Jurisdiction Spotlight: New Zealand

New ZealandNew Zealand isn’t exactly a tax haven nor is it a secrecy jurisdiction, but it is nonetheless an interesting player in the international financial services sector.

Comparable to its former owner, whose queen it still hails, New Zealand has found a way to enter this industry with an almost spotless reputation.

Although New Zealand has very close ties to Cook Islands, I am saving that jurisdiction for another post.

Geography and Demography

New Zealand map

Map from Wikipedia.

[table]

;

Full Name:;New Zealand (Aotearoa)

Official language(s):;English, Maori

Other major languages:;None

Type of government:;Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Area:;268,000km²

Timezone:;UTC+12

Population:;4.5 million

GDP per capita:;42,000 USD

Currency:;New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

[/table]

 

Incorporation and Business

Reputation

Squeaky clean. New Zealand is a transparent and compliant jurisdiction, having earned the rarely-issued Compliant rating from OECD. Although there are lapses, they are minor. FATF criticized New Zealand in a 2009 evaluation but was content with improvements in AML/KYC laws and policies by the next review in 2013. It never tarnished New Zealand’s reputation although it was a brief embarrasment.

New Zealand is not a secretive jurisdiction.

Despite this, though, the remoteness of New Zealand can make it appear strange in some cases, such as opening accoutns with especially inquisitive banks. It is not a major financial center in the sense of many other jurisdictions I have discussed int he past. This obviously doesn’t apply to those in the Asia-Pacific region.

General Information

New Zealand continuously rank as #1 in the world in ease of incorporation on the World Bank’s Doing Business rankings. Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to non-residents. Registered agents are far from economic. Until prices start to decrease, incorporating in New Zealand is unlikely to become as attractive as other jurisdictions in the region – mainly Hong Kong and Singapore.

Look-Through Company (LTC)

LTC is not a company form in and of itself. LTC is merely a status assigned to a company by electing for it and being approved by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). Companies can elect for LTC status as early as at the time of incorporation. The LTC status only expires upon election thereof or when a company seizes to be compliant to the requirements.

Most LTCs however are private limited liability companies formed pursuant to the Companies Act 1993.

LTC is a relatively new concept, entering into law in April 2011 when it replaced the previously popular Loss Attributing Qualifying Companies (LAQC). LAQCs were popular for holding property and this practice has carried over into LTCs.

An LTC is a company which opts in for look-through tax treatment, whereby shareholders become liable for tax similar to how members are taxed in an LLC. But an LTC is not quite an LLC since it has a board of directors and shareholders.

Residency

Only companies which are resident in New Zealand may qualify for LTC status. Although New Zealand considers companies resident if they are incorporated in New Zealand (similar to UK), tax treaties may complicate matters.

There is no requirement for directors to be resident but if there is a tax treaty between New Zealand and the jurisdiction of effective control and management, the so-called tiebreaker conditions in most double taxation treaties will make the company resident in the other jurisdiction (not New Zealand) and therefore not qualify for LTC status.

LTCs incorporated by New Zealand non-residents who are resident in a jurisdiction with a tax treaty with New Zealand will therefore need a New Zealand resident director to avoid tiebreaker problems. Nominees are often enough unless the New Zealand IRD suspects unlawful tax avoidance.

Conversely, LTCs incorporate by New Zealand non-residents who are resident in a jurisdiction which does not have a tax treaty with New Zealand often does not need a resident director.

For a list of tax treaties, visit the IRD website. As of writing, New Zealand has tax treaties with the following jurisdictions:

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Vietnam

Requirements

  • One to five shareholders (must be natural persons, trustees, or another LTC). Related owners (family members) are or can be treated as one which can allow for technically more than five shareholders.
  • Registered address in New Zealand.
  • The company must be resident in New Zealand. See above under Residency.
  • At least one director must be resident in New Zealand.
  • Must submit annual returns.

