Month: July 2020

Portuguese: A Opção de um Segundo Passaporte – Cidadania da Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves Através Do Investimento

Posted on | by Charlotte Clabon

Histórico

Os indivíduos e as famílias estão a tornar-se cada vez mais móveis e a possibilidade de possuir um segundo passaporte está a tornar-se mais relevante. As Caraíbas são um destino interessante por diversas razões, incluindo o estilo de vida relaxante, as bonitas paisagens e o clima.

Porque é que famílias e pessoas poderão precisar de um segundo passaporte?

Existem diversos motivos pelos quais indivíduos ricos poderão desejar obter uma segunda nacionalidade ou uma nacionalidade alternativa:

  • Como forma de proteção contra alterações políticas, económicas ou fiscais no seu país de origem.
  • Para facilitar a movimentação a nível internacional. Os cidadãos de vários países têm de aguardar longos períodos para obterem vistos de forma a viajar para diversos países ocidentais. Isto poderá dever-se ao facto de serem cidadãos de um país em desenvolvimento ou devido à animosidade entre o seu país e outro.
  • Para permitir que o titular do passaporte evite a discriminação.
  • Para evitar o risco de tratamento potencialmente hostil por parte de funcionários governamentais, raptores e sequestradores.
  • Disponibilizar novas oportunidades para a estruturação fiscal de assuntos fiscais pessoais. Na generalidade, a residência e a cidadania de uma pessoa são a base para a maioria das decisões fiscais.
  • Os cidadãos dos Estados Unidos da América e de certos outros países estão sujeitos à aplicação de impostos sobre o seu rendimento a nível mundial, independentemente do seu país de residência. São-lhes negadas as oportunidades de planeamento fiscal relacionadas com a residência que estão disponíveis a outras pessoas. É possível que estas pessoas obtenham vantagens fiscais através da aquisição de uma nova cidadania e da renúncia da sua cidadania original.

Existem diversas opções de cidadania disponíveis nas Caraíbas. Uma grande vantagem da Cidadania da Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves é que garante a aquisição de um passaporte da Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves, com direito ao acesso ao espaço Schengen por toda a Europa.

O Plano de Cidadania através do Investimento da Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves permite que a cidadania seja obtida através de 3 programas de investimento diferentes. Pode receber um passaporte de Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves em 3 meses ou menos a partir da data do pedido.

O que é que ganha com um passaporte de Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves?

  • Um único pedido pode incluir filhos até uma idade máxima de 30 anos e pais com uma idade mínima de 55 anos.
  • O novo processamento acelerado permite receber um passaporte da Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves em 45 dias.
  • Os titulares dos passaportes beneficiam de todos os privilégios Schengen e podem viajar para cerca de 120 países em todo o mundo, sem visto ou com base num visto de entrada. Não é necessário um visto para visitar o Reino Unido.
  • Caso os titulares do passaporte optarem por se mudar para Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves, não existem impostos sobre os rendimentos pessoais, impostos sobre doações, impostos sucessórios, imposto de propriedade e impostos sobre o rendimento de capitais a nível mundial.
  • O passaporte permite ao seu titular residir noutros países da Comunidade das Caraíbas (Caricom) se assim o desejarem. Existem 15 estados membros da Caricom.

Quais são as alternativas de investimento da Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves?

Existem três alternativas de investimento diferentes:

Opção 1: Contribuição para o Sustainable Growth Fund (Fundo de Crescimento Sustentável)

  • Um único candidato pode fazer uma contribuição de USD 150.000 para o Fundo de Crescimento Sustentável.
  • Normalmente, a contribuição para uma família de até 4 pessoas é de USD195.000.
  • Para dependentes adicionais, independentemente da idade, o requisito de contribuição é de USD 10.000 dólares por dependente.

Opção 2: Empreendimento Imobiliário Aprovado

  • Investimento mínimo de USD 400.000 num empreendimento imobiliário aprovado. A propriedade deverá ser detida por um período mínimo de 5 anos após a concessão da cidadania.

O requerente deverá pagar uma taxa de registo e são necessárias taxas adicionais para o cônjuge, filhos menores de 18 anos e familiares adicionais com mais de 18 anos de idade.

Se esta alternativa for escolhida, o escritório de Dixcart em Neves pode assistir com a contratação de serviços de gestão para o imóvel, que pode ser vendido após 5 anos.

Opção 3: Imobiliário de Luxo

  • Investimento mínimo de USD 200.000 em novos bens imobiliários de luxo. A propriedade deverá ser detida por um período mínimo de 7 anos após a concessão da cidadania.

O requerente deverá pagar uma taxa de registo e são necessárias taxas adicionais para o cônjuge, filhos menores de 18 anos e quaisquer familiares adicionais com mais de 18 anos de idade.

Dependentes

Filhos não casados e dependentes com mais de 18 anos, mas menos de 30, podem ser incluídos no pedido. Podem também ser incluídos pais dependentes com mais de 55 anos de idade. A cidadania pode ser transmitida às gerações futuras por descendência.

