| GENERAL INFORMATION |
| |
| Location |
4,000 km Southwest of Hawaii; 2,900 km Northeast of New Zealand |
| Population |
174,140 |
| Native language |
Samoan Currency Tola |
| Currency |
|
| Constitution & Political status/stability |
Yes, written constitution. A fully independent state since 1962; politically very stable |
| Banking & professional facilities |
Three Commercial Banks: (i) ANZ Bank (Samoa) Ltd -
owned by Australia and New Zealand Banking Group; (ii) Westpac Bank
Samoa Limited - 93/4% owned by Westpac Banking Corporation of
Australia, 6%% locally owned; (iii) National Bank of Samoa 100% locally
owned |
| Legal system |
Common Law |
| Offshore specialities/expertise |
Provision of international companies at world competitive fee levels |
|
| TAX REGULATIONS |
| |
| Income tax |
|
 resident |
Resident - over 20,000 - 29%; 15,001-20,000 pa - 20%; 10,001-15,000 pa - 10%; 0-10,000 pa - nil |
| non-resident |
Same as resident |
| Trusts |
|
| resident |
29% |
| non-resident |
29% |
| Corporate tax |
|
| resident |
29% |
| non-resident |
29% |
| exempt |
All entities established under the offshore legislation are exempt |
| Estate duty |
Repealed |
| Withholding taxes |
No |
| Exchange controls |
|
| resident |
Yes |
| non-resident |
No |
|
| TRUSTS |
| |
| Are trusts permitted? |
Yes. |
| Perpetuity period |
No perpetuity period |
| Accumulation period |
No |
| Statutory trust law |
Yes |
| Trust duty |
No |
| Forced heirship exclusion |
Yes |
| Asset protection measures |
Yes |
| Trust register |
No |
| Resident trustee/s required |
No |
| Regulation of trustees |
No, other than under Trustee Companies Act 1987 |
|
| CORPORATION LAW FACTORS |
| |
| Type of corporate vehicles |
International and foreign companies, limited life
companies, long term registration companies, creditor controlled
companies, companies limife by guarantee and hybrid companies |
| Incorporation time scale |
1 hour (same day) |
| Fees: Incorporation - Government |
US$300 |
| Other |
Fees charged by Trustee Companies and other
professionals involved with the offshore industry vary and an matter
between them and their clients. Fees are not regulated government |
Annual -
Government |
US$300 |
| Other |
Vary according to services rendered |
| Resident directors required |
No |
| Min number of directors required |
1 |
| Directors meetings required |
Not required |
| Beneficial ownership disclosure |
Not required |
| Shareholder disclosure |
Not required |
| Minimum number of shareholders |
One, which may be a secured debenture |
| Bearer shares allowed |
Yes |
| No-par value shares allowed |
Yes |
| Public share register |
No |
| Shareholders meetings required |
No |
| Frequency |
N/A |
| Place |
Anywhere, may be held electronically |
| Annual return required |
No, except licensed offshore banks and insurance companies |
| Audit required |
No, except licensed offshore banks and insurance companies |
| Foreign currency accounting allowed |
Yes |
| Registered office |
Yes, required to be at the Office of a TrusleeJ company |
| Registered agent |
Yes, if no resident secretary |
| Stamp/capital duty |
Total exemption |
| Naming your company |
Foreign language names areajloweaj |
| Company mobility provisions/redomicility rules |
Yes, redomiciliation and annual renewal fees thereafter only US$100 |
