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5 Best Countries to Set up an Offshore Company


— July 22, 2022

You must have known that offshore companies are not illegal now, and even though it is used to perpetrate embezzlement, it doesn’t negate the fact that many people use them for good.


As opposed to the belief that offshore companies are illegal, offshore companies are legal, and there are many reasons to own one. Offshore companies give that privacy you need from prying eyes and even from security operatives, except in some instances when criminal activities are linked to your offshore company. 

An offshore company provides benefits not just to the owner but also to the country where it is established. Talking about the country, not all countries contribute equal benefits to offshore companies; some contribute more. Let’s dive into the best countries to set up your offshore company.

Best Countries To Set up an Offshore Company

Setting up an offshore company in any country boils down to how well the country of choice handles offshore business registration and its tax rates for offshore companies. The primary goal of all business owners, either an offshore company or not, is to maximize profits using legal means.

So, before concluding on which country to set up your offshore company, it is important you do some findings about the tax rates and how efficient their company registration is. 

China

The People’s Republic of China is not only a developed country; it is one of the few that has embraced technology in all sectors, especially the business sector. During the last pandemic, China was one of the few countries to curb the deadly virus through technology. There is numerous footage online showing how China uses robots to attend to affected patients, saving health workers and breaking the transmission cycle.

China is evidently the hub of technology, and cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong proved it by attracting investors, businessmen, employers, and employers to the country. Aside from that, China has a legal system that follows English law, so this makes it even better for native speakers. Similarly, China has the best offshore company benefits of all Asian countries, Japan included.

Regarding the taxation rate, China offers offshore companies operating outside Hong Kong a 0 percent rate and 16.5 percent for those operating within the jurisdiction. This shows how well you can save on tax when setting up an offshore company in China.

Singapore

Singapore is one of the fastest-growing countries in Southeast Asia. Singapore is not only the best country to establish an offshore company in Southeast Asia but also the best technology hub in that region. 

Singapore, just like China, offers a reasonable tax rate on your profit and gives your company the privacy it needs.

Additionally, offshore companies in Singapore, upon registration, are offered a choice of reputable banks to open an account, and these banks also provide attractive features like credit cards, internet banking, multi-currency accounts, and the freedom to move funds from one country to another.

Panama

Panama City, Panama at sundown; image by Miguel Bruna, via Unsplash.com.
Panama City, Panama at sundown; image by Miguel Bruna, via Unsplash.com.

Many knew Panama through scandal leaks a few years ago, and as opposed to many beliefs, Panama is still a reliable country to shield your property. Panama is one of the few countries that offers excellent asset protection. Offshore companies in Panama can also protect their business from lawsuits.

Offshore companies in Panama enjoy a lot of flexibility, like distributing dividends and shares without the need to get approval from the government. The tax rates in Panama are also as good as in China; there is a tax rate of 0 percent for revenue not coming from within the country.

Bahamas

The tax system in the Bahamas is second to none. The advantages the Bahamas has over other countries are its confidentiality and tax system. Offshore companies in the Bahamas enjoy a tax exemption for 20 years; the companies only need to set an annual fee that they pay to the government regardless of their profit or loss margins.

All offshore companies in the Bahamas also enjoy a high level of privacy as the country has an International Business Companies (IBC) Act of 1990 that prohibits sharing information with other countries.

Cyprus

For many who don’t know, Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and the Eurozone since 2008. This means when you set up an offshore company there, you will be given an Intra-Community VAT number which allows you to conduct business transactions with other EU countries.

Offshore companies in Cyprus enjoy a lower tax rate than in other EU countries. The country charges 12.5 percent of your total revenue.

Conclusion

You must have known that offshore companies are not illegal now, and even though it is used to perpetrate embezzlement, it doesn’t negate the fact that many people use them for good.

Establishing offshore companies has a primary aim which is to maximize profits and enjoy the privacy that some countries offer. However, not all countries are good for setting up offshore companies as they either charge too much tax or provide no protection to the companies.

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