Noteworthy Features

  • Tax neutral, members are taxed on personal income on funds received from the company which is in relation to their ownership share.
  • Despite shareholders being taxed (as opposed to the corporate entity), limitation of liability remains intact.
  • No limitations on nationality and residency of shareholders or directors, although it is often wise to have at least one director resident in New Zealand (can affect double taxation treaties usage).
  • LTCs may still be subject to other taxation than corporate tax, such as GST (sales tax), payroll tax, and withholding taxes.
  • Offers superficial similarities with LLC but is a company type which banks are used to, in a reputable jurisdiction.
  • No need for Memorandum or Articles of Incorporation.
  • No minimum share capital requirements. Companies are usually formed using one to 1,000 shares valued at 1 NZD each.

Portfolio Investment Entities (PIE)

PIE is an entity created in 2007 in response to some unfavourable tax problems New Zealand had when it came to investments.

They have virtually no practical use outside of investment, acting as faux managed investment funds.

Limited Partnership (LP)

A common vehicle for private equity and investments, the Limited Partnership was created by the Limited Partnerships Act 2008. It is based on LPs in other jurisdictions.

LPs are tax transparent and separate legal person. Partners’ liability is limited. There must be one general and one limited partner.

At least one partner must be a New Zealand resident, often a trustee or nominee. Non-resident partners are out of scope for taxation in New Zealand.

Public Records

Full details about directors, shareholders, and company financials appear on public record.

 

New Zealand Trust

A savvy jurisdiction like New Zealand of course has a trust law in place. As expected, the legislators in New Zealand have created a one-of-a-kind legislation.

Based on UK laws, the New Zealand trust law goes back to times of British rule in the late 1800s. The current law was adopted in 1956. Being a jurisdiction that has never had a problematic reputation, in a world where compliance and transparency are becoming hip, New Zealand is an increasingly popular jurisdiction for trusts. Primary uses are wealth and succession planning. Asset protection is not a key feature of New Zealand trusts. Notably, there is for example no specific anti-forced-heirship law in New Zealand. Many other safeguards that are associated with offshore trusts (such as only recognizing local court orders) are also missing.

Trusts formed by non-residents carry significant tax advantages. Under condition that the neither settlor nor beneficiaries are New Zealand residents and all income from the trust is derived from non-New Zealand sources, a New Zealand is exempt from taxation. These types of trusts are often called foreign trusts.

Settlors and beneficiaries have a greater say in New Zealand trust than many other jurisdictions. They are enabled to make certain appointments otherwise typically reserved for the trustee, such as demanding that trustee or trustees be or not be New Zealand residents.

Trusts name and trustee details must be disclosed to tax authorities. Financial statements must be prepared but need not be filed. Settlor need only be declared they are a resident of Australia.

Noteworth Service Providers

As always, this is not a recommendation.

 

Banking

Considering it is not a major international financial center, banking in New Zealand is of a generally high quality. Fees are on the lower end compared internationally, yet the banks offer sophisticated services.

Non-resident banking is fairly common but typically requires a personal visit. There are occasional cases of banks permitting remote account opening – either directly or through an intermediary – but those are more exception than norm.

Large international banks may permit international bank account opening by visiting a branch in another location. Westpac and ANZ are especially accommodating for this.

Offshore banking in New Zealand in the context of opening bank accounts for IBCs and other offshore companies is a rare sight. That said, it is usually not a problem to open bank accounts for non-resident LTCs and foreign trusts with the help of a good trustee.

Credit cards are almost never issued to non-residents but debit cards are readily available in NZD. Some banks offer prepaid cards in other currencies, issued under the Cash Passport umbrella.

Interest rates up to 4.60% are available with term deposits in NZD. Higher rates can be negotiated for larger deposits.

Banking Secrecy

There is no noteworthy banking secrecy legislation in New Zealand.

Banks in New Zealand

There are 25 banks in New Zealand, of which 10 are branches of overseas banks.

 

New Zealand FSP

In 2008, New Zealand passed the Financial Service Provider Act. This opened the doors to one of the world’s most exciting financial services provider companies regulations, regulated by the responsive and responsible Financial Markets Authority.

A number of shortcomings were addressed quickly, primarily one which now requires FSPs to have their own offices and operations that must take place in New Zealand. Before that amendment was made, firms and agencies were setting up multiple FSP companies on the same address, similar to how a registered agent forms companies under the same address.

This was contrary to the spirit of the law and after a number of amendments and large-scale license revocations.

