Offshore Banking & Offshore Incorporation

Offshore Company Formation

We incorporate Offshore IBCs in the highest rated tax havens and facilitate the opening of offshore bank accounts for asset protection , tax free offshore investing , and financial privacy .

Offshore Incorporation of an IBC - International Business Companies

If you are not ready to leave your high-tax nation as an expatriate, you can benefit from moving your money to a tax free , secure , and private banking tax haven using an IBC .

Offshore Asset Protection Using a Panama Foundation or IBC

A Panama Foundation is a superior asset protection entity because once assets have been transferred to the Panama Foundation no one can make a claim against the Foundation. 1 Even a collection agency with a judgement against you in hand cannot make a claim against a Panama Foundation .

Swiss Bank Accounts

We can facilitate an individuals who wants the highest security and banking privacy that can be obtained using Swiss bank accounts .

Offshore Online Bank Accounts

If you want a secure, encrypted Internet banking account , we have great contacts for helping to open a multi-currency account online quickly in the Caribbean or Europe. Anonymous offshore banking is rapidly disappearing, but can still be obtained at a premium.

Tax Haven Countries Around the World

We use IBCs for offshore banking in tax haven jurisdictions such as BVI, Switzerland, Bahamas, Belize, Panama, Antigua, Canada, Nevada to name a few. We can offer a vast wealth of experience in picking a suitable tax haven country for your stated objectives.

Offshore Banking Packages

Banking Packages provide an affordable solution to the need for international, multi-currency, private banking.

The banking package provides an Introduction and Form Completion service to efficiently open your offshore account without having to personally fly to the haven and muddle through the complex legal requirements.

Payment by credit card will be billed discreetly offshore, by 2CheckOut. A email will be sent with the link to the web form, after the payment is confirmed (1 to 2 days)

Personal Offshore - Antigua

This account is in your personal name:

• Opened online in under 5-minutes
• Internet access 24/7, online payments;
• Multi-currency, online statements;
• Debit Card Maestro ATM anonymous/un-named;
• Notarized ID and 1 original reference letter;

 Pay by Credit Card Only $199.00 - BUY NOW
  SSL Encrypted Offshore Payment Processing

Swiss Bank Account - Swiss Banking Secrecy

The Swiss bank we facilitate opening your personal account is a world-class service. was established in 1855 and has been listed on the European Stock Exchange since 1863. They have a sterling reputation and are a household name in over 20 countries worldwide. Per year-end 2001, assets under management exceeded 48 Billion USD and sales of 13 B. USD.

• Swiss banking without minimum deposit
• High money-market interest rates
• Equity trading on nine important stock markets
• Mutual funds selected and analysed by Bank
• Cash available with VISA and MasterCard
• Secure encrypted Internet and Phone banking 24h
• Personal private numbered account
• Protected by Swiss banking secrecy
  

Buy Stocks, Mutual Funds, and Guaranteed Products

A brokerage account is included so you can purchase equities or guaranteed debt instruments online with a few clicks from within your secured numbered account. Plus you can manage your portfolio with charts and analytical tools online. Professional advisor services and daily news reports are available from your account. Investing has never been so easy or secure.

Open Swiss Banking Online In A Few Minutes

Very little is required to open this multi-currency Swiss account. You complete a very short secure online form, and print the ready to sign completed application in under 3 minutes. Simply add your Notarized copy of your Passport or Drivers License, and send the package to Zurich according to the clear instructions. The account is verified by Switzerland in a few days after receipt of your complete package. ( Not available to American residents, Canada is OK .)

 Pay by Credit Card Only $299.00 - BUY NOW
 SSL Encrypted Offshore Payment Processing

ONLINE DEMO (coming soon)

Company Offshore - Antigua

IBC owners use this service to open a new account:

• Opened online in under 10-minutes;
• Use for any IBC in good standing;
• Internet access 24/7, online payments;
• Multi-currency, online statements;
• Debit Card Maestro ATM anonymous/no-name;
• Notarized ID and IBC Certificate of Incorporation;

 Pay by Credit Card Only $299.00 - BUY NOW
 SSL Encrypted Offshore Payment Processing

Other payment options, e-gold, check, wire are available

Our IBC Packages include the above accounts FREE.

