BANKING REGULATIONS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Soliciting funds requires a license The Netherlands Antilles was dissolved on October 10, 2010. Prior to that date the Netherlands Antilles consisted of Curacao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, and formed, together with the Netherlands and Aruba, the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curacao and St. Maarten have become independent countries within the Kingdom.… Continue reading BANKING REGULATIONS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

GOVERNMENT OWNED ENTITIES IN CURACAO

Concerns about additional authorities Ministers Attorney Karel Frielink is concerned about the additional authorities which cabinet-members have appropriated over government NV’s. According to Frielink, who is also President of the Bar Association, these extra authorities increase the chance of ‘political influencing, favoritism and other forms of abuse’ within government institutions. In an opinion paper, published… Continue reading GOVERNMENT OWNED ENTITIES IN CURACAO

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 DISMANTLING OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

The Country known as the Netherlands Antilles will disappear as of 10-10-10 The country, the Netherlands Antilles, consists of Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, and forms part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On 10 October 2010 the Netherlands Antilles will no longer exist. Two new countries will be born on that… Continue reading THE DISMANTLING OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

CELEBRATING THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS WEBLOG

A cartoon has been drawn by Mike Flanagan for the 5th anniversary of the launch of Karel’s Legal Blog June 1st, 2010 marks the 5th anniversary of my legal blog. This is an important milestone for me. Back in May 2005 I only had a rough idea about blogging and what it would take to create… Continue reading CELEBRATING THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS WEBLOG

INADEQUATE CAPITALIZATION OF AN ARUBAN COMPANY

Liability for thin-capitalization? 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. Shareholders of a company in Aruba… Continue reading INADEQUATE CAPITALIZATION OF AN ARUBAN COMPANY

PLC CROSS BORDER LAW FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS 2010

Netherlands Antilles According to PLC Cross Border (Which lawyer?), Spigthoff Attorneys & Tax Advisers is one of two firms dominating the Netherlands Antilles market for international work, both on- and offshore. Spigthoff ranks high in corporate / M&A and dispute resolution. Martijn Welten, who specializes in corporate law, mergers & acquisitions and corporate litigation, is… Continue reading PLC CROSS BORDER LAW FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS 2010

SPOTLIGHT ON CURACAO

Curacao economic country survey inserted in the New York Post In May 2009, United International Press (UIP) issued a special bulletin on Curacao, the Netherlands Antilles, in an insert in the New York Post. UIP has also placed the bulletin on its website. Curacao is described as a Caribbean Hub with Investment Appeal. Amongst various government… Continue reading SPOTLIGHT ON CURACAO

G-20 CONFIRMS: NETHERLANDS ANTILLES NOT ON BLACKLIST

The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba do not appear on the OECD blacklist of international tax havens Although still on a so-called ‘greylist’, which is not an official list, but rather a progress report, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba both have committed to the internationally agreed tax standard. A number of European countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland… Continue reading G-20 CONFIRMS: NETHERLANDS ANTILLES NOT ON BLACKLIST

PLC CROSS BORDER LAW FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS

Netherlands Antilles According to PLC Cross Border (Which lawyer?), Spigthoff Attorneys & Tax Advisers is one of two firms dominating the Netherlands Antilles market for international work, both on- and offshore. Spigthoff ranks high in corporate / M&A and dispute resolution. Martijn Welten, who specialises in corporate law, mergers & aquisitions and corporate litigation, is (highly)… Continue reading PLC CROSS BORDER LAW FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS

THE STRUCTURE OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN FUND

It is easy and inexpensive to set up a SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) From a legal point of view, establishing a fund in Curaçao is very attractive under the corporate law in force since March 1, 2004, whereby a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap) can be established very quickly and flexibly. Virtually everything is… Continue reading THE STRUCTURE OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN FUND