Processo Acelerado

O tempo de processamento para qualquer uma das três opções acima, para obter a cidadania da Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves, é de aproximadamente 3 meses. No entanto, por mais USD 46.000 dólares, o pedido pode ser acelerado, e o passaporte recebido em aproximadamente 45 dias.

Informação Adicional

A Dixcart é um Prestador de Serviços registado do Plano de Cidadania através do Investimento da Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves e pode disponibilizar todos os pormenores sobre as opções de pedidos disponíveis, quaisquer taxas adicionais que possam ser necessárias e assistir na coordenação dos pedidos.

Se pretender obter informação adicional sobre o Programa de Cidadania Económica da Federação de São Cristóvão e Neves, contacte Graham Sutcliffe no nosso escritório em Neves: advice.nevis@dixcart.com ou o seu contacto habitual da Dixcart.

Arabic: خيار الحصول على جواز سفر ثانٍ – جنسية سانت كيتس ونيفيس عن طريق الاستثمار

Posted on | by Charlotte Clabon

معلومات عامة

مع ازدياد حاجة الأفراد والعائلات للتنقل في السنوات الأخيرة أصبح الحصول على جواز سفر ثانِ أمر في غاية الأهمية. تعد دول الكاريبي من المقاصد الجذّابة لعدد من الأسباب منها نمط الحياة المريح والمناظر الخلابة والمناخ المعتدل.

لماذا تحتاج العائلات والأفراد إلى جواز سفر ثانٍ؟

هناك عدة أسباب مختلفة وراء رغبة الأفراد الأثرياء في الحصول على جنسية ثانية أو بديلة ومنها:

  • توفير الأمان للأفراد في حال حدوث تغيرات سياسية أو اقتصادية أو ضريبية في بلدهم الأصلي. 
  • تسهيل السفر الدولي. فمواطنو العديد من الدول يضطرون للانتظار لفترات طويلة للحصول على التأشيرات للسفر لعدد من الدول الغربية. وقد يكون سبب ذلك أنهم مواطنو دول نامية أو قد تكون هناك عداوات بين دولهم ودول أخرى.
  • السماح لحامل جواز السفر بتجنب التمييز.
  • تجنب خطر تلقي معاملة قد تكون عدائية من طرف المسؤولين الحكوميين، والخاطفين ومحتجزي الرهائن.
  • توفير فرص جديدة للهيكلة الضريبية بالنسبة لمسائل الضرائب الشخصية. وبشكل عام، يعد مكان إقامة الفرد وجنسيته الأساس النهائي لغالبية الأحكام الضريبية.
  • مواطنو الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وبعض الدول الأخرى ملزمون بدفع الضرائب على دخلهم العالمي، بغض النظر عن دولة إقامتهم. ولا تتوفر لهم أي فرص للتخطيط الضريبي متعلقة بمكان إقامتهم في حين أنها تتوفر لغيرهم من الناس. ومن الممكن أن يتمتع مثل هؤلاء الأفراد بمزايا ضريبية من خلال الحصول على جنسية ثانية وتنازلهم عن جنسيتهم الأصلية.

هناك عدة خيارات مختلفة بالنسبة للحصول على جنسية ثانية في منطقة الكاريبي. ولكن إحدى المزايا الكبرى لجنسية سانت كيتس ونيفيس هي أنها تضمن حصول الأفراد على جواز سفر سانت كيتس ونيفيس الذي يمنح حامله حقوق السفر الكاملة لدول الشنغن في مختلف أنحاء أوروبا.

برنامج جنسية سانت كيتس ونيفيس من خلال الاستثمار يُمكّن الأفراد من الحصول على الجنسية من خلال 3 برامج للاستثمار البديل. بإمكان الفرد الحصول على جواز سفر سانت كيتس ونيفيس خلال 3 أشهر أو أقل من تاريخ تقديم الطلب.

ماذا يوفر جواز سفر سانت كيتس ونيفيس؟

  • يمكن أن يشمل الطلب الواحد الأطفال لغاية سن أقصاه 30 سنة والأهل بسن أدناه 55 سنة.
  • تُمكن المعالجة المستعجلة من استلام جواز سفر سانت كيتس ونيفيس في غضون 45 يوم.
  • يتمتع حاملو جواز السفر بالمزايا الكاملة للشنغن وبإمكانهم السفر إلى حوالي 120 دولة حول العالم، إما دون الحاجة للحصول على تأشيرة أو من خلال الحصول على تأشيرة عند دخول البلد. كما يمكن زيارة المملكة المتحدة دون تأشيرة.
  • ·         ، لن يخضعوا إلى ضريبة الدخل الشخصي ولا ضريبة الهدايا، ولا رسوم الوفاة، ولا ضريبة العقارات، ولا ضريبة الورثة، ولا ضريبة الأرباح الرأسمالية على دخلهم المتأتي من جميع أنحاء العالم.
  • يسمح جواز السفر لحامله بالإقامة في دولة أخرى من دول المجموعة الكاريبية (كاريكوم) في حال رغبته بذلك. وهناك 15 دولة عضوة في مجموعة دول كاريكوم.

