. Offshore companies may bring a number of benefits to individuals or companies. So what are the advantages of offshore companies? Well, like offshore trusts, they are a way of distancing yourself from your assets and the more significant and widespread your assets are then the more useful an offshore company may prove to be. Taxation - business may be structured so that profits are realized in ways that minimize their overall tax liability. Simplicity - except for regulated businesses, such as banks or other financial institutions, some jurisdictions make it relatively simple to set up and maintain companies. Reporting - the level of information required by the registrar of companies varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Asset protection - it is possible to organize assets and transactions in such a way that assets are shielded from future liabilities. Anonymity - by carrying out transactions in the name of a private company, the name of the underlying principal may be kept out of documentation. Having said that, current anti-money laundering regulations often require banks and other professionals to look through structures. Thin-capitalisation - offshore jurisdictions tend not to impose "thin-capitalisation" rules on companies (except for regulated entities such as banks and insurance companies, allowing them to be formed with a purely nominal equity investment.
Preparation, registration and management of offshore companies and offshore trusts; processes and facilitates the registration of shipping vessels. Privately held company which provides global company incorporation services to clients in the Bahamas, BVI, Belize, Bermuda, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Nevis, Seychelles, Panama and St. Vincent. Each offshore tax haven has different strengths and weaknesses with which we are intimately familiar, and so can make appropriate recommendations in respect of your stated objectives. Offshore Trusts should not be used for tax saving purposes for most people; however, they still have powerful tax-neutral asset protection benefits and depending on your permanent residency, have exceptional estate planning attributes for holding family wealth safely and securely from creditors, litigation or other attacks.
We provide offshore company registration services and the subsequent support required for their smooth operation and maintenance. Such services include provision of the registered address, agent and resident secretary, provision of company management and administration services, offshore bank account introductions, mail forwarding, custody of documents, preparation of corporate documentation, general administration and a range of further. As a regulated offshore service provider, we are required to comply with strict standards of staff competence, quality of the internal procedures and accountability. If you have an idea for a business, we can also assist you in start-up your new business directly in offshore countries from the ground up. Let us know how we can help.
Choose one of the following packages that will best serve you:
Further information
Coddan offshore company formation agent, we help with whether you are a professional offshore company incorporation agent, starting offshore business online, tax-haven corporation formations agent, for whom zero-tax limited company creation is a frequent activity or an individual ordering your first off-shore company registration. We are providing offshore holding company set-up. We offer online incorporation BVI, setting business corporation British Virgin Islands, starting-up company Delaware, Low-Tax and Zero-Tax LTD registrations services. Check international business companies establishment costs, offshore jurisdiction company, business incorporation Offshore, Florida, Gibraltar, Nevis, company organization package. Provides offshore virtual office, Panama, Seychelles, mail-forwarding. Learn about forming offshore IBC benefits, incorporating IBC offshore advantages. Starting international business company incorporator agent. Registering LLC offshore, setting branch office - Coddan provides subsidiary offshore company registrations, Guernsey companies incorporator, Jersey firm law registration, Isle of Man holding company, offshore real-estate, flat management company, resident agent, local registered agent, incorporate Nevada, Texas, starting a business.
Nominee company secretary, nominee director service, shareholders agreement, nominee shareholder. Argentina, Spain, Uruguay, Costa Rica and Delaware company set-up. Coddan offers internet offshore banking with online offshore bank accounts opening services in the best offshore tax havens in the world.
Start your own business offshore, business start up advise, how to start a small business, law firm, lawyers, offshore based, registering agent, resident agent, learn how-to incorporate. Readymade company, shelf companies, ready-made LTD, aged company for sale, and foreign company registrar. PLC public company creation package, forming Guarantee Company, registering guarantee companies, forming LLP partnership or registering offshore LLP, setting LLP OFFSHORE. Start a company by incorporating or forming an off-shore LTD, PLC or LLP at Coddan. Learn about incorporation & how to establish your business online. Whether you incorporate online, open corporation England or form tax-free corporation, we can help you understand the low-tax incorporation process for filing.
Incorporate or Form an LLC - Online! Offshore company formation, limited company formations & registration, electronically lodge online, multi award winning system, very easy and informative. In addition to British limited company formation we offer trademark registration, shareholder agreements, telephone answering, virtual office and company searches for limited companies. Information to help start, grow or manage a small business. If you are starting a business or starting own business, nominee director, nominee secretary, rush incorporation. Home business and small business training and ideas site to help you start, grow, and expand home based business or search for the work at home job right. An outline of the general steps for incorporation in Great Britain, explaining how to setting your business, from choosing where to establish your business. Offshore companies, offshore banking, asset protection trusts. Full service offshore provider specializing in offshore company formation and management.
We are specialized in starting up and managing Cyprus International Business Companies (IBCs).
Cooperating with the best lawyers, accountants and auditors, we always achieve the best value for money for our clients. Our packages include registration as well as coverage of the annual fee, so there will be no surprises for you at the end of the year. At Coddan, services you would have to pay extra for elsewhere are included. We are always interested in long-term cooperation - as management consultants, we are always on your side on your way to success.
When you decide on offshore incorporation to set-up an offshore company, company formation off-shore, you need to complete the on-line questionnaire form. Services for offshore trusts and offshore structures. Incorporation of offshore and onshore companies registration and bank establishment. Setting offshore companies and offshore shelf companies - incorporate an offshore company or shelf company online. Offshore company management services and registered agent. Starting business off-shore, registering tax-free corporation, zero-tax company formations. Tax haven company registration, incorporate company offshore, setting company, establish business, start-up business offshore jurisdiction, trust incorporation, incorporating foundation, limited LTD formation, setting-up limited company offshore, establish off-shore trust, creation company online, starting business offshore.
Registering legal entity offshore, LLC formation, setting business, starting-up registrations, company offshore establishment, forming IBC company, incorporator agent, registering LLC, business start up. Readymade company, shelf companies, ready-made company, aged company for sale, small business start up, what incorporated companies, register limited company LLC offshore. Legal structure a business chooses is nominee secretary, nominee director, Apostille legalisation, nominee shareholder service.
Incorporation of offshore corporations in Panama, Dominica and Seychelles online with offshore banking services. Our services include incorporation of your offshore company, provision of registered address, agent and secretarial services, company management (directors and officers), bank account introductions and communications services. Our services incorporate sales of real estate in Southern Spain, advice on all purchasing issues including financial and legal.
The following is applicable only to Panama, BVI and Belize. All other jurisdictions have different procedures which will make extremely cumbersome to explain here.
It is not necessary that the client comes our offices for this purpose. Like their domestic cousins Offshore/Tax Exempt companies are totally separate legal entities to any individual that may own them. This very simple fact allows an offshore company despite the fact that its owner(s) may live thousands of miles away to be subject to the laws and taxes of the place where it has been registered and/or managed in the case of non-resident companies. Therefore, if the jurisdiction of your choice has no corporate taxes then your company will have no tax obligations although obviously your personal tax position might be different.