Acquiring an FSP license is still very attractive and the heavy-handed enforcement by the regulator and law makers has only served to strengthen the reputation. Unlike comparable entities in more surreptitious jurisdictions, a New Zealand FSP is a mostly reputable entity.

LTCs can hold FSP licenses.

Operating under an FSP license may cost more than offshore alternatives but the benefits are that it is easier to operate when it comes to entering into agreements with business partners, such as correspondent banks, insurance companies, and other financial services providers.

An office in New Zealand is required and the office needs to have substantial activities, being responsible for the majority of the FSP’s operations. The office cannot be shared with another FSP holder. FMA is very strict about enforcing this, so as to prevent the FSP legislation to be used as a way to form bronze plaque companies (shell companies with no substantial local activities).

Any New Zealand registered entity can apply for an FSP license. An NZ Registered Entity is defined as “any legal entity that is registered with the New Zealand Companies Office.  This includes, for example, limited liability companies, overseas companies carrying on business in New Zealand, building societies, credit unions, and limited partnerships.” This means it’s technically possible for an overseas company to get an FSP license in New Zealand but for practical reasons, forming a local company is preferred.

Owners and directors must pass a criminal history check and other background checks.

License fees are low. Although there are no statutory capital requirements, although FMA is empowered to put requirements on individual license holders.

All in all, it is expected that acquiring an FSP license, incorporation of a New Zealand registered entity, license and application fees, and sundry costs all in all amount to  anywhere from 20 to 30,000 NZD and up for the first year. Annual costs are significantly lower, but note that these figures don’t include cost of renting an office and hiring staff.

A financial service is defined under article 5 of the act as:

(a) a financial adviser service:
(ab) a broking service (including a custodial service):
(b) being a licensed NBDT, as defined in the Non-bank Deposit Takers Act 2013:
(c) being a registered bank:
(d) keeping, investing, administering, or managing money, securities, or investment portfolios on behalf of other persons:
(e) being a creditor under a credit contract:
(f) operating a money or value transfer service:
(g) issuing and managing means of payment (for example, credit and debit cards, cheques, travellers’ cheques, money orders, bankers’ drafts, and electronic money):
(h) giving financial guarantees:
(i) participating in an FMC offer as the issuer or offeror of the financial products:
(ia) acting in any of the following capacities in respect of regulated products or financial products offered under an FMC offer:
(i) as an issuer:
(ii) as a supervisor:
(iii) as an investment manager:
(ib) a licensed market service:
(ic) acting as a custodian in respect of a registered scheme or a discretionary investment management service provided by a DIMS licensee:
(id) operating a financial product market:
(j) changing foreign currency:
(k) trading financial products or foreign exchange on behalf of other persons:
(l) providing forward foreign exchange contracts:
(m) acting as an insurer:
(n) providing any other financial service that is prescribed for the purposes of New Zealand complying with the FATF Recommendations, other recommendations by FATF, or other similar international obligations that are consistent with the purpose of this Act.

Living in New Zealand

Yes, it is beautiful as you think it is – if not more so.

Quality of Life

New Zealand boasts a robust infrastructure and some of the highest standards of living in the world, consistently ranking well into the top-10 in Human Development Index (HDI).

Taxation

Personal taxation is medium to low.

Residents are taxed on worldwide income but tax credits are generally given to foreign-sourced income.

New Zealand has a concept called transitional resident, wherein a first-time resident or a former resident returning after 10 years of non-residency may qualify for exemption for taxation on foreign income for up to 48 months.

There is no capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax in New Zealand.

Immigration and Residence

Permanent residence is relatively difficult to obtain for those without any ties to New Zealand, as it first requires the applicant to have held a less permissive visa – residence visa – for two to three years. The applicant must also show significant commitment to New Zealand, such as paying tax, start a business, owning property, or starting a family.

Getting a highly-skilled job in New Zealand is generally the most common start on the path towards permanent residency.

Final words

LTCs offer one of the most attractive tax transparent entities on the market today, but costs often get in the way for entrepreneurs on a budget.

New Zealand trusts offer an interesting, reputable alternative to offshore trusts.

See also

 

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