| April 1, 2012 |
| Offshore Investment News |
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Dear ,
The case of a wealthy U.S. businessman who pleaded guilty to evading taxes but then sued the Swiss bank where he hid his money is scheduled to go to trial on May 8, the first major test of civil legal challenges to Swiss banks that sold offshore private banking services to help Americans evade taxes.
It is legal for U.S. residents to hold offshore bank accounts, but the IRS requires taxpayers to disclose the accounts on their tax returns as well as to sign special disclosures provided by the banks, known as W9 forms.
Under a U.S. Treasury program known as qualified intermediary, banks are required to collect the W9 forms and withhold taxes - typically 28 percent to 31 percent - on proceeds from U.S. securities held in client accounts and to send that money to the IRS.
If clients refuse to sign the disclosures, the banks must sell any U.S. securities held in the offshore accounts, a process that triggers a tax bill for the client and a requirement that the bank report the sale and the client's identity to the IRS.
This is no April Fools joke!
Aaron A Day |
| Rules of the IRS Nest Egg Hunt |
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What questions will the IRS be asking about a complicated Tax problemed structure
Why is it?
What is it?
Whose is it?
What our Invest Offshore readers always want to Know first includes A), B) and C) and for this issue I we'll just list the A):
A) SAFETY:
- Avoids IRS Tax Controversy
- Avoids IRS Investigation (Meaning it is without any "Red Flags" or Sort Reason for an Audit)
- Avoids IRS Penalties
- Avoids IRS Prosecution
- An "International Asset Protection Trust" is not a TAX SHELTER. The IRS does not provide a Tax Ruling on any "Asset Protection" Trust nor does it give IRS Tax Code approval on Trust structures which, by the way, have a variety of "marketing purposeful driven" names AND Tax Problem, Reporting issues, Land Mines and FATCA issues.
- Attorney: In 2010 the USA Tax Court ruled that your long time CPA or attorney is no longer "independent." His/her advise no longer protects taxpayers from excessive tax penalties. Taxpayers relying on an accountants or attorneys advice regarding international transactions and cross border estates planning are not protected when the advisor is paid a fee for the tax plan. The Tax Court has ruled that such advice is no longer sufficient to avoid IRS penalties, which are now often 30% to 50% of the amount in question.
- A "Prosperity Shelter" or any structure that "must be complicated in order to provide the asset protection and tax reduction benefits required". Meaning that if it is not Transparent when the IRS looks at it then it is the wrong choice!
Request a free Tax structure evaluation from a qualified adviser. |
| Royal Bank of Canada - Oil Services Select Phoenix Notes |
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An attractive investment combining the potential for Annualized Returns of 11%, Early Redemption opportunities every quarter, and linked to the performance of Oil Services Stocks.
 Underlyings:
- Halliburton Co (HAL UN)
- Baker Hughes Inc (BHI UN)
- Weatherford Intl Ltd (WFT UN)
- ABB Ltd (ABBN VX)
- Schlumberger Ltd (SLB UN)
Key Points:
· Invests in 5 Blue Chip stocks
· 15 opportunities for early redemption, with a defensive trigger of 95% of the Initial Levels - the Notes will early redeem on any Quarterly Observation Date even if any stock has fallen up to 5%
· Strong potential for regular income of 2.75% p/qtr, as long as ALL Underlyings are at or above just 50% of Initial Levels, observed on each Quarterly Observation Date
· Income & Capital backed by AA- Rated RBC, one of the strongest financial institutions in the world
· Defensive outlook - strong capital buffer, no loss of capital as long as no Underlying has fallen below 50% of its Initial Valuation Level on the Final Valuation Date (European Barrier)
· Available in 3 currencies £ $
· Term 4 years
· Daily liquidity by way of active Secondary Market for clients that wish to access capital early
· Available through all International Life Companies, Private Banks, Stockbrokers & Platforms
· Minimum Investment 10,000 £ $
Subscription period:
Closes on the 5th of April 2012
ISIN codes:
- GBP: XS0750991183
- USD: XS0750990888
- EUR: XS0750990615
A Fact Sheet highlighting the strength of the issuer, Royal Bank of Canada, is available upon request. They are one of the highest rated investment banks globally, Aa1 Moody's, AA Fitch, AA- S&P (on positive outlook for an upgrade). There is no other 3rd party involved; the ability to repay the capital + proceeds lies entirely with RBC alone.