Swiss Corporate Bank Account - Swiss Banking Secrecy

By opening a Personal account, above, the same Swiss bank will accept your corporate application the following month. The corporate application includes the above personal account as the first step, followed by the company application.

 Pay by Credit Card Only $599.00 - BUY NOW
 SSL Encrypted Offshore Payment Processing

International Business Company (IBC) FAQ

What Is An International Business Company?

An "IBC" is a separate legal entity similar to a domestic  incorporated company, created under the authority of a statute. The primary difference is the allowance in certain "Havens" of a tax-exempt status, in order to attract new business to their otherwise remote location. A Company is a separate legal "person" for tax reporting purposes.

Why Should I Buy An IBC?

An IBC is a globally recognized legal entity or form of doing business, which is treated as a separate "person" allowing the Company to be responsible for it's own risks and rewards. The limiting of risk is a key factor with most experienced business people, and the unlimited life-span of a company makes it a great vehicle for passing your successful enterprise on to your family, and is mostly used for holding private investment capital securely offshore in a tax-free country .

What Are the Main Advantages of an IBC?

There are many advantages to moving assets offshore, some of these are:

• Asset Protection - To secure against future claims such as judgment, divorce proceedings, bankruptcy, creditors and litigation.
  
• Estate Planning - Family and Protective Trusts for accumulation of investment income and long-term benefits for beneficiaries on a favourable tax basis (without inheritance, income, or capital gains taxes);
  
• Confidentiality - From claimants, ex-spouse, competitors, and other parties from whom you wish to keep your business interests private; and
  
• Reduction of Tax Liability - Through International Tax Planning - a foreign jurisdiction can offer unparalleled opportunities for reducing your tax liability.
  

What Can an IBC Do?

Your IBC can act in many ways, for example it can:

• Open a bank account, make deposits and transact globally.
  
• Manage offshore investments such as term deposits, bonds, stocks, mutual funds, CDs, etc.
  
• Provide consulting, management, or professional services (and hire you).
  
• Own a Corporate credit card, and allow you to cover your legitimate expenses using it.

How Does a Offshore Company Compare to a Local Company?

As you can determine from the chart below, it is wise to establish your company in a Country that has more favourable rules than your local Government imposes.

What Countries Should I Consider For An IBC?

The answer depends on what your objectives are:  Do you want to operate an active income business that sells a product or service? Then perhaps a country that has a tax-treaty with Canada would be best. Canadian companies should examine the Barbados IBC .

A different common objective is a passive income investment  IBC to accrue income, un-taxed or deferred, as a nest-egg. Then a country with strict privacy laws and a track-record of not giving in to high-tax nation pressures may be best. 

There are over 75 countries that are trying to attract foreign investment by offering favourable rules to new companies. English speaking people should insist that English is the main language, that they follow British Common Law, and that they are politically stable and Independent from Canada. Privacy may be a top priority, if so recent pressures by the OECD and G-10 Nations have resulted in a string of British Protectorates and American dependencies lifting their privacy. Countries to recently sell-out on privacy include many top names: BVI, Caymans, Bahamas, Jersey, Isle of Man, and many others. Your choice should be within 2-3 hours of your time zone (so you don't have to set your alarm clock to call the Bank), which narrows the field down to about a half-dozen.

For a free ranking of the comparable merits of IBC laws in different countries, click here for the "Swiss Report" . It will be sent instantly by a file auto-responder as a safe .html page, like this one. 

What Can I Name an IBC?

There are certain restrictions in naming your IBC, most registrars do not allow anything that suggests royalty, or anything that requires additionally licensing such as a Bank, Insurance, or Trust company dealing with the public.

If you are in a hurry, you can select a "shelf" company from our available inventory on a first-order basis. Here is the link to our email a request for: SHELF IBC NAMES

Otherwise, you can submit your choice of regular or alpha-numeric names to us, and we will order a government registrar search, then let you know which ones are open to use; your reply back allows us to reserve your choice of names while payment is arranged., You must use an approved designation, such as: Inc.; Corp.; Ltd.; S.A. (Society Anonyme), A.G; etc. Here is our link to our IBC NAME SEARCH FORM

What Is The Registered Office?