ما هي طرق الاستثمار في سانت كيتس ونيفيس؟

تتوفر ثلاث طرق للاستثمار وهي:

الخيار 1: المساهمة في صندوق النمو المستدام (SGF)

  • يمكن لمقدم الطلب الفردي دفع مساهمة بقيمة 150.000 دولار أمريكي إلى صندوق النمو المستدام (SGF).
  • في العادة، تبلغ قيمة المساهمة لعائلة مكونة من لغاية 4 أفراد 195.000 دولار أمريكي.
  • بالنسبة للمُعالين الإضافيين، بغض النظر عن عمرهم، تكون قيمة المساهمة المطلوبة 10.000 دولار أمريكي لكل مُعال.

الخيار 2: مشاريع التطوير العقاري المعتمدة

  • الاستثمار بمبلغ لا يقل عن 400.000 دولار أمريكي في أحد مشاريع التطوير العقاري المعتمدة. وينبغي الاحتفاظ بملكية العقار لمدة لا تقل عن 5 سنوات بعد منح الجنسية.

وينبغي على المتقدم للطلب دفع رسوم تسجيل ورسوم إضافية مطلوبة للزوجة والأطفال دون سن 18 سنة وأي أفراد عائلة إضافيين فوق سن 18 سنة.

في حال اختيار هذه الطريقة، بإمكان مكتب Dixcart في نيفيس المساعدة في توريد خدمات إدارة العقار الذي يمكن بيعه بعد 5 سنوات.

الخيار 3: العقارات الفاخرة

  • الاستثمار بمبلغ لا يقل عن 200.000 دولار أمريكي في عقار فاخر جديد. وينبغي الاحتفاظ بملكية العقار لمدة لا تقل عن 7 سنوات بعد منح الجنسية.

وينبغي على المتقدم للطلب دفع رسوم تسجيل ورسوم إضافية مطلوبة للزوجة والأطفال دون سن 18 سنة وأي أفراد عائلة إضافيين فوق سن 18 سنة.

المُعالون

يمكن شمل الأطفال غير المتزوجين والمُعالين فوق سن 18 سنة ودون سن 30 في الطلب. كما يمكن أيضاً شمل الأهل بسن 55 فما فوق في الطلب. ويمكن منح الجنسية للأجيال المستقبلية على أساس النسب.

المعاملة المستعجلة

تستغرق مدة معالجة أي من الطرق الثلاث المذكورة أعلاه للحصول على جنسية سانت كيتس ونيفيس حوالي 3 شهور. ولكن، بمقابل مبلغ 46.000 دولار أمريكي، يمكن استعجال الطلب واستلام جواز السفر في غضون 45 يوم تقريباً.

معلومات إضافية

Dixcart هي شركة تقديم خدمات مُرخصة لبرنامج جنسية سانت كيتس ونيفيس من خلال الاستثمار وبإمكانها تقديم التفاصيل الشاملة حول الطرق البديلة المتوفرة لتقديم الطلب وأية رسوم إضافية قد يلزم دفعها والمساعدة في تنسيق الطلبات.

إذا كنت ترغب بالحصول على المزيد من المعلومات حول برنامج الجنسية الاقتصادية لسانت كيتس ونيفيس يُرجى الاتصال بغراهام ساتكليف (Graham Sutcliffe) في مكتبنا في نيفيس: advice.nevis@dixcart.com أو بشخص الاتصال الذي تتواصل معه عادة في Dixcart.

Mandarin: 選擇持有第二本護照——聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦投資入籍

Posted on | by Charlotte Clabon

背景

個人和家庭的流動性越來越大，持有第二本護照也變得越來越重要。加勒比海地區非常具有吸引力，原因包括：悠閒的生活方式，美麗的風景和宜人的氣候。

家庭和個人為何需要第二本護照？

富人希望獲得第二國籍或其他國籍的原因有很多，其中包括：

  • 提供相關保障，以應對原籍國在政治、經濟或財政上的變化。
  • 便於國際旅行。許多國家的國民必須等待很長時間，才能獲得某些西方國家的簽證，這可能是因為他們來自發展中國家，或者他們的國家與另一個國家之間存在敵意。
  • 令護照持有者避免遭遇歧視。
  • 避免遭遇來自政府官員、綁架者和人質劫持者的敵意的風險。
  • 針對個人稅務的稅收結構，提供新的機會。一般來說，個人的居住地和公民身份是大多數繳稅規定的最終依據。
  • 美國和某些其他國家的公民，無論其居住國為何地，都要對其在全球範圍內的收入徵稅。他們被剝奪了與居住地有關的稅收規劃機會，而其他國家的公民則享有該類機會。該類人士可以透過獲得新的公民身份、放棄原來的公民身份，從而獲得財政優勢。

