CONTACT US

Law Chambers of Jackie Hunkins-Taylor & Associates
P.O. Box 355
Hunkins Plaza
Charlestown, Nevis
Tel: 1 (869) 469 7292
Fax: 1(869) 469 7018
E-mail: info@jhtlawfirm.com
Web: www.jhtlawfirm.com

    

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WHY NEVIS?

Doing Business in Nevis is Easy! Nevis is an economically and politically stable jurisdiction with over 23 years of experience as an international financial centre. Nevis is rapidly becoming the jurisdiction of choice for offshore entities. Entities offered include but are not limited to International Business Corporations (IBC), Limited Liability Companies (LLC) and Nevis Exempt Trusts.  

Nevis has state of the art infrastructure, total tax exemption and no exchange controls, user-friendly and flexible legislations, strong privacy laws and a qualified pool of professionals with expertise in asset management and protection, finance, taxation, banking, law and accountancy. This combination makes Nevis an ideal location for business. Our reputation of being a welcoming, innovative and progressive jurisdiction is further attestation of this fact. 
 
In Nevis, the government fees are comparable with other high end jurisdictions, the incorporation process is quick and there is no compromise on the quality of service or the carrying out of international best practices. The Nevis Business Corporations and the Limited Liability Companies are considered by many international consultants to be the most flexible corporations and the best asset protection structures available from any international financial centre.  
 
Investment opportunities in Nevis are not limited to the offshore sector. The Real Estate sector is another fast growing and worthwhile venture filled with fantastic development potential. Just imagine investment into an approved project can ensure you of citizenship! For more details see Economic Citizenship.  Or if you are simply looking for a place to call home away from home, Nevis is it, its paradise in paradise.  Owning a piece of this halcyon isle is easy. Nevis, a caterer to high-end tourism and exclusive living welcome all prospective buyers.     
 
We here at JHT Law & Consultancy Firm welcome you and look forward to your doing business in NEVIS!

 

NEVIS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANY (IBC)

Top reasons to form a Nevis IBC:
  • Nevis allows almost any corporate indicator to be used and in any language including; Limited, Ltd., Corporation, Corp., S.A., A.G
  • A company incorporated in Nevis has the same powers as a natural person
  • Strict confidentiality of beneficial ownership. 
  • No taxes are levied in Nevis upon income, dividends or distributions of a Nevis company which are not earned on the island.  
  • 24 Hrs incorporation available
  • The directors, officers and shareholders may be natural persons or bodies corporate and may be of any nationality and need not be residents of Nevis.
  • The minimum number of shareholders is one.
  • The minimum number of directors is three if the number of shareholders is three. If fewer than three, the number of directors may be equal to the number of shareholders.
  • Principle records and office may be located outside of Nevis 
  • No annual or other reports by the shareholders or directors are required to be filed in the public records of Nevis; changes of shareholders, directors or officers need not be reported to the Registrar of Companies in Nevis.
  • Nevis companies may amend their Articles of Incorporation, merge or consolidate with foreign corporations or other Nevis corporations, or file Articles of Dissolution in accordance with liberal provisions contained in the Ordinance
  • Any corporation formed in another jurisdiction may redomicile on Nevis pursuant to certain easily followed provisions set forth in the Ordinance.
  • English is the official and commercial language of the Island. Nevis enjoys a literacy rate of 96%, one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere.
 
LIMITED LIABILTY COMPANY (LLC)
 
Top reasons to incorporate Nevis LLC
  •  The LLC legislation was drafted with the U.S. tax code in mind, therefore, Nevis LLC s should comply fully with U.S. requirements to qualify as a partnership for tax purposes.
  • Corporate indicators for LLC’s include: LLC, L.L.C. and L.C.
  • None of the owners are exposed to personal liability.
  • No taxes are levied in Nevis upon income, dividends or distributions of a Nevis company which are not earned on the island.
  • Limited Liability Companies provide a mechanism by which managers can limit the authority of non-managing members.
  • Limited Liability Companies face no stock limitations and can issue preferred interests analogous to referred stock of corporations.  
  • Limited Liability Companies can be used for international finance and investment, real estate holding, estate planning, asset protection, professional practices, and joint ventures.
  • No corporate tax, income tax, withholding tax, stamp tax, asset tax, exchange controls or other fees or taxes are levied in Nevis on assets or income originating outside the island.
  • Members of an L.L.C. may be individuals or business entities of any nationality, and they do not have to file annual or other reports in the Public Records of Nevis.
  • Members of Limited Liability Companies may assign their interest to other parties unless restricted otherwise.
  • Management of L.L.C.'s may be accomplished by the members or by managers designated by the members, and company records may be located anywhere in the world.
  • The owners can participate in management without becoming personally liable for the company's debts.
  • The ownership of a L.L.C. has no limitations.
   