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your offshore company from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is US$50,000 divided into 50,000 shares valued at no par value or US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for Business Company name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in the British Virgin Islands) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of Incorporation from the companies registrar usually takes as little as two to three days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company: -
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
A completed register of directors and shareholders;
Share certificates;
Company seal.
BVI Limited Partnership Establishment
£ 1,185
Annual Maintenance Fee £950.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your offshore limited partnership from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of a general and limited partners;
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for limited partnership name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the partnership agreement of your partnership;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in the British Virgin Islands) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The formation of a limited partnership usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the companies registrar usually takes as little as two to three days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore limited partnership: -
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the partnership agreement of your limited partnership;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of partners;
A completed register of partners;
Membership certificates;
Limited partnership seal.
Bahamas IBC Incorporation
£ 1250.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £400.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your offshore international business company from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and two shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is US$50,000 divided into 50,000 shares valued at US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for international business company (IBC) name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in the Bahamas Islands) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The formation of an international business company usually takes as little as fifteen to twenty working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the companies registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company: -
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
A completed register of directors and shareholders;
Share certificates.
Belize IBC Registration
£ 450.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £270.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your offshore Belizean company from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is US$50,000 divided into 50,000 shares valued at no par value or US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for international business company (IBC) name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in Belize) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the Certificate of Incorporation from the companies registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company: -
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
A completed register of directors and shareholders;
Share certificates.
Gibraltar LTD Formations
£ 735.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £400.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your offshore non-resident company in Gibraltar from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is £2,000 divided into 2,000 shares valued at no par value or £1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for non-resident company name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in Gibraltar) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The formation of a private non-resident company usually takes as little as five to eight working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the companies registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company: -
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
A completed register of directors and shareholders;
Share certificates.
Cyprus LTD Creation
£ 1250.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £600.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your private limited company in Cyprus from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary, and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is €1,000 divided into 1,000 shares valued at no par value or €1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for limited company name availability, confirmation, and reservation, which usually takes as little as five to seven days;
The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association of your company (in English & Greek languages);
A local registered office address in Nicossia (which is statutory requirement in Cyprus) for 12 months is included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);
The formation of a private company limited by shares usually takes as little as fifteen to twenty days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the companies registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy legalised with an official apostille of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your company: -
The original xertificate of incorporation (both in English & Greek);
A bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association of your company (both in English & Greek);
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors (both in English & Greek);
A completed register of directors and shareholders (both in English & Greek);
Share certificates;
Company seal.
Nevis LLC Incorporations
£ 500.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £325.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your offshore Nevis LLC from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of members, and operating manager;
The standard capital on formation is US$10,000 divided into 10,000 units valued at no par value or US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the units issued, but a minimum of one unit must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for limited liability company (LLC) name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the operating agreement of your company;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in Nevis) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The formation of a limited liability company usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the companies registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company: -
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the operating agreement of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of members;
A completed register of members;
Membership certificates.
Nevis NBCO Setting-Up
£ 500.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £325.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your offshore Nevis business company from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is US$10,000 divided into 10,000 shares valued at no par value or US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for Nevisian business company (NBCO) name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the by-laws of your company (company's constitution);
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in Nevis) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The formation of a business company usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the companies registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company: -
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the by-laws of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
A completed register of directors and shareholders;
Share certificates.
Seychelles IBC Registrations
£ 510.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £290.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your offshore Seychelles company from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is US$100,000 divided into 100,000 shares valued at no par value or US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for international business company (IBC) name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in Seychelles) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The formation of an offshore company usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the companies registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company: -
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
A completed register of directors and shareholders;
Share certificates.
St. Vincent IBC Creations
£ 650.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £450.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your offshore Saint Vincent company from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is US$50,000 divided into 50,000 shares valued at no par value or US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The government and initiation fees for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The search for international business company (IBC) name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The preparation and submission of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
A local registered office address and a local registered agent (both of which are statutory requirements in St. Vincent) for 12 months are included in the price of this package (our registered agent & office address service are charged annually);
The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as two to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive an original of the certificate of incorporation from the companies registrar usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation.
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your offshore company: -
The original certificate of incorporation;
A bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association of your company;
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors;
A completed register of directors and shareholders;
Share certificates.
Hong Kong LTD Start-Up
£ 660.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £500.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration of your private company limited by shares from scratch using our own registered office address, our local nominee secretary, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of directors, and shareholder;
The standard capital on formation is HK$10,000, this is divided into 10,000 ordinary shares valued at HK$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);
The formation of a private limited company usually takes as little as seven to ten business days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;
The provision of a registered office address in Hong Kong for 12 months is also included in the price of this package (our registered office address service is charged annually);
The provision of a nominee secretary for 12 months as well is included in the price of this package (our nominee secretary service is charged annually);
The following hard bound copy of corporate documents, will be posted to you upon formation of your company: -
An original of the certificate of incorporation of your company (in English & Chinese);
Six hard bound copies of the memorandum and articles of association (both in English & Chinese);
A hard bound copy of the minutes of the first meeting of directors (in English only);
Share certificates, and your company register of directors, secretary and shareholders (in English only);
One rubber stamp & one plier seal of your company are moreover included into the price of this package.
Panamanian Corporation Settings-Up
£ 650.00
Annual Maintenance Fee £370.00
This is our most popular package with international customers, and includes: -
The search for corporate name availability, confirmation, and reservation;
The payment of initiation fees and government fee for incorporation are included in the price of this package;
The provision of a registered agent and registered office address in Panama for 12 months are also included in the price of this package (our registered agent and provision of a registered office address service are charged annually);
The registration of your corporation from scratch using our own registered agent and registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the role of directors and shareholders;
The preparation and filing of the by-laws (company's constitution) and articles of incorporation of your corporation;
The standard capital on formation is US$10,000, this is divided into 10,000 ordinary shares valued at US$1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued). Contributions may include any type of asset - cash, property, services rendered, or a promissory note or other obligation;
The formation of a corporation usually takes as little as three to five working days from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;
To receive a recorded copy of the articles of incorporation and by-laws usually takes as little as one to two days from the time of incorporation;
The following documents will be posted to you upon formation of your corporation: -
The original articles of incorporation (in English & Spanish);
A bound copy of the by-laws of your corporation (in English only);
The minutes of the first meeting of the board of directors (in English only);
A completed register of directors and shareholders (in English only);
Looking for a quality information & practical guidance regarding how to start your own business offshore, how to get your tax-free company set-up and running, how to select the best type of an offshore business form, how to register offshore private corporation; and need a small business start-up advice? Need an offshore business company formation agent with the prompt service and expert advice? Are you looking to set-up a small business in Anguilla, Belize, or BVI (British Virgin Islands)? Do you want to register your business in Cyprus, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Mauritius, Nevis, or Panama, Marshall Islands, Malta, UAE (Dubai and Jebel Ali)? Have an idea for a business and want to start an offshore limited company now?