加勒比海地區公民身份有幾種不同的選擇。聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦公民身份的主要優勢在於：保證獲得聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦護照，享有在歐洲各地的申根旅行權。

根據聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦投資入籍計劃，個人可透過3個備選的投資方案獲得公民身份。個人可在申請日起3個月或更短時間內領取聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦護照。

聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦護照提供哪些好處？

  • 單次申請可包含30歲以下的子女以及55歲以上的父母。
  • 全新出臺的快速辦理政策，45天即可領取聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦護照。
  • 護照持有人享有全部申根特權，可透過免簽或入境簽的方式前往全球約120個國家，前往英國無需簽證。
  • 如果護照持有者選擇遷往聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦定居，針對其全球範圍內的收入，將不徵收個人所得稅、贈與稅、死亡稅、遺產稅、繼承稅和資本利得稅。
  • 如果護照持有者願意，他們可以在其他加勒比共同體國家居住。加勒比共同體有15個成員國。

聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦投資方案有哪些？

有三種投資方案可供選擇：

備選方案1：可持續增長基金(SGF)供款

  • 單一申請人可向可持續增長基金(SGF)供款150,000美元。
  • 通常，四口之家的供款為195,000美元。
  • 對於額外的家屬，無論年齡大小，供款要求為：每名家屬10,000美元。

備選方案2：經批准的房產開發項目

  •  針對經批准的房產開發項目，至少投資400,000美元。獲得公民身份後，必須持有該房產至少5年。

申請人須繳納註冊費，配偶、18歲以下子女以及18歲以上的額外家庭成員須繳納額外費用。

如果選擇此投資方案，位於尼維斯的Dixcart辦事處可提供幫助，為相關房產尋找管理服務，5年後可以出售該房產。

備選方案3：豪華房地產項目

  •  針對新開發的豪華房地產項目，至少投資200,000美元。獲得公民身份後，必須持有該房地產至少7年。

申請人須繳納註冊費，配偶、18歲以下子女以及18歲以上的額外家庭成員須繳納額外費用。

家屬

18歲以上、30歲以下的未婚、受撫養子女可納入申請；年滿55歲或以上的受撫養父母也可包括在內。公民身份可以傳給後代。

快速辦理

上述三種投資方案中的任何一種方案，均可在3個月左右的時間獲得聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦公民身份。但是，如果再多付46,000美元，即可加速辦理申請，約45天即可拿到護照。

補充說明

Dixcart是聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦投資入籍計劃的特許服務供應商，我們將針對備選的申請方案以及可能需要繳納的額外費用提供全面的詳細資訊，並協助您辦理申請手續。

若您想瞭解有關聖基茨和尼維斯聯邦投資入籍計劃的更多詳情，請聯繫位於尼維斯辦事處的Graham Sutcliffe：advice.nevis@dixcart.com，或聯繫您常用的Dixcart連絡人。

Spanish: La Opción de un Segundo Pasaporte – Nacionalidad Por Inversíon en San Cristóbal Y Nieves

Posted on | by Charlotte Clabon

Antecedentes

Tanto personas individuales como familias se mueven cada vez con mayor frecuencia y la capacidad de tener un segundo pasaporte se está volviendo más relevante. El Caribe es un destino atractivo por varias razones, entre ellas el estilo de vida relajado, los bellos paisajes y el clima.

¿Por qué requieren las familias y las personas individuales un segundo pasaporte?

Hay varias razones por las que las personas acaudaladas desean adquirir una segunda nacionalidad, o nacionalidad alternativa:

  • Como seguro frente a cambios políticos, económicos o fiscales en el país de origen de la persona.
  • Para facilitar los viajes internacionales. Los ciudadanos de muchos países tienen que soportar largos períodos de espera para obtener visados que les permitan viajar a varios países occidentales. Esto puede deberse a que son ciudadanos de un país en desarrollo, o puede haber animosidad entre su país y otro.
  • Para permitir que el titular del pasaporte evite la discriminación.
  • Para evitar el riesgo de un trato potencialmente hostil por parte de funcionarios gubernamentales, secuestradores y tomadores de rehenes.
  • Para obtener nuevas oportunidades de estructuración fiscal de los asuntos tributarios personales. Por lo general, la residencia y la nacionalidad de una persona constituyen en última instancia la base para la mayoría de las decisiones fiscales.
  • Los ciudadanos de Estados Unidos de América y de algunos otros países están sujetos a impuestos sobre sus ingresos mundiales, independientemente de su país de residencia. Se les niegan oportunidades de planificación fiscal vinculadas a la residencia que están a disposición de otros. Es posible que esas personas obtengan ventajas fiscales al adquirir una nueva nacionalidad y renunciar a su nacionalidad original.

Existen varias opciones diferentes de nacionalidad en el Caribe. Una de las principales ventajas de la nacionalidad de San Cristóbal y Nieves es que garantiza la recepción de un pasaporte de San Cristóbal y Nieves, con plenos derechos de viaje por el espacio Schengen en Europa.