It is a requirement that a physical address be given in the Country of Incorporation that represents your Company. Typically this is a lawyer, accountant, or preferably a Chartered Bank.

What Is The Registered Agent?

It is required that a local registered professional act as the person capable of receiving any legal notice to your Company. (not to be an IBC mail address)

What Kinds of Shares Are There?

There are two categories of shares that may represent the ownership of your Company. The tradition type we have domestically is the Registered Share, which is recorded with the Government Registrar. The more popular (for tax saving and privacy purposes), is the Bearer Share, which is not registered. The main advantage of Bearer Shares, is that there exists no record of who the shareholder's) are. The ownership of the Company rests with who has possession of the Bearer Share Certificate.

To keep your Company a true foreign entity, you should not hold your Bearer Shares at home. It is best to keep the Bearer Shares offshore, and preferably held by a Private Foundation so that any Canadian regulator has difficulty arguing that you are the beneficial owner. Alternatively, an offshore Trustee could render a private safeguarding service, that only you have access to the Bearer Shares. Never leave IBC shares in a safety deposit box at a Canadian chartered bank or credit union.

How Should The Shares Be Held?

IBC shares should be held by a Private Foundation as the legal owner. A Foundation acts like a Trust, but has superior capabilities for a Canadian resident. Trusts are still recommended by many advisors, but are clearly reportable under new income tax foreign reporting rules. It is possible for a Private Foundation structure to be exempt from the foreign asset reporting rules, when the Foundation Charter is crafted specifically for the recent Canadian tax rules. See Foundation Benefits for more details.

If the shares are not officially held by someone, you may be deemed to be the sole shareholder by default if you cannot show who is. This means that you are responsible for the tax on world-wide income earned by you and your company. We advise you to be aware of Foreign Reporting Requirements , and make this article available for your study. We can answer questions or refer experienced independent legal counsel to you on email request.

What Is A Nominee Director?

This is a professional you hired to serve as the management of the IBC. Their name would appear in most documents acting as the management of the company. The nominee Director may hold the Bearer Shares, since their name is used in all correspondence and obligations for the company, they need to know that someone is not out there putting the shares at risk in some way. For security reasons, various methods exist to limit the powers of the Nominee Director. 

What Are The Objects And Powers Of A Company?

The Memorandum of Association will generally and specifically categorize the acts your Company may engage in. This will typically include pages of descriptions relating to buying, selling, trading, holding, investing, services, and many other purposes. Ideally your Company may engage in any activity that is not specifically prohibited under the law for the time being in force in that Country. Exclusions are listed, as mandated by the laws of that Country.

What Is The Memorandum And Articles of Association?

It is the written document, which is filed with a Government registrar detailing the operating parameters of a newly formed and incorporated company. The Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&AA), define the rules by which the Company can exist, function, and change. Just as your Company can be governed by the laws of your Province, so to can you choose a "tax-haven" jurisdiction that has more accommodating and business friendly laws to operate under. Contents of a M&AA may vary greatly from case to case, the necessary features are:

• Naming the Company.
  
• Defines the essential elements of a Registered Office, and  Registered Agent.
  
• Defines the Company's powers and restrictions.
  
• Describes the type of shares issued, Registered or Bearer shares.
  
• Describes how meetings of members may happen.
  
• Defines how Voting and Proxies will be carried out.
  
• Defines the powers and proceedings of Directors and Officers.
  
• Defines how Company business is run on a day to day basis.
  
• Defines how Dividends, Audits, and Notices are issued.
  
• Describes how changes are done through Amendments and Resolutions.
  

How Does A Death Affect My IBC?

In order to keep from having any disruption of the management of the company when a key person dies, you need to have a successor named in advance. A good lawyer will prepare a minute to be adopted at a meeting that appoints a particular person to succeed the named individual in the event of their death. By having this advance minute established, the control passes immediately to the successor, in the unfortunate event of the death of a Director or Shareholder. We can provide a reference to a Canadian estate planning lawyer that is experienced with both the offshore complexity, as well as the domestic considerations, to work on your behalf.

Is It Legal To Own An IBC, Bank Accounts, & Investments?

