Entrepreneur Friendly
Places To Live |
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Cool Places For
Entrepreneurs To Live |
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1. Andorra – Tax
Haven |
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Andorra is a well-known European tax haven, and
people who claim residency here have no income tax and inheritance
tax. However, the country recently introduced a capital gains tax
making it less popular amongst the world’s richest people. That
said when compared with the price of purchasing property in other
popular tax havens, Andorra is still a wise move for
some. |
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2. Bahrain – Tax
Haven |
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Bahrain has a highly favorable tax environment,
with no taxes on personal or corporate income, and no withholding
or VAT. Unlike some other tax havens, Bahrain allows 100% foreign
ownership of companies. And as a result thousands of global
corporations have made Bahrain the location of their Middle East
headquarters. |
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3. Gibraltar |
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Gibraltar was once a very popular tax haven for
British business. As a self governing territory Gibraltar offered
its “residents” and domiciled businesses no capital gain tax, no
wealth tax, no sales tax and no VAT. But as of 2006 Gibraltar has
agreed not to issue any more Exempt Company
certificates. |
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4. The Bahamas |
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The Bahamas takes pride in offering part-time
“residents” and wealthy retirees a break from taxes. This island
nation has no corporate income tax, no capital gains tax, no
personal income tax, no sales tax, and no inheritance tax.
Businesses domiciled in the Bahamas do pay payroll taxes and a few
other minor levies. |
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5. Switzerland |
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Switzerland is made up of 26 Cantons, member
states that were entirely sovereign until 1648. This historical
legacy of independence has created an amazing tax haven.
Wealthy foreigners who gain resident status can negotiate the
amount of their income that is subject to taxation with the canton
where they purchase property! |
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6. Monaco – Tax
Haven |
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Under Monegasque law, there is no income tax
imposed in this country. There is also no withholding tax. Its
rental properties are taxed at 1% plus a service charges. This tax
is payable by the tenant. There are no capital gains. Monaco does
not levy wealth taxes. |
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7. Cayman Islands – Tax
Haven |
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The Cayman Islands are a British overseas
territory, a group of three islands located in the Caribbean
between Cuba and Central America. They are one of the largest
offshore banking centres in the world with over 600 banks. There is
no property tax, income tax, corporate tax, sales tax, capital
gains tax, inheritance tax, or any other kind of direct taxation in
the Caymans. They only impose tax for the following: Departure tax,
which is CI$10 or US$12.50 for travelers aged 12 and above and a
one-time “stamp duty” which is charged on real estate purchases at
a range of between 7.5% and 9%. |
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8. Cook Islands |
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There is a moderate income tax in Cook Islands.
Non-residents are taxed only on their income from sources in Cook
Islands. Income and capital gains earned by non-residents is taxed
at progressive rates, from 20% to 30%. Income tax is payable by
those residing and working in the Cook Islands and is charged on a
maximum rate payable set at 30% and a personal allowance of
NZ$6,000. Any earnings over NZ$30,000 are taxed at 30%. There are
no property tax, capital gains tax, estate tax and property
tax. |
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9. Hong Kong |
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Rates of personal taxation in Hong Kong are
amongst the lowest in the Asia Pacific. There are no sales tax,
capital gains tax, no VAT, a maximum salary tax of 20% and a profit
tax maximum of 16%. |
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10. American Anguilla(British West
indies) |
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Anguilla is a Caribbean tax haven. It is an ideal
tax-free haven for foreign and American investors. There are no
personal income tax imposed and no tax information exchange
agreement (TIEA) signed with IRS/US Treasury. |
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11. Mariana
Islands |
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Independent but politically linked to the US, it
is a tax haven. Residents’ tax rates peak at 9%. The income tax is
generally charged at progressive rates. Its taxable income is
computed by deducting income-generating expenses and depreciation
costs from the gross income. All of the income from the islands
produced by non-residents which are not effectively connected with
a business is charged at a flat rate of 30%. Although if the
taxpayer files an income tax return in the islands, he is entitled
to 100% rebate on this tax. This country is a tax haven and a
tourist heaven. |
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12. Brunei |
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A tiny yet oil-rich sultanate on the northern
coast of Borneo — has aspirations as an offshore financial centre.
Brunei has no personal income tax. What you earn is all yours.
Though, Chinese, who make up an estimated 16% of the population,
are excluded from citizenship, and these benefits. They are either
stateless or hold British protected persons passports. Only
corporations are subject to taxation. Companies pay 30% tax on
earnings. Depending on the size of the capital investment,
companies with Pioneer Certificate are exempted from 30% tax for
two to five years. |
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13. Malta |
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Tax here is moderate. Non-residents are liable to
tax on all their income sourced in Malta. There is no property
rate; its remittances of a capital nature are not taxable. Though,
temporary residents, who extend their stay in Malta beyond six
months in any one calendar year, will be subject to Malta tax on
remittances of income made to the Island during the period of stay.
Non-resident individuals are subject to a withholding tax of 25%.