On our web-site, you can get information on choosing and registering the right legal offshore structure for your business, legal tips on day-to-day business operations, and much more. If you have an idea for starting a business, offshore we can assist you and provide a higher standard of support for starting-up a business and registering a company offshore online directly from the ground up. The better the company's structure is prepared upon registration, the better the results that will be achieved later. It is our job to assist in evaluating the options available at the beginning. In addition, we offer services regarding the formation of offshore companies. Register your new inexpensive offshore company with us, and enjoy the full support of an excellent and fully trained team.
Why Incorporate Offshore?
Simpler business administration - depending on the offshore jurisdiction and the type of business activity to be conducted under the company name to be registered, the operating restrictions, accounting requirements and standards to which the business and its directors must adhere are often far less restrictive offshore than onshore. Tax saving – the reduction in taxation liability is one of the main benefits associated with investing offshore, opening an offshore bank account or incorporating a company offshore. Asset protection - by operating a business company offshore, i.e., outside the jurisdiction in which the company operates, it is sometimes possible to position assets away from the reach of any potential litigious action and also to shield business transactions from the eyes’ of the competition. Properly devised, an offshore strategy can offer many advantages. You can legally decrease your tax burden, protect your assets, enjoy a high level of anonymity, and provide your company with a competitive advantage. The exact benefits available to you and your company will depend greatly on nationality, location, entity type, and a host of other factors; it is for this reason that it is recommended that you seek professional advice before registering your company.
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Incorporate Offshore Company: What We Can Do For You
Coddan is the firm with many years experience in assisting clients with business formations in the UK (England, Wales, and Scotland), Ireland (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland), USA, and as well as with the formation of offshore companies, offering in most circumstances the online offshore company incorporation. Our expert knowledge and extensive experience of setting-up of business and offshore companies' structures has made us possible to provide the professional, prompt, and efficient service.
Our team of consultants will be pleased to assist with your enquiries related to establishing and maintaining international business companies, tax-free limited liability companies and partnerships or creating complex offshore corporate legal structures. On our web-site, you will find a number of useful tips and information, downloadable documents, which may help you to learn what to take into consideration when deciding among public companies, offshore private limited liability companies, LLPs, limited partnerships and other structures.
We provide different packages with the different options depending on your business needs; each package offers the complete formation of an offshore limited company, which is usually ready to commence trading within couple of days. Our offshore incorporation packages offer the perfect results for those people who are taking the first step into the business or smaller companies whose budget won't stretch to bespoke business solutions, there are no dumbfounds and no hidden charges, - what you see is what you pay! We can also assist clients with the special needs or requirements, we could make a tailor made package that would suit your personal needs and wants. If you choose us as your corporate service provider, you will almost immediately realise that our team of proficient advisors, is your own dedicated support team.
Company registration documents submitted electronically, which allows us to offer you a timesaving service and eliminate the necessity to complete the paper forms, sign them by your company officers, and certify by a solicitor or notary public.
We are a company formation and business administration firm offers a comprehensive range of starting business solutions, corporate, legal, and tax advice. Since 1993, we have developed an excellent international reputation for providing the highest quality solutions and advice for our clients.
We provide exactly the same service as most other agents, but apart from the other corporate service providers, we are not a home-based family business with only online presence. Our main office building is located on 5 Percy Street, in the heart of the Central of London, just few minutes walk from Oxford or Goodge Street. Nearest station: Goodge St., Tube Station; Oxford Circus Tube Station.
In addition, although most of offshore professionals have conventionally worked on an hourly basis, our main target is selling the amount of high-grade products and first-rate services than high-cost time. Where the scope of the work can be adequately specified, we keenly encourage alternative fixed-fee arrangements, or an applicable percentage (as the simplest example: from the legally tax-reductions).
If you would like a personal face-to-face consultation and dedicated help with your offshore business start-up, call us on +44 (0) 207.935.5171, or 033 0808-0089 to discuss your requirements and make an appointment with one of our consultants. A consultant will contact you at a pre-arranged appointment time to discuss your individual circumstances, as well as your suggestions in relation to your offshore incorporation needs. Our project begins with a short meeting, where our advisors gather the information required to register an offshore company for each client. The result includes personal assistance with the order form submission.
If you have questions about legal aspects of your company incorporation application, you should speak to one of our consultants. We are very happy to provide a practical support, we have a team of professional business advisers and consultants who can support you to strengthen and grow your business. We can help if you need a qualified advice and guidance in any of the following areas: -
How to select the best offshore business form;
How to start and register your own business in offshore jurisdiction;
How to get your offshore company up and running;
Reasons to register an international business company IBC), a non-profit company, a limited liability partnership (LLP) or limited liability company (LLC);
How to establish a subsidiary company or a branch in offshore locations, i.e. Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Mauritius, Isle of Man IOM, etc.;
How to manage your already established offshore company;
How to fulfil the legal requirements and avoid penalties and common mistakes when sending forms and documents to Companies Registrar; etc.
You will not be left on your own once you have started up a company, we still are here to help you with any problems that you may face as you establish and grow your offshore business. Our advisers will answer any questions you may have and explain what you, or we, might do in your current circumstances. If necessary, you may return to us for further help as matters progress. Our team of full-time professional business advisers can guide you through the essential steps to launching your own business. Please, take a note that we can have meetings with current of positional customers by appointment only.
If you do not need to get an advice or guidance how to register offshore company, you may simply place an order online with automatic e-mail confirmation, status updates, and e-mail notifications of filing status changes. Areas of our practice: -
Determination of the best offshore business structure for tax purposes;
Formation of companies (we can advise upon and assist with establishing of a private or public companies limited by shares, companies limited by guarantee with or without of charitable status, shipping and property management companies, offshore companies with the bearer shares, royalty, patent, holding and shipping companies, etc.);
Assistance with the opening offshore banking accounts, we are working closely with many offshore banks, such as HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays, Abbey, and Halifax;
We can also help with opening UK business bank accounts for your offshore corporation or any other offshore business entity;
Provision of the registered office addresses and registered agent services;
Provision of the nominee officers (nominee secretary, nominee director and nominee shareholder/member);
Registering and licensing copyrights, trademarks, design rights and patents;
Offshore companies corporate management;
Bookkeeping and preparation of management accounts;
Preparation and filling of statutory accounts;
Registration as a money service business;
Voluntary striking-off, dissolution and restoration of companies to the register.
1. Liability is, in the vast majority of cases, strictly limited to the investments made by the shareholders. 2. Offshore company officers are not personally liable for their actions unless there is a clear and serious breach of their fiduciary duty. 3. Confidentiality is one of the key features of the offshore company as details of the company beneficial owners, directors and shareholders are not part of the public records. 4. An offshore IBC, by the definition of the law, is not subject to any tax or duty on income or profits. A shareholder of an offshore company is also not subject to any tax on his income derived from the IBC. 5. The rights of shareholders are normally clearly defined and protected. 6. An offshore IBC does not required to file an annual return, and annual account, corporate records may be kept anywhere in the world. 7. You need only appoint one director, and one shareholder. Appointment of a company secretary is optional. 8. Directors, secretary and shareholders can be of any nationality. 9. After a company is registered, there are no obligations for it to start trading within a specified time period. 10. An offshore IBC is not required to have any minimum paid-up capital in order to start its business operations.
