QUEEN BEATRIX ABDICATES IN FAVOR OF SON
The Queen will formally stand down on 30 April 2013
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced earlier today that she will abdicate on April 30 after 33 years as head of state. The abdication secures the Dutch throne for Crown-Prince Willem-Alexander at the age of 45.
“Responsibility for our country must now lie in the hands of a new generation,” Queen Beatrix said in a short televised statement.
Karel Frielink
(28 January 2013)
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INADEQUATE CAPITALIZATION OF A CURACAO COMPANY
Liability for thin-capitalization?
A shareholder is not personally liable for acts performed in the name of the company and is not liable to contribute to losses of the company in excess of the amount which he must pay to the company as contribution for his shares.
In terms of ‘piercing the corporate veil’, thin or inadequate capitalization usually means capitalization that is not in proportion to the nature of the risks the business of the corporation necessarily entails; in other words it is based on likely economic needs rather than legal requirements. In almost all jurisdictions, undercapitalization as such is …
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ON THE GERMAN – DUTCH CARIBBEAN RELATIONSHIP
Interesting editorial in The Daily Herald (St. Maarten)
“The visit of German ambassador Heinz-Peter Behr last week should serve as an eye-opener on the largely untapped possibilities that European market offers. Up to now much of the attention regarding the “Old Continent” understandably regards the Netherlands and France from which “The Friendly Island” also has direct airlift, but Germany as Europe’s economic powerhouse and surrounding nations hold great tourism potential.
Curacao managed to attract Air Berlin flights recently and already has noticed a marked increase in the number of visitors from that part of the …
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CURACAO TAX REFORM 2011
New Opportunities for the International Sector
The Curacao tax reform 2011 was recently adopted by the Curacaoan parliament. The Curacao tax reform 2011 has some interesting features for the international financial sector. The expectations are that more features will follow during the next few years, however, no formal announcements have yet been made in this respect. A switchover from direct to indirect taxation is already evident in the Curacao tax reform 2011, although still on a modest scale. Expectations are that this trend will continue. Personal and corporate income tax rates will decrease, while turnover tax will increase from 5% …
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VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE AND THE HUNT FOR UNDISCLOSED ACCOUNTS BY US AND DUTCH TAX AUTHORITIES
Propaganda machines up to speed
Publicity efforts by the US and Dutch tax authorities indicate that the hunt for undisclosed accounts in typical offshore jurisdictions is still a hot item. Although Curacao was not mentioned by the US authorities, the Dutch tax authorities announced a new search for undisclosed accounts in Curacao based on information provided by the French tax authorities. The IRS announced a new voluntary disclosure program which mitigates the risk of criminal prosecution in exchange for paying taxes, interest and a standardized penalty. Furthermore, the IRS announced that they will follow ‘new leads’ emanating from voluntary disclosures. …
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SPIGTHOFF CELEBRATES 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS
Speech by Karel Frielink, January 10, 2011
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Press, Friends and Colleagues!
First of all, on behalf of the staff and management of Spigthoff, I want to sincerely wish all of you nothing but health and happiness in the New Year.
2011 will not be an easy year; it will in fact be a very challenging year.
Today we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Spigthoff.
10 years and 10 days ago we started this firm with the objective of providing quality services, always on the ball, easy-going but tough, and even aggressive, when …
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