Where Your Trust is our Business
Cook Islands
New Zealand
The Cook Islands is an independent country consisting of 15 small islands in the South Pacific Ocean, almost directly south of Hawaii. Formerly a British protectorate, the country now enjoys a free association with New Zealand. The Cook Islands enjoys an international reputation as the premier jurisdiction for offshore trusts because of its balanced protective laws.
New Zealand is an OECD member country with a strong, developed economy. New Zealand provides all the advantages of traditional offshore financial centres, but is primarily recognized as a mainstream onshore financial centre. With its special tax exemptions under New Zealand law and access to New Zealand’s considerable network of tax treaties, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, and Canada. New Zealand is attractive to the offshore client.
Nevis Nevis is an island nation located in the Caribbean, adjacent to Saint Kitts, approximately 200 miles east southeast of Puerto Rico. Formerly British protectorates, Saint Kitts and Nevis now comprise one independent country. Nevis enjoys a special constitutional status by which offshore services have flourished, and the legal climate in Nevis is extremely protective of offshore trusts. In addition, Nevis offers competitive LLC and corporation legislation, permitting Southpac Trust clients to establish business entities with speed and ease.
Offshore Trusts & the Benefits Establishing an offshore trust could well prove to be one of the most significant financial planning and wealth preservation decisions that you can make. Properly structured, an offshore trust will offer you the following benefits; » Creditor Protection. Placing hard earned personal assets beyond the reach of future creditors and predatory law suits. » International Diversification. Placing your assets inside an offshore trust in a foreign sovereign jurisdiction outside your own will achieve much desired international diversification and economic risk spreading.
Our Products Southpac Trust offers a wealth of products that can be tailored to your circumstances, whether it be personal or a dynasty trust, business structuring or tax minimization. Southpac Trust is a trusted provider of offshore trustee and Limited Liability company or International Business company incorporation services in the Cook Islands, Nevis, and New Zealand as well as facilitating the opening of bank accounts and establishing foundations. Southpac Trust is strategically placed with over 30 years of experience in servicing international clients.
The Offshore Trust The offshore trust is the strongest asset protection vehicle worldwide. The trust can hold title to assets and property, manage said assets in accordance with the trust deed, in order to provide benefits and distributions to persons or group designated as the beneficiaries. An offshore trust is usually created by people who have accumulated reasonable assets and / or are in professions in which they are at risk of suffering lawsuits such as entrepreneurs, doctors, dentists, architects, property developers and marketers, with assets (tangible or intangible) to protect, and also for people who seek to plan their taxes in advantageous jurisdictions or just to ensure financial security in retirement, inheritance and succession planning. Offshore trusts provide complete and absolute confidentiality. While there will always be a place for domestic planning, establishing an offshore trust in the Cook Islands, Nevis or New Zealand provides a level of security and certainty for family and business assets not achievable under domestic law.
» Income tax savings. Although many national tax authorities require full reporting of offshore trusts income, certain asset classes, such as life insurance policies held inside an offshore trust, often benefit from generous tax treatment leading to large, legitimate, income tax deferrals. » Estate Planning Advantages. After your death, your offshore trust can effectively “disconnect” from the U.S tax system. It can invest tax free all around the world for faster compounding and unhindered growth in family wealth. Tax may apply on beneficiary distributions. » Financial Privacy. Apart from your legal tax reporting duties, an offshore trust gives you greater control over who has access to the details of your financial life.
International Business Company (IBC) The IBC is an offshore corporation closely related to the “traditional” company in that it utilises the typical memorandum and articles of association and has the requisite company directors and secretary. The IBC is a corporation targeted to non-residents and is not permitted to engage in economic activities within the jurisdiction it is incorporated in nor is it taxed in that jurisdiction. Main benefits of the IBC is its use in international trading activities, for offshore banking, investment activities, tax planning, online trading or business and for asset protection.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Southpac Products
The LLC is a formal organizational business structure that establishes a separate legal entity from its members.
» Offshore Trusts
The LLC combines the protective aspects of the international trust and limited partnership, but with a more flexible structure. The LLC is generally a tax-neutral vehicle, because it is normally taxed as a partnership, rather than as a corporation. There is no limit on the numbers of members or class of members, the members themselves are responsible for their share of any tax obligations of the LLC.
» International Business Companies (IBCs) » Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) » Foundations
Southpac Services » Trust Administration » Professional Trustees » Registered Agent Services » Company Administration » Corporate Protector Services » Nominee Director / Secretary Services » Nominee Manager / Member Services » Bank Account Establishments and Administration » Foundation Administration
Southpac Trust - Traditional Values with Modern Service
Our Mission Statement Southpac Trust strongly believes that service should be based upon respecting traditional values, building personal relationships with our clients and focusing on attention to detail. This is how we ensure that modern day expectations for outstanding service are always met.
Independence The very fact that we are independent means we can offer our clients the scope and flexibility of working alongside other professional advisers or specialists in their chosen field. This ensures that the service we provide is always bespoke and uncompromised.
Our Service Southpac Trust prides itself in delivering professional service while taking the upmost care for your privacy and confidentiality. The contents of this brochure do not, and are not intended to, constitute legal advice, investment advice, a loan offer, or an invitation to purchase or deal in securities. This brochure is not a prospectus. We recommend you obtain appropriate professional advice before establishing a trust or business entity with us. Southpac Trust Limited is a licenced trust company in and conducts business in and from the Cook Islands. Southpac Trust Nevis Limited is a licenced trust company in and conducts business in and from Nevis. Southpac Trust NZ Limited conducts business in and from New Zealand. Auditors: KPMG
For further information, please contact: Southpac Trust Limited PO Box 11 ANZ House Avarua, Rarotonga Cook Islands T: +682 20514
Southpac Trust Nevis Limited PO Box 681 Hunkins Plaza Charlestown, Nevis West Indies T: +1 869 469 1943
Southpac Trust NZ Limited PO Box 13 262 Rydal House 29 Grey Street, Tauranga New Zealand 3110 T: +64 7 571 8548
Email: enquiries@southpactrust.com
www.southpactrust.com