We can guarantee accurate, confidential, personalised, and reliable services at highly competitive prices; we are a customer-oriented company, we value our consumers and offer comprehensive services to every one of them. We are fully aware of our client's needs and desires and try to make the process of our teamwork as comfortable as possible.
We can incorporate offshore company within few days may help you with the opening of the corporate bank account operated by the UK or an offshore banks. This is exactly what you will get if you choose to incorporate with Coddan. We are the real company, not a dot.co.uk or a bargain-basement internet company, our knowledgebase and practical with thousands of registered companies, offshore trusts, foundations, and partnerships has shown us that many new business owners want the fastest and easiest route to get their new business started.
As you endeavour to manage the growth and overall success of your offshore business, you will want to have a team of adviser with the focus on providing advice from start-ups to mature business issues to clients throughout the region. Coddan provides clients with continuing business advisory services and has specialists who understand the pressures facing small businesses. Experienced business consultants ensure clients get practical and adventitious advice.
Coddan' team supplies a wide variety of hands on business help that is personalised to your requirements and extremely useful. Our services are earmarked to meet the needs of business entrepreneurs, with a solid reputation in delivering bespoke solutions to small and medium-size businesses there is no better team of advisers to have on your side.
Our organisation specialises in the intricate field of offshore private company's formation, incorporation of offshore business structures and their management in eighteen low-tax or zero-tax countries. Furthermore, our consultants are competent to advice how to select the best type of business for incorporation, and register your offshore general trading, shipping or holding company. We may assist to register a property management, intellectual property management, or charitable companies. Our local lawyers and accountants are the best in their field, carefully selected for their professional ability, reliability, and integrity. Therefore, there is no need for you to spend hour after hour mastering the main regulating law, scaling bulk of paperwork or trying to recruit people that you can trust - we have already done that for you!
Coddan is a professional company which has been servicing the UK and international community with a diverse range of top quality of offshore corporate structures incorporation and management services for many years. We incorporate companies, partnerships, joint-venture entities, and offshore foundations. We provide the first-rate business support services (corporate and private offshore bank accounts, business and tax planning, reviewing and updating company' constitutional documents, preparation minutes of meetings and directors or/and shareholders resolutions, etc.).
We do not hide any fees from our consumers, because price transparency is essential to us. Our service' fees and offshore business filings fees are provided to our customers upfront. Our online filing makes the ordering and incorporating processes easy and convenient, Coddan is an industry leader in online offshore business incorporation and documents processing. With our passion for service and client success, we strive to make Coddan the preferred choice of the small business start-up and new business offshore formation facilities market. We are able to offer a full range of business registration services to business starters or existent business owners; we can undertake most types of corporate management related work.
Call us and speak with one of our knowledgeable advisor. There is no cost or obligation, let us help you to start a new business offshore. We will be pleased to discuss your plans, requirements and suggestions, and to help you understand how the incorporation process works.
Professionals answer our phone lines during business hours, not by an answering machine. We appreciate the value of your time and understand that the real person cannot be replaced by a contemporary technology. This is especially true when it comes to make an important business decision and where interaction and multiple views are essential. When you call to request an appointment with our advisors, the receptionist will ask you series of questions to qualify the appointment. We are continually enhancing our services to better assist our clients and meet their needs.
Initial contact and dialogue may be by e-mail. At some point in the dialog, it may be decided that telephone or office consultation will be beneficial. To apply for a consultation, please complete an online questionnaire below, we will then arrange a private consultation with one of our consultants. An initial consultation with a private consultant costs between £45.00 and £100.00, please note that our senior advisors charge £175.00 per hour. If an applicant subsequently joins the tailor-made premier service, the cost of the consultation is included in the price of the package. If you prefer not to complete our online questionnaire, you can submit your inquiry by e-mail to consultations@ukincorp.co.uk, with the subject: "Online Inquiry" or by post: Attn: Coddan CPM LTD, Corporate Division, 124 Baker Street, London, W1U 5TY, or by fax: + 44 (0) 207.681.3318. Upon receiving the information, you will be contacted by one of the business consultant to discuss your situation. Request a private consultation now:Click here to apply for a consultation (please use the form if you are serious about choosing an incorporation plan and being enrolled.)
Fast Offshore Company Formation: Our Services & Packages' Fees
Our clients from around the world, who have actually done their research about companies' incorporation and business start-up; require different levels of assistance and formation solutions from us, Coddan offers unique formation packages tailored to our customers needs. Ranging from the Economy formation package, which is perfect for those who simply want a fast offshore business formation and are confident enough to do the rest on their own, to the Deluxe business start up package, which includes a host of additional features designed to organise all the administrative formalities and leave you free to concentrate on your core offshore business.
Myth and Reality About Offshore Companies
Offshore jurisdictions are often associated with large corporations and millionaires, but are in fact extremely well suited for small and medium businesses and individuals. An offshore company is formed in a foreign location and is therefore subject to the laws and regulations (or jurisdiction) of that location. The myth that offshore locations are completely unregulated and lawless is untrue; an offshore business is a normal business operating in a normal way; and is subject to many of the same types of laws and regulations as in any other location.
Coddan offers a comprehensive range of offshore company formation solutions and a wide range of offshore post-formation services designed to support the efficient running of your business.
Properly devised, an offshore strategy can offer many advantages. You can legally decrease your tax burden, protect your assets, enjoy a high level of anonymity, and provide your company with a competitive advantage. The exact benefits available to you and your company will depend greatly on nationality, location, entity type, and a host of other factors; it is for this reason that it is recommended that you seek professional advice before registering your company.
The most widely promoted advantage of forming an offshore entity is the minimisation of one's tax burden. Although tax relief is an attractive advantage, there are many reasons why businesses and individuals choose to form an entity offshore: -
Anonymity
There are often sound, legitimate business reasons for an individual wishing to retain a level of anonymity. By carrying out transactions in the name of a private offshore company, the personal details of individuals can be kept off public records. Unfortunately, the anonymity offered by offshore business structures has also attracted people wishing to conduct illegitimate business. It is for this reason that the offshore industry has become more regulated than it was in the past. These new regulations often require banks and other institutions to examine company structures more closely. These new regulations do not pose a problem for those individuals acting legitimately, and do not hinder public anonymity.
Taxation
Economy
Premier
Deluxe
Our BVI offshore companies are formed as general trading companies. Because of their widely drawn memorandum and articles of association, they are able to conduct most kinds of business. Starting from just £650.00, we offer a range of packages designed to suit the varying requirements of our customers. Our BVI formations typically take from between two and five days to effect, and include: our service charge, the government fee for incorporation, the first year's fees for a registered office address and registered agent are included in the price of this package. Upon formation of your BVI company, we will courier all of the company documents directly to you.
