British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands is internally self- governing with a ministerial system of government. The Governor is appointed by the British Crown and retains responsibility for defence and internal security, external affairs, the civil service and the administration of the Courts and finance.
The British Virgin Islands financial services industry introduced legislation in 1985 to permit the formation of International Business Companies(I.B.C.). The company law was modern and flexible and the islands flourished. There are now probably more offshore companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands than anywhere else. In 2005 the I.B.C. Act was replaced by the Business Companies Act 2004, which brought the company law up to date. At the same time the British Virgin Islands introduced a zero rate system of corporate taxation to comply with the international obligation to treat resident and non-resident taxpayers equally. Companies incorporated under the Business Companies Act 2005 are not allowed to trade with the British Virgin Islands or own property there. As a British controlled territory, the British Virgin Islands are covered by the European Savings Tax Directive.
British Virgin Islands offshore company regulations | |
Type of entity | BC |
Type of law | Common |
Corporate taxation | Nil |
Double taxation treaties available | No |
Share Capital | |
Usual currency | U.S.$ |
Permitted currencies | Any |
Minimum paid up | No par value, but usually $1 |
Usual authorised | 50,000 |
Directors | |
Minimum number | 1 |
Local resident required | No |
Records publicly available | No |
Corporate Director allowed | Yes |
Shareholders / Members | |
Minimum number | 1 |
Records publicly available | No |
Location of Meetings | Anywhere |
Company Secretary | |
Required | No |
Local or qualified | NA |
Accounts | |
Required | No |
Audit required | N/A |
Filing required | N/A |
Publicly available | N/A |
Other | |
Annual return required | No |
Change of domicile permitted | Yes |
Availability of shelf companies | Yes |
Time to incorporate shelf co | 2-3 working days |
Time to incorporate new co | 3-5 working days |