Features & Benefits of Offshore Incorporations

An offshore company has a variety of uses and benefits for clients wishing to engage in international financial trade and investment activities. Depending on the specific offshore jurisdiction, an offshore company may have the following features and advantages:

• Ease of Incorporation – Registration and incorporation procedures are very straightforward and, in some cases, may take only 24 - 48hrs for the process. This, of course, requires that you prepare and provide all the required documentation before submitting incorporation paperwork to the appropriate authorities.
• Minimal Fees – There are very low associated fees, after start-up costs; many jurisdictions have fees between US$200-300 per year.
• Flexible Management and Minimal Reporting Requirements – Minimal number of directors and shareholders are required. Financial reporting, account information and annual returns are also often not required or remain minimal.
• No Foreign Exchange Controls – Most all jurisdictions have no restrictions on foreign exchange.
• Favourable Local Corporate Legislation – Many offshore jurisdictions have supportive legal frameworks to promote and encourage the growth of the offshore industry and foreign investment, which supports and gives companies a high degree of flexibility.
• High Confidentiality – The details of owners, account and financial information remain confidential, though to a varying degree, depending upon the jurisdiction. Some have minimal publicly available information (Hong Kong and New Zealand), whereas in (Nevis, Panama, Seychelles) absolutely no public information is available. The availability and use of nominee shareholders and directors give total anonymity.
• Tax Benefits – Most jurisdictions offer zero to low corporate taxes, with exemption on most other taxes such as income, sales, capital gains, value added, estate, succession, gift, and stamp taxes.
• Freedom in Investment Opportunities – No limitation in regards to the business activities involved. Companies are free to engage in virtually any economic, financial or business activity. In some jurisdictions there are necessary formalities and licensing that must be obtained prior to setting up certain types of business operations (as in the case of bank, insurance, real estate industries).
• Relocation Possibilities – Many jurisdictions offer smooth transition possibilities between jurisdictions without any needed restructuring or complicated documentation.