THE FOLLOWING UPGRADES CAN BE ADDED TO OUR ECONOMY PACKAGE:
1. Nominee director service for 12 months - £260.00. 2. Nominee secretary service for 12 months - £150.00. 3. Nominee shareholders service for 12 months - £195.00. 4. Opening a bank account- £400.00. 5. Certificate of incumbency - £120.00. 6. Certificate of good standing - £100.00. 7. Certificate of tax exemption - £125.00. 8. A BVI domain name registration for two years - £120.00. 9. All documents notarised and apostilled - £125.00. 10. Corporate kit - £40.00.
Our BVI offshore companies are formed as general trading companies. Because of their widely drawn memorandum and articles of association, they are able to conduct most kinds of business. Starting from just £1,010, we offer a range of packages designed to suit the varying requirements of our customers. Our BVI formations typically take from between two and five days to effect, and include: our service charge, the government fee for incorporation, the first year's fees for a registered office address, registered agent and a nominee director are included in the price of this package. Upon formation of your BVI company, we will courier all of the company documents directly to you.
THE FOLLOWING UPGRADES CAN BE ADDED TO OUR PREMIER PACKAGE:
1. Nominee secretary service for 12 months - £150.00. 2. Nominee shareholders service for 12 months - £195.00. 3. Opening a bank account- £400.00. 4. Certificate of incumbency - £120.00. 5. Certificate of good standing - £100.00. 6. Certificate of tax exemption - £125.00. 7. A BVI domain name registration for two years - £120.00. 8. All documents notarised and apostilled - £125.00. 9. Corporate kit - £40.00.
Our BVI offshore companies are formed as general trading companies. Because of their widely drawn memorandum and articles of association, they are able to conduct most kinds of business. Starting from just £1,205, we offer a range of packages designed to suit the varying requirements of our customers. Our BVI formations typically take from between two and five days to effect, and include: our service charge, the government fee for incorporation, the first year's fees for a registered office address, registered agent, a nominee director and a nominee shareholder are included in the price of this package. Upon formation of your BVI company, we will courier all of the company documents directly to you.
THE FOLLOWING UPGRADES CAN BE ADDED TO OUR DELUXE PACKAGE:
1. Nominee secretary service for 12 months - £150.00. 2. Opening a bank account- £400.00. 3. Certificate of incumbency - £120.00. 4. Certificate of good standing - £100.00. 5. Certificate of tax exemption - £125.00. 6. A BVI domain name registration for two years - £120.00. 7. All documents notarised and apostilled - £125.00. 8. Corporate kit - £40.00.
Using an offshore company and an appropriate business structure, it is possible for a business to legally and significantly decrease its tax liability and thus increase its profits.
Simplicity
Except for a few heavily regulated industries (the banking and investment industries for example) many offshore jurisdictions make it relatively simple to set up and run a company.
Reporting
Although this varies depending on the jurisdiction, the amount of information required by the register of companies in an offshore jurisdiction is generally small. This reduces the amount of time and resources a company needs to invest in the administration of the company.
Asset Protection
Operating within an appropriate business structure, it is possible to organise assets and transactions in such a way that they are protected from future liability. Moving assets offshore can be a wise commercial decision. This is also an important option for individuals, who can protect their personal or retirement savings from litigation.
Types of Offshore Companies
Choosing the appropriate structure for your offshore entity is extremely important. Each option has its own advantages, and its suitability depends on your personal or business objectives. There are five main entities which may be formed offshore: -
The plethora of international laws and business strategies makes choosing a jurisdiction and company structure an extremely complex decision. If you are unsure of the best course of action for your business, Coddan can advise you on the best location and type of offshore entity, and can tailor a solution to your needs. If you wish to retain Coddan in a professional capacity, you can apply for an initial consultation appointment by following the link below. Book an initial consultation:use this form to request an initial consultation with one of our specialists (please use the form if you are serious about choosing an offshore incorporation plan and being enrolled.)
Popular Locations for Offshore Companies
The location of your company formation can be as important as the type of company you choose to form. Different offshore jurisdictions tend to specialise in different types of offshore companies, and some offshore centres actively target certain types of business by offering attractive incentives. Coddan can form a company for you in many different locations, including: -
Companies require ongoing maintenance and must meet certain local reporting and statutory requirements, although these are generally less rigorous for offshore companies, they still exist. There are additional difficulties for those who do not have a relationship with an offshore jurisdiction and are uninitiated to the law and practicalities of an offshore location.
In addition to providing offshore company formations online, Coddan offers a host of services designed to support your business offshore. This comprehensive list of services includes: -
Coddan holds a portfolio of ready-made offshore companies which are all ready to trade and can be transferred to you within hours. We have companies ranging from a few months old, to six years old in Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Nevis, the Seychelles, the United States, and many other countries.
Our ready made companies are formed with general commercial objectives; they are therefore able to conduct any nature of business. We also offer substantial advice to help you efficiently merge and organise your ready made company.
An offshore ready-made company is an international business company or private limited company that has already been incorporated as a general commercial company and is ready to start trading immediately. A shelf company, also called an aged company, is a company that has had no business activity. It was created and put on our "shelf company to age". This company is then later usually sold to someone who would prefer to have an aged firm rather than a new one.
Our readymade offshore off-the-shelf companies come with the widely drawn memorandum and articles of association, and a certificate of incorporation. Our shelf companies are currently registered with a nominee director, a nominee shareholder, with a registered office address and with a registered agent. We can re-register offshore shelf company with the details of your own director, and shareholder free of charge; or, if you prefer, we can continue to provide our nominee director and nominee shareholder services for the ready-made company at an additional fixed annual charge.
Offshore readymade companies are always more expensive than the newly registered business legal entities. In some cases, an off-the-shelf offshore company's price can be several times higher then the price of a recently incorporated offshore company. This is because each year that offshore ready-made company needs to file annual returns; annual accounts and pays all necessary existence fees.
Some people might think that the offshore ready-made companies are used much less now then in the past, because an electronic registration allows a new company to be registered within few hours. A readymade firm will be beneficial if an already registered company is required immediately, for instance if a company registration number is needed straightaway in order to sign a key or critical agreement or a contract. Based on our observations, here are some common reasons for buying an already established shelf company include: -
To save the time involved in taking the steps to create a new entity;
To gain the opportunity to bid on contracts;
Some countries require that an overseas company needs to be in business for certain years, before to establish a foreign branch, subsidiary or representative office;
To establish a reputable history for your business;
To create an appearance of corporate longevity, which may boost the confidence and coolness;
To gain an access to investment and leases, some companies provides leases only to businesses one year old or more.
A number of consortia "produce" and offshore established companies, promoting the fact that the new buyer can at the same time have a firm with a long history, and yet have complete control over the establishment of the company's board of directors and shareholder profile.
When you are buying a ready-made company from us, you will receive the following documents: -
A certificate of incorporation;
A hard bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association;
The minutes of the first directors' meeting;
A special directors' resolution, shares certificates, and shares transfer documents;
A completed shareholders' register; and the non-trading certificate.
