Legal Protection via International Laws
Since 1992, Belize has operated under progressive legislation modeled on Trusts Acts similar to those in the British Virgin Islands. Belize and other nations are extremely supportive of International Business Companies (IBCs), and they focus heavily on creating user-friendly laws and well-regulated asset insurance guidelines to attract foreign investment. Notable laws include offshore tax exemptions, clauses that maintain the private identities of principals and extremely flexible company structure regulations that make it easier to incorporate an IBC within a few working days.
Unlike some tax shelters, however, Belize maintains a good diplomatic relationship with the U.S., the U.K and other developed nations. This means that investors from these countries are able to maintain their favorable tax situations without running afoul of the laws on their native soil. The U.S. government and many major private corporate concerns have invested heavily in creating a stable Belizean economy that also turns out to be very favorable for individuals who just want to preserve their retirement wealth or support their surviving relatives.
Gaining Access to More Diverse Markets
Offshore asset protection also benefits from the fact that it allows domestic investors to do more with their money. In addition to buying into typical financial products like stocks and bonds, they can access foreign exchange pairs and make more direct IRA investments in real estate, versatile universal life insurance policies and structured stock options.
Even though offshore investors still have to follow the rules of their IRAs or other accounts in order to maintain their tax eligibility, working with foreign custodians and brokerage services allows them more flexibility solely by virtue of putting their portfolios into contact with a more diverse market. For the countless individuals who seek nothing more than to create portfolios that will stand the test of time and fluctuating U.S. markets, investing offshore is the ideal way to protect their assets.