Offshore Low-Cost Jurisdictions

A list of the top countries for those looking to gain tax advantages

This may be a term that you’ve heard before: offshore low-cost jurisdictions. What does this mean, though? Are there really countries where you have less tax responsibility? The answer is yes.

Some investors seek out offshore investment for the tax benefits. Some countries boast about their title as a low-cost jurisdiction, a country or territory that offers tax incentives for foreign investors. These incentives benefit the investor as well as encourage growth of their own economy by attracting wealth from other countries.

Low-cost jurisdictions are legal ways for individuals and corporations from all over the world to gain advantageous tax responsibilities. They provide banking services to foreign entities, allowing them to save money, and making it more appealing than continuing their financial business in their home countries. For individuals, low-cost jurisdictions can offer more attractive capital gains tax, tax on interest, inheritance, or personal income. Many corporations have saved billions by reporting earnings to subsidiaries in countries that have better corporate tax laws.

You may be wondering why a country would offer these tax incentives? The host nation benefits by drawing in capital to their banks and other financial institutions. This capital can create and fuel a successful financial sector.

The easiest way for an individual to take advantage of low-cost jurisdictions is by creating an offshore entity, such as an LLC, to manage and hold their wealth outside of the tax jurisdiction of their home country.

Below are some of the most favorable low-cost jurisdictions found globally.

Switzerland

Companies from all around the globe take advantage of the Swiss tax advantages. In fact, 30% of Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. have subsidiaries in Switzerland. This, plus Switzerland’s ideal banking climate, draw people from all over the world.

Swiss banking is also highly regarded around the world. They are well known for sophisticated and discreet banking services. In 2018, it was reported that $7.5 trillion in assets are held in Swiss banks and almost 51% of that is generated from clients outside of the country. Choosing Switzerland as a banking destination is choosing years and years of financial stability and growth.

Monaco

With just 36,000 residents, what this nation lacks in size it makes up for in financial perks. The income tax hasn’t changed since 1869, which means that residents of Monaco get to keep all the money they earn. This has attracted some of the world’s wealthiest individuals. In fact, one in three residents of the principality is a millionaire.

Monaco offers a unique political and economic environment that can be great for banking and wealth management. Large private banks offer the usual cash counter, safety deposit box, direct deposit, and other usual banking services. Leading banks also offer investment services like multi-currency deposit accounts, equity and fixed income trading, precious metals, foreign exchange, and commodity trading platforms. Many also provide managed investment portfolio services.

Bahamas

The Bahamas is a top tourist destination and also a hotspot for its offshore financial market. Many choose to form their companies among the 700 islands. The country has a thriving tourism sector and thriving political climate, drawing in individuals from all over the globe.

With attractive capital gains tax, inheritance tax, personal income tax, or gift tax, the Bahamas is a top destination for those hoping to save on tax responsibilities, especially older, wealthy individuals.

Luxembourg

This small European country holds that status of a low-cost jurisdiction due to its business-friendly laws. These laws allow international companies to move parts of their business there in order to save on taxes. Some of the largest corporations in the world rely on Luxembourg’s tax laws. Nearly 33% of U.S. Fortune 500 companies have part of their company in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg charges very little of foreign corporations, with a very low tax rate of just about 1%.

United States of America

As one of the largest economies in the world, there is no question why someone outside of the U.S. may want to open a bank account in the country. With diversification opportunities, investment managing, and forex trading, many are seeking the U.S. as their offshore banking destination.

Holland

The Netherlands takes the highest position in corporate low-cost jurisdiction ratings in all of Europe. It has been highly rated due to its corporate tax policies, governmental tax incentives, and the level of financial transparency. Furthermore, the nation assists corporations in saving big on taxes.

Alpen Partners International

Your wealth is important. If you are serious about your life goals, financial planning and investments are probably important to you. Financial planning can involve many steps from tax optimization to asset protection. Different investments have different rules with different returns.

With the help of financial planning, you will be able to predict where you will be in the years to come by evaluating where you are currently, what sources of income you plan to have in the future, investments you plan to make, and your retirement plans.

Alpen Partners International, the sister company of Alpen Partners, is now a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Together with our partner Swiss private banks, our company can now offer the full Swiss private banking experience to American clients, both resident and non-resident.

Alpen Partners International partners with many banks around the world, the most significant and prestigious being in Monaco and Switzerland. Swiss banking is highly regarded around the world, and well known for being sophisticated and discreet. In 2018, it was reported that $7.5 trillion in assets are held in Swiss banks and almost 51% of that is generated from clients outside of the country. Choosing Switzerland as a banking destination is choosing years and years of financial stability and growth.