Dear Lucie


Following on from our very successful discussion group meeting on 1st February on Cryptocurrency and the Blockchain in London, a summary of which is uploaded on our new website (more on that following) and in the Knowledge Bank (below), I thought I would give you some advance notice of further IBSA meetings which we are arranging for the first half of this year. The varied nature of the topics will include “Protecting your practice in the age of cyber insecurity”, “ Understanding the implications of Human Rights in international business structuring" and “Knowing when to use LLPs, LLCs, Corporations, Trusts and Foundations” and “The creation of Funds for Ethical Investments”.  The dates for the UK discussion group meetings need to be confirmed but are likely to be 27th March,19th April, 3rd May and 14th June, so please diarise these dates.

 

The first European branch meeting for the year will be on April 12th in Luxembourg, featuring a comparison of the new Dutch tax provisions as they compare to Luxembourg, Switzerland and the UK. There are several round table meetings in New York discussing the tax reform changes in the US, leading to a discussion group meeting of the North American branch on 17th May. This will similarly compare the US tax reform changes to the existing regimes in the UK and several other European centres.  

 

The IBSA is now in its fourth year and is expanding its membership with professionals from various disciplines required for international business structuring, and from a number of countries around the world through our five branches in Asia, Middle East, North America, Continental Europe and the UK.  Our policy has been to invite non-members, at no charge, to attend their first discussion group meeting, of which we have held more than 60 around the world since our inception. We then encourage non-members to join the IBSA, who can then attend all further meetings free of charge at any of our global branches, or incur a charge for attending subsequent meetings.

   

We are in the process of finalising our new website, which will have a fresh look and simple navigation so you can find everything you need quickly. It will be mobile-friendly so you can look up articles, find people and book event tickets on the move. And, it will help our community communicate and engage more effectively.

   

We look forward to a successful year for all.

 

Kind regards,



Roy

Discussion Group Meetings

European Branch

Luxembourg's Gain after Dutch Tax Changes and Acceptance of OECD Recommendations

12th April, 18.00, Luxembourg

Vistra

Roy Saunders of IFS Consultants, Cees-Frans Greeven of Buren and Wim Ritz of Vistra will be holding a discussion group meeting

examining the changes in Dutch tax legislation which may impact upon the use of Dutch structures compared with Luxembourg entities, the current relationship that Luxembourg has with the European Commission and the required standards of double taxation agreements to meet the aspirations of the OECD within their BEPS project.  Additionally, the speakers will discuss the effects of the Multilateral Instrument on these treaties and the comparison between Netherlands, Luxembourg and the UK for international business structuring.  


This meeting will be held at the offices of Vistra (Luxembourg) on 12th April.  Please click on the link below for more information and to register attendance.


Members are encouraged to submit articles to the knowledge bank by contacting Lucie.Hoyland@theibsa.org

THE CURRENT & FUTURE OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES AND ICOs

IBSA Editorial

On 1 February 2018, the International Business Structuring Association (IBSA) held a panel discussion on the current and future uses of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings (“ICOs”), hosted at the offices of global law firm Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP.  Read more >>

CHANGES TO DUTCH DIVIDEND WITHHOLDING TAX AS OF 1st JANUARY 2018

Cees Greeven, Buren NV

Following a reform as per 1 January 2018 of Dutch tax law, dividend withholding tax (DWT) should now also be charged on profit distributions by holding cooperatives, but it also favorably extends an existing DWT exemption for qualifying recipients.  Read more >>

INITIAL COIN OFFERINGS HIT REGULATORY WALLS

Russell Bennett, Tanner de Witt

The emergence of digital currencies and blockchain technology has now paved the way for various blockchain-based companies to raise billions of dollars by initial coin offerings (“ICOs”).  An ICO occurs when a company sells digital tokens or existing digital coins (such as bitcoin or ether) to investors who are willing to buy the tokens or coins for a share in the company’s investment returns or the right to use the company’s developing services or software.

Read more >>

PARADISE LOST

Derren Joseph, Hayden T Joseph CPA LLP

To many people, sun-kissed beaches lapped by the clear blue waters of the Caribbean form a vision of paradise. Yet for the rich and famous they are more than just a playground, as many of these small islands also provide a safe haven for their riches. The area is susceptible to violent storms, however, although the latest threat comes not from the swirling winds of the Atlantic but rather from international indignation following the release of the Paradise Papers

Read more >>

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