Many people still think that offshore accounts are opened only to hide the real profits of the company.
But this phenomenon is deeper and more multifaceted than it seems at first glance. Opening offshore accounts has its own peculiarities, advantages and disadvantages.
Definition and meaning of terms
Offshore zones have the following attractive features:
- Tax reduction or elimination.
- Easy registration.
- Simple management, reporting.
Offshore accounts
The countries with the lowest interest rates are home to the majority of banks accumulating offshore accounts. When doing business and cooperation, such organizations offer some of the most favorable conditions.
An offshore bank is a bank (credit organization) operating in an offshore zone. An example of banks providing this kind of services are the largest English banks: National Westminster Bank, Barclays Bank. Also known in other countries: BOS Bank (Bank Ochrony Środowiska, Russian: Environmental Protection Bank), Bank Alpinum in Liechtenstein, FIO Bank in the Czech Republic, Latvijas Pasta Banka in Latvia, Mashreqbank in the UAE, CIM Banque in Switzerland.
Thanks to open offshore accounts, the investor protects finances from various unforeseen situations.
Such deposits are opened for several reasons:
- Privacy, anonymity.
- Continuous access to financial resources in different countries.
- Creating the worst conditions in the country where the company is actually registered.
Offshore companies
The work of the companies is organized according to a simple scheme. Business organizations are importing products into the country. Transactions on the part of the entrepreneur are made using offshore companies. The cost of products is set at a lower level compared to competitors. This is due to preferential taxation, which is why offshore is needed. Next, the money is credited to the account.
Registration of offshore companies: advantages and disadvantages
The expediency and economic effect of registering an offshore account are assessed by the company’s management in advance. The same applies to the positive, negative sides of the decision.
What are the advantages of this work
The main benefits are described as follows:
- The accumulation of additional capital.
- Choose any organizational form with preferential terms.
- Preservation of bank secrets. The protection of any information is one of the basic principles of such activities. At least for this it is worth opening an offshore.
- Legal risk minimization
- Simple controls. The owner does not have to do this himself. You can choose an authorized person who will be given the appropriate responsibilities.
- Simplified registration procedure. The procedure takes a minimum of time, without bureaucratic delays.
- Expanded geography of business.
- Optimal taxation. Due to low taxes, net profit is higher.
Optimal conditions are being developed for the conduct of entrepreneurial activities. This scheme is of interest to large and medium-sized businesses. Offshore, the pros and cons of which everyone considers individually, undoubtedly allows you to benefit.
Are there disadvantages of offshore companies
Here are just a few of the most significant ones:
- Increased interest of international regulatory authorities in all market participants.
- Large loans are issued with problems.
- Sudden, unforeseen or permanent changes in the laws of a country. It is often more interesting for states to limit the outflow of capital. Therefore, additional measures are being taken to regulate specifically offshore enterprises.
- Image loss. Many large partners refuse to cooperate with offshore accounts.
- Creating a controversial reputation.
But these shortcomings are easy to fix if you turn only to trusted companies that have already earned the trust of buyers. The main thing is to calculate in advance how to withdraw money offshore.
Types of offshore zones
Finally, isolated territories are called offshore zones. These territories are used for activities, financial management from other countries. Conditions are developed separately.
A classification was created, according to which such zones are divided into three main categories. The main principles for such a separation were the implementation of taxation standards, the issuance of confidential information after the presentation of requirements.
Group of countries and islands
Most often, offshore placement is carried out by island states, occupying a modest area. The zones are economically free and open to any kind of cooperation. Of the distinguishing features, they note that the economy is not well developed, and political stability is often not enough. For such countries, financial and economic reporting is much easier. Income tax is not charged. Instead, one annual fee is transferred. It does not depend on the amount of money in circulation, the proceeds from the sale.
Here are some members of this group:
- British Isles.
- Bahamas.
- Seychelles
With the binary form of entrepreneurship
This means that the company here can be both offshore and onshore. Non-residents are taxed in full. In this case, reporting is indispensable. Otherwise, cashing out money through offshore will not work.
