Susquehanna International Securities Limited (UK Branch) Tax Strategy
The Susquehanna International Group of Companies ("SIG") is a world-leading technology-empowered financial trading group. Founded in 1987, SIG has grown from an options trading firm on the floor of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange to one of the world's largest privately held financial institutions. Today, with offices around the world, SIG trades almost every major financial product and is recognised for its disciplined and quantitative trading approach and its leading-edge trading systems.
SIG's European presence was established in Ireland in 1999 and includes affiliates such as Susquehanna International Securities Limited ("SIS"), a MiFID authorised investment firm. SIS is a member of all the major European exchanges and is a leading market maker in terms of volumes traded and products covered in the listed options, futures and ETF space.
SIS pays corporate taxes, employment related taxes, stamp duties and financial transaction taxes ("FTT"), value-added taxes ("VAT") and other applicable taxes. The taxes paid represent a significant contribution to the economy and SIS is committed to complying with tax laws and having open and constructive relationships with tax authorities (the "Revenue Authorities").
The United Kingdom branch of SIS ("SIS UK Branch") was established in 2016 to provides sales support services to the operations of SIS in Ireland ("SIS Ireland"). In 2022, SIS UK Branch was expanded to include proprietary trading and investment management activities. SIS Ireland however retains responsibility for all trading activity and has the financial capacity and the skilled trading staff necessary to manage and control the risks relating to trading and market making.
The sales support services provided by SIS UK Branch include engaging with existing and potential counterparties of SIS Ireland with the aim of raising the profile of the liquidity provision capability of SIS Ireland. The SIS UK branch is a small component of the overall SIS business.
Tax Risk
SIS UK Branch has exposure to United Kingdom corporate taxes, VAT, FTT, stamp duties and employment related taxes.
Management of Tax Risk
SIS identifies, assesses, and manages tax risks and accounts appropriately. SIS employs risk management measures which include use of dedicated in-house accountants, access to SIG's tax department, and the engagement of external advisers as appropriate to assist in management of tax risk.
Governance
The board of directors of SIS (the "Board") has ultimate responsibility for the management of the affairs of the company including development and ongoing review of strategy and policies. In order to correctly manage SIS's affairs, the Board established a management committee (the "Management Committee") and delegated certain powers to the Management Committee regarding the management and oversight of SIS. The head of tax function in SIS is a member of the Management Committee and is responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures are in place, maintained, and used consistently for supporting the management of tax risk and ensuring compliance with tax law. The head of tax function in SIS is also tasked with ensuring that the tax team has the necessary skills and experience to manage tax risk and ensure tax compliance. SIS is averse to governance risk.
Tax Planning
SIS engages in tax planning in order to support its business, correctly reflect commercial activity, and adhere to relevant tax law. Transactions between group companies are conducted on an arm's-length basis and in accordance with current principles of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. External advisors are engaged as required to assist with tax planning.
Workings with Revenue Authorities
SIS seeks to build and maintain a constructive relationship with Revenue Authorities. Where possible, SIS engages with Revenue Authorities in order to achieve certainty and agreement on the tax treatment of particular events.