Month: april 2019
How to escape or avoid the new Economic Substance (ES) laws or regulations
The worldwide industry of non-resident, low tax or tax neutral companies is panicking: all the big accounting firms (Deloitte, Ernest and Young, KMPG, and PWC) have been overwhelmed by a wave of recent legislation adopted by many jurisdictions at once. The call (shot?) has been made by the European Commission in Brussels regarding the non-cooperative tax jurisdictions. Some people will believe that it targets only small players, and others will believe that it only affects big players. In fact it is targeting every body. The biggest players affected are Chinese companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (BVI (Brittiska Jungfru)). Such companies ... Read more
Anguilla adopted Economic Substance regulations
Anguilla has adopted Economic Substance regulations in a very detailed manner.
The Marshall Islands adopted Economic Substance Regulations
The Marshall Islands adopted Economic Substance Regulations applicable from the 1st January 2019. However it is interesting to note that: it applies strictly to relevant activities (distribution and service center business, financing and leasing business, headquarters business, holding company business, intellectual property business, shipping business, banking business, and insurance business) holding company business is defined as pure equity holding company a pure equity holding company is subject to a reduced economic substance test the entities must provide the relevant information if requested by the Registrar it seems to apply to Master Series LLC only (and not each Series) an entity ... Read more
After having attracted investors and companies : the Isle of Man decides to triple kick them out
Like their flag with three legs: the Isle of Man prepares to triple kick with sanctions all the investors or companies that do not pass their economic substance’s tests.
Jersey drafts Economic Substance laws
Upcoming laws are to be adopted in Jersey regarding Economic Substance for companies.
Guernsey also adopted Economic Substance laws
Taking effect on the 1st January 2019: Guernsey adopted Economic Substance laws.
The Cayman Islands adopted Economic Substance Laws
Already in force: the Cayman Islands adopted laws & regulations regarding economic substance requirements.
Bermuda adopted an Economic Substance Regime
Bermuda is added to the list of jurisdictions adopting an Economic Substance Regime. Bermuda is used by numerous insurance companies (for example: AIA in Hong Kong) in order to lower the costs and avoid stamp duty on shares. Insurance companies already have on the ground staff in Bermuda so this should not be a problem for them.
The Bahamas adopted substantial economic presence requirements
The Bahamas follow many other jurisdictions by adopting substantial economic presence requirements: activities must be conducted from the Bahamas.
The British Virgin Islands (BVI (Brittiska Jungfru)) adopts economic substance requirements
The British Virgin Islands (BVI (Brittiska Jungfru)) adopts economic substance requirements applicable from 1 januari 2019 (with a six-month transitional period for existing legal entities) if it conducts any of the following “relevant activities”: banking business insurance business fund management business finance and leasing business headquarters business shipping business holding business intellectual property business distribution and service centre business. If the economic substance fail, the BVI non-resident company needs to show that it is resident (and taxed) in another jurisdiction. Companies registered in the BVI are widely used in Hong Kong.