The activities of companies are constantly regulated by the relevant authorities. But offshore zones of such a group have gained a good reputation among investors and businessmen.
These are Cyprus and Switzerland, Luxembourg, and so on.
With support for legal forms of entrepreneurship
Doing business on the territory of states is possible only if all the requirements specified at the level of laws are met. Strict control of reporting, taxation.
Main offshore zones
Depending on the regional feature, the following offshore zones are distinguished:
- Luxembourg together with Switzerland.
- Gibraltar, Cyprus
- European countries, small island states.
- Caribbean Sea Basin
- Asian countries.
Each of the zones indicated above has its own advantages and characteristics.
The Caribbean is different in that you don’t have to keep records. Confidentiality is guaranteed to each company and its partners. Which offshore to choose – only the future owner of the company decides.
Gibraltar, Cyprus make the income tax rate fixed. The obligation remains to conduct an audit of activities. Then the company’s reputation improves when organizing business in the country. Operating costs are on the rise.
A mandatory tax rate is introduced for residents of Luxembourg, Switzerland. Registration is obligatory when cooperating with Asian countries. They pay taxes there. Offshore countries, the list of which is presented earlier, work on the same principle.
Popular schemes for organizing offshore business
To make the right decision, it is necessary to think in advance what economic effect it will bring. An appropriate option would be when there is a serious accounts payable. Or if an entrepreneur wants to liquidate his company where he is a resident. There are different options, with different characteristics:
- Export-import activities. The offshore is registered, but the activity continues in the same country where the company used to be a resident. Export and import of goods is carried out. Thanks to this scheme, the organization saves on costs. As a result, pricing becomes more profitable. Among residents of various zones, this method is one of the most popular.
- Offshores for real estate market participants. This direction brings serious profit, although it is not without its costs. The use of offshore gives access to benefits, contributes to the preservation of confidentiality.
- Use by financial market participants. Insurance, transport companies are interested in receiving benefits. Such schemes provide optimal liquidity, sustainable growth of financial assets.
- Holding activities provided at all levels. It implies the management of various assets, labor, production, financial, and so on. Expense items are optimized for each company.
Other options:
- Accounts for entrepreneurs who decide to quit their business.
- Investments involving offshore instruments.
- Large shipowners are also opening companies.
- Securities market participants.
- Obtaining the status of the owner of intellectual property, copyright by an offshore company.
- Registration, management via the worldwide web.
- Resource management organization.
- Rent with the most favorable conditions.
- Creating a reputation, image.
- Insurance services.
- Foreign employment. The list of offshore companies also includes this direction.
Working with offshore companies and some obstacles
The credit and financial activities of offshore zones are severely limited, despite the large number of advantages. You should be aware of the troubles that you may encounter with such a scheme:
- Control. If another person is appointed, then it is imperative to evaluate business reputation and professional qualities.
- Restrictions on tax breaks applicable to offshore companies. This is due to the fact that the pressure is exerted by other subjects.
- Creating blacklists.
Purchase or self-registration?
Registration or purchase of an offshore company is a decision that each manager makes independently.
Self-opening an offshore account
Several steps need to be taken to resolve this issue.
- First, the country where the registration will take place is selected. In total there are more than 60 offshore zones. The optimal choice is determined by the future scheme of work.
- The next step is to check the selected titles. The main thing is that they should not be similar to existing options. In some cases, they set a limit on specific words in the title.
- Selection of a registration company that provides services for opening offshore accounts.
- Preparation of a package of documents, without which the procedure cannot be completed.
- Cost agreement, payment transfer.
- The agent conducts the procedure for opening an offshore.
- The agent sends a package of documents to a public company.
- It remains to do a thorough check.
Purchasing offshore
For this, they turn to companies engaged in the sale of goods. There are dozens of such companies on the market. One way to find information is a site called Worldwide Incorporation Services. Almost all jurisdictions that are relevant to the present time are described here. Offshore rating is given separately.
