Which is your favourite

tax haven

Our locations for your tax exile are not the traditional [and hugely expensive] carribean islands or central american republics with ghettos of millionaire neighbours. Our locations are more the countries where you still have a normal, if more adventourous, life surrounded by ordinary people.

Some of the countries here are good for living the 50-50 plan. Some are good as year round homes with a low tax burden. Some systems are differrent for nationals of the country or depending on your visa so always check the detail after you collect ideas here.
Other countries are simply good places to keep your money or have some investment in real estate. Knowing the tax system and spreading your money around will often make it go further.

This site is about exploring the possibilities. Everyone will have their own individual plan. After you make your plan, use the list of government websites to check the details of the tax systems that will affect you.

We define tax haven in the broadest sense. ...

Brazil

Brazil is the number one laissez-faire country of the world. Anything happens, don't worry about and just party, man. This is both good and bad. Much of Brazil has great weather and an atmosphere of Carnaval. The people are certainly freindly and they do love to party. The music is great too.

Unfortunately the food is mostly really bad and the violence in cities is the worst in South America (no mean feat). Probably the worst violence in the world excluding anywhere classed as a war zone. It is relatively cheap but it's once again on the up now so this is changing fast. It would be a great country if they could fix the violence.

It's a possible tax haven location as part of a 50-50 plan.

Conclusion:

Possible tax haven location for 50-50 plan.

Tax-Resident:

According to days in the country.
[Rule: 6 months in any year]

More info on Brazilian tax, life, travel, etc.

France

France is another eurpean country with much ancient and modern history as well as being a centre of art, music and culture. The french have always been fiercely independent and differrent with their own ways of being. This in itself makes France a great country for living. Famous for food and sexuality, who could ask for more?

However, France is not a possible tax haven in any way. It is however one of the most popular destinations for British expats especially and therefore included here just for completeness.

Conclusion:

Non tax haven.

Tax-Resident:

According to main home or work or income location.
[Rule: If your life (home, work, economic interest) is mainly France based, you will be resident.]

More info on France tax, life, travel, etc.

India

India is a really stunning diverse country that everyone should travel to sometime in their life. It has changed hugely in recent years and now has a side which is like any boring Western developed economy. This is a relatively small part amongst the huge number of people with their different cultures and ancient traditions which are ever changing. The people make this the most colorful place on the planet in terms of human behaviour.

India has become much easier for foreigners to travel and stay in the last decade. As a permanent year round home or even part of a 50 -50 plan, it is not a tax haven. Also it is still not the easiest place to be. It is somewhere you can easily enjoy 6 months or a year and the experience is still totally worth the pains involved.

Conclusion:

Non tax haven. Possible to travel for many months (everyone should do it sometime in their life).

Tax-Resident:

According to days in country in single year OR total of previous four years
[Rule: 6 months in any year or total 12 months in four years]

More info on Indian tax, life, travel, etc.

Netherlands

Netherlands is an uninteresting country as a long term destination or tax haven. It used to be famed for a liberal attitude towards sex, sexuality and racism and was thus a destination for those sufferring intolerance in another european country. In the last 10 years however, other countries have advanced hugely towards acceptance. The Dutch only ever had the much inferior tolerance. Even that is wearing thin.

Netherlands is included here in part to help those already there to leave.

The Dutch have always been a very sharp trading nation and they continue to make it attractive to invest there. The tax on real estate in the country is based on nominal income and whilst a good save location to bank, interest is not taxed fpor non-residents.

Conclusion:

Non tax haven. Useful for real estate income and bank interest.

Tax-Resident:

According to main residence, family, work
[Rule: If your life is mainly Holland based, you will be resident]

More info on Holland tax, life, travel, etc.

Peru

Peru is an ancient culture which has evolved into a modern nation where the people have their own unique ways. The food is outstanding. Summer from Dec-Apr makes it a good 50-50 location to combine with the northern hemisphere for year round summer. For those with a global income it's a very cheap country to live. The ordinary people are poor after generations of bad governance but like many poverty stricken nations, the people are also kind, freindly and very pleasant to be with.

Like every country in South America, parts of Lima and other cities are violent ghettos and you need to know where they are so you never go there. This is true of much of N America and increasingly it's true in the UK and Europe too so not really a reason to reject this wonderful country.

Conclusion:

Possible 50-50 locations

Tax-Resident:

According to days in country in the ANY 12 month period (completed in PREVIOUS year)
[Rule: 6 months in any 12 month period, you are tax resident from next 1st Jan.]

More info on Peru tax, life, travel, etc.

Singapore

Singapore could be regarded as the best of both worlds. A taste of the East and the tropics with the vibrant street life . But also a modern developed and heavily regulated country. More so that almost any other on the planet. Great if you like that sort of thing. Big downside for anyone who drinks heavily (Who? Us Brits?) is the cost of alcohol especially in clubs and bars. Well the cost of everything means it's a good option only for those for middling deep pockets.

Conclusion:

Possible tax haven location for 50-50 life. Possible year round tax haven location when income not remitted to Singapore.

Tax-Resident:

According to days in the country for non locals.
[Rule: 6 months in any year]

More info on Singapore tax, life, travel, etc.

Spain

For those who want a modern developed country with much hotter weather, but retaining the same great art, architecture and culture available in North Europe, Spain is for you. It's not cheap so you can't live like a king on your dustmans euro pension but it's less of a culture shock.

Conclusion:

Possible tax haven location for 50-50 life

Tax-Resident:

According to days in the country with added consideration of family ties, place of buisiness, residence in other countries.
[Rule: 6 months in any year or other qualitative factors (family, income source, home)]

More info on Espana tax, life, travel, etc.

Thailand

One of our most popular destinations. Why wouldn't you want to live some of your life in a country with such beautiful beaches, beautiful people and heavenly food? It isn't the regimented, organised sanitised West though, so if you prefer that head South to Singapore or even Malaysia.

Thailand is also a regular tax haven. Taxation for residents is only on income remitted into the country.

Conclusion:

Tax haven. Even when resident, only remitted income is taxed.

Tax-Resident:

According to days in the country.
[Rule: 6 months in any year]

More info on Thai tax, life, travel, etc.

United Kingdom

The UK and especially London is one of the most diverse and culturally exiting places on the planet. True the weather is crap most of the year but who wouldn't want to live in the centre of theatre, music and culture for the whole english speaking world. It's not cheap and you need money to live even for a short time.

It's not a tax haven if you are domiciled [most UK citizens will be]. If you are noon-UK and leave most of your income outside the country it can be a very low tax year round home. That's difficult unless you are mega rich because you'll need a high income to cover living costs. For most of us a place to stay a few months now and again.

Conclusion:

Possible tax haven for NON-UK citizens only.

Tax-Resident:

According to days in the country
[Rule: 6 months in any year or total 12 months in four years]

More info on UK tax, life, travel, etc.