Most offshore jurisdictions are free from foreign exchange controls and have introduced company legislation to cater for a diverse range of international business requirements.
- Political and economic situation
- Essential corporate characteristics
- Legislation requirements
- Company law
- Double taxation avoidance treaties
- Legal and accounting infrastructure
- Communications
- Banking
- Languages
Political and Economic Situation
The pre-requisites for establishing business or private interests offshore are certainty, confidence and corporate security. In order to satisfy these requirements it is important to select a jurisdiction that provides political and economic stability.
Essential Corporate Characteristics
Most offshore and tax planning jurisdictions have made efforts to ensure that their company law satisfies the following demands:
- Limited liability
- Minimal or optional statutory filing obligations
- Low capital requirements
- Nominee shareholders allowance
- Availability of bearer shares
- Disclosure of beneficial ownership either not required or limited to special bodies (offshore authorities; central banks)
- Minimal directors liability*
- Broad range of permitted company names and suffixes to denote limited liability
- Directors and/or shareholders meetings can be held anywhere in the world
- No requirement or optional requirement for accounting records to be audited
* Directors are generally liable for the companys actions. However, in certain jurisdictions directors may seek indemnities from both the company and its beneficial owners.
Legislation Requirements
The most essential criterion is that legislation should be modern, flexible and well proven. Furthermore, the legislation should preferably guarantee confidentiality and complete privacy with regard to a clients business dealings. Nowadays there are more than 50 jurisdictions world-wide providing offshore company legislation. Some jurisdictions have introduced new and modern corporate legislation specifically designed for international business; others have amended existing domestic legislation to cater for offshore requirements.
Company Law
There are three main models of Company Law: English Common Law; European Corporate Law; US Corporate Law. Hybrid models of Company Law that are a combination of the above-mentioned models also exist. Let us consider the characteristics of these models.
English Common Law
Company Law based on English Common Law is the most frequent model for classic offshore jurisdictions. Company Law in this case is based on the UK Companies Act 1948. This Act in turn draws on earlier Acts (since 1844) and many other concepts, such as the acceptance of nominee shareholders, based on 19th century Acts. The Joint Stock Companies Act of 1856 introduced the Memorandum and Articles of Association providing incorporation by registration. Examples are the BVI, the Bahamas, Hong Kong, and Belize.
European Corporate Law
European Corporate Law is based on French Law (1864). Usually it is different for a share company (with a lower initial capital and a smaller number of subscribers) and a public company (which is allowed to issue publicly negotiable securities).
- Incorporation procedures in Civil Law jurisdictions have the following features (compared to English Common Law):
- An amount of paid-up capital must be subscribed before incorporation
- A Company statutes are essentially a contract between subscribers
- Procedures are more onerous and time consuming than in English Common
- Law countries
- Incorporation procedures are carried out by a notary
- Corporate Law in Civil Law countries demands that the responsibility of a board of directors be shared between an executive and a supervisory board
- Directors powers may be limited
- A legal reserve may be required
- Liquidation procedures are time consuming and complex
US Corporate Law
US Corporate Law was formed under the influence of both English and Civil Law. Apart from differences in language, terminology and interpretation, US Company Law differs from English Law in a number of significant ways, including:
US Corporations have officers in addition to directors
By-laws are often adopted after incorporation
Directors are often empowered to change by-laws
Company Law in Liberia, Panama and Nevis has been influenced by US Law.
Double Taxation Avoidance Treaties
The jurisdictions around the world can be divided into two groups: Treaty jurisdictions, and Non-Treaty jurisdictions.
Treaty jurisdiction
Clients wishing to benefit from relief from a double tax treaty must establish a company situated in a Treaty jurisdiction. This is essential for minimum withholding tax on dividend payments and royalties from contracting states. Treaty jurisdictions also convey a non-offshore image and thus provide cosmetic appeal.
Non-Treaty jurisdictions
This type of jurisdiction is mainly used because of the absence of corporate taxes on the companys profits and usually only requires companies to pay a fixed annual license fee.
It is important to assess the taxation implications for the business and to decide whether a treaty jurisdiction is required. Usually, a treaty jurisdiction is not required for international trade, the movement of goods or most services. However, inward investment into certain countries requires a treaty jurisdiction to minimize the impact of taxation.
Legal and Accounting Infrastructure
Administration of all offshore structures requires both legal and accounting services.
Communications
Since business must be run in an efficient manner, it is important for a jurisdiction to possess modern telecommunication facilities.
Banking
Though offshore companies can open corporate accounts anywhere in the world, it is preferable for many clients to bank in the jurisdiction where their offshore company is domiciled. The banks should be able to meet important requirements, i.e. that a comprehensive range of banking services and access to international banking facilities are available.
Languages
Running the business in English is preferable, though offshore structures are usually capable of providing multilingual services. This concerns the need to exclude any misunderstanding in respect of clients requirements.
