We will explain how to choose a particular offshore finance centre. Each summary is supported by a more detailed offshore company formation data sheet. (On request)

The key features of being offshore is simple - strict secrecy and privacy. Assets are held through a vehicle in a territory where they are not subject to taxation in that jurisdiction.

Ideally and if possible, we are offering all offshore companies with appendant bank accounts in Switzerland or in Singapore by singaporean bank, according Singaporean law.

Order form for any offshore company

	Min. of directors	Min. of shareholder(s)	Requested details of directores	Details of directors open to public register?	Baerer shares	Incorporation Fee EUR	Aprox. Anual cost EUR
British Virgin Islands	1	1	name	no	permitted, but not recommended	1'950 (bank account admin. 500)	1'100 Maint. 1'950 - 2'500 Directorship
Cayman Island	1	1	+ date of birth and nationality	no	by a qualified custodian	on request (or)	or
Cyprus	1	1	+ nationality	yes	not permitted	5'200 (bank account admin. 500)	1'600 Maint. 2'600 Directorship
Guernsey	2	-	+ nationality	no	-	on request (or)	or
Singapore	1	1	+ nationality, + Singapore citizen, a permanent resident or an employment pass holder.	-	not permitted	on request (or)	or
Jersey	1	-	+ nationality	no	not permitted	on request (or)	or
Panama	3	1	+ nationality	no	permitted, but not recommended	2'600 (bank account admin. 500)	1'100 Maint. 3'000 for 3 Directorships in total
Marshall Islands	1	1	non	none (unless the names of the directors have been voluntarily filed with the Registrar of Corporations)	permitted, but not recommended	1'950 (bank account admin. 500)	700 Maint. 1'950 - 2'500 Directorship

Commercial Holding Companies Centres
These are used to provide a tax efficient route to pay dividends from a high tax jurisdiction to a low or no tax jurisdiction using a holding company as an intermediary. Suitability of the jurisdiction will depend on the provisions of a double taxation treaty between the holding company and the company from which the dividend originates. Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Switzerland would all need to be considered.

Tax Exemption Scheme For Family Owned Investment Holding Companies in Singapore
A new tax exemption scheme for family-owned investment holding companies ("FIHCs") was announced in the 2008 Budget Statement. This scheme allows FIHCs to enjoy the same scope of exemptions that individuals currently enjoy on Singapore- and foreign-sourced income. The aim of the FIHC scheme is merely to ensure that the Singapore tax treatment of an individual and a company is aligned. This scheme may however present certain planning opportunities previously unavailable.

High Disclosure Offshore Centres
British Isles of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man;. In these territories, on incorporation, the company must file the names and addresses of the directors, secretary, shareholders and its registered office together the memorandum and articles of association. Any subsequent changes to the company's officers or new share allotments or change of registered office must be notified and filed at a public registry. In addition each year the company must file an annual return summarising its share capital, names and addresses of the shareholders, names and addresses of directors, secretaries, registered office and whether there are any charges against the company etc.

Whilst this compliance adds slightly to the cost of administration it provides greater legal certainty for companies engaging in real commercial transactions. Where a third party wishes he can check at a public registry whether the company is in good standing or whether the "purported" directors are the real directors of the company and have authority to properly bind the company. Availability of this information will be important to many companies dealing with overseas customers and suppliers.


Low Disclosure Jurisdictions
These tend to be situated in the Caribbean and surrounding areas and include territories such as British Virgin Islands, Bahamas etc. Their main product is the international business company (IBC). These highly flexible and cost efficient vehicles are best used as personal companies. The lack of publicly available information can make it difficult for them to trade with overseas customers and suppliers.

Less known but not less ambitious are the Marshall Islands. A Company can have bearer shares and there are no annual filing requirements.


There are many jurisdictions to chose, we will be happy to advise within a consultation.