El plan de Nacionalidad por Inversión de San Cristóbal y Nieves permite que las personas obtengan la nacionalidad a través de 3 programas de inversión alternativos. Una persona puede recibir un pasaporte de San Cristóbal y Nieves en 3 meses o menos a partir de la fecha de solicitud.

¿Qué ofrece el pasaporte de San Cristóbal y Nieves?

  • Una misma solicitud puede incluir niños hasta una edad máxima de 30 años y padres con una edad mínima de 55 años.
  • El nuevo procesamiento rápido permite recibir un pasaporte de San Cristóbal y Nieves en 45 días.
  • Los titulares de pasaportes gozan de todos los privilegios del Acuerdo de Schengen y pueden viajar a unos 120 países de todo el mundo, ya sea sin visado o con visado en el momento de la entrada. No se requiere visado para visitar el Reino Unido.
  • No hay impuesto sobre la renta personal, ni impuesto sobre donaciones, ni impuesto sobre defunciones, ni impuesto sobre el patrimonio, ni impuesto de sucesiones, ni impuesto de plusvalías sobre la renta mundial.
  • El pasaporte permite al titular residir en otros países de la Comunidad del Caribe (Caricom) si así lo desea. Hay 15 estados miembro de la Caricom.

¿Cuáles son las rutas de inversión de San Cristóbal y Nieves?

Hay tres rutas de inversión disponibles:

Opción 1: Contribución al Fondo de Crecimiento Sostenible (FCS)

  • Un solo solicitante puede realizar una contribución de 150 000 USD al Fondo de Crecimiento Sostenible (FCP).
  • Por lo general, la contribución para una familia de hasta 4 personas es de 195 000 USD.
  • Para los dependientes adicionales, independientemente de la edad, el requisito de contribución es de 10 000 USD por dependiente.

Opción 2: Desarrollo de propiedades aprobadas

  •  Inversión de un mínimo de 400 000 USD en un proyecto inmobiliario aprobado. La propiedad debe ser mantenida por un mínimo de 5 años después la otorgación de la nacionalidad.

El solicitante debe pagar una tasa de registro y se requieren tasas adicionales para el cónyuge, los hijos menores de 18 años y los miembros adicionales de la familia mayores de 18 años.

Si se elige esta vía, la oficina de Dixcart en Nieves puede ayudar a obtener servicios de administración de la propiedad, que puede venderse después de 5 años.

Opción 3: Bienes inmuebles de lujo

  •  Inversión de un mínimo de 200 000 USD en nuevos bienes raíces de lujo. La propiedad debe ser mantenida por un mínimo de 7 años después la otorgación de la nacionalidad.

El solicitante debe pagar una tasa de registro y se requieren tasas adicionales para el cónyuge, los hijos menores de 18 años y cualquier otro miembro de la familia mayor de 18 años.

Dependientes

Los hijos solteros y dependientes mayores de 18 años pero menores de 30 pueden ser incluidos en la solicitud. También se puede incluir a los padres dependientes de 55 años o más. La nacionalidad puede transmitirse a las generaciones futuras por descendencia.

Vía rápida

El tiempo de procesamiento en cualquiera de las tres rutas anteriores para obtener la nacionalidad de San Cristóbal y Nieves es de unos 3 meses. Sin embargo, por 46 000 USD adicionales, puede acelerarse la solicitud y el pasaporte se recibe en aproximadamente 45 días.

Información adicional

Dixcart es un proveedor de servicios autorizado para el plan de Nacionalidad por Inversión de San Cristóbal y Nieves y puede proporcionar detalles exhaustivos de las alternativas de vía de solicitud disponibles y las tasas adicionales que puedan requerirse, así como ayudar en la coordinación de las solicitudes.

Si desea más información sobre el Programa de Nacionalidad por Inversión de San Cristóbal y Nieves, contacte por favor con John Mellor en nuestra oficina en Nieves: advice.nevis@dixcart.com o con su contacto habitual en Dixcart.

UK

What Private Clients and Institutional Clients Need from their Corporate Structures

Posted on | by Charlotte Clabon

Is there a Real Difference Nowadays?

At first appearance, private clients and institutional clients are like chalk and cheese. As a result, the Fiduciary sector has maintained different approaches to servicing these two sets of clients. However, at Dixcart Group, we feel that this is an oversight and have noticed that private clients and institutional clients have demands and requirements that are much more alike nowadays. This is perhaps because the pressures of transparency, governance, accountability and substance are affecting private and institutional clients in the same way.

Private Client Needs

Outside the normal company and day to day administration, and dependent on whether other advisers are already appointed, there can be a varying degree of involvement by the corporate service provider.  This can range from liaising with family members and advisers and reporting to meet specific individual needs, to advising on operational procedures and providing proactive advice on structures and structural changes.

Family members often want to become board members of the company, underlining the paramount importance of proper governance, decision making and domicile of the company.

Institutional and Corporate Needs

When considering the needs of institutional and corporate groups, there are generally very specific requirements.  This is because these groups usually have advisers (inhouse or external), who will have already specified a required structure’s needs and therefore service requirements.

