A. These types of companies are exempt from any taxes in the jurisdictions they would have been incorporated in. These companies are special in that they must not carry on active business in these jurisdictions but can operate anywhere internationally. The companies have the advantage of having limited liability, and because they do not carry on active business in that jurisdiction, they do not have to maintain a register of directors, officers, shareholders or beneficial owners for public or government access. There are limited reporting requirements, privacy and security is assured, and there are severe criminal penalties for anyone who reveals confidential information about them.

Q. If I cannot perform "active business" in the jurisdiction of choice, am I able to visit, have local meetings, bank etc.?

A. Certainly you have free access to travel to the location. You are also allowed to hold corporate & business meetings there as well as carry out banking, securities and other related activities.

The term "active business" relates to a business that an individual or group in the local population could perform. The company could not for example set up a business of accounting, restaurant, jewelry store, etc. that would compete with the citizens of the country.

Q. Why have these jurisdictions (Belize, St Vincent and Nevis), been selected over European, South Pacific or other offshore jurisdictions?

A. The Caribbean and Central America offer Americans, Canadians, and Europeans some of the best laws for privacy and tax advantages in the world.

Europeans are now feeling the compromises that must be made with the EU and they are looking to the Caribbean. Canadians and Americans are indeed fortunate to have such an excellent selection of Offshore jurisdictions that are easily accessible by plane, on a similar time zone, and with legislation generally based on common law. The jurisdictions that works with allow for one shareholder / director if required, can issue Bearer shares, do not record the shareholders, officers or directors with the government, and do not have to have the annual meetings within the jurisdiction (a large savings in legal and travel). Please note the detailed descriptions of these countries elsewhere on our web-site (click here to view Various Offshore Jurisdictions).

Q. What are some other advantages with these jurisdictions?

A. They are politically stable democracies, the official language is English, Banking and trust facilities are available.

Q. Do I have to personally travel to these countries for any reason?

A. Absolutely not. With our system, your offshore company can be incorporated, your banking, brokerage or trustee operations completed. The farthest distance you should have to travel is to your P.O. Box.

Q. How is the offshore bank account established?

A. When you receive your official documents from IPC Corporate Services LLC, you will also receive a kit containing all of the required forms (along with extremely simple instructions), showing you how to open your corporate bank account BY MAIL. Following our instructions, you will be able to open your bank account by mail with a minimum deposit of $1,000.00 US.

B. Credit and Debit cards are available as well.

Q. What is the "Registered Office" and the "Registered Agent"?

A. All Offshore jurisdictions require by legislation the physical presence of an office for a company in that jurisdiction. They also require by law a local Agent. These entities are for the service of any documentation to the company, a place and person for official notifications to be sent, and an individual to accept service on behalf of the company. The Agent also is registered to file the Annual returns and pay the Annual fees to the government to keep the company current. These are included in your IPC Corporate Services LLC incorporation and Annual renewal costs.

Q. Can we receive mail at the Registered office and do we have an Offshore address?

A. Certainly. Included in the incorporation and Annual renewal payment is your Offshore address and mail forwarding. When you receive your Company binder, you will have a letterhead printed with the local address. Mail is forwarded to you anywhere in the world. This service is included in your incorporation costs except when the volume is extraordinarily large, or you want courier or special delivery services. Extraordinary volumes of mail are charged a fee of $125 US per year. Mail is repackaged in a plain envelope and posted from the US or Canada.

Q. What about telephone answering and/or fax service?

A. These services can be arranged for the company at reasonable rates.

Q. What does the initial IPC Corporate Services LLC incorporation fee cover?

A. We will incorporate your Offshore company AND provide a Registered Agent and Registered local office. You will receive a complete corporate binder (click here for a detailed content of items Included with Company Formation) with the necessary initial subscriber and Director meetings, corporate seal, share certificates, etc. Nominee Director and Officer Services are included if required. All Banking and Credit card forms necessary to establish these accounts are provided along with simple instructions. These are all INCLUDED in your incorporation cost.

Q. What Annual fees are required?

A. To maintain the company in Good Standing with the Registrar of Companies in the jurisdiction, certain Annual fees must be submitted and in some jurisdictions, an Annual Report must be filed. IPC Corporate Services LLC charges $700.00 US for a full year of this service. The company would receive the billing late November of each year, along with an update on IPC Corporate Services LLC and any changes in legislation that may be relevant to your company. Through the Agent, the Annual report is filed and the fees paid.

Q. Do Annual reports to the government contain personal information on owners, officers or directors of the Company?

A. Absolutely not. If any of these jurisdictions make this requirement, a change of jurisdiction is in order.

Q. How long does it take to get an Offshore company formed?

A. If we are starting from scratch (i.e. - not a "Ready Made or Shelf Company" - click here to view the IPC Corporate Services LLC list of Ready Made Companies), a company name will be confirmed within a day. The actual company formation may take place within another day - and in some jurisdictions the same day as confirmation of the name. The completed corporate binder is sent by Federal Express overnight service and you should allow between 7 & 14 days for receipt of package depending on the jurisdiction for a company starting "from Scratch".

Q. What are "Ready Made" or "Shelf Companies" and are they available?

A. These companies are exactly the same as one that would be started from scratch (i.e. - you select the name of the company), EXCEPT that we have already selected the name, and the company is ready to be sent.

The advantage of a Shelf Company, or Ready Made Company is that you can have it as early as the day after we receive your application and payment. These companies are retained in our office for immediate distribution. The company documentation supplied for a Ready Made Company is the same as if you selected the name. The obvious advantage is that the company is ready for immediate delivery.

Q. Is there a charge for reserving a company name, or searching to see if a particular name is available in a specific jurisdiction?

A. IPC Corporate Services LLC does not charge to search out or reserve company names. Please review the requirements for company name selections within the selected jurisdictions (i.e. - use of: Ltd., Corp., S.A., Inc. or restricted names).