Viewpoints

2019-10-18

BVI Company Registration and Maintenance Guide (1) – Introduction to British Virgin Islands

A Long and Eventful History   The British Virgin Islands are well known in historical terms, both as a stop-over point for ships on their way to and from Europe and ‘The New World’ and as a haven for pirates, preying on those same ships throughout the latter half of the 17th century and the early part of the 18th century. The multitude of small cays and hidden coves scattered about a jewel-like sea made the islands an ideal base for those intent on mischief. Perhaps the most famous, many would say infamous, of those pirates was the British renegade Sir Henry Morgan, well known for hating not only the Spanish but the sight of both taxes and tax collectors. Maybe we can thank Sir Henry after all, could it be that the origins of the BVI’s present day ‘offshore’ status lie back with him?   Not only did those […]
2019-10-18

BVI Company Incorporation Package #BVIBC03 – Registration and Registered Agent Services and Certificate of Incumbency and Corporate Bank Account

The BVI company in this website, unless otherwise advised, refers to business company registered in British Virgin Islands in accordance with the BVI Business Companies Act 2004. This type of company is also commonly known as offshore company, international business company or tax-free company.   1. British Virgin Islands (BVI) Business Company Registration Package #BVIBC03 – Scope of Services and Fees (1) BVI Company Registration (for company with share capital of no more than 50,000 shares and without Chinese name): USD950 With a standard share capital of less than or of 50,000 shares, the registration fee together with the first-year maintenance fee is USD950. In particular, the fee covers: (a) First year license fee (b) First year registered agent and registered office (c) One complete company kit (d) Our incorporation service charge (2) Certificate of Incumbency (or CPA certification): USD150 One original Certificate of Incumbency issued by the registered agent […]
2019-10-18

BVI Company Incorporation Package #BVIBC02 – Registration and Registered Agent Services and Certificate of Incumbency

The BVI company in this website, unless otherwise advised, refers to business company registered in British Virgin Islands in accordance with the BVI Business Companies Act 2004. This type of company is also commonly known as offshore company, international business company or tax-free company.   1. British Virgin Islands (BVI) Business Company Registration Package #BVIBC02 – Scope of Services and Fees (1) BVI Company Registration (for company with share capital of no more than 50,000 shares and without Chinese name): USD950 With a standard share capital of less than or of 50,000 shares, the registration fee together with the first-year maintenance fee is USD950. In particular, the fee covers: (a) First year license fee (b) First year registered agent and registered office (c) One complete company kit (d) Our incorporation service charge (2) Certificate of Incumbency: USD150 One original Certificate of Incumbency issued by the registered agent immediately after the […]
2019-10-18

British Virgin Islands Tax Information Exchange Agreement Program

The Practicalities: what is a TIEA? A Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) is a bilateral agreement that has been negotiated and signed between two countries to establish a formal regime for the exchange of information relating to civil and criminal tax matters.   How does the BVI enter into a TIEA? The BVI either approaches a country, or is approached directly by a country, to enter discussions to conclude a TIEA. TIEAs are negotiated on the BVI’s behalf by a team of officials from the International Finance Centre, the Ministry of Finance, the Inland Revenue Department and the Attorney General’s Office, with ongoing representation from the Financial Services Commission. Once the agreements are agreed in draft form, they are considered at official level for approval by the BVI Cabinet. Once the relevant constitutional arrangements and approval processes have taken place in both countries, a ceremony takes place where the formal […]
2019-10-18

British Virgin Islands Shelf Business Company Registration Fees, Registration Procedures and Annual Maintenance Cost

The BVI company in this website, unless otherwise advised, refers to business company registered in British Virgin Islands in accordance with the BVI Business Companies Act 2004. This type of company is also commonly known as offshore company, international business company or tax-free company. 1. BVI Business Company Registration Fees (Readymade Company) BVI Company Registration Fees With a standard share capital of less than or of 50,000 shares, the registration fee together with the first-year maintenance fee is USD950. In particular, the fee covers: (1) first year license fee: USD350 (2) first year registered agent and registered office: USD400 (3) one complete company kit: USD60 (4) our incorporation service charge: USD140 For company with share capital of over 50,000 shares, the registration fee together with the first-year maintenance fee is USD1,750. In particular, the fee covers: (1) first year license fee: USD1,100 (2) first year registered agent and registered office: […]
2019-10-18