Service considerations range from adopting consistent, group reporting and consolidation of information requirements and liaising with group functions and auditors around shareholder information and records, to involvement in group procedures and regulations to meet specific group company secretarial procedures and corporate governance requirements.

So, is there a Difference in the Approach to Administration, Secretarial and Compliance Services?

As detailed above, each client type may have differing needs (and often different asset classes), but does this effect what the underlying services are to be provided? 

The answer is, not really, as the underlying services required by each, will effectively be very similar i.e. ensuring that each corporate entity meets its regulatory and legal obligations. This is achieved through the delivery of a complete range of administration services to ensure that substance, tax and other related planning requirements are being met, whether it be a private or institutional client.

Key services include:

  • Day to day administration and company secretarial services
  • Director services
  • Registered office and agent services
  • Tax compliance services
  • Accountancy services
  • Dealing with transactions, including all aspects of acquisitions and disposals

Institutional client services may also include:

  • Escrow services
  • Securitization services
  • Exchange listing services
  • Employee Benefit Schemes

In all cases, where a complete suite of services, as detailed above, is provided, this can greatly assist in the setting up of bank accounts, particularly with the banks where a service provider, such as Dixcart, already enjoys a close working relationship.

What are Private Clients Learning from the Institutional Structures?

Private clients can have a vast variety of asset types within their structures, ranging from; routine investment portfolios, real estate and holding companies through to operating companies and alternative assets such as yachts, planes, cars, art and wine.  These differing asset classes often require a variety of corporate structures under a trust or foundation, with the most common and recognised being the use of a limited company i.e. the ‘Trust and Company’ structure.

However, the influence of the corporate world is seeing an increase in the use of such structures as; Private Trust Company (PTC), General Partner and Limited Partnership (GP/LP), Protected Cell Company (PCC), and Private Investment Fund (PIF).  This is because these alternative structures to the Trust and Company’ structure can offer increased flexibility in terms of client involvement and provide elevated levels of corporate governance.

As a result, the industry is seeing an alignment in the structure types now being adopted by private clients to those of Institutional and corporate groups where the traditional Trust/Foundation structure is not providing the required flexibility and corporate governance.

Lessons are also being learnt in the other direction as well.  Institutional and corporate groups and their respective service providers are seeing the benefits of building up the long-term trusted relationship with each other that is typically found with private clients and their service providers.

Conclusion

The private client and institutional worlds do have different needs, but the underlying services and structures required (outside of regulated and listed entities), are now often not that different, as the underlying services need to meet the same regulatory and legal obligations.

There is a trend towards private clients realising that there are advantages in using alternative corporate structures to the traditional trust or foundation structures, where corporate governance, transparency and flexibility of structure is of greater importance.

For institutional and corporate groups along with their respective service providers, they now see the benefits of building up a long-term trusted relationship with each other.

Final Thought – Global Corporate Administration and Company Secretarial Services

Dixcart are experienced in providing company administration, director and company secretarial services in multiple jurisdictions.  Where private clients, family offices, institutions or corporate groups have multi-jurisdictional entities to look after, these services could be consolidated through a single Dixcart office. 

This would have the following advantages:

  • provides a single and consistent point of contact
  • provides a consistent high level of service and reporting standards
  • can be in a time zone that is most convenient to each client team

This can be achieved by working alongside our other Dixcart offices, and in the jurisdictions, we do not have a presence, alongside our network of contacts worldwide.  This global service is to aid family offices and/or corporate secretarial teams, by taking over the burden of dealing with many different service providers, in different time zones working to different corporate governance standards, so your teams can concentrate on running the core business and operations.

Additional Information

The type and complexity of corporate services required by private clients and institutions vary from case to case.  The most important factor for both client groups is to choose a service provider with sufficient experience and professionalism to coordinate a range of services that fully meet corporate governance, efficiency and corporate objectives. 

For further information regarding corporate services, please speak to Steve de Jersey in the Dixcart office in Guernsey: advice.guernsey@dixcart.com.  Alternatively, please speak to your usual Dixcart contact.

Dixcart Trust Corporation Limited, Guernsey: Full Fiduciary Licence granted by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.

Guernsey registered company number: 6512.

The Malta Retirement Programme – Now Available to EU and Non-EU Nationals

Posted on | by Charlotte Clabon

Background

Until recently, the Malta Retirement Programme was only available to applicants from EU, EEA, or Switzerland. It is now available to EU and non-EU nationals and is designed to attract individuals who are not in employment but instead are in receipt of a pension as their regular source of income.

Individuals taking advantage of the Malta Retirement Programme, can hold a non-executive position on the board of a company, resident in Malta. They would, however, be prohibited from being employed by the company in any capacity. Such individuals can also be engaged in activities related to an institution, trust or foundation of a public nature, that is involved in philanthropic, educational, or research and development activities in Malta.