Absolutely. Because Canada encourages International trade and investment, there are few restrictions on residents doing business or having bank accounts in other countries. Offshore investment vehicles are used every day by sophisticated and knowledgeable high net-worth individuals and corporations all over the world. Revenue Canada wants you to report your world-wide income, and any interest you have in an offshore entity. We have provided a Reporting Requirements report on this web site for your reference and encourage you to print it and read it carefully. We can also refer experienced Canadian legal counsel to guide you through common concerns, and comment, or provide clients with a written opinion on our legal structures.

What Position Should I Hold?

If you want to be the President or Owner, you should also accept the tax responsibilities that go along with control. Most owners prefer to appoint a Nominee Director to sign documents, although it may cost you five-hundred dollars each year. It is common for the Canadian to hold a contract position with the IBC, allowing repatriated income to be declared, net of expenses, and taxes paid. The IBC may grant the Canadian a banking power-of-attorney to sign on and conduct transactions as the company agent. Clients of Canada Offshore may request our seven-page Contractor agreement template for personalization and use, returned by e-mail as a Word document attachment, and a standard banking Power-of-Attorney forms.

Can The IBC Open A Bank Account In Its Name?

Yes, however opening a corporate bank account can be very time-consuming and frustrating the first time you attempt to do-it-yourself. Some countries expect you to personally travel and visit their branch. Others require every page to be notarized and demand extensive references and proof of ID. 

Canada Offshore Services  can introduce and open a private numbered corporate bank account, in a good country with a trustworthy bank. Costs begin at $350 for this service with our standard Internet access Caribbean bank. When a shelf company is ordered, we can assign an account number within 24-hours of payment.

An opening deposit of $1000 is the minimum requirement. Access is by the banks secure web site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing instant viewing of the daily account balances and transaction records. Funds can flow by wire transfers, bank drafts, a company check-book, or a debit/credit card used for purchases or cash advances at ATM machines World-wide.

Can I Open Secured Credit or Debit Card In the IBC Name?

Yes, we will introduce and facilitate the origination of a Credit Card. The market for Offshore card products has become very competitive, so we are constantly reviewing the options and offers of different providers.

Our current favourite is a Maestro Anonymous debit card   from a bank in Europe. It offers: 

• No transaction cost for purchases
• All funds on account are available
• Purchases made with a PIN # do not require a signature
• $1000 security deposit
• Low cost ATM world-wide, USD2.25 + 1%
• Online secure account access 24/7

For maximum privacy, the numbered card does not show either the IBC or the personal names. Companies can have one card for each employee, each in individual, segregated accounts to gives access to foreign income. 

Can An IBC Buy Shares Or Mutual Funds In the IBC's Name?

Yes, we can introduce trustworthy, advanced on-line brokerage services that the IBC can transact and monitor from a home computer. Alternatively using a full service foreign broker. 

Day-traders can add significant security and profit to their program by using a foreign entity properly. Contact us to discuss different needs and opportunities.

Why Should I Deal With A Canada Offshore Specialist?

We are full-time, dedicated, practitioners who live in Canada and understand the tax and legal issues in Canada. Unlike other agencies in Canada, we do not accept American or any other foreigner just to sell a useless Trust package. 

We focus on making the experience as private, secure, and professional as you can expect. We will patiently provide answers to all your questions, until you reach a comfort level and make a decision. Our experience will guide you through the typical risks and get you to your objective safely and quickly.

We personally travel to and meet most of our established foreign sources around the globe and perform initial due diligence. We keep our business relationships healthy and continue to monitor the services and laws of each source.

We deal directly with the Registrar and Government sources, as well as established offshore banks and law offices so our costs are the lowest possible. Compared to resellers who purchase from middlemen-providers, you can easily pay 5 - 10 times the amount from some lawyers, to support their high costs and overhead.

Can You Refer An Experienced Lawyer?

Yes, we have worked with many lawyers across Canada, and can refer you to one.

News: Ottawa has passed a "squeal law" that requires lawyers to report any suspicious financial (offshore) transactions to Ottawa/CCRA without telling the client. This is what Nazi Germany did to their lawyers, and although it is being fought, the legislation has been passed. In the UK a lawyer was jailed for 6-months for not squealing on his client. Accountants were forced to squeal about two years ago with requirements to report their offshore clients.

