Liechtenstein

Financial Reporting Obligations for Companies in Liechtenstein

1. Registry for Submitting Financial Statements

In Liechtenstein, companies are required to submit their financial statements (annual reports) to the Handelsregisteramt (Commercial Register Office) (https://www.oera.li/hrweb/eng). Submissions can be made electronically via the “e-Service” portal of the Office of Justice (https://www.llv.li/en/landesverwaltung/aju).

Public Access to Financial Statements:

In Liechtenstein, financial statements of listed companies are publicly available through the SIX Swiss Exchange (https://www.six-group.com/).

However, financial reports of private companies (AG, GmbH and other non-listed entities) are not publicly accessible. Such reports are filed with the Office of Justice but are not disclosed to the general public.

2. Legal Forms Obliged to Publish Financial Statements

  • Aktiengesellschaft (AG)
    Translation: Joint Stock Company
    Notes: Must submit annual financial statements and undergo mandatory audits regardless of size.
  • Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH)
    Translation: Limited Liability Company
    Notes: Must submit annual financial statements; audits required if thresholds are exceeded.
  • Kommanditgesellschaft (KG)
    Translation: Limited Partnership
    Notes: Must submit annual financial statements; subject to audits if thresholds are exceeded.
  • Genossenschaft
    Translation: Cooperative
    Notes: Must submit annual financial statements; audit required if thresholds are exceeded.
  • Stiftung (gewerblich tätige Stiftung)
    Translation: Commercially Active Foundation
    Notes: Required to submit financial statements and undergo audit if engaged in commercial activities.
  • Anstalt
    Translation: Establishment
    Notes: Must submit annual financial statements; audits required based on size thresholds.
  • Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft
    Translation: Asset Management Company
    Notes: Obliged to submit financial statements, especially if managing client assets.
  • Zweigniederlassung einer ausländischen Gesellschaft
    Translation: Branch of a Foreign Company
    Notes: Must submit financial statements under Liechtenstein and parent company rules.

Legal Forms Not Obliged to Publish Financial Statements

  • Einzelfirma
    Translation: Sole Proprietorship
    Notes: Exempt from publishing but must maintain records for tax purposes.
  • Freie Berufe
    Translation: Independent Professionals (e.g., lawyers, freelancers)
    Notes: Not required to publish but must keep tax records.
  • Verein
    Translation: Association
    Notes: Exempt unless engaged in significant economic activity.
  • Stiftung (nicht gewerblich tätige Stiftung)
    Translation: Non-commercial Foundation
    Notes: Generally exempt unless involved in commercial activities.
  • Familienstiftung
    Translation: Family Foundation
    Notes: Exempt; used for private family purposes without commercial activity.
  • Trust reg.
    Translation: Registered Trust
    Notes: Exempt from publishing; typically used for asset protection and estate planning.

3. Companies Requiring Audited Financial Statements

Audit requirements are defined in the Revisionsstellenverordnung (Auditors Activities Ordinance) (https://www.gesetze.li/konso/2006037000). Companies must undergo audits if they exceed certain thresholds in turnover, assets, or employees.

Legal Form Audit Rule Criteria
Aktiengesellschaft (AG) Audit always required No thresholds; audit is mandatory
Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) Audit if thresholds are exceeded Turnover > CHF 10m; Assets > CHF 20m; More than 50 employees
Kommanditgesellschaft (KG) Audit if thresholds are exceeded Turnover > CHF 10m; Assets > CHF 20m; More than 50 employees
Genossenschaft Audit if thresholds are exceeded Turnover > CHF 10m; Assets > CHF 20m; More than 50 employees
Anstalt Audit if thresholds are exceeded Turnover > CHF 10m; Assets > CHF 20m; More than 50 employees
Stiftung (gewerblich tätige Stiftung) Audit if thresholds are exceeded Turnover > CHF 10m; Assets > CHF 20m; More than 50 employees
Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft Audit if thresholds are exceeded Turnover > CHF 10m; Assets > CHF 20m; More than 50 employees
Zweigniederlassung einer ausländischen Gesellschaft Depends on parent rules May follow parent rules; local thresholds can apply

4. Local Stock Exchange and Financial Statements Publication

Liechtenstein does not have its own stock exchange; listed companies usually trade on Swiss stock exchanges such as SIX Swiss Exchange (https://www.six-group.com/en/products-services/the-swiss-stock-exchange.html).

5. Deadline for Submitting Financial Statements

The deadline is generally six months after the end of the fiscal year.

6. Companies Submitting Partial Financial Statements

Small entities with turnover or assets below CHF 5m may file simplified statements.

7. Consequences for Late Submission

Fines range from CHF 1,000 to CHF 10,000; repeated non-compliance may lead to strike-off.

8. Requirements for Foreign-Owned Branches and Newly Established Companies

Foreign-owned branches must comply with Liechtenstein and parent company rules. New companies file their first reports at the end of their first fiscal year.

Sources

Source Link
Handelsregisteramt (Commercial Register Office) https://www.oera.li/hrweb/eng
Office of Justice (e-Service Portal) https://www.llv.li/en/landesverwaltung/aju
Revisionsstellenverordnung (Auditors Ordinance) https://www.gesetze.li/konso/2006037000
SIX Swiss Exchange https://www.six-group.com/en/products-services/the-swiss-stock-exchange.html
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