Those looking to take greater control of their IRA and invest their funds in a foreign jurisdiction have two primary options: they can set up an orthodox self-directed IRA with a custodian which permits offshore investing, or they can form an offshore LLC through which to invest their self-directed IRA.&nbs...
In this era of increasing globalisation and international living, more people are seeking to obtain second citizenship to expand their personal freedom and mobility. In this article, we will take a look at what it actually means to be a ‘dual citizen’, the potential benefits it can offer, and the cou...
One of the primary beneficial features of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and Corporation is that they both protect the beneficial owners from personal liability for the debts and obligations of the company. In other words, if you are the owner of an LLC, your personal assets should be protected if the co...
Many developed nations are putting increasing financial pressure on their citizens through higher personal and corporate taxes. The world is becoming more globalised, and a rise in information sharing has resulted in less financial privacy and greater vulnerability of personal assets. As a result, many...
Common Reporting Standard (CRS): Why Does It Matter?
The introduction of the CRS in 2014 brought widespread information sharing between tax authorities of a growing number of countries worldwide. It has had far-reaching and significant impacts on individual taxpayers and financial institutions alike. In this article, we provide information about wh...
Corporate Structure: What is it and How are they Managed?
Corporate structure refers to the fundamental organisation of different departments and business units within a corporate entity. The basic corporate structure of different companies varies greatly depending upon their approach, objectives, and nature of business. Corporate structure can also vary across...
The United States is one of the only nations in the world which taxes its citizens on all of their global income, regardless of where they reside and where that income was sourced. This makes it nearly impossible for US citizens to legally escape the grip of exorbitant US taxes without going so far as to re...
Holding Company Structure: How Does it Work & How to Start One
Holding companies are effective structural tools which business owners can use to protect their assets and reduce liability risks to their organisation. Holding companies have a number of important functions, such as optimising taxes, lowering investment requirements, minimising costs, and increasing effici...
Economic Substance is originally a doctrine in the United States tax law which requires that a transaction must have a substantial purpose other than simply the reduction of tax liability as well as an economic effect other than reducing taxes in order to qualify for the tax benefits that it provides. ...
Fraudulent Conveyance: Is There a Statute of Limitations?
Fraudulent conveyance is defined as an illegal or unfair transfer of assets with the intention to place them out of reach of a creditor who has a legal claim to them. It is also known as fraudulent transfer. There are two main types of fraudulent conveyance: the first is referred to as “actual fraud”. It is performed with the ...
Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) is an important term to understand if you own shares in a corporation that is registered on foreign soil. Understanding whether a corporation is considered a CFC by the IRS or your tax authority has important implications in terms of tax, reporting, and ownership require...
One of the key considerations when looking to incorporate a company is whether to form the company in an ‘onshore’ or ‘offshore’ corporate environment. Each country has its own unique financial landscape and with it, its own advantages and disadvantages. Some countries resemble a more traditional corporate environment like Canada...
Differences Between Tax Evasion, Tax Avoidance and Tax Planning
If you own a business, you generally have the right to organize it in a way that ensures you pay no more taxes than necessary. This strategy, known as tax avoidance, involves using legal means to reduce taxes. It is not the same thing as tax evasion, which is the practice of violating your country's laws a...
Offshore Gold Storage: Gold Bullion Investment in an Offshor...
Gold is one of the few physical assets has consistently increased in value over time. It remains a sound financial strategy for financial diversification as it is reliable and has a degree of trust that non-tangible assets do not have. Putting part of your savings in gold helps mitigate risk and financial ...
Tax regulations vary widely across different jurisdictions. Certain countries are well known for the numerous tax benefits which they offer for their tax residents and/or offshore companies, trusts, and other financial vehicles which are based there. These favourable jurisdictions, which offer significant t...
The United States is currently one of only two nations which taxes its citizens on all worldwide income, regardless of where it was earned and where they permanently reside. This can create an unfortunate situation for long-term US expats who are tax residents of a foreign country, whereby they may be requi...
The infamous bearer share has long been part of offshore terminology. You may have come across the concept yourself when researching offshore financial strategies. There is a bit of a taboo surrounding these instruments, as in the past they were associated with dubious acts to hide and launder money, evade ...
What is Store of Value & How to Find the Best Value Out There
To define it simply, a “store of value” is any asset which reliably maintains its value without depreciating over time and can thus be used to transfer purchasing power to the future. Some of the basic requirements for an asset to be deemed a reliable store of value include: There should be sufficient de...
Tax Obligations of Incorporating an Offshore Company in a Ta...
The International financial industry has changed dramatically in the last years since 2010 and will continue to do so. No longer are numbered Swiss Bank Accounts the norm and gone are the days of evading taxes through traditional offshore tax havens or anonymous offshore Bermuda banks accounts. ...
What is Flag Theory? Flag Theory is an offshore diversification strategy aimed at internationalizing all aspects of your life. It is about creating an offshore plan for business, banking, investments, residency, citizenship, taxes and digital footprint so that you can maximize your freedom while protecting...
Offshore Financial planning is the initial step in creating a holistic offshore strategy to take to control and protect your assets. An effective management plan ensures an asset protection strategy is implemented effectively given the circumstances and environment which will help protect your assets, reduc...
Internationalize Your Life with Offshore Diversification
Internationalizing isn't a new concept. In fact, it has been around for centuries. People have always sought out different means to increase their freedom of expression whether through lifestyle or business. Today there is more opportunity than ever to harness the power of global markets. Creating a globa...