Liechtenstein - population approximately 30 000, territory - 160 square km.
Official language: German
National currency: Swiss franc (CHF) 1 USD = 1.65 CHF

Liechtenstein

Advantages High international authority of Lichtenstein Opportunity of registration of offshore and holding company Various forms of companies Granting of the information on real proprietors of the company is not obligatory Disadvantages Mandatory of keeping of accounting records, presenting of annual accounts Comparatively large costs of company registration and maintenance Only one agreement on exemption from double taxation Corporative legislation Company Act 1926, Civil codex Restrictions in company registration by non-residents of Liechtenstein Non-residents of Liechtenstein have not the right to establish the company for business actions in territory of Liechtenstein Form of tax-exempted company Aktiengesellschaft (AG)(corporation limited by shares) Public corporation - Anstalt - establishment Stiftung - foundation Aktiengesellschaft - public corporation Has the status of the legal entity. The responsibility under obligations of the company is limited to own actives Anstalt - enterprise The special form of the company under private law of Liechtenstein has the status of legal entity The responsibility under obligations of the company is limited to own actives. In the company there are no participants or shareholders, there is no share capital. However, in the company the persons receiving benefits from the enterprise are determined beneficiaries. Instead of the share capital there is a constituent capital Tax privileges and freedom in definition of organizational structure are advantages of the enterprise Stiftung - foundation The fund, based with the purpose of realization of desires and intentions of the founder. The fund is separated from actives of the founder of fund and has the status of the legal entity The fund has no participants or shareholders. After the basis, the founder does not receive the rights of the participant, but the law recognizes beneficiaries, as obtainers of benefits The founder can be a beneficiary Authorized business activities Stiftung - is not a business enterprise, it is used only for management of own actives Aktiengesellschaft, Anstalt - there are no special restrictions Prohibited activities Bank, insurance and reinsurance activities Name of company Should not be identical or similar to already registered name Should include a full name such as – company Use of the words designating the national or international name of the company is forbidden, especial words Liechtenstein, state, country and other The minimal registered authorized capital Aktiengesellschaft - 50000 CHF, 100 % should be paid by the moment of registration Anstalt, Stiftung - 30000 CHF, 100 % should be paid by the moment of registration Shares Aktiengesellschaft - nominal and bearer shares with or without a par value Anstalt, Stiftung - shares do not exist Shareholders - Minimum number - Nominal shareholders - Holders of trust equities Aktiengesellschaft shareholders - minimum one Anstalt, Stiftung - a minimum one shareholder Are possible Not permitted It is authorized Taxation The offshore companies did not tax, a gain of actives, the property, etc. There Are only following kinds of duties: - The duty at establishment - 3 % from size the released capital - The annual duty - 0.1 % from the capital, but not less than 1000 CHF - The coupon tax - 4 % from distributed dividends and other latent kinds of distribution of the profit, is paid only Aktiengesellschaft Taxes to export of the capital Standard surtax on export from Liechtenstein: Dividends - 4 % To the holding and offshore companies action of tax conventions is not applied Whether disclosing of the information on the real owner of the Company is required by the law No, it is not required for official bodies, however the registration agent should have the given information Directors - A minimum quantity - The company as director - A nationality and citizenship - The status Aktiengesellschaft - minimum 1 Anstalt - minimum 1 Stiftung - determined by articles of association Permitted Minimum 1 one director must be a resident on a citizen of Liechtenstein All the powers apart from those falling into the exclusive competence of members (determined by articles of association) Presence in territory of Liechtenstein of: - Registration office - The registration agent - The secretary Required Required Not required Holding of the meeting of -Shareholders -Directors Aktiengesellschaft, Anstalt - Annual shareholder meetings in Luxembourg are required Mandatory - Keeping of accounting records - Annual account - Presentation of auditor's conclusion Yes Yes Aktiengesellschaft - it is necessary Anstalt, Stiftung - it is not necessary. If the company does not conduct commercial activity - only the annual report which gives the information on actives and obligations of the company. Administration of actives and management of holding are not commercial activities The information accessible on demand of the third parties Names and addresses of directors, registration office, date of registration, the capital The documents kept at registration office No requirements Contracts on avoidance of the double taxation Austria Currency control No Term of incorporation 4 weeks Costs of registration of company Look for: Costs of registration and service Financial year ending on Look for: Annual support of companies Possibility to purchase a ready-made company Yes, look for: Ready made companies