PLEASE SELECT AN OFFSHORE JURISDICTION |
We can provide incorporation services in many offshore jurisdictions and have information sheets readily available not only on the more popular offshore jurisdictions but also on some of the more complex and less known jurisdictions.
We have made every effort to ensure that the details contained herein are up to date and correct but it does not constitute legal or professional advice and we do not accept any responsibility, legal or otherwise for any errors or omissions.
ANGUILLA OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Caribbean offshore jurisdiction providing the International Business Company (IBC). Legislation is similar to the Bahamas and British Virgin Islands.
BAHAMAS OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Well established financial centre with highly flexible legislation. The Bahamas IBC can be used as a holding company or an investment company. The Bahamas has a well developed banking sector and is soon to offer its own stock exchange.
BELIZE OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Highly flexible legislation with quick and efficient service. English speaking with competitive costs.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFSHORE INFORMATION
For offshore companies not requiring a high profile a BVI company provides a very cost effective, flexible alternative. This type of company can be used as a holding company or an investment company holding a bank account, but is not particularly recommended for high profile trading companies seeking new clients due to the lack of public registers.
CAYMAN ISLANDS OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Well-established Caribbean jurisdiction with sophisticated legal and banking infrastructure. Can be expensive for non-trading companies. Very strict bank secrecy laws.
CYPRUS OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Due to the numerous double taxation treaties, Cyprus makes a cost effective choice for trading companies. Particularly beneficial for trade with certain Eastern European countries and Russia.
DELAWARE OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Not usually recognised as a tax haven jurisdiction but a reputable US jurisdiction.
GIBRALTAR OFFSHORE INFORMATION
The Gibraltar non-resident limited company is useful where profits are made since non Gibraltar source income not remitted to Gibraltar is not taxable in Gibraltar. Gibraltar has an excellent reputation, is a cost effective bilingual (English and Spanish).jurisdiction within the EU but with special status.
GIBRALTAR TRUST INFORMATION
Gibraltar is also an excellent jurisdiction for trusts. After nearly 300 years of British rule it can truly be said to be an anglicised trust jurisdiction with both lawyers and judges being well versed in trust law.
GUERNSEY OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Guernsey is somewhat overshadowed by its neighbour Jersey. Guernsey provides a base for many of the world's respected financial institutions. This type of offshore company can be used for all types of purposes including investment and holding. Disclosure of the beneficial owners is required to the Guernsey authorities.
ISLE OF MAN OFFSHORE INFORMATION
For trading companies, a popular choice with good infrastructure and respectability. The exempt company being the most popular. It is exempt from taxes in the IOM. An Isle of Man company can register for VAT. There is no requirement to disclose the name of the beneficial owner to the Isle of Man authorities.
JERSEY OFFSHORE INFORMATION
A highly respected offshore jurisdiction suitable for all types of companies such as high profile trading companies or investment companies. Can be expensive. Disclosure of the beneficial owner to the Jersey authorities is required.
LABUAN OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Labuan is a region in Malaysia which has special tax status. It is a suitable credible location in Asia with less Bureaucracy than Hong Kong.
LIECHTENSTEIN OFFSHORE INFORMATION
A highly respected jurisdiction, normally used for holding purposes, a company limited by shares is the most popular. Can be inflexible and expensive.
LUXEMBOURG OFFSHORE INFORMATION
A highly respected offshore jurisdiction with full European Union Membership. Usually used for holding companies wishing to make use of absence of withholding taxes.
MALTA OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Malta became a member of the EU on 1st May 2004 and is therefore an attractive jurisdiction with low taxation for non-resident taxpayers.
MARSHALL ISLANDS OFFSHORE INFORMATION
For companies not requiring such a high profile a Marshall Island company provides a very cost-effective, flexible alternative. This type of company can be used as a holding company or an investment company but is not particularly recommended for high profile trading companies seeking new clients due to the lack of public registers.
MAURITIUS OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Ideal jurisdiction for trading in the Far East, Africa and India. Has preferential double taxation treaty agreement with India. There are two types of companies available, those paying a low level of tax but which can take advantage of the double taxation treaties and the offshore company which cannot. A company may register a name using Chinese symbols.
NEVIS OFFSHORE INFORMATION
This type of offshore company can be used as a holding company or an investment company but is not particularly recommended for trading companies where new clients are sought, dut to the lack of public registers. Closely follows Delaware law and useful to those familiar with this legislation.
NEW YORK LLC OFFSHORE INFORMATION
New York is the centre of commerce and New York city together with London is the most important financial centre in the world. It is therefore a prestigious location with good image. The disadvantage is that formation is slow, taking 3-6 weeks.
NEW ZEALAND OFFSHORE INFORMATION
English speaking common law jurisdiction with well developed professional infrastructure. A New Zealand company when acting as trustee of a trust for a non-New Zealand settlor and beneficiaries and has non New Zealand source income then it avoids charge to tax in New Zealand.
OKLAHOMA OFFSHORE INFORMATION
US jurisdiction with an efficient and quick companies registry. There are no annual filings at the registry and there is no annual State franchise tax.
OREGON OFFSHORE INFORMATION
The United States is a reputable jurisdiction which does not carry an 'offshore label'. It is not specifically recognised as a tax haven jurisdiction. It is ideal for holding companies and trading companies. he most popular type of company is the LLC (Limited Liability Company) as this can be structured to avoid charge to US taxation.
PANAMA OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Well established finance centre with US$ denominated currency. Provides many flexible offshore vehicles together with the Panama foundation. Efficient and cost effective.
SAMOA OFFSHORE INFORMATION
A flexible legislation as with other IBC jurisdictions such as the BVI and the Bahamas.Full anonymity is guaranteed by law.
SEYCHELLES OFFSHORE INFORMATION
One of the more recent jurisdictions to enact offshore legislation. The legislation is modelled on that used in the Bahamas.
SINGAPORE OFFSHORE INFORMATION
As long as no revenue arises from within Singapore or is remitted to the republic, a company can avoid taxation in Singapore. This is a well regulated jurisdiction and therefore running costs are high.
SWITZERLAND OFFSHORE INFORMATION
There are two main types of companies, the company limited by shares - AG/SA - requires the minimum amount of CHF 100,000 of which 20% of the registered share capital but at least CHF 50,000 must be paid up before incorporation. The partnership limited by quota-parts - GmbH/Sarl - is an association whose capital of at least CHF 20,000 of which at least 50% must be paid before incorporation is devided into quota-parts where quotaholders state how much of a share they take in the company.
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS OFFSHORE INFORMATION
One of the first Caribbean jurisdictions to offer offshore companies. No longer as popular due to the lack of marketing, but suitable for a holding company or an investment company.
UNITED KINGDOM OFFSHORE INFORMATION
A popular jurisdiction due to its Common Law base
and relative cheapness compared to other European trading nations.
A UK company where trading outside the UK can be sheltered from
UK taxation when acting in an agency or broker capacity.
The UK has now introduced The
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) and whilst having corporate
characteristics and legal capacity in its own right, trading income
is taxed like a partnership. Therefore if owned by non-UK tax payers
and has no source income it falls outside charge to UK tax.
VANUATU OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Small offshore territory near Australia. Popular for private banks.
WYOMING OFFSHORE INFORMATION
Not usually recognised as a tax haven jurisdiction. It is ideal for holding companies or trading companies. The most common type of company is the LLC (Limited Liability Company) since this can be structured to avoid charge to US taxation.
