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OFFSHORE JURISDICTIONS
Short Jurisdiction DescriptionsANGUILLA OFFSHORE INFORMATIONCaribbean offshore jurisdiction providing the International Business Company (IBC). Legislation is similar to the Bahamas and British Virgin Islands.
BELIZE OFFSHORE INFORMATIONHighly flexible legislation with quick and efficient service. English speaking with competitive costs.
BERMUDA OFFSHORE INFORMATIONExpensive jurisdiction but with excellent reputation. Popular for Insurance companies and Shipping companies.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFSHORE INFORMATIONA BVI company provides a very cost effective offshore vehicle. This type of company can be used as a holding company or an investment company holding a bank account, it is recommended for high profile trading companies.
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 INFORMATIONDue 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 INFORMATIONBest jurisdiction, because it is not usually recognized as a tax haven jurisdiction but a reputable US jurisdiction.
GIBRALTAR OFFSHORE INFORMATIONThe Gibraltar tax exempt limited company is usually used and is useful where profits are made, e.g. if the offshore company is to be used to invest in shares or place monies on deposit in a bank or used for a trading activity, the company pays a fixed annual tax to the Government of Gibraltar and is exempt from any further taxes in Gibraltar. Excellent reputation, cost effective and bilingual (speaking English and Spanish). EU territory with special status.
GUERNSEY OFFSHORE INFORMATIONGuernsey 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.
HONG KONG OFFSHORE INFORMATION As long as no revenue arises from within the special administration region a company can avoid all taxation, although there is a requirement to file annual audited accounts with the Hong Kong tax authority.
HUNGARY OFFSHORE INFORMATIONExpensive and bureaucratic offshore jurisdiction. However in some circumstances an 'offshore' Hungarian company can take advantage of its double taxation treaty network.
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 INFORMATIONA 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.
LIBERIA OFFSHORE INFORMATIONNo longer favoured due to difficulties with the Companies Registry and inefficient Government.
LIECHTENSTEIN OFFSHORE INFORMATIONA highly respected jurisdiction, normally used for holding purposes, a company limited by shares is the most popular. Can be inflexible and expensive.
LUXEMBOURG OFFSHORE INFORMATIONA highly respected offshore jurisdiction with full European Union Membership. Usually used for holding companies wishing to make use of absence of withholding taxes.
MADEIRA OFFSHORE INFORMATIONIdeal for trading companies wishing to set up a physical presence to trade into Europe using the Free Trade Zone or to make use of Madeira's many double tax treaties. Special tax status has been granted to Madeira by the EU.
MALTA OFFSHORE INFORMATIONNot a new jurisdiction for offshore companies, but a change in the law has now made this an attractive place due to low income tax.
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 offshore jurisdiction for trading in the far east, can be expensive for non-trading entities but well respected. Has preferential double taxation treaty agreement with India. There are two types of offshore companies available, those paying a low level of tax but which can take advantage of the double taxation treaties and the offshore company. A company may register a name using Chinese symbols.
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES OFFSHORE INFORMATION Traditionally used in conjunction with The Netherlands for tax efficient routing of dividends from highly taxed countries to an offshore jurisdiction.
NEVIS OFFSHORE INFORMATIONThis 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, due to the lack of public registers. Closely follows Delaware law and useful to those familiar with this legislation.
NIUE OFFSHORE INFORMATIONSmall jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean. Little regulation or disclosure requirements.
PANAMA OFFSHORE INFORMATIONWell established finance centre with US$ denominated currency. Provides many flexible offshore vehicles together with the Panama foundation. Efficient and cost effective.
SAMOA OFFSHORE INFORMATIONA flexible legislation as with other IBC jurisdictions such as the BVI and the Bahamas. Full anonymity is guaranteed by law.
SEYCHELLES OFFSHORE INFORMATIONOne of the more recent jurisdictions to enact offshore legislation. The legislation is modelled on that used in the Bahamas.
SINGAPORE OFFSHORE INFORMATIONAs 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 INFORMATIONThere 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 divided into quota-parts where quota holders 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.
VANUATU OFFSHORE INFORMATIONSmall offshore territory near Australia. Popular for private banks and offshore car registration.
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.
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