TriRefund – Withholding Tax Recovery

Reclaiming foreign withholding tax is often an obstacle course: multiple paper forms, language barriers and endless refund delays.

A tax revolution under way

The European Union has adopted the FASTER Directive (Faster and Safer Relief of Excess Withholding Taxes), which aims to digitise, harmonise and drastically speed up refund procedures for withholding tax on dividends and interest.

When does it happen?

Member States have until end-2028 to transpose the directive, with effective entry into force on 1 January 2030.

Financial players are already preparing today.

The 3 pillars of the FASTER revolution

1. The digital tax-residence certificate (eTRC)

No more paper. A single electronic certificate, issued within 14 days, recognised across the entire EU.

2. Certified Financial Intermediaries (CFI)

A national register of certified financial institutions, entitled to manage requests on your behalf far more smoothly.

3. Guaranteed "fast-track" procedures

The directive imposes two fast methods:

Relief at Source: the correct tax rate is applied directly when the dividend is paid.
Quick Refund: excess tax paid must be refunded within a strict 60-day deadline.

What should you do today?

Private investors

Keep optimising your portfolios and reclaiming your current taxes. Money left on the table today is lost for good.

Financial intermediaries (managers, family offices)

Start auditing your client data and custody chain. CFI status will require an upgrade of your reporting systems.

Get ready for the FASTER Directive