A Nevis Foundation is a unique structure that remains quite different from your average run-of-the mill Foundation. The offshore structure is called a Nevis Multiform Foundation that was established in 2004, under the Multiform Foundation Ordinance regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission and can take on various offshore structures arrangements such as a:
-Company
-Trust
-Partnership
-or Foundation.
This gives an unparalleled level of flexibility in today's offshore environment. The Foundation is allowed to be completely owned by a non-resident and can be incorporated entirely online. The Nevis Multiform Foundation can be used for many reasons, whether that is for estate planning, family planning, charity or wealth protection.
Nevis is one of the few remaining jurisdictions that have kept its offshore financial market robust in the face of international governmental pressure. The foundations provide its owners and directors with robust security and strong confidentiality measures for themselves and their assets.
Key Corporate Features of an Offshore Nevis Foundation
| Nevis Foundation |
Corporate Details |
| General |
|
| Type of Entity |
Foundation |
| Type of Law |
English Common Law |
| Governed by |
Multiform Foundation Ordinance 2004 |
| Registered Office in Nevis |
Yes |
| Shelf company availability |
Yes |
| Our time to establish a new company |
1-2 Business days |
| Minimum government fees (excluding taxation) |
USD 300 |
| Corporate Taxation |
No |
| Access to Double Taxation Treaties |
No |
| Share capital or equivalent |
|
| Standard currency |
USD |
| Permitted currencies |
Any |
| Minimum paid up |
None |
| Usual authorized |
USD 50,000 |
| Bearer shares allowed |
Yes |
| No par value shares allowed |
Yes |
| Directors |
|
| Minimum number |
One |
| Local required |
No |
| Publicly accessible records |
No |
| Location of meetings |
Anywhere |
| Corporate directorship allowed |
Yes |
| Shareholders |
|
| Minimum number |
One |
| Publicly accessible records |
No |
| Corporate shareholder allowed |
Yes |
| Location of meetings |
Anywhere |
| Company Secretary |
|
| Required |
Yes |
| Local or qualified |
Yes |
| Accounts |
|
| Requirements to prepare |
Yes |
| Audit requirements |
No |
| Requirements to file accounts |
No |
| Publicly accessible accounts |
No |
| Recurring Government Costs |
|
| Minimum Annual Tax / License Fee |
USD 300 |
| Annual Return Filing Fee |
N/A |
| Other |
|
| Requirement to file annual return |
No |
| Migration of domicile permitted |
Yes |
Advantages & Top Uses of a Nevis Foundation
Advantages
- Complete Foreign Ownership
- Foundations do not have to pay any taxes of any kind including profits or capital gains
- Founders and beneficiaries are not in any public records
- Complete confidentiality of all books and registries protected by Nevis Law
- Foundations can choose variety of functioning as a trust, company, or partnership foundations.
- Strong asset protection and privacy clauses
- Assets of the Foundations have a separate legal identity from the owners
- A Foundation is not accountable to foreign laws
- Anonymous ownership
Top Uses
The Nevis Foundation has many uses, some of which cane be used as:
- Corporation
- Bank account
- Trust
- Investment
- Holding of physical and non-physical assets
- Estate or family planning
Nevis Foundation Corporate Details
Anonymity, Confidentiality and Disclosure
A foreign owned Nevis Foundation has complete confidentiality, list of owners, records and returns do not to be submitted and is not open to the public. Beneficial owners, directors and beneficiaries can further maintain their anonymity through the use of nominee services. While names of the corporate client, beneficial owner director, or beneficiaries are required to be filed but only to the Registered Agent who are not allowed to share information by law.
Company Shares
Companies formed in the Marshall Islands may use registered, preference, redeemable shares, with or without par value and with or without voting rights.
Financial Statements Required
There are no requirements to submit any financial statements; however, a company must keep financial statements, accounts and records of the companies business standing, financials, and records.
Director
A Nevis Multiform Foundation requires only one Director, Owner of Beneficiary who may be an individual or a corporate body, may be a resident of any country and any nationality.
Company Secretary
A Company Secretary is required. A Secretary can either be an individual or a corporate body and does not need to be local resident.
Company Meetings
Company meetings may be held anywhere in the world.
Principal Corporate Legislation
The Nevis Multiform Foundation is based on the Multiform Foundation Ordinance of 2004
Type of Law
Nevis is based on English common law
Shareholders
There be at least one (1) shareholder who may either be an individual or a corporate body, may be of any nationality and resident of any country, and may be the Director or Owner.
Trading Restrictions
A Nevis Foundation to avoid paying local taxes should conduct business outside the country, if business is conducted within the country then a 1% tax on gain is applied with a minimum of USD1,000.
Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents
English
Registered Office Required
Yes, Nevis Multiform Foundation must have a local registered office
Local Presence
There are no local requirements except for a registered office
Audit Requirements
There are no audit requirements needed
Annual Reporting
There are no annual reporting requirements for a Nevis Foundation
Shelf Companies Available
Yes, shelf companies are readily available.
Time Required to Form Offshore Company
1-2 Business days
