General Information

• Location Leeward Islands Eastern Caribbean
• Size 36 square miles
• Population 11, 500
• Political Status Member of Sovereign Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis
• Constitution 1983, following independence from Great Britain
• Currency 1 EC Dollar = 0.40 US Dollar

Tax Listings

• Income tax resident %: Nil
• Resident companies liable for 35% tax on profits unless tax concession has been granted
• non resident % Nil
• Trusts -resident % Nil
• non-resident % Nil
• Estate duty No
• Corporate tax -resident % 36%
• non-resident % Nil
• exempt % Nil
• Withholding taxes No
• Tax treaties: Treaty against double taxation. Denmark, New Zealand, Norway Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
• Exchange controls -resident Yes
• non-resident No
• Statutory secrecy: -banking Yes
• other Confidential Relationship Act,1985

Trusts

• Are trusts permitted? Yes
• What is the perpetuity period? Defined by Trust Deed
• What is the accumulation period? Defined by Trust Deed
• Is there a statutory trust law? Yes
• Is there a trust duty Payable? Yes

Special Trusts Features

• Forced heirship exclusion No
• Asset protection measures Yes

Disclosure

• Trust Register No
• Regulation of Trustees Yes
• Resident trustees required Yes

Companies

• Resident directors required
• Minimum number of directors required
• Directors meetings required
• Other restrictions/requirements
• Beneficial ownership disclosure
• Shareholder disclosure
• Minimum number of shareholders
• Bearer shares allowed
• No-par Value shares allowed
• Public share register
• Shareholders meetings required
• Frequency
• Place
• Annual return required
• Audit required
• Foreign currency accounting allowed
• Company mobility provisions
• Registered Office
• Registered Agent
• Stamp/capital duty

List of Relevant Statutes

• Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance 1984, as amended.
• Nevis International Exempt Trust Ordinance 1994, as amended
• The Saint Christopher and Nevis Constitution Order 1983.
• The Confidential Relationship Act 1985.
• Nevis Offshore Banking Ordinance 1996.
• Nevis Multiform Foundations Ordinance, 2004.
• Nevis Multiform Foundations Regulations, 2005. 

Company Information

• Company law Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance 1984, asamended.
• Types of companies
• Nevis International Business Corporation (NIBC)
• Company Statutes - as amended.
• Capital requirements 1, 000 no-par value shares or US$ 100, 000 in par-value shares denominated in any currency.
• Costs to incorporate, excluding fees US$ 580
• Fees paid to authorities to incorporate US$ 225
• Total incorporation fee = $ 780
• Annual fees paid to authorities US$ 225 ( to govt) and $ 250 to Registered Agent
• Taxation Non-resident companies pay US$ 225 annually as above. Companies operating in Nevis can obtain approved status with tax holidays of up to 15 years or more.
• Method of Incorporation Registration of Articles of Incorporation (N.B. By-laws are not required to be registered)
• Who may Incorporate Registered Agent’s Office
• Length of time to Incorporate One hour
• Company statutes Articles of Incorporation modeled on Delaware Law with optional English Common Law concepts provided.
• Minimum members At least one.
• Registered office Must be in Nevis.
• Directors and Secretary Normally 3 directors plus secretary; if less than three shareholders the number of directors may equal the number of shareholders.
• Nominee Directors/Secretary possible Yes
• Meetings Annual meetings of shareholders required, directors can meet anywhere and by telephone.
• Annual returns None
• Is disclosure of profit required by filling balance sheet with annual returns None required
• Exchange control None
• Companies formed in the last year No disclosure due to Confidentiality Act
• Number of companies on the company register altogether As above
• Is Redomiciliation to Nevis possible Yes
• Is migration out of your country provided for Yes
• Are International Business Corporations with tax advantages for non-domestic business part of your legislation Yes - part XIV Section 123 of Nevis Business Corp. Ord 1984 specifically provides for non-domestic activity which may be conducted onshore and retain tax exemption status.