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Ownership through an offshore company will also ensure that, on death,
property will pass to intended heirs. It will overcome forced inheritance provisions found in civil law and in Sharia law.
Purchasing through a company does increase cost. The purchase may attract a higher rate of stamp duty, company will need to be professionally managed and it may be required to file a tax return. These costs are however generally modest in relation to potential tax saving.
Some words of caution
Some countries, whether in an attempt to prevent tax evasion by their residents, as part of increased international co-operation against tax avoidance or merely to raise revenue from non-voting foreigners, impose taxes on a notional income of companies incorporated in tax- free centres, but not against companies formed in taxing locations. Examples are France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Argentina.
Others, such as U.K. have hit on wheeze of taxing their residents on a notional benefit, where property is owned by a company rather than by taxpayer personally, and no occupational rent is paid. Foreign investors in U.K. property are not discriminated against however. The answer, as always, is to take advice before acting.
The Chesterfield Group provides a full range of trustee, and corporate advisory, formation and management services and invites enquiries. More particulars can be found on our web-site www.chesterfield-management.com
