How to Compare Offshore Jurisdictions
Offshore Jurisdictions are places that use legal, political and administrative measures to entice international investors, businesses and individuals to establish a presence. Their tax rates are more attractive than in their home countries for those who want to avoid higher rates of taxation.
The article will provide information about offshore jurisdictions that operate with secrecy and provide offshore companies (these are usually incorporated in an offshore economy). The article will also discuss the different types of offshore jurisdictions, such as: financial centers; corporate tax havens; international business centers; overseas protectorates; special economic zones.
Finally, the article will give an insight into the legal aspects of offshore jurisdictions such as secrecy, transparency, jurisdiction and passporting.
There are currently many countries that offer a range of legal and tax advantages to individuals who wish to incorporate a company or invest in property. Many of these jurisdictions are publicly known. They are: the UK; Germany; Australia; Canada; Switzerland; Hong Kong and Singapore. They will be referred to as "home countries". The rest of this article examines those countries that have no public profile, but which do offer significant tax advantages at low tax rates (often at zero percent or less). These second class offshore jurisdictions will be referred to as "tax havens".
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