Due to its highly developed and favourable corporate law, along with its lenient bureaucratic nature and excellent air and sea communications, Jersey, provides a safe environment for company formation. The type of company, most commonly formed, is that of a Private Limited Company (Ltd) i.e. a company which has a legal identity distinct from its Shareholder(s) and Director(s) and is thus preferential for Owners, inter alia, due to the fact that it provides protection of personal assets and limits ones personal liabilities. GFA TRUST provides unprecedented corporate services around the world including the jurisdiction of Jersey.

The incorporation process takes 3 to 4 days, whilst, with the payment of an extra fee, the company may be formed within a day. The tax on offshore profits and exchange controls are non-existent.

The jurisdiction’s Local Requirements are limited to the existence of a Registered Office/Registered Agent which/who is to be located in Jersey with no obligation attached as to the presence of a local Company Secretary, Director or with the legal obligation that the meetings of the company take place in Jersey, as the location of the Board Meetings, can be placed anywhere in the world as also the company’s administration. The minimum number of Directors and Shareholders is 1.

Public filings are obligatory both for the Shareholder(s) and Ultimate Beneficial Owner(s) with the information of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner(s) not being made publicly available. There is no obligation as to Public Filing in connection to the Director(s) of the Company. Furthermore, in connection to the Annual Filing Requirements attached there exists the obligation for the submission of the company’s Annual Return but not in connection to the company’s Audited Accounts.

Whereas the issuance of bearer shares and the acquiring of shelf companies is non-acceptable, company re-domiciliation is permitted, as also the appointment of Corporate Directors provided that the Corporate Director is registered in Jersey to carry out trust company business pursuant to the Financial Services (Jersey) Law 1998.

Our group of experts may also assist with the consultation and registration of the below types of legal entities, within the Jersey jurisdiction, always in accordance to the client’s needs and business goals.

• Exempt Companies: In cases where no beneficial ownership rests with a Jersey resident, and, the aim of the business is not to establish a presence in the local market, then the company qualifies as a tax exempt company with no legal requirement attached for the appointment of a local Director or Secretary. Exempt Companies are most suitable for passive activities i.e. holding property but not ideal when it comes to trading activities. Branches of foreign companies in Jersey may apply for exempt tax status i.e. a Delaware branch may register as non-resident LLC in the Jersey.
• International Companies: International Companies are considered as Jersey resident for tax purposes. However, provided that all activities occur outside Jersey jurisdiction the payable tax shall be of a negotiable nature. As also in the above-mentioned case of an Exempt Company, beneficial ownership must not rest with a Jersey resident. An International Company is most probably selected over an Exempt Company as it may benefit from Jersey’s double taxation treaty with the United Kingdom and, possibly, circumvent numerous tax jurisdictions anti-avoidance provisions.