Types of UK companies

UK companies can be set-up quickly and cost effectively. Overseas companies who do not wish to have personnel located in the UK can outsource the running and administration of UK entities to us. UK companies can be used for the following purposes:

  1. International Holding Companies (IHCs): The UK is now one of the most attractive holding company locations in the world following exemption of foreign income and gains. Provided certain criteria are met UK holding companies can benefit from complete exemption from capital gains tax, zero withholding tax on dividend distributions from the UK and exemption of foreign dividends paid by underlying subsidiaries to the UK IHC.
  2. Nominee or “agency” companies: in conjunction with overseas “principal” companies for international trading in goods or services. The UK company would assume an administrative role in the structure.
  3. Royalty and dividend routing:minimising with-holding taxes on royalty income by interposing a UK company by taking advantage of the UK’s wide network of double tax agreements.
  4. LLPs & LPs: using Limited Liability Partnerships and Limited Partnerships, such as UK LPs for holding non-UK international real estate and other assets in a tax-efficient structure or for international trading in goods and services.  UK LPs, LLPs and other partnership structures are extensively used in international Private Equity as UK partnerships are “tax transparent” at the entity level.
  5. UK Research & Development (R&D) & Patent Box companies for availing the generous R&D tax credits and other Innovation Tax incentives that the UK government offers.
  6. Venture Capital companies: used for raising finance under UK government approved schemes such as EIS, SEIS, VCT and SITR.
  7. FinTech companies: assistance with fund-raising, M&A, pre-IPO planning, Management Buy-Outs/ Buy-Ins and strategic advisory services as well as improving cash-flow and tax-risk mitigation.

UK entities such as companies, LLPs, LPs and branches can be used for effective international tax planning and most importantly benefit from commercial credibility compared to standalone offshore structures which are increasingly coming under attack from tax and regulatory authorities worldwide.  We can also assist in the opening of bank accounts for such entities.