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The Isle of Man, situated in the centre of the British Isles, is a self-governing dependent territory of the Crown which is not and never has been part of the United Kingdom. It is however, part of the British Isles. Tynwald, the Island's 1,000 year old Parliament, makes its own laws and oversees all internal administration, fiscal and social policies. External issues, such as foreign representation and defence, are administered on the Island's behalf by the UK Government and the Island makes an annual payment for these services. As a British Crown dependency, the ultimate responsibility for the Island's good government is vested in the Crown but by long standing convention, the UK Government does not legislate for the Island except with the specific consent of the Island's Government. More information can be found at www.gov.im.
The population of the Isle of Man is approximately 75,000.
Tynwald (Parliament), legislates on all domestic matters including taxation. Tynwald consists of two branches, known as the Upper and Lower. The Legislative Council, (Upper) which consists of ten Members and is elected by the lower house, Members include the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, HM Attorney General and HM Queen Elizabeth II. The House of Keys, (Lower) has twenty-four Members who are elected and serve a five-year term. HM Queen Elizabeth II holds the title Lord of Man, and is ultimately responsible for the governance of the Island, and all legislation passed by Tynwald has to have Royal Assent before being enacted.
There are regular daily air and ferry services to the UK and Ireland.
The economy is in its 26th year of growth the key sectors being financial services and professional services, Banking generates around one quarter of the Island’s gross domestic product.
In the last few years new economic activities have been developed, such as aircraft registration and most significantly, e-gaming and other areas of e-commerce due to an infrastructure of world-class telecommunications and services which cater for the full range of modern corporate voice and data communication requirements.
The Isle of Man has been awarded Triple “A” Ratings from Standard and Poor and Moody’s.
The official and spoken language is English.
The Manx Pound, which is on par with the UK Pound and freely exchangeable.
None.
Common Law, based on English Common Law.
The Companies Acts 1931 to 2004.
The Hybrid Company must have two directors who must be natural persons but may reside anywhere in the world. It is typically used in circumstances where more obvious options are trusts or foundations. The advantages of a hybrid are that is is not subject to the rule against perpetuities and it is a significantly cheaper option to a foundation.
Submission of Memorandum and Articles of Association, together with "Form I" nominating the first directors and secretary, and advice of the situation of the Registered Office and the form giving name approval.
Hybrid Companies are not permitted to:
An Isle of Man company has all the powers of a natural person.
English.
Hybrid Companies must maintain a registered office in the Isle of Man.
No.
One to five days, subject to name approval.
Full information can be found at: http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/ded/companies/companiesreg/masternameguidanceaugust2005.pdf
Names can be expressed in any language using the Latin alphabet, if the Registrar of Companies is in receipt of an English translation and the name is not considered undesirable.
The following names or their derivatives require consent of a licence: bank, building society, savings, loans, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, co-operative, council, Chamber of Commerce, trust, municipal and finance or their foreign-language equivalents.
Limited or Ltd.
The identity of the beneficial owners of the Isle of Man Company may remain confidential if corporate shareholders are engaged to act as the shareholder on behalf of the ultimate beneficial owners. This confidentiality is maintained as long as the company and its ultimate beneficial owners are not involved in any criminal activity.
Hybrid Companies have a minimum authorised share capital of £2,000 or its currency equivalent, this being the maximum for the minimum capital duty payable upon incorporation. The minimum issued capital is one share of par value.
Hybrid Companies may have registered shares, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights. Hybrid companies also create a class of member called beneficial members whose identities are not in the public domain and who own the company in common but have no personal rights or interests therein. Beneficial members do have the right to share in the profits of the hybrid company (whereas the registered members do not).
With effect from 6th April, 2006 Hybrid Companies normally pay income tax at 0% and there is no withholding tax on payments of dividends to shareholders.
Companies that are in the business of banking, insurance or are connected with the business of Isle of man property pay corporation tax at a rate of 10% and a withholding tax at the same rate is imposed if the dividend is paid to a non resident individual or corporate body.
All Hybrid Companies pay an annual charge of £360.
Hybrid companies may be registered for VAT purposes and the VAT prefix will be 'GB' which is recognised in Europe.
Apart from a limited treaty with the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man is not party to any double tax treaties.
Whilst there is no requirement to file audited financial statements with the authorities, it is important to note that a company is required to keep financial records, which reflect the financial position of a company. If accounting records are kept at a place outside the Isle of Man they must be sent to the company's registered office in the Isle of Man such as to disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the business in question at intervals not exceeding 6 months.
Failure to maintain accounts or make them available for inspection at a company's registered office is an offence punishable by imprisonment or a fine.
The Assessor of Income Tax reserves the right to call in the financial records for inspection.
The minimum number of directors is two, they may be of any nationality or residence. Bodies corporate may not be appointed as directors.
A Protector may be appointed. His role will be to safeguard the interests of the Beneficial Members and any change to the register of Beneficial Members or disposal of assets will require his approval.
Hybrid Companies require a company secretary. The Company Secretary must be a natural person but may be of any nationality and reside anywhere in the world.
Hybrid Companies: The minimum number of shareholders is one.
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