This should give you good comfort investing with the No. 1 safest bank in the Americas & No. 8 in the world.
Request more information RBC - Oil Services Select Phoenix Notes. |
| Investment Passports in Antigua |
Top 10 Places to retire:
According to The Telegraph, Antigua is listed as 6th in the Top 10 Places to retire overseas:
Half as expensive as Barbados, Antigua is one of the most enchanting islands in the English-speaking Caribbean. It offers life in the slow lane at its best. Nelson's old dockyard will make Brits feel at home and with more than 300 beaches to choose from, there is no danger of monotony setting in as you down your umpteenth rum punch. Spicy local food is another of the treats in store for the émigré from the land of fish and chips.
We recommend a villa on the South Finger of Jolly Harbour for $245,000 USD. This villa has all the advantages of a prime South Finger location in the Jolly Harbour marina. The property is furnished and well maintained. The location is in a private inlet with active views of the sailing vessels arriving and exiting the harbour moorage. The location also offers a 2-minute stroll to the white sands of Jolly Beach or a 10-minute walk to all the shops and restaurants.
We now have access to Antigua Investment Passports - Watch for more information in future articles.
Request an introduction to our agent in Antigua. |
| Galley Bay Heights, Antigua |
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The land at Galley Bay comprises of 2 parcels:
- 1.85 Acre approx
- 2.75 Acre approx
Prime location within the Galley Bay Heights High-end Development
From both parcels you have panoramic beach, ocean and sunset views, and you are approximately 1-2 minute walk to the stunning Galley Bay Beach and the tranquil Shell Beach.
The land has had full approval from the DCA for 40 x high-end luxury apartments with a boutique style club house, in the year 2007-8 we had 75% of the development sold out, receiving reservation deposits with apartments starting from USD$795,000.00 upwards to USD$1.5M. All the financing was approved in principle and the owners also had the government approval, concessions and successful ground breaking day. Unfortunately for them there was a covenant restriction on a section of the land which dated back into the archives which we had to ask the courts to uplift the restriction before they could develop the land, which came up against a strong objection from the neighboring 4 star Galley Bay Resort/Hotel.
The bottom line: courts in Antigua (like anywhere else in Caribbean) take forever, which was no exception in this case, which they eventually won (3 years later)!
Whilst they won, and the covenant has now been lifted from the title deed at the land registry office, they lost the opportunity of development, at the time of the real estate boom, and so returned all deposits.
The owners have decided now to sell the land at a dramatically reduced price. Please note:This property is neighbors with Giorgio Armani, who is developing his land in July 2012, for a value of approx. USD$7-8M.
Within the Galley Bay Heights Development the villas are from USD$2.5M up to USD$8M, recently a couple villas sold in the USD$3-4M bracket
In regards to price, the owners have not listed the lands/development site openly on the market, but they turned down an offer for Parcel 1 (1.85 Acres) of USD$1.25M (net of taxes) which they believe was from Giorgio Armani's agent. The owners would entertain offers of USD$1.5M and USD$1.75M for Parcel 2 (2.75 Acres), or both parcels, reduced dramatically to USD$2.5M.
Request an introduction to the property owners in Antigua |
| Karatbars International - Gold Program |
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The Karatbars group based in Germany, Belize and Thailand are bank-independent trading houses for merchandise and precious metals, especially Gold bullion in the form of a card in small denominations.
Karatbars International is an Internet trading company and its products are shipped worldwide to an expanding list of countries. They offer one of the most extraordinary range of products on the market. "Atasay Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS Kuyumculuk" of Turkey are the producer and supplier of the one-gram gold bars of the brand "ATAkulche".
 Karatbars International is listed with the London Bullion Association Market (LBMA).
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