About Offshore
The global corporate services industry focuses on the provision of global corporate structuring and advisory services for individuals and businesses seeking to protect wealth, and/or who wish to transact beyond their own domestic borders. The provision of offshore companies, trusts and foundations and offshore banking services create a vehicle that increases tax-efficiency, improves international trade and investment, and protects assets.
The global corporate services marketplace is more intricate than many perceive it to be. Many 'onshore' jurisdictions compete by positioning their corporate fiscal and regulatory systems to appeal to the demands of mobile and tax savvy businesses and individuals. Therefore effective structuring of international business may not necessarily involve incorporation into low tax offshore jurisdictions or 'tax-havens'. Successful implementation within any jurisdiction is dependent on a wide variety of issues, often relating to matters such as:
- Corporate, income, inheritance and capital gains tax legislation
- Access to strategic markets and investments
- Access to key services and infrastructure
- Double tax avoidance
- Foreign exchange management
- Local requirements for company management
- Anti-avoidance provisions, and control tests and provisions
- Transfer pricing
- Thin capitalisation regulations
- Controlled foreign company and management participation exemptions