Welcome to Offshore Trusts Guide

Offshore Trusts Guide publishes news, features and newsletters on the use of offshore trust structures. The full guide analyses key global issues relating to the offshore trust, and examines in detail the trust regimes in key jurisdictions.

Latest Features

Towards Public Registers of Beneficial Owners?

Under updated draft anti-money laundering rules approved by the European Parliament earlier this year, the ultimate owners of companies and trusts would have to be listed in public registers in EU countries. This feature is a summary of these proposals, and other measures being considered around the world to increase the transparency of ownership...Read full report »

New Zealand To Update Trust Law

With the Government of New Zealand having recently announced that it intends to take up the recommendations of a commission set up to review the country’s trusts legislation, this feature takes a look at what this could mean for settlors, beneficiaries and trustees of New Zealand...Read full report »

Jersey Leads Trust World With Innovative Amendment

It may sound obscure, but the Trusts (Amendment No. 6) (Jersey) Law, introduced in October 2013 and the subject of this review, represents a significant change to Jersey's trust legislation that is expected to lead to more business for the jurisdiction's already substantial trust sector... Read full report »

Q3 2013 Feature: Offshore Trusts and the G8 Transparency Agenda

This feature looks at the implications of the G8’s call for more transparency with regard to the beneficial ownership of companies and legal arrangements for offshore trusts.Read full report »

Q2 2013 Feature: Maltese Trust Law Reforms

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has recently proposed a number of significant amendments to the Trusts and Trustees Act as well as changes to the way the trust and fiduciary services sector is regulated, and these possible changes are examined in this feature.Read full report »

Latest Trusts News

EU Council Adopts Directive To Make Company Ownership Data Public

HMRC To Add To Arsenal Against Diverted Profits

IRS Explains How To Calculate Transition Tax Liability

Australia Expands Multinational Anti-Avoidance Law

OECD Delivers Rules To Prevent Tax Transparency Standard Evasion

Canada To Reform Taxation Of Passive Investments

Australia's Board Of Taxation Considers Bare Trusts Tax Reform

Australia To Strengthen Multinational Anti-Avoidance Law

UK Tax Advisers Welcome Inheritance Tax Review

UK Launches Inheritance Tax Review

HMRC Provides Trust Registration Update

EU's Tax Info Exchange Rules In Force

Read more news »

Latest Network News

Corporate Tax Cut Plan Before Filipino Lawmakers

23/5/2018
Filipino Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez has called on lawmakers to pass a package of tax measures, including a cut to the corporate tax rate and a reduction in tax breaks and holidays.
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New Finland-Spain Tax Treaty Effective 2019

23/5/2018
A new tax treaty between Finland and Spain, which will broaden the Finnish Government's taxing rights with respect to pension income, will be effective from 2019, according to the Finnish Ministry of Finance.
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US CPAs Recommend Easing Tax Rules On Partners Of Audited Firms

22/5/2018
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has recommended that proposed regulations regarding the Centralized Partnership Audit Regime should provide "maximum flexibility" in adjusting the tax attributes of an audited partnership and its partners.
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Thailand Introduces Virtual Currency Trading Tax Rules

22/5/2018
In a last-minute change ahead of the implementation of new tax rules for virtual currency trading, Thai lawmakers agreed that virtual currency trading on regulated exchanges should be exempt from value-added tax.
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China Pledges Tax Support For 'Belt And Road Territories'

22/5/2018
The tax agencies of China and Kazakhstan, with involvement also from the OECD, hosted a three-day tax conference to discuss the provision of capacity building support from China for those countries that will be involved in China's Belt and Road Initiative. It was attended by more than 250 delegates from 49 tax administrations, four international organizations, and five academic institutions.
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EU Challenges Hungarian, Italian, Romanian Tax Provisions

22/5/2018
The European Commission has initiated tax infringement procedures against Hungary, Italy, and Romania.
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Ireland Issues Tax Guidance On Peer-To-Peer Lending

22/5/2018
The Irish Revenue has published new guidelines on the withholding tax obligations of companies paying interest on finance raised through peer-to-peer lending or crowdfunding campaigns.
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UAE Issues Guidance On Reclaiming VAT On New House Builds

22/5/2018
The United Arab Emirates' Federal Tax Authority has issued guidance on obtaining refunds of value-added tax on new homes.
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UK Mulling Extending Recent IR35 Reforms To Private Sector

22/5/2018
On May 18, 2018, the UK Government launched a consultation on enhancing rules surrounding "off-payroll" working (the IR35 rules), to ensure that contractors who work through their own company pay the right tax.
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Norway Announces Tax Breaks In Revised Budget

17/5/2018
Norway's Government on May 15, 2018, released a revised Budget, including a VAT exemption for electronic publications, changes to tax reliefs for corporates, and a simplified tax regime for foreign workers.
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HK's Legislature Passes 2018/19 Budget Bill

17/5/2018
Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, James Lau, has welcomed the recent passage of the 2018/19 Budget Bill through the special administrative region's parliament.
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Ireland Releases Virtual Currency Tax Guidance

17/5/2018
The Irish Revenue has issued an eBrief to clarify how "normal tax rules" apply to transactions involving cryptocurrencies.
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Norway Proposes Simpler Tax Rules For Foreign Workers

16/5/2018
The Norwegian Government has proposed changes to the tax rules for foreign workers in Norway, which it says are complex and difficult to administer.
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UK Criticized For Overzealous Offshore Tax Enforcement Plans

17/5/2018
The Chartered Institute of Taxation has criticized a new UK government proposal to extend significantly the tax assessment time limits in cases involving offshore tax matters.
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EU Council Adopts Directive To Make Company Ownership Data Public

17/5/2018
The European Council has approved a new package of rules designed to prevent fiscal crime, including allowing the public access to information on the beneficial ownership of companies.
Read full story »