BVI – Economic Substance: Enforcement and penalties for non-compliance
The penalties imposed by the Economic Substance (Companies and Limited Partnership) Act, 2018 (“ESA”) are intended to be rigorous, effective, and dissuasive, ranging from financial penalties to striking off from the registry. The BVI International Tax Authority (“ITA”) is responsible for assessing and enforcing compliance with the requirements of the ESA. Assessment Following the assessment
Read MoreHome Sweet Home by Alvaro-Almengor and Manuel-Carrasquilla
Home Sweet Home Alvaro-Almengor and Manuel-Carrasquilla
Read MoreData protection and working from home in the new normal
We live in unprecedented times and no matter your stance on the appropriateness of lockdown, it is undeniable the COVID-19 pandemic has forever altered the workplace. The office environment has been impacted by a fluctuating definition of essential work and a risk-based approach to distancing, but defining this era will undoubtedly be the sudden and
Read MoreNo Reasonable Trustee
Introduction The absolute discretion of trustees is often emphasised when discussing competing interests of beneficiaries. This is particularly so, as, although the court has jurisdiction under Jersey law to intervene in the exercise of the trustee’s discretion, it will not do so lightly. The trustee of a Jersey trust was recently faced with the decision
Read MorePractical considerations for the use of electronic signatures in Jersey
As the world navigates the challenges of COVID-19, demand for technologies such as electronic e-signatures is increasing significantly. As clients, businesses and public organisations implement home-working protocols in response to working from home guidance, flexibility in remote contract signings is becoming critical. Electronic signature systems Regardless of current circumstances, electronic signature systems are widely used
Read MoreThe curious case of Webb v Webb
If you want to have your cake and eat it, take a slice or two, not the whole cake. There has been lot of noise generated by the Supreme Court decision in Webb v Webb* regarding the settlor reserved powers aspect of the case, little of which is worth the airtime. Many practitioners have been warning for
Read MoreInnovation in Funds – A Hive of Activity
Hatstone’s Calum McKenzie and Philipp Neumann explain the innovation and dynamics of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Approved Manager licence, Incubator Funds and Private Investment Funds to Simon Gray from BVI Finance. BVI’s approach The BVI’s approach to economic substance requirements on companies and limited partnerships and the adaptability of the Hatstone teams to continue to work efficiently during the challenges
Read MoreOffshore trustees: How to add value to your South African client at little cost to your company
International wealth diversification South African resident clients today can benefit from international wealth diversification through specific exchange control concessions, meaning such individuals can apply for an annual allowance of ZAR10m per calendar year, a far greater and more flexible scenario than was the case some years back. With the right advice and support from their
Read MoreMust Read: How the 2021 tax law amendment will affect South African emigration and retirement funds.
South Africa 2021 tax law changes South Africa’s 2021 tax law changes mean access to South African retirement funds will become a factor of tax residency instead of exchange control residency. TAKEAWAY: A client planning to emigrate from South Africa should cash-out their current pension fund if they want to access the funds within three
Read MoreThe Big Debate: Are trusts required by SA law to pay interest on any outstanding loans to SA lenders?
We have seen much confusion on this important topic and here we hope to provide some simple answers to help you navigate this question. TAKEAWAY: A popular way of financing a trust from South Africa is to sell assets to the trust and leave the consideration outstanding as a loan, or to loan funds to the
Read More