A shelf company, also sometimes called a shelf or aged corporation, is a company that has been incorporated some time ago, but was not operationally active, therefore – has been put on shelf. While a ready-made company has similar characteristics, the main difference between both is that ready-made company has been registered recently as opposed to a shelf company.

Shelf companies are generally divided into two categories: a new shelf company, or an aged company:

Acquisition of a new shelf company provides you with a guarantee that this business has not engaged in trading, is clear of debts and has a perfectly clear history. The investor can be certain that it will be possible to start the business operations without any administrative or financial burdens that could have occurred prior to purchase. Generally, these companies have been created in the past with the sole purpose of selling them later as a ready-made company. In this case, the seller is able to show a certificate confirming that no trading has taken place and the company is free of any business debts and liabilities;
Acquisition of an aged shelf company provides you with a previously active business with its trading history and possible liabilities. Therefore it is crucial to receive a letter of confirmation from the seller that any commitment – including debt – prior to acquisition are incumbent upon the seller instead of the buyer. Aged shelf companies are preferred for commercial and branding purposes.
Advantages of a shelf company acquisition
The new shareholders can gain from various benefits if they prefer an acquisition of already established company instead of incorporating a new one. Below are the most common benefits:

Often may be done remotely – generally, an acquisition of a ready-made company is also allowed from abroad – the shareholders are not required to take part in the process of acquisition in person. In this case, the buyer receives a sample of power of attorney via e-mail, which then needs to be signed, legalized and sent back by post. With the power granted by the power of attorney, new shareholders of the company are registered and all corporation documents are sent to the buyer by post. Afterwards, bank account can also be opened remotely. This procedure may differ among countries and service providers;
Less time-consuming – among other benefits, one of the most important one is a possibility to save time through an acquisition of a shelf company. While the average time needed to incorporate a new company differs greatly among countries, according to World Bank, the average time to start a business in the world was almost 21 day in 2016. The acquisition process is believed to be simple and straight forward and the company is able to begin its operations immediately. Furthermore, all service providers will advise on all uncertainties, facilitating the acquisition process;
May be acquired as a whole package – one of the reasons why an acquisition of a ready-made company is less time consuming is the fact that the buyer is able to acquire a fully registered company with a VAT and registration number, particular licenses, if needed, and even a bank account. In addition, usually the new owner receives all documents and tax returns that have been submitted to the office prior the purchase. Although an acquisition of a shelf company will cost you more than opening a new company, this option can even be more cost-effective if taking account the time saved and a possibility to start earning money almost immediately.

A shelf company also called a read-made company is generally used in connection with corporate transactions. Shelf companies are incorporated by service providers but no operating activity is taking place in these companies. Instead, after incorporation they are maintained and kept on the shelf until there is an opportunity to sell them. In this case service providers can guarantee that no operational activity has taken place in the company and therefore there is no debt or other liability that could be transferred to the new owner.

Meanwhile, there are also such companies, that were incorporated some time ago with a general objective to operate and earn profit but due to some reason the company ceased its operations. While typically companies would cease to exist, service providers buy the previously active companies and maintain them until a potential investor comes around. As these companies have had certain operational activity, it is important to make sure that they have no debt or other liability. Typically, quality service providers give their guarantee that you are purchasing a debt-less company. Nevertheless, it would be useful to do your own due diligence in order to be totally sure that you are buying a clean company.

Business in Malta
If you are searching for the right place where to acquire a shelf company and commence a business activity, Malta might be what you are looking for. Malta is a well-developed country in Mediterranean located in between Europe and Africa. In addition to the advantageous geographical location and enjoyable weather conditions throughout the year, Malta manages to attract foreign investors due to its business environment and taxation system. Thanks to Malta’s taxation system, it is considered as a tax haven.

Malta’s taxation system offers numerous advantages to companies. For example, Malta has signed double taxation treaties with over 70 countries ensuring that companies do not have to pay taxes in their resident countries for the profits generated in Malta. Also, if a holding company has to pay the full corporate tax rate of 35%, typically the payable amount is largely reduced – shareholders are able to ask for a refund as large as 6/7th from the tax on dividends.