British Virgin Islands Business Company (BVI BC)

IBC – an International Business Company – is the most commonly used official name for what is more popularly known as an “offshore company”. IBC’s are the basic building blocks of the offshore financial services industry. Essentially, a modern IBC is a private corporation which is exempt from tax, suitable for virtually any international business activity, has a flexible organizational structure, is not burdened by excessive reporting and record-keeping requirements, and maintains strict confidentiality provisions. Since the adoption of the British Virgin Islands International Business Companies Ordinance in 1984, the BVI IBC has attained a model status in the offshore services industry. With more than 600,000 total incorporations and more than 5000 new companies registered every month, BVI is by far the most popular offshore tax haven. Such is the dominance of the British Virgin Islands as an offshore corporate domicile, that in many regions of the Far East International […]
2019-10-18

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (BVI) INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES (IBC) MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES

1. YOUR COMPANY KIT AND MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE RECORDS   1.1 Memorandum and Articles of Association (“M&A”) This company kit includes five copies of the M&A of which two have been stamped by the BVI Registry. Further copies are retained by the Registered Agent and the Registrar of Companies in the BVI. Any amendments to the M&A may be passed by resolution of the director(s) or shareholder(s) and must be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the BVI. Amendments are NOT effective until so filed. Kaizen Corporate Services Limited (“Kaizen”) will be pleased to assist with providing standard form amendments, with filing amendments and with re-printing the M&A on request. 1.2 Minutes and Financial Records An IBC is required to keep minutes of all meetings of directors, members, committees of directors, committees of officers and committees of members. Copies of all written resolutions consented to by the foregoing parties […]
2019-10-18

Benefits of Irish Companies

Tax Benefits Company incorporation Ireland is an attractive proposition due to low corporation tax rates (12.5%) and a current 3-year tax exempt period for new companies. For foreign investors considering setting up business in Ireland and existing organizations seeking a more tax efficient corporate base, the benefits of Irish company formation should be given serious consideration.   Ireland as a Holding Company Location As the international pressure against the use of tax haven locations intensifies, Ireland is attracting considerable attention as a holding company location of choice. The key drivers behind such moves are as follows: • The Irish tax regime provides a platform for multi-nationals to own shares in subsidiaries through Ireland without attracting an incidence of Irish tax liabilities on dividends or capital gains; • Irish holding companies are not exempt to Irish corporation tax. They can obtain the benefit of Ireland’s network of double tax treaties. Holding […]
2019-10-18

Belize Tailor-made Company Registration Procedures, Registration Costs and Annual Renewal Fees

Belize Company here refers to International Business Company (Offshore Company) registered in Belize. Belize Company Registration Procedures Step 1 You confirm and engage Kaizen to register your Belize company by either sending Kaizen an email or fax. If so requested, Kaizen will prepare and sign an engagement letter with you.   Step 2 You provide to Kaizen either by fax or scan and email the following materials: Proposed company name, either in English only or Chinese only or both; One photocopy of passport (only the page showing the particulars of the holder) and residential address of each shareholder; if any shareholder is another corporation, please provide Certificate of Incorporation and Registered Office of that corporation; One photocopy of passport (only the page showing the particulars of the holder) and residential address of each director; if any director is another corporation, please provide Certificate of Incorporation and Registered Office of that […]
2019-10-17

Belize Special Licensed IBCs

IBCs registered in Belize do not generally require licenses to operate. The following are certain business activities which would require licensing and an application to the International Financial Services Commission, the regulatory board of Belize: Formation or management of international business companies or other offshore entities Formation or management of international trusts and the provision of international trustee services International insurance services International asset protection and management International collective investment schemes (such as mutual funds, unit trusts, etc.) Money transmission services Payment processing services Trading in foreign exchange Trading in financial and commodity-based derivative instruments and other securities Money brokering Money lending and pawning or exchange Safe custody services Accounting services Brokerage, consultancy or advisory services in any of the above services
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