Montenegro: Tax treatment of purchase of antivirus software licenses from foreign companies

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Montenegro: Tax treatment of purchase of antivirus software licenses from foreign companies

zivkovic.jpg

Jelena Zivkovic

Production of antivirus software systems and other services related to software products are defined as special way of providing intellectual services in areas of complex science projects, especially programming, projecting and realisation. The Montenegrin VAT Law prescribes for the purchase of antivirus system software and other products related to software products that are produced in a foreign country for a Montenegrin company being subject to VAT at the rate of 17% in Montenegro (country of origin of customer). The tax base is the purchase price.

In addition, according to the Corporate Income Tax Law, the taxpayer is obliged to calculate, withhold and pay withholding tax (WHT) at the rate of 9% on payments made to non-residents in respect of interest, royalties and other intellectual property rights, capital gains, lease of immovable and movable property, the fees based on consulting services, market research services and audit services.

Since the local legislation recognises computer software as special way of intellectual services, WHT is payable in the case of the transfer of antivirus software copyrights for using antivirus systems for resale or in case of its further development.

In case of the procurement of an antivirus system for a company's internal usage, there is no obligation of WHT payment.

Jelena Zivkovic (jelena.zivkovic@eurofast.eu)

Eurofast Global, Podgorica Office, Montenegro

Tel: +382 20 228 490

Website: www.eurofast.eu

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Firms are spending serious money to expand their tax advisory practices internationally – this proves that the tax practice is no mere sideshow
The controversial deal would ‘preserve the gains achieved under pillar two’, the OECD said; in other news, HMRC outlined its approach to dealing with ‘harmful’ tax advisers
Former EY and Deloitte tax specialists will staff the new operation, which provides the firm with new offices in Tokyo and Osaka
TP is a growing priority for West and Central African tax authorities, writes Winnie Maliko, but enforcement remains inconsistent, and data limitations persist
The UK tax agency has appointed six independent industry specialists to the panel
The two tax partners have significant experience and expertise in transactional and tax structuring matters
Katie Leah’s arrival marks a significant step in Skadden’s ambition to build a specialised, 10-partner London tax team by 2030, the firm’s European tax head tells ITR
Increasingly, clients are looking for different advisers to the established players, Ryan’s president for European and Asia Pacific operations tells ITR
Using tax to enhance its standing as a funds location is behind Luxembourg’s measures aimed at clarifying ATAD 2 and making its carried interest regime more attractive
Encompassing everything from international scandals to seismic political events, it’s a privilege to cover the intriguing world of tax
Gift this article