GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Jersey is one of the Channel Islands off the North West Coast of France in the English Channel.

Company Formation
Incorporation takes 10 to 14 days. Jersey requirements are strict and there is a more detailed application form than for other jurisdictions.

COMPANY NAMES
Prior approval of a company name is required and this is normally available within 24 hours. The company may end with the words: Limited or Ltd, or with the French equivalent, Avec Responsibilité Limitée or ARL. Ready-made companies are not available.

SHARE CAPTITAL
The company will be set up with an authorised share capital of £10,000 (unless otherwise requested) as this is the maximum capital for the minimum stamp duty. Only two shares need be issued. Bearer shares are not permissible.

DIRECTORS, SHAREHOLDERS and SECRETARY
A minimum of one director and two shareholders are required along with a company secretary. A director must be a private individual, though the shareholders may be either private individuals or corporate entities.

ANNUAL RETURN and ACCOUNTS
All Jersey companies must file an Annual Return in January of each year. A tax-exempt company trading outside of the Island need not file accounts with the Jersey authorities.

Taxation
Companies can choose to be 'resident' or 'tax exempt'. A tax-exempt company pays an annual £600 exempt tax regardless of the level of its profits. The exempt tax is payable on incorporation AND THEREAFTER in January of each year. Please note that the company has 3 months grace to pay its exempt tax, after which the company will lose its exempt status for all time.

COMPANIES INVESTING IN THE UK
Companies making an investment in the UK should be resident and should not apply for exemt status. Such companies will file accounts in the UK, and under the UK - Jersey double tax arrangements, pay taxes in the UK on their rental income but are free of Capital Gains Tax.

NOMINEES
Where required, we are able to provide nominee directors and shareholders. The names of the nominees only will appear on the official register which is kept at the Companies Registration Office on the Island and is open for inspection by any interested party, but nominee papers are drawn up to ensure that the beneficiaries retain control over the company.

LONDON REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE
Though your tax haven company is located outside the UK, it is still possible to give the impression that your company is a regular UK registered company, for you are able to use our address (along with eMail, telephone and fax lines) as your 'UK representative office'. This does not make your company subject to UK taxes, for the use of this address is for administrative purposes only. Correspondence and messages that arrive here will be forwarded immediatley on receipt.