Why Incorporate an Offshore Company?
An Offshore Company is commonly set up in a tax haven like the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Marshall Islands, Seychelles Islands, etc., where there are no corporate or personal income taxes, capital gains taxes, reporting requirements, or restrictions on company employment policies. Many companies are going global for these reasons. Corporate structuring and planning have achieved higher levels of complexity than ever before while the need for anonymity remains strong. Corporations must keep pace and be constantly on the lookout for new ways to profit. One way is to have a clear understanding of the characteristics of offshore foreign corporations, and how they may be put to advantageous use.
Offshore Companies are only applicable if you’re doing business overseas and not in the country where your offshore company was incorporated. All incomes derived in and from the incorporated country are normally taxable. For example, a company in the British Virgin Islands, doing business in the British Virgin Islands, will be required to pay taxes in the British Virgin Islands. However, if the business was done in the USA or Hong Kong, the profits are not taxable.
What is a Tax Haven?
A tax haven is normally known as a jurisdiction, which actively makes itself available for the avoidance of taxes, which would otherwise be paid in a higher tax jurisdiction. A more correct term to use would be tax mitigation or planning, because there are ways of mitigating taxes without breaking the law, whereas tax avoidance is generally classified as a crime.
Offshore Jurisdictions
Is it legal for me to have offshore companies, and bank accounts?
Yes, because most nations encourage international trade and enterprise, so there are usually no restrictions on residents doing business or having bank accounts in other countries. Reporting requirements on such accounts however, differ from country to country. Sophisticated and reputable high-net-worth individuals and corporations routinely use offshore investment vehicles worldwide.
What are the key benefits for having an offshore company?
The main reasons to incorporate offshore company are:
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Asset Protection
Protecting 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.;
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Confidentiality
Keeping 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.
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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);
Other benefits include:
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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.
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International Tax Planning
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 other regulatory costs.
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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 in high tax locations or politically unstable areas. This allows the fees to accumulate in a low tax jurisdiction.
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Conduct business 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.
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Major savings for companies that have staff working on overseas projects
Minimize tax exposure when dealing with international transactions. 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.
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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.
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Protect investments in other foreign countries
International Companies can loan funds to corporations in other foreign countries. Investors may set up, but not directly own, an offshore company that loans funds to a development company set up in another country and charge interest rates that will lower tax obligations and protect the long term ability to repatriate investment funds. This can be especially important when working in countries with strict exchange controls and high tax profiles.
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Own or lease ships or pleasure craft
Shipping companies may own or lease ships or pleasure craft and pay no taxes on income derived from the vessels. Registration fees are low and vessels are welcome in ports worldwide.
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