All annual governmental fees, relevant returns, and annual accounts duly paid up and filed until the next anniversary day of incorporation. Owners of the offshore readymade companies are strongly advised to pay renewal fees in a timely manner to avoid penalties and/or being struck off the register. In case of renewal fees non-payment, the companies continuing their commercial operations and/or bank relations violate the basics of international business ethical and legal principles, and their officers and beneficiaries could face litigation and potential losses. You may use this link to select a ready-made company:Check the list of the offshore ready-made companies
Offshore International Business Company (IBC)
An offshore international business company is typically not permitted to engage in business within the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated. An IBC can be used in a range of ways by a variety of business types to decrease tax burdens, provide anonymity to the beneficial owner, and provide asset protection. They are generally exempt from local corporate taxation and stamp duty provided that they do not conduct any local business.
Offshore IBCs can issue shares in either registered or bearer form. Once they have acquired their shares, shareholders have no obligation to the company and may, subject to the rules of the company, sell or transfer their shares. The shareholders are entitled to a portion of company profits, and any proceeds from liquidation.
An offshore LLC is a legal business entity which offers limited liability to its members. This type of entity does not issue shares. It is ideal for sole owners or business partnerships. Partners (or members) of an LLC are not personally liable for the debts of an LLC.
The specific qualities of an offshore limited liability company are dependant on the jurisdiction in which it is formed. The most popular location for LLC formation is Nevis because this jurisdiction permits a single-member limited liability company.
Offshore Limited Partnership (LP)
An offshore limited partnership is similar to a general partnership except that in addition to general partners there can also be limited partners. The general partners are responsible for the administration of the offshore limited partnership, while the limited partners have no management authority. The limited partners are only liable for the debts incurred by the firm to the limit of their registered investment and are paid a dividend by the partnership related to their capital investment.
Offshore special licence companies (CSLs) differ most markedly from offshore international business companies (IBCs) in that they are permitted to conduct business within the jurisdiction in which they are formed. They are often domestic companies which have been granted a special licence to conduct the same types of activity as offshore IBCs. Unlike international business companies which cannot trade locally and are therefore not subject to local taxation, offshore special licence companies are subject to local low-cost taxation; the advantage is that special licence companies are eligible for the benefits of favourable local double tax agreements.
The specific qualities of a special licence companies are dependant on the jurisdiction in which it is formed. The most popular location for offshore special licence companies formation is the Seychelles.
Offshore Trusts
An offshore trust is simply a conventional trust that is formed under the laws of an offshore jurisdiction. Generally offshore trusts are similar in nature and effect to their onshore counterparts; they involve a settlor transferring (or settling) assets (the 'rust property' on the trustees to manage for the benefit of a person or class or persons (the beneficiaries). However, a number of offshore jurisdictions have modified their laws to make their jurisdictions more attractive to settlors forming offshore structures as trusts.
Certain jurisdictions (notably Belize, but the Cyprus also has a species of asset protection trust) have provided special trusts which are styled as asset protection trusts. Whilst all trusts, to a degree, have an asset protection element to them some jurisdictions have enacted laws trying to make life difficult for creditors to press claims against the trust (for example, by providing for particularly short limitation periods). In practice the effectiveness of such trusts is limited as the bankruptcy and or divorce laws in the settlor's home jurisdiction will usually operate to set aside transfers to the trusts, and most jurisdictions (including offshore jurisdictions) set aside transactions entered into defraud creditors.
Most traditional jurisdictions only permit trustees to make very conservative financial investments. Most offshore jurisdictions permit (or allow the settlor to specify in the trust instrument that they are permitted) a wider range of investments, including higher risk investments such as derivatives and futures contracts. Official statistics on trusts are difficult to come by as in most offshore jurisdictions (and in most onshore jurisdictions), trusts are not required to be registered.
There is a common perception that offshore trusts are predominantly used by wealthy individuals and families as part of their tax planning. This may be true; however there are also other purposes that offshore trusts are used for. Offshore trusts are also sometimes formed as unit trusts to operate as a mutual fund. Offshore trusts are often used as part of an orphan structure in capital markets or trade finance transactions. Pan-national non-governmental bodies are sometimes established as offshore trusts. The most popular location for establish offshore trust and trust formation is the Belize, Cyprus, Nevis, Panama, Seychelles, Saint Vincent and Grenadines. How to establish and create an offshore trust: Click here to learn more about establishment of offshore trust
Register an Offshore Private Foundation
Unlike a common-law trust, an offshore private foundation is an autonomous legal entity with no members or shareholders, and is not permitted to engage in any form of business activity; it is generally used only for the protection of assets. When the ownership of assets are held by offshore private foundation, these assets are legally protected from creditors and law suits. Because foundations are not themselves allowed to conduct business activities, they often own other companies or corporations who are allowed to do so.
An offshore foundation is established by a founder who supplies the foundation with assets, or patrimony, which can take most forms, real estate, shares, money, earnings, for example. Upon formation, the foundation is irrevocable until the death of the founder; they are often used, therefore, to hold assets which will be bequeathed upon the death of the founder, protecting said assets form the probate process. The most popular location for establish offshore private foundations and low-tax private foundation creation is the Nevis, Panama, Saint Kitts.
Incorporate an Offshore Mutual Fund
An offshore mutual fund is a professionally managed type of collective investment scheme that pools money from many investors and invests it in stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments, and/or other securities. The mutual fund will have a fund manager that trades the pooled money on a regular basis. Offshore mutual funds can invest in many kinds of securities. The most common are cash instruments, stock, and bonds, but there are hundreds of sub-categories. Stock funds, for instance, can invest primarily in the shares of a particular industry, such as technology or utilities.
Offshore mutual funds shares are not traded through stock exchanges or over the counter markets; instead the Fund itself sells shares whenever investors want to buy and repurchases shares at any time at their current market value. The market value of a mutual fund usually is based on the overall value of the fund's portfolio of securities and fluctuates as the value of the securities fluctuates. The most popular location for establish offshore mutual fund and low-tax mutual foundation creation is the Belize, British Virgin Islands, Saint Vincent and Grenadines. How to establish and create an offshore mutual fund: Click here to learn more about establishment offshore mutual fund
Choosing an Offshore Jurisdiction and Offshore Company Structure
There are many variables which need to be considered in order to choose the best offshore solution. Broadly speaking, there are two obvious variables: location and type of entity. These variables are, however, more interconnected than one might first suppose. Each offshore company' location has its own law which regulates both the type of business entities which may be formed within the jurisdiction, and the specific structure and commitments of such entities.
In order to make the best choice, you must first clearly define the type of offshore business you conduct now, and may wish to conduct in the future, and your objectives for going offshore: different offshore structures work better for certain types of offshore businesses than others and the best structure and jurisdiction is contingent upon what you hope to achieve.
The eventual value of having an offshore trading company will depend on the overall corporate structure, and on the particular country or countries in which the owner resides. To optimise your results, it is generally preferable for the offshore company to not be a controlled subsidiary of the main company; and it will normally be even better if the main shareholders are not resident in the same country as the main company.