NEVIS EXEMPT TRUSTS
 
Top reasons to incorporate a Nevis Trust
  • Formation of charitable trusts, spendthrift trusts and purpose trusts.
  • Formed by oral grant of authority to the trustee, by a written declaration of trust or indenture of settlement, or by operation of law.
  • Exempted from all taxes and stamp duties.
  • Does not require a minimum amount of assets to be placed in a trust at its inception or to remain in it during its existence.
  • Does not require registration of a domestic trust's existence or filing a copy of the written instrument with any agency
  • Will not be declared invalid by a Nevis court on the grounds that (1) its is revocable, (2) the Settlor is the sole beneficiary or participates in its benefits, or (3) the Settlor may remove and appoint trustees and protectors or give them directions.
  • May exist for up to 100 years unless terminated sooner and are exempt from application of the rule against perpetuities. Trusts established for charitable and non-charitable purposes may have a duration exceeding 100 years.
  • May accumulate income during their entire existence
  • Provides for a protector with the power to remove a trustee and appoint additional trustees and with any other power specified in the trust deed.
  • Trustees are subject to the same level of privacy for trust information as that imposed on bankers by the Confidential Relationship Act
  • No provision for disclosure of financial information about trust operations
  • May be governed by any law of the Settlor’s choice.
  • Allowed to repatriate capital and income and are exempt from exchange controls
  • Provides the full range of modern asset protection features including applying the stringent standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt before finding Settlor guilty of fraud.
  • The 1571 statute of Elizabeth I, which would void an entire trust if a disposition to it was found fraudulent in the courts, was specifically repealed by the Nevis International Exempt Trusts Ordinance
  • Cannot be declared void, voidable or defective by reason of any forced heirship rules of the Settlor’s domicile.
  • Creditors suing a Nevis international trust on allegations of fraudulent transfer by the Settlor must post a bond of US$25,000 dollars with the Ministry of Finance to cover potential costs in case they do not prevail
  • Suits cannot be initiated to recover property alleged to have been transferred to Nevis trusts after the expiration of two years from the date of the cause of action.
  • Proceedings to enforce foreign court awards against a Nevis trust or its Settlor, beneficiaries, trustees, or protector are not allowed if the subject matter of the suit was specifically governed by Nevis law or if the judgment was rendered based generally on application of law inconsistent with that of Nevis.
 
REAL ESTATE

In Nevis, Real Estate represents excellent value for money. Nevis offers potential buyers many types of real estate products including houses, condominiums, time-shares, farms, finished lots and beautiful ocean view properties. However, the acquisition of real estate can be one of the most stressful things to do. The normal stress of the purchasing process can be compounded with factors, such as cultural barriers and unfamiliarity with local laws and procedures. JHT can help buyers and sellers to navigate their way through the real estate buying and selling process for all types of purchases, assisting persons to legally and successfully purchase property in Nevis with ease.

There are two ways of acquiring property in Nevis: 1) through obtaining an Alien Land-holding License; and, 2) through Economic Citizenship.

A non-national needs an Alien Land Holding License to own property on the island. To obtain an Alien Land-holding License, one must engage the services of an attorney for assistance. The license should take about two months for approval. After it is granted and a property has been chosen, an agreement of sale is drawn up by the seller and signed by both parties. The buyer will be required to pay a deposit of 10% to 15% of the sale price to reserve the property.

Once property is purchased, taxes and other expenses are relatively low on the island. Many second houses, once purchased, are rented out by week or by month, as vacation homes, to help cover ongoing costs such as property management. At JHT we can provide ‘a la carte’ property management services. We will ensure that your property is maintained in a good state and condition. We will coordinate cleaning and gardening services, ensure that rental income is collected and deposited without delay and ensure that all monthly electric, water, cable, and phone charges, as well as annual insurance and property taxes are paid on a timely basis. Finally, we will provide you with monthly statements detailing your transactions.
 
  
ECONOMIC CITIZENSHIP
 
One of the most important things you can do to protect your future and the future of your family is to get a second passport. The process of getting residency in Nevis and by extension the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis by way of economic citizenship is straightforward and uncomplicated, especially with JHT Law & Consultancy assisting you.
 
By virtue of Chapter VIII of the Constitution of St. Christopher and Nevis and the Citizenship Act 1984, any person who make a minimum investment of US$350,000 in an approved project in the island of Nevis or St. Kitts or alternatively making a contribution to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation (SIDF, a public charity) to the amount of US$ 200,000 (for a single applicant), will be eligible to apply for Citizenship in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
 
Our St Kitts-Nevis passport program ends with a genuine, legal passport, issued by the government of St. Kitts and Nevis. This is a full passport which may be used for opening bank accounts, travel, or anything else a normal passport is used for.   The economic citizenship gives voting rights in St. Kitts-Nevis, and also the right to permanent residency in St. Kitts and Nevis. On average the application process takes 4 – 6 months to complete.
 
Should you wish to proceed with an application, please use the Info Request form and we will contact you to arrange the easiest way to get the application forms and information to you.

 

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