Creating an International Business Company (IBC) or a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

To further insulate the trust, enhance privacy, and create certain tax advantages, a trust usually conducts all affairs through an International Business Company (IBC) or a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Swiss Caribbean Trust, Ltd. can assist in the creation and management of your IBC or LLC. Our staff is committed to providing confidential and professional service for its clients and stands ready to provide company management, administration, investment and trust services.

International Business Company & Limited Liability Company

Swiss Caribbean Trust can assist you in the formation of International Business Companies and Limited Liability Companies. SCT utilizes the unique advantages of The Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance of 1984, amended in 1995, which placed Nevis at the top of the list among IBC and LLC jurisdictions. Similar to the corporate laws of Delaware in the U.S., the Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance permits shareholders, directors, and officers of any nationality to reside anywhere in the world and allows shares to be issued in nominative form. The process is so legally unproblematic that SCT can often form an LLC or IBC in a single business day.

The advantages of incorporating in Nevis are numerous. Some of the most important are:

  • No corporate tax, income tax, withholding tax, stamp tax, asset tax, exchange controls or other fees or taxes on assets or income originating outside of Nevis. However, clients may be responsible for taxes in their home jurisdictions.
  • There are no gift, estate, dividend, distribution, or inheritance taxes.
  • Corporate documents are not a matter of public record.
  • There are no filing requirements for corporate financial returns, annual reports, and no notification requirements for changes in shareholders, directors or officers.
  • The corporation’s principal office, company records, and meetings may be held or maintained outside of Nevis.
  • A business license is not required.
  • A plaintiff bringing civil suit must post a U.S. $25,000 bond prior to initiating a lawsuit.
  • The statue of limitations for bringing a civil suit is one year.

In addition, Nevis has specific laws on Limited Liability Companies that protect corporate assets and offer unique tax planning opportunities.

International Business Corporation

An International Business Corporation (IBC) is a legal business entity that is established in a foreign country for the purpose of doing business in your home country and in other countries, but not in the country in which it is established.

An International Business Corporation (IBC) is tax exempt on all income not earned in the international center. An IBC need not file annual returns. Corporate records may be kept anywhere in the world, and annual general meetings or meetings of the Board of Directors are not required in most international locations.

Limited Liability Company

The Nevis Limited Liability Company (LLC) combines the asset protection provisions of a limited partnership with the lawsuit protection benefits of an Anguillan company, thereby enjoying the benefits of both structures.

The Nevis LLC is analogous to limited liability companies formed throughout the U.S. and elsewhere in the Caribbean. The owners of an LLC are referred to as members, who may be thought of in the same way as one thinks of partners in a partnership or shareholders in a corporation. Their precise characterization will depend on the nature of LLC’s management. The LLC can be used for any business venture or professional practice anywhere in the world outside the International Center.