The offshore geographical location is also important. It may, in certain situations, be more important than the type of business entity you form. By forming an offshore entity you will also be forming a relationship with a place; sometime you may be required to visit there to open a bank account, and to conduct meetings. It is therefore important to consider whether it will be expensive to travel there, whether you would enjoy visiting or vacationing there, whether you will be able to communicate with the local community, whether there is sufficient infrastructure present to support your operation.
Uses of the Offshore Industry
Businesses and individuals have a variety of motivations and requirements in relation to the offshore industry. What follows is a discussion of how some business types and individuals tend to use the offshore industry, and the benefits that they enjoy. The business types considered in this section are as follows: -
Asset protection refers to a set of legal techniques and a body of statutory and common law dealing with offshore protecting assets of individuals and business entities from civil money judgments, creditors such as offshore trusts offshore partnerships and offshore international business companies and offshore limited liability companies. Asset protection help minimises the risk of loss from unexpected hazards of businesses and individuals.
This law has shielded and protected many families from business failures and lawsuits. There are many programs available to help an individual or business minimise or avoid tax liability.
Asset protection strategies vary depending on factors such as country of residence and citizenship, age, or annual net income. Lawyers and professionals are usually involved in the design and management of an asset protection strategy. Strategies of asset protection include, amongst others, insurance, titling, formation of offshore entities, trusts, privacy plans, equity stripping, and family limited partnerships.
Trade, Marketing, and Distribution
An offshore general trading company is one whose core business involves the making or procuring of goods or services and the subsequent sale of the goods or services to customers. If trading takes place internationally, then it is often possible to interpose an offshore company, which would allow a percentage of the profits to be realized in a low-tax jurisdiction.
Even if the trade takes place wholly in one high-tax jurisdiction, it may be possible to separate the selling on part of the process from the production and procuring part, and to conduct the selling part of the operation offshore. The newly established e-commerce infrastructure available in many international offshore centres adds to the attraction of this option.
The eventual value of having an offshore trading company will depend on the overall corporate structure, and on the particular country or countries in which the owner resides. To optimise results, it is generally better for the offshore company to not be a controlled subsidiary of the main company, and for the main shareholders to be non-residents of the country where the main company is based.
Examples
An EU automotive component company establishes an independent offshore company to purchase cheap Chinese parts and sell them on at a profit to the EU company, which then uses the parts in the manufacture of components.
A newsletter and magazine publisher in the UK keeps her editorial staff in the UK, but establishes a separate offshore sales and distribution company to handle the rest of the process, thus generating most of the profit offshore.
An international engineering personnel agency gives up its Paris office and moves completely to an offshore jurisdiction. Its own profits and those of its free-lance staff become untaxed (staff may choose to remain in a high-tax area).
The tax saved in such cases is income (corporation) tax; but in the case of products or services which can be delivered over the Internet, the possibility of avoiding VAT also opens up.
It is worth noting that some offshore centres actively target trading operations by offering duty-free zones, or warehousing facilities. Such facilities are often necessary if one wishes to avoid the creation of a permanent establishment in the destination country (e.g. for the storage of goods before delivery) which could compromise a company's offshore status.
Apart from fiscal suitability and confidentiality, the choice of an offshore jurisdiction for trading purposes will be influenced by a variety of other concerns, for example: -
The suitability of transport links;
The availability of skilled local labour;
The entry and work permits requirements;
The proximity to markets;
The local cost levels;
The effectiveness of local banking and commercial services;
The telecommunications and e-commerce infrastructure;
The availability of duty-free zones.
It is impossible to recommend a single location which would be best for every business; the following offshore centres are well suited for trading, marketing and distribution companies: the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Gibraltar, and Panama.
Offshore Financial Holding and Investment
It is generally larger companies, especially multinationals, that use offshore centres for holding and investment. For them, the chief motivation in operating offshore remains the tax advantages: banks and financial institutions move offshore in order to reduce their own tax bills and to service the needs of corporations that want to lower their tax burdens.
Small business companies and private individuals can also benefit from vesting their private funds in an offshore investment company. Such funds can then be invested or deposited anywhere in the world, and any return from investment would accumulate in a tax-free environment.
In addition to tax advantages, an individual operating an offshore investment company would benefit from increased confidentiality and anonymity, and added flexibility with respect to the distribution and reinvestment of funds.
The financial infrastructure of the offshore centre is the most important factor to consider in the choice of location for a financial business. The most popular locations for financial businesses are the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Panama.
Corporate Finance and Management
Although some western countries are now offering low-tax incentives to attract the corporate headquarters of larger corporations, the majority of companies tend to locate some, or all, of their support services in an offshore centre. The types of support services located offshore include: procurement, marketing and distribution, telecommunications, computing, recruitment and training, pensions management, and payroll.
Saving on tax is always the principal benefit, but there are often additional cost and operational advantages from moving offshore.
Foreign exchange management is a good example of how a centralized offshore centre management can benefit a group: any large group with many subsidiaries in different countries has substantial costs connected with foreign exchange. Multi-currency treasury management on the basis of a set of independent national treasury operations is nearly the worst possible method, and concentration of all transactions into a flexible central treasury in a jurisdiction without exchange controls or predatory and highly-protected local banks is an obvious solution. Providing that the centralised currency management function is based in an offshore centre with good local financial infrastructure, treasury management can optimise cash flows without concerns about withholding taxes, capital gains, or any of the other unpleasant taxes or regulations often imposed by high-tax governments. Obviously, the profits from such an operation, which can be quite substantial in a large group, are made in a low-tax jurisdiction.
Licensing, Franchising, and Royalty Collection
One of the most common uses of offshore centres is for the collection of revenue from technology licenses, franchise fees, and royalties from intellectual property.
Such revenue is often subject to withholding taxes in the country from which they originate, and will be taxed, sometimes for a second time, when transferred to the country of the licensor. An offshore centre which has favourable double-tax treaties with emerging market countries, and which does not levy withholding tax on onward payments, will be an ideal location for an intermediary company. The tax benefits are optimised if this intermediary offshore collection company is independent of the licensing or franchising company.
US tax law has traditionally regulated against the possibility of not paying US tax on the sale of intellectual property from offshore jurisdictions. This regulation has become outmoded with the technological developments allowing for the digital download of intellectual property or property rights from servers in offshore jurisdictions.
This area of law is in flux, however, and such schemes should be considered very carefully.
The following jurisdictions offer attractive double tax treaties for these types of business: Cyprus, Gibraltar, and Panama.
Professional Services and Contractors
There is a large amount of professional support work generated by busy offshore centres. Some of this work is provided by the local market, but a large amount is provided by foreign professionals. Because professional support services are so necessary and valuable to the infrastructure, offshore centres generally make themselves attractive to such operations.
Offshore centres are also an attractive option for other professionals who offer their services internationally, for example: engineering and management consultants. Such businesses benefit from low taxation.
A free-lance international contractor or consultant can reduce his or her tax burden by incorporating an offshore company through which their contracts are then routed. As a contractor it is possible to receive a fixed level of taxed remuneration (salary) from their company, and leave the remaining income to accumulate and be held by the offshore company in a non tax environment.
