Jurisdictions

Typical Favorable Jurisdictions of substance (but not limited to)

EU Examples:

Cyprus Company

Cyprus

  1. Cyprus foreword (Download the PDF)
  2. Tax differences among Company types in Cyprus (Download the PDF)
  3. Cyprus International Trusts (Download the PDF)
  • One of the lowest corporation tax rate in Europe at 12.5%.
  • Only 1 director and shareholder required without restrictions on foreigners
  • Filing in English is permitted.
  • Favorable tax regime for holding companies e.g. no tax on consolidation, CFC rules
  • No taxation on inward or outward dividends and no Capital Gain Tax (CGT) on sales of securities.
  • 40 double tax treaties (DTT) with other countries.
  • Directors need not be present to open a local bank account.
  • International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

 

Malta Company

Malta

  • Corporate documents are in English
  • Although corporate income tax is subject to a flat rate at 35%, a system of tax refunds is in place so that upon dividend distribution, depending on the nature of the taxable profit, a 6/7ths, 5/7ths or 2/3rds tax refund of the corporate tax paid by the company, may be paid to the shareholder. The effective tax rate is therefore reduced to 5%.
  • Furthermore, subject to anti abuse conditions, Malta’s tax system grants a full participation exemption, with respect to dividend income derived from a participating holding and to capital gains derived from the transfer of said holding

Netherlands company

Netherlands BV

  • Liberal tax regime with an extensive network of double tax treaties
  • Obliged to register for tax and file returns
  • the minimum share capital is now only €1
  • A bank account in Holland is no longer necessary
  • It is advisable to have a Dutch registered address and the majority of Dutch resident directors in order to qualify for the minimum substance in treaty benefits
  • The share capital can be in any currency
  • Shareholders’ liability is restricted to capital contribution;
  • No nationality requirements
  • Audited accounts must be filed

UK Company

UK LTD

  • Prestige, Image & Respectability
  • Limited liability
  • Only 1 director required without residency requirements
  • Excellent infrastructure
  • Top network of double tax treaties
  • Accounting and Audit requirements
  • Fully automated
  • Flexible
  • Profit distribution


 

Why go offshore?

  • Speed
  • Anonymity
  • Less bureaucratic
  • Tax Efficient
  • Asset protection
  • Risk management
  • Cost efficient

Examples of International Business Companies (IBC):

 

Belize Company

Belize

  • Quick incorporations at low cost
  • The IBC’s offer a high degree of privacy.
  • No tax except for annual government fees which is US$100
  • Free from any reporting requirements including annual audits
  • No requirement for a company secretary
  • A bank account can be opened without the directors being present

BVI Offshore Company

BVI

  • English is the official business language
  • Fast and cost effective incorporations
  • High level of anonymity
  • No requirement to pay CGT, IHT & Withholding tax.
  • Registered or bearer shares (subject to conditions) are permitted.
  • 1 director & shareholder required of any nationality
  • Board meetings if required can be held anywhere in the world.
  • Directors can be individual or corporate bodies.
  • There is no requirement to register initial or ongoing changes in Directors and Shareholders.
  • There are lenient accounting and auditing requirements.
  • No foreign exchange controls
  • Corporate bank accounts can be opened without being present at the bank.

Liberian company

Liberian Non-Resident

   Download Liberian fact sheet

  • Corporate Law and LLC Law based on corporate laws of the US State of Delaware
  • Electronic registry allows for a 24/7 service
  • Same day incorporation and document issuance
  • No annual reporting or audits
  • No requirement to file the names of Directors, Officers or Shareholders
  • Statutorily exempt from Liberian income and withholding taxes
  • OECD White Listed
  • Independent and neutral domicile for parties in multiple jurisdictions
  • Dual language filings permitted

Seychelles Company

Seychelles

  • Seychelles IBC’s have no tax liabilities.
  • No nationality restrictions and can be 100% foreign owned
  • Only 1 director & shareholder required and can be the same person.
  • Minimal reporting requirements; no audit or tax returns required.
  • Cost efficient annual maintenance.
  • No requirement for a Secretary.
  • Very high degree of confidentiality with no public registers of directors/shareholders.
  • No requirement for annual meeting to be held in the Seychelles
  • No foreign exchange controls and funds can be easily transferred in an out of the country.

UAE Free Zones Company

UAE-RAK

  • English is widely spoken
  • 100% foreign ownership permitted
  • Only 1 director and 1 shareholder required
  • Has a good financial regulatory framework and infrastructure
  • Competitively priced
  • No restrictions on hiring manpower if required with easy access to a large pool of well-qualified, highly training professionals
  • High level of confidentiality
  • A tax free environment with no exchange controls
  • DTT network with the likes of New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Malta, France, Italy, India, Singapore, India, Germany and Finland

Other Examples: Hong Kong, Singapore, USA, Bahamas, Marshal Islands, Panama, Mauritius, Madeira…

Information on the above or any other jurisdictions are available upon request.