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Mattar Law Firm
"Wherever law ends, tyranny begins"
J. Locke

 

We Offer All kinds of legal services in all fields,from business law to criminal law...don't hesitate to contact us...click on this scroll  to post your inquiry!

Offshore Companies  in Lebanon

Why choose Lebanese Offshore companies? Click here to find out in brief the reasons of establishing a Company in Lebanon.


Well, the answer is simple.

Our Lawyers Will help you if you are interested in incorporating an offshore company
Click Here!

The offshore company is a very tempting choice as  a business entity/company to choose.

With a tax of 1,000,000 Lbp (666 $ US) foreign investors are encouraged to finance this kind of company.

The fact that Lebanon is a tax haven, with low corporate taxes and  full professional secrecy over bank accounts and all  banking transactions within a free capitalist system is the reason that attract numerous investors and businessmen to open an offshore company in Lebanon and open bank accounts in Lebanon.

Lebanon offers a wide variety of services in offshore banking and offshore bank accounts.

When opting to incorporate a corporate entity such as an offshore in Lebanon, It is always recommended to choose a renowned Law Firm / Lawyer to undertake the incorporation steps.

You will benefit from the legal and factual experience along with all the advantages and connections that our law firm has, such as banks, public and private institutions...and any legal service you may need.


Please visit Visit Our Corporate and Business Section for more information about business entities in Lebanon.

Click Here to see briefly the advantages of creating an offshore company in Lebanon.

Click here to see the  some of the countries (Not all) which signed a non double taxation treaty with Lebanon.

Many foreigners can benefit from a non double taxation treaty which is signed between their country and Lebanon. (Nationals of the Foreign Country) by starting an offshore company in Lebanon.

Offshore trust / trusts with all related bodies estate planning  and foundations etc... in the Anglo-Saxon system  can finds its equivalent or complementary structures due to Lebanese flexible corporate entities in offshore and other onshore corporate entities and structures in Lebanon with a big margin of flexibility, efficiency and privacy.

The offshore company is governed by decree law no 46 of the 24th of June 1943.
The Law no 19 dated  5/9/2008 amended the offshore companies regulations by easing its conditions and enlarging the scope of offshore companies activities.

Mainly the object of the offshore company in Lebanon was, before the amendment,  limited to the following:

-Negotiating and concluding agreements concerning goods and products out of the territory of Lebanon or Lebanon Free Zone.

-Studying and consulting for foreign establishments

-Stocking goods via the free zone facilities

-Getting or renting real estate in Lebanon in what relates to the activity of the offshore company.

The Law no 19 dated  5/9/2008 amended the offshore companies regulations and thus, enlarged the scope of offshore companies activities to include in addition to the above:

-The administration of companies and institutions outside Lebanon including the export of  services, software of any kind to these institutions

-Operations of three-sided traded or multi-sided trade and therefore negotiating and drafting contract, shipping goods and reissuing bills for transactions out of Lebanon or in the Lebanese free zone including the facility to store the goods in the free zone in order to export it.

-Doing activities related to maritime shipping.

-Acquiring shares of stocks in foreign corporations, companies or institutions and to borrow to  these institutions in which the offshore company holds more than 20% of its capital

-Acquiring or benefiting from rights related to agencies or commercial representation to foreign or non-residing companies or institutions.

-Opening of branches and representative offices abroad.

-The construction, investments and administration in economic projects except those prohibited by law

-The creation of accounts and use of financial services to finance its activities whether from local institutions or non-resident.

-The lease or acquisition  of offices or real estate in Lebanon in relation with the activities of the offshore company.

The amendment removed the condition of having two Lebanese nationals  in  the company’s Executive Board which eases the conditions for foreign investors and gives them more incentives to invest in offshore companies in Lebanon.
As for the The chairman, he  may be a non-Lebanese resident abroad and may operate without a permit. The company is  registered both in the Commercial Register and in a special register for offshore companies.

An offshore company can not engage  in banking operations, insurance or any other commercial activity in Lebanon and can not make  any profits or revenues through movable or immovable assets in Lebanon, or through providing services to companies located in Lebanon, except for the interests on its bank accounts.

Some activities can not be undertaken by offshore companies such as banking, insurance and in general any activity in Lebanon which may generate profits.

Off shores companies are formed  in Lebanon, however they  operate only in the Lebanese free zone and/or outside the Lebanese territory. 

Besides this, an Offshore company  is a very interesting investment or a business due to its nature
to the Lebanese laws regulating it and to the Lebanese flexible economical system.

1- Advantages of Creation / Incorporation of an offshore company in Lebanon

A- General Advantages

1- The Company can be fully owned and managed by foreigners, their liability is limited to their shares in the company.

2- Large scope of activities can be included in the company's object.

3- Facilitated conditions for foreign managers and employees .
Foreigner chairperson / general manager does not require a work permit if  he resides outside Lebanon.
Non-Lebanese employees are exempt from work permits providing the total balance sheet of the company exceeds USD 667,000.

 4- Full Bank Secrecy on all corporate and personal / private accounts.

B- Taxes Advantages / Exemptions

 Stamp duties on contracts,  Inheritance tax ,  Corporate income tax, Dividends distribution, Capital gain, Interest paid, Amounts paid in return for services...

The annual tax on Lebanese offshore companies is limited to LBP 1 million (equivalent to 667 USD)

2- Some Countries which signed a non double taxation treaty with Lebanon

Algeria, Armenia, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, France,
Gabon, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Romania,
Russia, Senegal, Sudan, Sultanate of Oman, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, U.A.E, Ukraine, Yemen.

Interested to incorporate an offshore Company? Contact Us

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