Shelf company in Malta
There are several benefits of acquiring a shelf company instead of incorporating a new one. The main advantage involves a possibility to operate a company that already has some history. Quite often, newly incorporated companies are not considered reputable, therefore potential partners and customers might decide to prefer older companies. This is the reason why the price of a shelf company is determined by the age of it: older the company – higher the price.

Generally, another benefit of acquiring a shelf company is the relatively shorter time of procedure in comparison to an incorporation of a new company. Meanwhile, this benefit does not work as good in Malta as in other countries. This is due to the short incorporation time of companies in Malta – it can take only 24 hours to incorporate a new company (the same amount of time will be needed to acquire a shelf company).

While shelf companies are rather rear in Malta, you are able to acquire companies with various legal structures – from partnerships and limited liability companies to corporations. Maltese companies can be managed both from Malta and from abroad.

Malta shelf company acquisition process
The shelf company acquisition process in Malta is relatively fast and simple. Generally, after you have decided to acquire a shelf company in Malta, you can search for a service provider online. While there are numerous service providers, you should take your time to find the one that suits your needs the best. Some of the properties to consider are the costs, the reviews and reputation of the service provider, the legal structure of the shelf companies offered and additional services and other benefits offered to support the acquisition of the shelf company and further operations.

When you have decided from which service provider you would like to acquire a shelf company, you can choose one of the offered companies, depending on its age, price, legal structure and whether or not there has been some operation activity taking place in this company. Nowadays, most of the service providers provide a list of available companies on their webpage. Maltese ready-made companies are sold with an incorporation certificate, articles of association, memorandum, a registered address and a VAT number.

The key aspect of acquiring a shelf company is the transfer of shares from the old owner to the new one. All documents and the process is organized by the service provider and you will have to simply sign the agreement of share transfer. Additionally, if you wish, you can modify the company’s name and address as well as appoint a new director right after the share transfer is finished.

The development of telecommunications and economic globalization has made it possible for interested investors to form companies around the world. With proper research, financial investments, and legal backing, business ventures can safely be established in almost all of the world's countries. While it was once a complicated corporate endeavor to establish an international business, it is now commonplace with the help of experienced legal and economic advisers.

The advantages of forming a company in a foreign country are as numerous as they are obvious. Many countries offer specific location-based benefits, ranging from natural resources and established infrastructure to favorable laws and regulations that encourage growth in a specific industry. Likewise, it may be difficult to establish a venture or acquisition in one's home country because of disadvantageous situations: political or regulatory environments, lack of resources, and more. In this situation, it is useful to consider an overseas option that offers greater opportunities for growth, development, and success.

Company Registration in Ukraine
When establishing a company in Ukraine, an interested investor must do due diligence with regard to legal processes, international regulations, and sufficient investment for success. It is critical to understand cultural, social, and political factors that will affect the establishment and growth of one's business; failure to do so could result in unintended consequences. Poorly-researched and tone-deaf international launches often end in disaster, as time, money, and energy is lost because of poor planning.

Legal documents
Each country of the world presents its own set of intricate challenges with regard to forming, developing, and sustaining a business. Owners, financiers, and investors must enter into these engagements with the support of a knowledgeable and experienced legal team. Only someone with detailed knowledge of local and international corporate law will be able to set up an overseas business while avoiding the pitfalls that affect many new companies.

Additionally, shrewd businesspeople may consider opportunities to invest in overseas businesses without actually forming their own companies. In these situations, it still benefits the investor to team up with a knowledgeable adviser in global economics and litigation. International investments create a truly diverse portfolio that offers opportunities for growth that were unthinkable just decades ago.

Potential investors, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs should consider existing infrastructure in Ukraine when planning the launch of a new business. While substantial infrastructure and systems can help to make the business establishment a smooth process, it could also represent market saturation and diminished potential for growth. On the other hand, a lack of infrastructure often serves as a major hindrance to growth; however, lack of infrastructure indicates a clear market opening for a creative and efficient new business.

