Antigua Offshore Structure Guide

Establishing an Antigua Offshore company offers numerous advantages, making it an attractive choice for entrepreneurs and investors seeking tax efficiency and a business-friendly environment. Antigua and Barbuda has positioned itself as a leading offshore jurisdiction due to its zero-tax policies on international income, minimal reporting obligations, and strong legal framework that protects business owners.

Choosing the right business structure is crucial for aligning with your business goals and ensuring compliance with local regulations. The Antigua Offshore framework allows you to tailor your company’s structure to suit your financial strategy and operational needs.

Antigua Business Structure Options
Selecting the Right Offshore Structure
Benefits of Incorporating an IBC in Antigua and Barbuda?
Steps to Incorporate an IBC in Antigua and Barbuda?
Conclusion:

Table of Contents

Antigua Business Structure Options
Selecting the Right Offshore Structure
Benefits of Incorporating an IBC in Antigua and Barbuda?
Steps to Incorporate an IBC in Antigua and Barbuda?
Conclusion:

Antigua Business Structure Options

Antigua and Barbuda provides several business structures:

International Business Corporation (IBC): Ideal for international trade, investment holding, asset protection, and wealth management.
Limited Liability Company (LLC): Offers flexibility in management and is suitable for various business activities.
Public and Private Limited Liability Companies: Appropriate for larger enterprises seeking to raise capital.
Non-Profit Organizations: Designed for entities focused on charitable activities.

Selecting the Right Offshore Structure

Choosing the right Antigua Offshore business structure is a crucial step to ensure your company aligns with your goals and complies with local regulations. Consider the following factors to make an informed decision:

✅ Business Objectives: Align the structure with your business goals, whether it’s international trade, investment holding, or charitable activities. An Antigua Offshore company can be tailored for global expansion, wealth management, or asset protection.

✅ Tax Implications: Understand the tax benefits and obligations associated with each structure. Antigua’s offshore framework offers tax-neutral status for companies operating outside its borders, maximizing profit retention.

✅ Regulatory Requirements: Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations for the chosen structure. Different business models, such as International Business Companies (IBCs) or Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), may have unique reporting obligations.

✅ Operational Flexibility: Assess the management and operational flexibility offered by each structure. Antigua Offshore companies provide versatile structures that accommodate businesses of various scales, ensuring greater control over decision-making and asset management.

✅ Asset Protection: For businesses seeking to safeguard assets from creditors or legal risks, choosing a structure like an Antigua Offshore IBC can provide robust protection and privacy.

Consulting with experts like OVZA can help you identify the most suitable Antigua Offshore structure to meet your business needs while ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Benefits of Incorporating an IBC in Antigua and Barbuda?

Tax Advantages: IBC’s benefit from a tax-neutral environment with no corporate taxes, capital gains taxes, or withholding taxes.
Confidentiality: High levels of privacy for shareholders and directors.
Operational Flexibility: Ease of conducting international business activities.

Steps to Incorporate an IBC in Antigua and Barbuda?

Choose a Company Name: Select a unique name for your company.
Prepare Incorporation Documents: Draft and file the Articles of Incorporation and other required documents.
Appoint Directors and Shareholders: Designate the initial directors and shareholders.
Register with the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC): Submit the incorporation documents to the FSRC for approval.

IBC’s are prohibited from conducting business within Antigua and Barbuda without a special license. They are primarily designed for international business activities.

Conclusion:

Selecting the appropriate business structure is vital for the success of your offshore company in Antigua and Barbuda. By carefully considering your business objectives, tax implications, and regulatory requirements, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and ensures compliance with local laws.

Frequently Asked Questions

Antigua and Barbuda offer several offshore structures to suit different objectives:

International Business Corporation (IBC): Ideal for international trade, investment holding, asset protection, and wealth management with zero local-tax liability.
International Limited Liability Company (ILLC/LLC): Provides management flexibility under the International Limited Liability Companies Act; separate legal personality with customizable internal governance and broad tax exemptions.
Public and Private Limited Liability Companies: Suited for larger enterprises seeking to raise capital.
Non-Profit Organizations: Designed for charitable entities operating internationally.
(Structure details adapted from attached guide and offshore–Protection sources.)

Zero-tax environment: Exempt from corporate tax, capital gains tax, withholding tax, estate tax, and stamp duties for at least 50 years.
Confidentiality & privacy: Shareholder and director information is not publicly disclosed; unauthorized disclosure is criminalized.
Minimal requirements: Only one director and one shareholder are needed (they can be the same person). No minimum capital requirement or annual audit/reporting obligations apply.
Rapid formation: Incorporation can be completed within 1–3 business days, with shelf companies available for immediate purchase.

Name reservation: Submit a unique company name ending in an approved suffix (e.g., “Limited,” “Inc.”).
Prepare incorporation documents: Draft and file Articles of Incorporation and register with the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC).
Appoint officers: Designate initial director(s) and shareholder(s), who may be individuals or corporate entities of any nationality.
Pay governmental fees: Typically a one-time incorporation fee and an annual license fee (around USD 300).
Obtain Certificate of Incorporation: Issued by the FSRC upon approval, usually within 1–3 business days.

Governing law: Antigua LLCs are regulated under the International Limited Liability Companies Act (ILLCA) rather than the IBC Act.
Governance flexibility: Members define operational rules through an LLC Agreement, akin to partnership arrangements, offering customizable capital allocations and management structures.
Tax-exempt status: Like IBCs, LLCs enjoy full tax exemption on non-Antiguan-sourced income, including income tax, estate tax, stamp duties, and foreign exchange controls.
Formation timeline: Name approval within 2–4 days, then incorporation completed within an additional 3–5 days.

Registered office: Maintain a physical registered office address in Antigua for official correspondence.
Annual return: File an annual return with the FSRC, detailing current directors and shareholder structure.
Record-keeping: Although no filing of financial statements or audits is required for standard IBCs, accurate books and records must be kept at the registered office.
Regulatory compliance: Adhere to anti-money laundering rules and any sector-specific licensing (e.g., banking, insurance) if applicable.