce the effective tax burden on dividends paid to non-resident shareholders to ~5% in many trading-company structures. The single most distinctive feature of the Maltese tax system and a major reason international holding and operating structures use Malta.

Malta Development Bank

Malta Development Bank provides guarantees, lending and equity instruments for Maltese SMEs and innovative companies. The main public-sector capital provider in Malta, supplemented by EU structural funding routed through Malta Enterprise.

Malta Enterprise grants

Malta Enterprise administers various business support and innovation grant programmes for Maltese SMEs. Programmes include the Business Start initiative, R&D incentives and support for digital transformation. Slow but non-dilutive.

Limited local VC; cross-border focus

Malta has a limited domestic VC market. Most material Maltese venture capital activity involves cross-border participation - UK, Continental European, US and Israeli investors backing Malta-incorporated entities used as EU passport vehicles or trading subsidiaries.

iGaming and crypto licensing regimes

Malta's Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) operate licensing regimes for remote gaming, crypto-asset services and certain fintech activities. Materially relevant for founders considering Malta as an EU-passportable licensing base rather than a primary capital source.

EU funding access

Maltese companies have full access to Horizon Europe programmes - EIC Accelerator grants (up to €2.5M), EIC Pathfinder, Eurostars and others. Slow but materially valuable for deeptech, climate and life-science companies that can wait the 6-12 month process.

Stock options

Maltese stock options are typically taxed as employment income at exercise on the spread, with potential capital gains treatment on subsequent appreciation depending on holding period and circumstances. Specific tax treatment varies based on employee residency, employer structure and the design of the option plan.

Direct share grants

Direct grants of shares in a Maltese company are taxed on the share value at grant as employment income for the recipient. Used selectively for senior hires; the English-language legal framework makes share structuring relatively flexible compared to civil-law jurisdictions.

Phantom shares and SARs

Cash-settled equity-like instruments - the holder receives a cash bonus equal to the value of a notional option at exit. Taxed as employment income at payout. Used by Maltese companies that prefer cash-based long-term incentive plans.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Used at later-stage Maltese companies, particularly those with US, UK or international investors. Taxed as employment income at vesting at marginal rates. Common at growth-stage companies given the international nature of the Maltese tech ecosystem.

Cross-resident structuring

Many Maltese companies have employees resident in multiple jurisdictions. Equity plans typically need careful structuring to manage tax treatment for resident, non-resident and remote-working employees. Material area where a fractional CFO's input is more useful than a generalist accountant's.

Reporting and CFR

Equity events flow through Maltese payroll for income tax and social security (FSS - Final Settlement System). Annual employer reporting to the Commissioner for Revenue (CFR) required. Worth aligning between cap-table tool, Maltese payroll provider and tax advisor.

Accounting

• •Xero - common at internationally-facing Maltese companies; English-language with strong integrations.
• •QuickBooks Online - alternative for US-aligned setups.
• •Sage - established alternative widely used at Maltese accounting firms.

Payroll

• •Sage Payroll - common Maltese payroll engine.
• •Local Maltese payroll providers - used at small SMEs and traditional accounting firms.
• •Deel or Remote - for hiring contractors and staff outside Malta.

Business banking

• •Bank of Valletta, HSBC Malta or APS Bank - for treasury, FX and traditional debt facilities.
• •Revolut Business - for early-stage simplicity.
• •Wise Business - for multi-currency operations.
• •Mercury - for founders with a US C-corp alongside the Maltese entity.

Cap table & equity admin

• •Ledgy - strong European coverage; common at Maltese venture-backed startups.
• •Carta - for Maltese companies with US investors or a US parent.
• •Pulley - modern alternative at later stage.

Expenses & corporate cards

• •Pleo - European default; clean integrations.
• •Spendesk - strong approval workflows for larger teams.
• •Payhawk - alternative with strong European coverage.