BENEFITS OF A TAX HAVEN COMPANY
A tax haven is a place of sanctuary or safety against tax liability. Many businesses and individuals find establishing a tax haven company beneficial. Among the reasons cited are:
1) Asset Protection
Protect assets in combination with a Trust, an offshore company can avoid high levels of income, capital and death taxes that would otherwise be payable if the assets were held directly. It can also protect assets from creditors and other interested parties. From competitors, adverse claimants and other parties from whom you wish to keep your business interests private and to secure against future claims such as bankruptcy, judgment creditors and other litigants, etc.;
2) Confidentiality
Keep business affairs confidential. Offshore Companies offer complete privacy. If the company shares are held by a Trust, the ownership is legally vested in the trustee, thus gaining the potential for even greater tax planning advantages.
Estate Planning Family and Protective Trusts (possibly as an alternative to a Will) for accumulation of investment income and long-term benefits for beneficiaries on a favorable tax basis (without income, inheritance or capital gains taxes);
3)Simplify the transfer of assets and properties held in several countries:
The sale or probate of properties in different countries can become complex and expensive. If an offshore company collectively holds these, ownership can be transferred by company shares rather than transferring the actual properties owned by the company.
4)International Tax Planning and Conduct business without corporate taxes:
Tax havens, such as British Virgin Islands, allow the formation of International Companies that have no tax or reporting responsibilities. This means you save money not only from the absence of corporate taxes, but also from reduced compliance and other regulatory costs. Reduce payroll and travel expense administration: Allow employment or consultancy fees to accumulate in a low tax area: Offshore corporations can contract the services of professionals to employers resident in high tax locations or politically unstable areas. This allows the fees to accumulate in a low tax jurisdiction.
5) Operate as an International Entity
International Companies have the same rights as an individual person and can make investments, buy and sell real estate, trade portfolios of stocks and bonds, and conduct any legal business activities so long as these are not done in the country of registration. Offshore Companies set up offshore need not pay social security, withholding tax, or associated expenses of employees working in other foreign countries.
6)Savings for Companies
An offshore corporation can buy or lease products from one country and then sell or lease them to a company in another country so the profits of the transaction are accumulated in the offshore company where there is no taxation on profits. Maximize profits from intellectual property rights, franchising and licensing: An offshore company can franchise or license intellectual property rights in other foreign countries allowing the profits to accumulate in a tax-free environment.
6)Protection of Investment
Companies in foreign countries may obtain a loan from international companies. The investor can open an offshore company to lower tax obligations and protect long term ability to repatriate investment funds.
JURISDICTIONS
We offer offshore company incorporation for the following jurisdictions:
SEYCHELLES ISLAND OFFSHORE COMPANY
Seychelles is situated in the Indian Ocean with a population of 80,000. It is one of the fastest IBC (International Business Company) registrar in the world with the most comprehensive, modern and attractive approach to the establishment and operation of offshore companies, banking, and insurance. This jurisdiction offers total confidentiality and anonymity and is recommended for high profile trading operations. It has an excellent up-to-date telecommunications network and advanced professional and technological infrastructures.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEYCHELLES INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANY
Factor |
Description |
Income tax and business tax in Seychelles |
None |
Conduct business internationally |
Yes |
Conduct business within Seychelles |
No |
Formally considered as resident in Seychelles |
No |
Official language / language of documents |
English |
Operational objects |
General clause, may be specified as required |
Minimum paid-up capital |
No minimum requirements |
Optimum amount of authorized capital (maximum amount at minimum Government fee) |
No limitation |
Government license fee |
USD 100 |
Considerations to the capital |
In any currency or in kind |
Bearer shares |
Not allowed |
Minimum number of directors |
One |
Minimum number of Members (shareholders) |
One |
Non-resident directors |
Allowed |
Corporate directors |
Allowed |
Registered Agent and Address in Seychelles |
Required |
Register of Directors |
To be kept by the Registered Agent |
Register of Members |
To be kept by the Registered Agent |
Register of Members filed for public record |
No |
Disclosure of beneficial owners to Registrar |
No |
Disclosure of beneficial owners to Registered Agent |
Yes (confidential due diligence) |
Holding of Annual General Meeting |
Not required |
Convention of Meetings of Directors / Members |
Anywhere in the world, also by proxy |
Corporate Minutes and Resolutions |
To be kept by the Registered Agent |
Corporate Seal |
Not required |
Keeping of accounting records |
Required |
Auditing of financial accounts |
Not required |
Filing of financial accounts |
Not required |
Access to double-tax avoidance treaties |
Not available to IBC´s |
Subject to currency controls / restrictions |