Capital Gains Tax is generally levied at a flat rate of 12% on the
transfer value or the selling price. |
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14. Isle of Man |
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The Isle of Man is a low tax area with a standard
rate of income tax of 18% and a higher rate of 20% depending on the
level of income. There are no general capital gains tax, turnover
tax or stamp duties. |
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15. Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines |
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This is also one of the world’s tax havens. There
is no capital gains tax. The individual income tax is contributions
for the national insurance plan (social security) which is 5% of
income per year. Its corporate income tax is 10% to 35%. This tax
haven is considered to be low to moderate. |
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16. Grenada |
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The tax in this country for residential
properties is levied at 0.1% on land value and 0.15% on the
structure/building value. The income that is earned by non-resident
individuals is subject to a flat rate of 15% withheld at source.
The property tax is charged on all real property in Grenada. The
tax is levied on the market value of the property and a taxable
rate is applied based on the classification of the
property. |
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17. Mauritius |
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Mauritius, as of 01 July 2008, a flat tax rate of
15% will be applied on all taxable income. All rental income of
non-residents is taxed at a flat rate of 15%, withheld by the
tenant. Income-generating expenses are deductible when computing
for the taxable income. The royalties paid by offshore companies to
non-residents, and dividends from Mauritius by nonresident
companies are tax free. |
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18. Nauru |
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Nauru does not impose any taxes; it did not also
sign any income tax treaties with any nation. To provide for a
secure economic future, the government has invested much of the
phosphate revenue overseas in projects ranging from a skyscraper in
Melbourne to phosphate plants in the Philippines and
India. |
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19. Dutch Antilles (Netherlands
Antilles) |
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Those that derive all their income from outside
the Netherlands Antilles are liable to tax rates of between 2.4%
and 6%, dependent upon activity. Local workers pay 2 % with the
income of $3,300. There are no withholding taxes on dividends
interest and royalties, capital taxes, exchange control
restrictions and no required debt-to-equity
ratio. |
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20. United Arab
Emirates |
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There are no income taxes on UAE. Rental income
earned on residential properties located in Dubai leased to foreign
nationals is taxed at 10%. There are no capital gains and property
tax in UAE. |
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21. Solomon
Islands |
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For Individual taxation, depending on their
income peaks at 40% that is if the income is up to $60,000 and up.
$15,000 is charged at 11%. Residents are taxed on their worldwide
income. Non Residents are taxed on income sourced from the Solomon
Islands. |
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22. Antigua and
Barbuda |
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The income tax in this country is at its
progressive rates. It is categorized in three which is: employment,
self-employment and other income. For Income up to $4,444, it is
charged 10% and for over $53,333, it is charged 25%, this is on all
income over US$53,333. Also, each taxpayer is entitled to a
personal tax-free allowance of $13,333. |
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23. Aruba |
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Aruba’s law of Imputation payment System and
Dividend withholding tax is levied at 11.8%. Aruba is considered as
a dormant tax haven compared to other tax haven. The tax haven
companies located in Aruba are exempt from tax. |
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24. Cyprus |
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The corporate tax rate in Cyprus is the lowest in
EU. The tax regime provides many exemptions. Cyprus is more than
just an attractive holding company jurisdiction. There is no
personal income tax if the income is at £ 0-10.000. But Chargeable
Income which is greater than £ 20.000 is charged at 30%.
Individuals who are not tax residents of Cyprus are taxed on income
accrued or derived from sources in Cyprus. An individual is tax
resident in Cyprus if he spends in Cyprus more than 183 days in any
one year. |
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25. Fiji |
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Income is taxed in progressive rates in Fiji. The
taxable income is gross rent less income-generating expenses.
Non-residents are entitled to the following allowances: Wife
allowance of $658, provided that the wife does not elect for a
separate assessment; Widow or widower allowance of
$548. |
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26. Ukraine |
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Non-residents in this country are generally taxed
in 15% on all their income. Same is for the gross rental income
earned by the residents. The Value added Tax, leasing and sales of
buildings are subject to 20% VAT. The property tax is levied on
Ukrainian land and property at 1% payable by the owners or users of
the property. For corporate tax it is taxed at a rate of 25%. A 1%
tax is levied on the capital gains. |
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27. Islands of Guernsey and Jersey
(Channel Islands) |
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The individual taxation here is normally 20%.
There are no capital gains, no gifts or wealth tax, no real estate
and VAT. Social security is levied at a rate of
12.5% |
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28. Falkland
Islands |
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This is another moderate tax haven. The
individual income tax is free for the first £12,000. The next
£12,000 is charged at 20% and any amount thereafter is charged at
25%. The tricky system of individual deductions and allowances
previously in place has been removed. |
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29. Jamaica |
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Income tax in Jamaica is 25%. For residential
tax, a person’s company payroll system is not required to file an
income tax.
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30. Montserrat |
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The tax rates for this tax haven are not low, but
fair. For the nonresidents who’s earning rental income in
Montserrat is taxed at a flat rate of 10%. For the residential
properties, taxes are charged at 1.65% land tax on market value of
land, 0.3% house tax market value of the building infrastructure.
No tax for capital gain. For Non-resident companies (lending money
for “approved development) it is charged 20%. Resident companies
are also charged 20%. There are no other taxes on the income of a
corporation resident in Montserrat. |
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