Benefits of the Malta Retirement Programme

In addition to the lifestyle benefits of living on a Mediterranean island, which enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year, individuals benefiting from the Malta Retirement Programme are granted a special tax status.

  • An attractive flat rate of 15% tax is charged on a pension remitted to Malta. The minimum amount of tax payable is €7,500 per annum for the beneficiary and €500 per annum for each dependant.
  • Income that arises in Malta is taxed at a flat rate of 35%.

Who May Apply?

Applicants who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Malta Retirement Programme:

  • Non-Maltese nationals.
  • Own or rent a property in Malta as his/her principal place of residence in the world. The minimum value of the property must be €275,000 in Malta or €220,000 in Gozo or south Malta; alternatively, property must be rented for a minimum of €9,600 annually in Malta or €8,750 annually in Gozo or south Malta. Applicants renting the property must take out the lease for a minimum period of 12 months, and a copy of the lease contract needs to be submitted with the application.
  • The pension which is received in Malta must constitute at least 75% of the beneficiary’s chargeable income. This means that the beneficiary can only earn up to 25% of his/her total chargeable income from any non-executive post(s), as referred to above.
  • Applicants must have Global Health Insurance and provide evidence that they can maintain this for an indefinite period.
  • The applicant must not be domiciled in Malta and should have no intention of becoming domiciled in Malta, within the next 5 years. Domicile means the country where you officially have a permanent home or have a substantial connection with. You can have more than one residence, but only one domicile.
  • Applicants must reside in Malta for a minimum of 90 days in each calendar year, averaged over any five-year period.
  • The applicant must not reside in another jurisdiction for more than 183 days in any one calendar year during the period that they benefit from the Malta Retirement Programme.

Special Carer

A ‘special carer’ is an individual who has been providing substantial and regular, curative or rehabilitative health care services to the beneficiary or his/her dependants, for at least three years prior to an application for special tax status, under the Malta Retirement Programme.

A special carer may reside in Malta with the beneficiary, in the qualifying property.

Where the care has not been provided for a minimum period of three years, but has been provided on a regular basis for a long and established period, the Commissioner in Malta may assess that this criteria has been met. It is important that the provision of such services is formalised by a contract of service.

A special carer would be subject to tax in Malta, at the standard progressive rates and is precluded from benefiting from the 15% tax rate. The special carer must register with the relevant tax authorities in Malta.

Applying to the Malta Retirement Programme

An Authorised Registered Mandatory in Malta must apply to the Commissioner of the Inland Revenue on behalf of an applicant. This is to ensure that the individual enjoys the special tax status as provided in the programme. A non-refundable administrative fee of €2,500 is payable to the Government on application.

Dixcart Management Malta Limited is an Authorised Registered Mandatory.

Individuals with special tax status are required to submit an annual return to the Commissioner of the Inland Revenue, with evidence that they have met the specified criteria.

Additional Information

If you would like further information regarding retirement in Malta, please speak to Jonathan Vassallo: advice.malta@dixcart.com at the Dixcart office in Malta or your usual Dixcart contact.

Dixcart Management Malta Limited Licence Number: AKM-DIXC-23

Cyprus

The Right to Relocate to Cyprus – Employees of Cyprus Foreign Investment Companies (FIC)

Posted on | by Charlotte Clabon

Key Feature of a Cyprus Foreign Investment Company

A Cyprus Foreign Investment Company (FIC), is an international company which can employ non-EU nationals in Cyprus. Such a company can obtain work permits for relevant employees and residence permits for their family members.

An Example

Mr. X, is an Indian national and he decides to relocate to Cyprus, via the establishment of a Cyprus FIC.

Main Criteria

The main criteria for a Cyprus FIC are:

  • The third country shareholder(s), in this case Mr. X, must own more than 50% of the total share capital of the company.
  • The third country shareholder(s) must contribute at least €170,860 to the share capital of the company. This investment can be used at a later date to fund future expenses incurred by the company when it is established in Cyprus.

Main Advantages

A key advantage is that after 7 years, third country nationals can apply for Cyprus Citizenship.

In the shorter term:

  • FICs can employ third country nationals, who can apply for appropriate residence and work permits, each of which will be valid for up to 2 years and are renewable.
  • Employees can exercise the right for their families to join them in Cyprus.
  • The rate of corporate tax rate in Cyprus is 12.5%.
  • The Cyprus FIC can also apply for the Notional Interest Deduction Regime, which reduces corporate taxation, by treating new equity in the same way as debt.
  • Cyprus has Double Tax Agreements with 67 countries.
  • Dividend income is exempt from corporate taxation
  • Dividend distribution to the shareholder(s), is exempt from withholding tax.

Additional Benefits Available to Cyprus Companies

Additional benefits for companies established in Cyprus include:

  • There is no withholding tax on dividends paid from a Cyprus company to its shareholders, as long as the shareholders are not Cyprus tax resident.
  • Tax relief is available, in the form of tax credits, for withholding tax on income received in Cyprus. These tax credits can also be applied to other taxable income.
  • There is no taxation on dividend income (subject to conditions).
  • The incorporation process is simple and straightforward.
  • There are no restrictions on individuals acting as directors and/or shareholders.
  • It is generally a fast and efficient procedure to open a bank account.