No |
Redomicile a foreign company into Seychelles |
Yes |
Redomicile a Seychelles company abroad |
Yes |
Net time to incorporate |
1-2 business days |
|
|
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFSHORE INCORPORATION
British Virgin Islands is situated in the Atlantic Ocean and only 96 Km East of Puerto Rico with a population of 25,000. It is the leading offshore jurisdiction with over 750,000 offshore companies incorporated since 1984. The government has strengthened and enhanced legislation to prohibit the formation of offshore banks on the Island and has in return reduced money laundering activities greatly. As a result of its highly flexible and modern legislation BVI has become extremely popular in the offshore market.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BVI BUSINESS COMPANY
Factor |
Description |
Income tax in BVI |
None |
Conduct business internationally |
Yes |
Conduct business within BVI |
Yes |
Formally considered as resident in BVI |
Yes |
Official language / language of documents |
English |
Operational objects |
No requirement to specify |
Authorized capital |
Not required as a concept |
Minimum paid-up capital |
No specific requirements |
Considerations to the capital |
In any currency or in kind |
Most effective number of shares
(maximum amount at minimum state fee) |
50,000 shares (with or without par value) |
Bearer shares |
Yes (but to be held by a custodian only) |
Registered Agent in BVI |
Required |
Registered Address in BVI |
Required |
Minimum number of directors |
One |
Non-resident directors |
Allowed |
Corporate directors |
Allowed |
Register of Directors |
To be kept by the Registered Agent |
Register of Directors filed for public record |
No, but may choose to do so |
Minimum number of Members (shareholders) |
One |
Register of Members |
To be kept by the Registered Agent |
Register of Members filed for public record |
No |
Holding of Annual General Meeting |
Not required |
Convention of Meetings of Directors / Members |
Anywhere in the world, also by proxy |
Corporate Seal |
Mandatory |
Imprint of Corporate Seal |
To be kept by the Registered Agent |
Corporate Minutes and Resolutions |
To be kept by the Registered Agent |
Disclosure of beneficial owners to Registrar |
No |
Disclosure of beneficial owners to Agent |
Yes (confidential due diligence) |
Keeping of accounts |
Internally, only to enable a reasonably accurate determination of financial position |
Auditing of accounts |
Not required |
Filing of accounts |
Not required |
Double-tax avoidance treaties |
Switzerland, Japan |
Currency controls / restrictions |
None |
|
|
Available special types of company |
Restricted purpose company
Segregated portfolio company |
Redomicile a foreign company into BVI |
Yes |
Redomicile a BVI company abroad |
Yes |
|
|
Net time to incorporate |
3-5 days |
Ready-made (shelf) companies |
Available |
Mauritius
Republic of Mauritius is located in the Southwest Indian Ocean in the coast of Aftrica. The Republic of Mauritius includes the islands of Rodriques, Agalega, and St. Brandon. Mauritius has developed a good reputation as a tax haven. Offshore services such as offshore banking and banking services, insurance, the registration of ships and vessels, investment fund management and the incorporation of Mauritius Global Business Company Category II (GBCII) or offshore company. Minimal and flexible statutory requirements and low government fees make this corporate vehicle very attractive and inexpensive
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAURITIUS BUSINESS COMPANY
GENERAL |
|
Location of Jurisdiction |
Mauritius – Indian Ocean |
Official Language |
English |
Political Stability |
Excellent |
EU Savings Tax Directive Applies |
No |
Corporate Taxes |
None |
Disclosure of Beneficial Owner |
Yes, but Nominees may be used. |
Requirement to File Accounts with Government |
No |
Time to Incorporate |
3-4 business days plus document issuance time. Note that if the company documents are to be apostilled this can add an extra week or more to the process. |
|
|
CORPORATE |
Type of Offshore Company |
Global Business Company – Category 2 |
Type of Law |
Common Law for corporate matters. |
Registered Office/Agent |
Required by Law |
Change of Domicile |
Allowed |
Shelf Companies Available |
Yes |
Language of Documents |
English |
Chinese Characters Allowed |
Yes |
|
|
DIRECTORS |
|
Eligibility Any person or company of any nationality |
Minimum Number of Directors |
One. Can be a person or a company. |
Disclosure to Authorities |
Yes, but Nominees can be used |
Residence Required |
May Reside Anywhere |
Local Director Required |
No |
Nominee Director Available (Recommended) |
Yes. Provided by Maritime International Ltd |
Location of Meetings |
Anywhere |
|
|
COMPANY SECRETARY |
|
Secretary Required: Optional |
Local Secretary Required |
No |
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS |
|
Minimum Number of Shareholders: One |
Eligibility |
Any person or company of any nationality. |
Disclosure to Authorities |
Yes, but Nominees can be used. |
Nominee Shareholders Available |
Yes. Provided by Maritime International Ltd |
Annual Shareholders Meeting |
Required |
|
|
SHARES |
|
Minimum Number of Shares : One |
Maximum Number of Shares |
Unlimited |
Bearer Shares Permitted |
No |
Classes of Shares Permitted |
|
|
|
SHARE CAPITAL |
|
Permitted Currencies : Any except RS (local currency) |
Minimum Paid Up Share Capital |
US $1.00 |
Maximum Share Capital |
Unlimited |
Recommended Share Capital |
US$1,000 |
Requirement to be Paid Up |
Yes |
|
|
ACCOUNTS |
|
Keep Accounts/Company Books : Yes |
Audited Accounts Required |
No |
File Accounts with Government |
No |
File Annual Return |
No |
Bank Account Location |
Anywhere |
Exchange Controls |
No |