Bank Account Opening in Ukraine
In conjunction with company formation, it will be necessary to open one or more bank accounts in Ukraine. Confidus Solutions offers the ability to open a bank account in over twenty jurisdictions, making it easy for you to avoid challenging language barriers or bureaucratic hangups.

Virtual Office in Ukraine
With a registered address being a necessity for international business, Confidus Solutions enables overseas investors to set up a virtual office in Ukraine. This address will allow international entrepreneurs to accept mail, arrange shipping, and set up a registered bank account in the country of their business.

In general, the tax system in France is determined by the votes of the French Parliament, which determine the types of taxes that can be levied and the tax rates that can be applied. Taxes are then collected by the central government, local governments and the Social Security Association (ASSO). All persons who are resident in France for tax purposes are subject to French tax, whether they are individuals or legal entities that either live in France or have only their domicile, principal residence, place of work or economic interests in France - they all will treated as taxable. In addition, a person who is a tax resident of France, regardless of nationality, is also taxable on their worldwide income.

There are different types of taxes in the country such as B. Production and import taxes, Value Added Tax or Value Added Tax which is a consumption tax applicable to goods and services located in France, Taxes on petroleum products, Taxes on wealth including local property taxes on real estate, Capital gains taxes applicable on disposal of assets are payable, taxes on the sale of buildings (in addition to local taxes), inheritance, gift, transfer of business and registration of vehicles (total tax should not exceed 75% of income), as well as inheritance and gift taxes applicable to gifts and inheritances attack.

Income taxation in France
Income taxes in France include corporation tax, income tax for individuals, tax for social purposes, which is a tax calculated on all income available to individuals in a year and subject to industrial and commercial profits, land income, non-industrial and agricultural profits, salaries /wages, pensions/pensions, movable income, capital gains. These taxes are usually payable the year after the income is earned, by filing a French tax return showing all taxable income. The declaration should be submitted within the regular filing deadline.

Income tax
Applies to all income generated during a single business activity in the country. However, taxpayers whose personal net income does not exceed €7,920 are exempt from income tax. It is calculated from the total income of the household, which is divided equally among all household members.

Corporate tax
This type includes the annual tax levied on corporations and other commercial entities and can be levied on around 1/3 of French companies at a standard rate of 33.3%, generally based on the company's turnover.

Capital Gains Tax
Capital gains tax must be paid on the sale of land, buildings and shares. It includes 19% capital gains tax and 15.5% social security contributions, for a total of 34.5%. In addition, there is also a surcharge tax on large winnings. It includes 5 different French tax rates depending on the amount of profit made.

Residence tax
This tax applies to all buildings that have extras such as gardens, garages, private parking, etc. and must be paid by each person who has a housing unit.

Property tax
The property tax on developed land is levied on real estate built in France. Taxable real estate includes all permanent structures, i.e. buildings (apartment blocks, houses, workshops, warehouses, etc.). The tax base is equal to 50% of the notional rental value of the building (i.e. the value as determined by the tax authorities) and the land/site value. There are many exemptions and exceptions. In 2005, the product amounted to €17.73 billion.

Professional tax
This tax affects self-employed people in France, the amount of which is calculated by multiplying the net taxable amount by the rates approved by each local beneficiary (municipalities and organizations), within the limits established by national legislation.

Private banking is a range of financial and banking services provided by a bank or other financial institution, usually to affluent customers - also known as high net worth individuals. Unlike traditional checking accounts, a personal bank account is traditionally opened with the expectation that the bank will hold the money for you. If you are looking for a secure and reputable bank for wealth management or other private banking services, the Confidus team can help you find the most efficient solution for all your needs.

Opening a private bank account requires a certain amount of paperwork and a process to go through. While the main requirement for opening a private bank account is depositing a certain amount of cash, there are cases where applicants are denied opening a private bank account for other reasons. Each year, around 5% of applications are denied due to suspected fraud or illegal activity.