Can Your Records Be Seized In Canada?

First, we do not do anything unlawful that would warrant a seizure. Second, we practice an over abundance of security and privacy, including PGP data encryption, digital and paper shredding, and no storage of client names outside of our law office files. We encourage our Canadians to use a lawyer, and can refer an experienced one to you, which can provide the shield of Solicitor/Client privilege from Feds or creditors. Often, the lawyer sub-retains us to further extend the lawyer confidentiality privilege.

What Happens If Canada Offshore Disappears?

When an IBC is created it is a mandatory requirement to have a Registered Office and Registered Agent to serve such needs. Canada Offshore gives you the contacts for the Government, Bank or lawyers office used in the country of incorporation, which you could use in the event of our death or disappearance.

Why Should I Choose Belize?

Belize meets all the basic requirements of a preferred Tax Haven for Canadians:

• Independent Country (Formerly British Honduras) Member of the British Commonwealth.
  
• English is the main language (only one in Central America).
  
• Laws are based on British Common Law (Like Canada).
  
• No currency exchange controls. (US Dollar account are still safe, unlike other areas)
  
• Has a Bank Act, which provides for maximum privacy, by threat of jail and heavy penalties.
  
• Has no tax treaty with Canada or the USA. (Tax evasion is not a crime in Belize).
  
• Was intentionally created as a financial tax haven, not by accident or as a sideline to tourism.
  
• Is a desirable place to visit or retire. United Nations rated Canada #1, US #2, and Belize #3.
  
• You can drive there from here. (2 hours south of Cancun, on the East Caribbean coast).

We know of no other jurisdiction that has proven that it will back up their "paper and ink" with the strength demonstrated recently by the  Supreme Court of Belize vs. US SEC which defended their Act of 1992 from the mighty US Government regulator, the SEC. The Companies Act of Belize are the most modern and most suitable in today's worldwide complex tax and political environment. We use other jurisdictions to diversify a client wishing a multi-jurisdictional, maximum privacy approach.

What About Costs?

Costs differ from country-to-country, and are subject to change at any time. We also have IBC Packages from time-to-time, that are subject to availability.

A complete IBC package start from $1995 US. and include a corporate nominee Director, a multi-currency online corporate Bank account, Contractor agreement, Power-of-Attorney agreement, and a corporate e-mail and fax number setup. Minimum account opening balance is $1,000. USD.

You may add a secured or debit card, or a brokerage trade account, which vary in cost depending on factors such as objectives and preferences. See our Offshore Credit Card page for current details.

For maximum privacy, protection, and profits,  we recommend Canadians add a  Charitable Foundation , which owns the IBC shares, so that you are exempted from the report rules. This means the Foundation is the owner, controller, and not yourself. This multi-jurisdictional, multi-layered approach will add $2,000 - $6,000.

What About Annual Renewal Fees?

IBC renewal fees are due at the beginning of the following year. All IBCs incorporated during the calendar year 2002, will be payable in February 2003. Government penalties are progressively added for late payment to a maximum of 50% by October.

NOTE: It does not matter which month you took your IBC! The foreign Government registrar treats all last years IBCs as due this year, they are not interested in which month you took your IBC. (Everyone would say December) They only go by the year.

Current renewal fees for 2003 are $950 USD. due February 2003. They are paid to Canada Offshore, who disburses fees to 1) the Government Registrar;  2) the Registered Office; and 3) the Registered Agent in that country. The $300 Directors fee is also due at the same time - total is $1250.

What Is A Nexus?

A Nexus is having a fraction or share of an IBC. This is done for those who do not want control or responsibility, and/or do not have much money to have their own IBC. A Nexus gives most of the advantages at a reduced cost, to those with little capital. 

How Do I Begin?

You may begin by going to our start-up guide:  4 Steps to Going Offshore

You can call us at 250-248-8796 or email us to ask questions and consider our experience.

Canada Offshore Services

For more information about our services contact us specifying what you are interested in, or the questions you have. We will get back to you with detailed information.

Web site: www.canadaoffshore.com Mail: Canada O. Services 952 Shorewood Drive Parksville, BC. Canada. V9P 1R9 Int'l Fax: (603) 720-8468