February 12, 2012 |
Offshore Investment News |
Hi ,
Last month people from 124 countries visited InvestOffshore.com, 33% of them were from the United States. The United Kingdom is second with 6% of website visitors, when Canada and Australia are added it accounts for over half the readers. Most subscribers are American, which explains why we write more articles about offshore investing for U.S. citizens. Last week's information about why Mitt Romney chose to invest offshore, attracted a record response.
Our objective with this newsletter is to help you understand that it is safe and legal to invest offshore, and that the offshore alternative provides much stronger protection. No matter what country you are from, or where you now live, you need to consider geo-diversification. Every individual has unique needs and goals, our promise is to provide you with accurate information, to help you make the best decisions, about how to set-up your own offshore asset protection.
Aaron A Day |
Treasury, IRS Issue Proposed Rules for FATCA Implementation |
IRS improves asset protection & saving taxes with retirement plans.
The year 2012 is the year of great tax savings and asset protection. Now you can get the tax savings without using money via an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan). ESOP's also allow you to expense loan repayments, sale your business free of income taxes and create a tax loss by printing stock certificates.
If you are over 55, you get to use a "catch up" to increase your tax savings. Federal law classifies qualified retirement plans as asset protection trusts.
How does it work? for retirement plans with IRAs, 401(k), Profit-Sharing Plans and/or Defined Benefit Plans
Plans With IRAs
- Participant's retirement benefits based on participant's account balance
- Some plans may allow employees to contribute
- Depending on the type of plan, employer may be required to make annual minimum contributions
- Contribution limits of $5,000 to $50,0001, depending on the type of plan
- Depending on the type of plan, must cover some or all of the employees in all your businesses
- Easy to set up and operate
- No annual return required
- Annual nondiscrimination testing not required
- Little design flexibility
- No loans allowed
- Immediate vesting of all contributions
401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plans
- Participant's retirement benefits based on participant's account balance
- May allow employees to contribute through salary deferrals
- Depending on the type of plan, employer may be required to make annual minimum contributions
- Contribution limits of up to $50,0001 or more if over 55 for a "catch-up contribution"
- Must meet minimum coverage tests but can exclude some employees
- More complex to set up and operate
- Annual return usually required
- May require annual nondiscrimination testing
- Greater design flexibility
- Loans and hardship withdrawals allowed
- May delay vesting of some employer contributions
- ESOP- employee stock benefit plans for non cash tax planning
Defined Benefit 402 (B) Plan
- Higher annual retirement benefits possible, up to $200,0001 per year
- Must meet minimum coverage tests but can exclude some employees
- Simple to set up and operate
- Greater design flexibility
- Plan may hold International Real Estate and International Funds without PFIC restrictions
- May delay vesting of participants' accrued benefit
If you are ready to open the doors to greater investment options for your retirement assets, or want more information contact us today |
Axiom Legal Financing Fund |
Axiom Legal Financing Fund continues to outperform its target growth rates on a consistent basis, which is rare in the current economic environment.
Fund Growth
The variety of case types is expanding and now includes:
- Professional negligence by law firms acting for council house tenants the purchase of their council houses.
- Professional negligence by law firms acting for coal miners in settlements for industrial injury and industrial illness
- High value divorce cases and similar domestic partnership disputes
- Debt recovery
- Clinical negligence
Over the past months, the fund has broadened it's base of funding quite considerably, using money from the growing intake and returned loans. All of which adds strength to the fund.
Fund Manager
The investment manager The Synergy Solution Ltd (TSSL) has been taken over by Tangerine Investment Management Ltd (TIM Ltd); Investor letters are going out this week. In restructuring the company Tim Schools has also expanded the Board of Directors in order to provide enhanced corporate governance and overall experience. The Management Team of TSSL has been retained by TIM Ltd so that the newly structure Investment Manager (TIM Ltd) builds on the strengths of the established one and is also a larger company.
TIM Ltd head office is in Grand Cayman with representative offices in London, Geneva and Singapore.
Request more information about Axiom Legal Financing Fund . |
The USA Money Game |
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations for the next major phase of implementing the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). Enacted by Congress in 2010, the law targets U.S. Citizens' foreign assets.
FATCA was enacted as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act. FATCA requires foreign financial institutions (such banks and brokers) to report to the IRS information the financial activities of all Americans and their businesses.
Under HIRE, American taxpayers with foreign assets will have nowhere to hide. In fact, as of January 1, 2013, Foreign banks or investment firms doing business with Americans have to ask if they're U.S. citizens or residents. If the client is an American citizen (or resident under U.S. tax rules), the bank or investment firm will be required to report information related to the account to the IRS. If an account holder refuses to answer, the bank or investment firm will withhold 30% of any investment earnings and remit that to the IRS. Advisors should encourage American clients who haven't been filing annual U.S. returns to meet the compliance requirements of the IRS prior to this legislation coming into force.
The IRS requires such taxpayers to file the previous six years' returns, even if no additional U.S. tax is payable. But it can be a lot of work and require additional IRS compliance forms (Forms 8891, 3520, FBAR, etc.). Even though the HIRE Act doesn't come into full force until 2013, the IRS has created a draft of Form 8938 (Statement of Foreign Financial Assets), which is required to be filed with next year's U.S. income tax return if the American citizen has $50,000 or more in foreign financial assets.
Taxpayers have to file the form along with the myriad of other U.S. compliance tax forms, including the TDF 90-22.1 (Foreign Bank Account Reporting), even though much of the information appears to be similar. The new form will significantly increase the amount of data U.S. citizens need to report if they hold foreign assets. Foreign assets include Foreign rental property but not raw land or homes used personally.
In conclusion, with these recent changes to American tax law, you must be prepared to play only the USA Money Game.
Request more information about how to play "The USA Money Game. |
Invest in Brazil Real Estate |

Property purchase offers far greater returns today than most stock market investments and never before has international property been as popular as a highly lucrative means to create wealth. Worldwide property investors are now turning their attention to Brazil as it fast becomes a leader in the field of emerging markets. Returns on investment are considered to be excellent and investors are increasingly aware of the high growth potential that Brazil offers as a stable though fresh, new investment market.
Advantages of Brazil Investment
- Property capital appreciation of 30% per annum in this locations.
- Favorable currency exchange rates, making property transactions cheap for foreign investors.
- Government's progressive policies, bringing many improvements to Brazil, including a decrease in inflation to an all-time low at 5.7%.
- Active encouragement and incentives for foreign investment - you can own 100% of land and property.
- Cost of living often 20% of that in the UK/US/Europe and property maintenance costs extremely low.
- Some of the lowest property prices in the world.
- Increase of thriving manufacturing industries relocated to Brazil and boosting the economy.
- Expected self-sufficiency in oil reserves within the next year.
- Some economists believe Brazil is amongst the leaders of the future, along with Russia, India and China.
- Year-round sunshine, with average summer temperatures of 25°C.
- Great natural beauty with fantastic scenery.
- Friendly nature of the Brazilian people.
- Easy access via direct flights from many international airports.
Request an introduction to our agent in Brazil. |
Truth and Lies Radio Show |
You are invited to join us for The Truth and Lies radio show, hosted by R David Finzer, the president and CEO of the Capital Conservator Group, on the Overseas Radio Network 1PM to 2PM New York Time Monday-Friday. This informative 1 hour radio show is dedicated to revealing the truth and exposing the lies about:
- international living and expatriation,
- pitfalls and rewards of the PT (permanent traveler) lifestyle,
- offshore companies, trusts, foundations and other structures, asset protection
Submit a question to be answered on "The Truth and Lies" radio show. | |

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