THE PRIVATE FOUNDATION

A vehicle for asset protection A regular foundation under the laws of Curaçao and St. Maarten may only make distributions for charitable (philanthropic) or social purposes and may not make distributions to the incorporator/founder or members of its board. The Stichting Particulier Fonds (SPF), or Private Foundation, is a legal entity and in particular a… Continue reading THE PRIVATE FOUNDATION

POWERS OF FOREIGN TRUSTEES IN CURACAO

Rights of foreign trustees are recognized With respect to the question whether a Trustee in bankruptcy appointed in a foreign country can exercise his powers in Curaçao, there is specific case-law available. In a Curaçao lawsuit the question was raised whether the (foreign) Trustees in the bankruptcy of a natural person residing in South Africa… Continue reading POWERS OF FOREIGN TRUSTEES IN CURACAO

DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY REVISITED

People keep asking questions about this topic Generally, in Curaçao (as well as in Aruba, St. Maarten and the BES islands) liability may arise in the event a managing director is found to be seriously negligent (‘hem een ernstig verwijt kan worden gemaakt’) in fulfilling his tasks as member of the management board of a… Continue reading DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY REVISITED

RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSET PROTECTION

Curaçao offers legitimate risk management solutions Why would one consider an asset protection strategy? There are individuals and business entities all around the world not trusting their government (e.g. fear for expropriation or nationalization by their government). Or they are seeking legitimate protection from any future downturns. Or they do not want the world to… Continue reading RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSET PROTECTION

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… Continue reading CURACAO TAX REFORM 2011

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… Continue reading VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE AND THE HUNT FOR UNDISCLOSED ACCOUNTS BY US AND DUTCH TAX AUTHORITIES

REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BY FOREIGN TAX AUTHORITIES

A request for information needs to contain specific information The former Netherlands Antilles concluded several tax information exchange agreements (‘TIEA’) during recent years. These TIEAs also apply to the newly formed country Curacao. The Tax Arrangement for the Kingdom (‘TAK‘) is applicable within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which includes Curacao. Article 37 of the TAK… Continue reading REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BY FOREIGN TAX AUTHORITIES

THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN PRIVATE FOUNDATION AND ITS SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS

Only natural persons may be appointed The articles of incorporation of a Private Foundation (PF) may provide, if so desired, that the authority of the board to make distributions is subject to the consent of the founder, a Supervisory Board or another body established within the PF e.g. an Advisory Board. It should be noted… Continue reading THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN PRIVATE FOUNDATION AND ITS SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS

THE FORMATION OF A PRIVATE FOUNDATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Formation requires a notarial deed A Private Foundation (PF) is formed by a notarial instrument executed by a Netherlands Antilles civil law notary and registered in the Register of Foundations at the Chamber of Commerce. The articles of incorporation of the PF includes the name of the PF and the word PF (or a translation… Continue reading THE FORMATION OF A PRIVATE FOUNDATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN