| |
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.
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
Contact
Mattar law firm
|