This solution is ideal for free-lance individuals such as designers, authors, consultants and entertainers. A further advantage of a professional services company is that any liabilities arising from the fulfilment of a contract would fall upon the company, and not the individual.
The choice of offshore centre for businesses or individuals offering personal services is contingent upon the location of their customers and their own existing residence.
Offshore Shipping
The use of offshore shipping companies can eliminate direct or indirect taxation on shipping. Such companies may own or charter ships and accumulate the profits from these activities tax-free. Ships or yachts may be owned by an offshore company and registered in an offshore jurisdiction which can prove a cheaper and more tax efficient method of ownership.
Offshore Holding and Property Owning
A holding company can be established and used to hold the shares of subsidiaries located in high tax countries. Most high tax countries require tax to be withheld on dividends to be paid to non residents, so attention should be paid to the availability of the double-tax treaty between the country where the subsidiary is located and where the holding company is established.
Many of the difficulties and expenses associated with investment in overseas property, such as holiday villas, may be avoided through the use of an offshore company to hold the title of the property. Sales of the property at a future date can be dealt with quickly and easily by the sale of the company shares to the purchaser. This also saves legal fees and overseas transfer and value added taxes levied by certain foreign countries. It can also be used to successfully avoid capital gains and inheritance taxes.
Where a person is domiciled outside a territory and owns assets located in that territory (for instance, property), then such assets may be protected against inheritance tax and higher rates of taxation by holding the assets through an offshore investment company.
A high net worth individual with properties or other assets in a number of countries may wish to hold these through the medium of a personal holding company so that upon his demise the need to obtain probate in each country is avoided. This saves legal fees and avoids publicity.
The Offshore Industry and Western Government
From small beginnings early in the 20th century, the offshore sector has grown ever faster in response to high tax rates in the developed countries; it is now estimated that more than half of the world's money is held offshore.
The term Offshore is used loosely to refer to jurisdictions, usually islands, which are outside of the control of highly-taxed Western nations. Western nations have never seriously attempted to curb the use of offshore companies, which has become more popular and is now a valuable tool for any company wanting to optimise their structures and profits.
Although the OECD fulminates about harmful tax competition, and the EU complains about unfair tax practices, the resulting changes to low tax offshore regimes is minimal. This is partly because the wealthy western nations provide their own tax incentives for particular local purposes, and partly because these nations themselves (both governments and individuals) make plentiful use of the offshore industry.
In 1999 and 2000, global concerns about money laundering turned the spot light on the offshore industry. This has certainly leaded to better regulatory structures in many of offshore jurisdictions, but they are fiercely resisting the underlying agenda of tax harmonisation. There are currently 70 self-declared offshore centres and competition is fierce; any offshore centre which gave in to pressure from western nations to reduce its attraction as a tax haven, would quickly be picked clean by its competitors.
One thing that the western nations can do, and are increasingly trying to do, is to limit the behaviour of their own citizens offshore by introducing new tax legislation. As ever, such efforts have far more effect on small to medium businesses than on large wealthy ones. Well advised, wealthy individuals and corporations generally manage to avoid anti-avoidance measures.
The Internet brings a new dimension to taxation; it is now possible for a supplier to offer and deliver products to citizens in ways which completely bypass the traditional tax-measuring and tax-collecting structures of government. It remains to be seen whether the tax leakage this implies will spur governments on to a more earnest campaign against the use of offshore centres. The success of any such campaign is doubtful; it is more likely that a global approach to e-commerce taxation will evolve in time. This is not a problem that can be solved by individual countries, or even by groups of countries.
Offshore centres themselves vary, serving different purposes for different types of individual and corporation. Not all of those purposes are legitimate: there is no doubt that offshore centres have been use illegitimately for money laundering. Governments and economic organizations such as the OECD have had some success in preventing abuses, but laundering remains a problem in some offshore centres.
Live Help
You can chat with one of our advisors right now. Just click on the image to the left to start chatting. Live Help is a real time chat feature which enables you to interact with our customer service representative without a phone call. Get answers to your questions while using our web-site. Clicking the "Live Help" button will start an online session with one of our representatives. Live Help is currently available during normal business hours. Outside of the indicated below opening hours, our Live Help centre will be closed, when you click on the chat button, you will see an e-mail form that allows you to send us an e-mail request with your questions. Our Live Help is free, there are no hidden fees.
Our hours of operation are posted on the contact page at all times. Telephone and Live Chat assistance is only available during business hours.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. Saturday: offices are closed Sunday: offices are closed Holidays: offices are closed on all recognised UK holidays.
Dear customers, ladies and gentlemen, while having a chat session with our visitors, we are frequently requested to give an advice on tax planning or business structuring, and we would like to inform you that it is against our principles to provide an online free advice pertaining to these issues.
The points and tips that can be covered during a chat session include: our packages, services description and charges, legal requirements to start-up a business offshore, bank account arrangements, trademark registration, post incorporation services, notaries, consulate or apostille legalisation and other authentication services, documentation preparation and filing, mail forwarding overseas, telephone, fax and virtual office facilities, bookkeeping and accounting services, offshore incorporation service, ways to place an order, methods of payment etc.
If you wish us to provide you an advice or recommendations on tax savings and tax minimisation, or corporate business structuring methods, you should be aware that this service has chargeable elements.
Money and Payment Policy
Coddan accepts all major currencies; we accept Visa, Visa Electron, Visa Purchasing, JCB, MasterCard, Maestro, Solo, and Delta, we also accept cheques (may be held 10 days to clear), postal orders or cash deposit, and bank transfers from anywhere to our UK and USA bank accounts. After you place an order, details about the banking transfer will be e-mailed to you on the second e-mail notification. If you missed that e-mail, please call our phone number that is given on the order confirmation. The customer is responsible for the reimbursement of any bank wire transfer payments.
Our credit card payment processing is by WorldPay - an important part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, the 5th biggest banking group in the world. We do not charge surcharges for the debit and credit card transactions. Credit or debit card payment is now authorised online in real time. You will be informed immediately if your credit or debit card is declined. If declined, you may check the accuracy of the card number and expiration date, or choose a different card to try.
We need to receive a payment before we can proceed with a new company formation. For regular or corporate clients, we can open a professional credit account. However, this benefit cannot be provided to a new customer, who never placed orders with us.
If you do not feel comfortable transmitting your credit card details on the Internet, we suggest you place an order online, choose the option "Credit Card via the Phone" as the payment method, and then phone in to give us your credit card number over the phone. We will charge your credit card manually. We can also accept credit or debit card payments by fax, to do so, we will e-mail you a credit or debit card authorisation form, and you will need to print out the form, complete the details by hand and send it to us by fax to: + 44 (0) 207.681.3318.
Check Your Order Status
£ 650.00
This is our most popular package with worldwide customers, and includes: -
The registration your offshore company from scratch using our registered agent & registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, and shareholder;
The provision of a registered agent and registered office address in Panama for 12 months are also included in the price of this package (our registered agent and provision of a registered office address service are charged annually);
+44 (0) 207.935.5171
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