Tax Advantages Available to Cyprus Non-Domicile Individuals

Please see Dixcart Article: The Cyprus Non-Domicile Regime – An Attractive Tax Regime for Individuals Relocating to Cyprus.

Additional Information

Additional information regarding Cyprus Foreign Investment Companies, can be found in a video on this topic. This video has been prepared by Katrien de Poorter, who works in the Dixcart office in Cyprus.

Katrien de Poorter, and Robert Homem – the MD of the Dixcart Cyprus office, can provide further details regarding Cyprus FICs and the opportunities they provide for re-locating to Cyprus: advice.cyprus@dixcart.com.

UK Holding Companies – What the UK Offers as a Tax Efficient Jurisdiction Now and Post-Brexit

Posted on | by Charlotte Clabon

Background

One of the UK Government’s key ambitions has been to create the most competitive tax system in the G20. It has developed strategies to support, rather than hinder, growth and to boost investment.

This was confirmed at the end of June 2020, when the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson set out the UK government’s plans for nationwide economic recovery, stating that it will ‘build, build, build,’ to deal with the damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The transition period for the UK leaving the EU ends on 31 December 2020.

What does the UK Offer as a Tax Efficient Jurisdiction?

The UK Government has created a corporate environment where:

  • There are low corporate taxes
  • Most dividend income is tax exempt
  • There is an exemption from taxation on gains arising from substantial shareholdings
  • The UK has double tax treaties with more than 130 countries (one of the world’s largest networks of double tax treaties)
  • There is a very good double tax treaty network, to minimise withholding taxes on dividends, interest and royalties received by a UK company
  • There is no withholding tax on the distribution of dividends
  • There is no tax on profits arising from the sale of shares in a holding company by non-resident shareholders
  • No capital duty is applicable on the issue of share capital
  • There is no minimum share capital
  • An election is available to exempt overseas branches from UK taxation
  • Informal tax clearances are available
  • Controlled Foreign Company Legislation only applies to narrowly targeted profits

What Impact is Brexit Likely to Have?

The status regarding a number of the tax efficiencies enjoyed by UK Holding Companies will NOT be affected by Brexit.

These include the following:

Participation Exemption: virtually all dividends received by a UK company, be they from the UK or overseas, are exempt from tax. 

Capital Gains Tax Exemption on Disposal of Shareholdings: disposals of substantial shareholdings in trading companies or the holding companies of trading groups are exempt from UK corporation tax, provided that certain conditions are met.

No Withholding Tax on Dividends: the UK does not levy withholding tax on dividends paid from UK companies. 

No Imposition of Capital Gains Tax on Profits Arising from the Sale of Shares in a Holding Company: the UK does not impose capital gains tax on the sale of shares in a UK company by non-residents of the UK. 

No Imposition of Capital Duty on Share Capital: In the UK there is no capital duty on paid up or issued share capital.  Stamp duty at 0.5% is payable on subsequent share transfers. 

No Minimum Paid Up Share Capital: there is no minimum paid up share capital for normal limited companies in the UK.  For public companies the minimum issued share capital is £50,000. 

Low Tax on Non-dividend Income: the UK has relatively low corporate taxes.  The current rate is 19%.

Profits of Overseas Branches: A UK company can elect for the profits of its overseas branches to be exempt from UK tax.

Research and Development and Patent Box Regimes: the UK offers attractive R&D and Patent Box regimes.

Minimisation of Withholding Tax on Dividends, Interest and Royalties Paid to UK Companies

The UK has one of the largest networks of double tax treaties in the world.  In most situations where a UK company owns more than 10% of the issued share capital of a foreign company, the rate of withholding tax is reduced to between 0% and 15%.

UK companies currently have access to the EU Parent/Subsidiary Directive, as well as the Interest and Royalties Directive, thereby reducing the withholding tax to zero for many European countries.

Different EU countries do not have the same laws governing when the benefit of these directives can be applied.  In many cases, where the ultimate beneficial owner is not resident in the claiming jurisdiction, access to the directives is denied.

Post Brexit, UK companies might not have access to these directives.

The ‘fall-back’ position would therefore be to claim relief under one of the UK’s double tax agreements. 

Conclusion

The UK continues to be regarded as one of the preferred European holding company jurisdictions for the majority of international companies, due to the number of tax benefits that are legitimately available.

Which UK Corporate Services can Dixcart Provide?

Dixcart can provide a comprehensive range of services relating to the formation and management of UK companies. These include:

  • Formation of holding companies
  • Registered office facilities
  • Tax compliance services
  • Accountancy services
  • Director services
  • Dealing with all aspects of acquisitions and disposals

Contact

If you would like further information on this subject, please contact Laurence Binge or Paul Webb: advice.uk@dixcart.com at the Dixcart office in the UK.