Nowadays, expatriates - whether working or retired - may regard their status as an escape from over-crowded, cold, northern cities, but no longer does the tax inspector forget about them when they leave. Americans have it worse than anyone else, because they continue to be taxed as if they are resident, with a few minor concessions; but everyone else has to think about their residential situation and taxation of current income both while they are overseas and afterwards...

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The long-awaited and seemingly unavoidable house price bust just won't happen. Why not? Is it only a matter of time? Is it safe to make a large capital committment at this moment in history?

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In October 2006, as hedge fund Amaranth staggered towards liquidation after losing US$6bn - two-thirds of its value - in a week, after punts on energy futures went spectacularly wrong, hedge fund investors gulped, and wondered if they had done the right thing after all....

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Choosing & Using Independent Financial Advisors
by Caroline Maxwell

Managing your investments is seldom easy, and for an expatriate, the sheer amount of knowledge and technical expertise required can be bewildering. Investment guides, magazines, and finance and investment sites can provide you with a working knowledge of strategies and types of investment, but (hopefully) you wouldn't perform open heart surgery on a loved one because you had found a great medical website, so when tackling the intricacies of international tax and investment planning, there is no shame to enlisting a qualified professional to offer guidance and support.

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The EU's Savings Tax Directive
by The Lowtax Editorial Team

The now notorious European Union Savings Tax Directive - which came into force in July 2005 - in fact formed merely one part of a major tax reform package launched by the European Commission in 1997. They certainly didn't expect their proposals to lead to an 8-year battle involving Switzerland, the USA and twenty or more offshore financial centres, only eventually resolved by one of the stickiest fudges ever cooked up in Europe's capital city.

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Privacy And Security In 2006
by Caroline Maxwell

Privacy, both financial and personal, is an issue of growing concern for expatriates and globetrotters. Although international mobility brings unique opportunities, it can also sometimes bring unique problems, and in this special feature we will be looking at services which can help you to protect your privacy both online and off, and measures that you can take to protect yourself.

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Alternative Equity Investment
by Jeremy Hetherington-Gore

In this feature, we will review the progress and uses of some of the newer ways of trading and investing, paying attention as well to tax, which is a major issue for many investors and underlies the development of many of the newer techniques, particularly in jurisdictions which cling to stamp duty, such as Ireland and the UK.

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Islamic Finance: A Booming Market
by Jeremy Hetherington-Gore

A concept virtually unheard of outside banking circles a decade ago, the Islamic banking and finance industry has undergone something of an explosion in recent years as demand for an alternative to western banking products structured along ethically-aware Islamic principles has grown.

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Emerging Markets Investments: Still The Star?
by Stuart Gray

Many international agencies consider all non-high income countries to be "Emerging Markets", stressing the potential of all nations to develop. Others include only those countries that meet certain levels of economic development and in which local equity and debt markets are operating. In general, Emerging Markets countries are characterized by an underdeveloped or developing commercial and financial infrastructure, with significant potential for economic growth and eased capital market participation by foreign investors.

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Located in South East Asia, Singapore is a highly developed and successful free market economy which enjoys an open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, a low tax regime and a per capita GDP equal to that of most parts of Western Europe.

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Labuan: The Suprise Package Of The Asia Pacific
by Stuart Gray

Situated in the heart of the fast growing South Eastern Asian region, and close to a number of major cities and economic hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, Labaun benefits from a benign income tax regime, a well regulated financial regime, a deep water port and a well developed supporting infrastructure, including internet communications, and could well soon be giving other more established financial jurisdictions a run for their money, particularly in the field of Islamic finance.

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Jersey: Not Only The Pensioners' Rest
by Jason Gorringe

InvestorsOffshore.com takes an objective look at Jersey. We examine the jurisdiction as a potential location for the assets of globetrotters and HNWI, and also as a base for career expats, independent contractors and other self employed emigrants, and retirees.

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Hong Kong: Two Countries, One System
by Stuart Gray

In geographical terms, the peninsula and collection of islands in south eastern China which make up the territory of Hong Kong are a little over 400 square miles in size, but in economic terms, the former British colony, which in 1997 was handed back to greater China, packs a serious punch on the world stage and can claim to be the globe’s third largest financial centre after New York and London, and the ninth largest economy in the world.

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Cyprus: A Home For HNWIs?
by Lorys Charalambous

InvestorsOffshore.com takes an objective look at Cyprus. We examine the jurisdiction as a potential location for the assets of globetrotters and HNWI, and also as a base for career expats, independent contractors and other self employed emigrants, and retirees.

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Antigua And Barbuda: David To US Goliath?
by Stuart Gray

In common with many of its Caribbean neighbours, Antigua & Barbuda, the subject of this Investors Offshore jurisdiction focus, is probably a location more synonymous with the upmarket end of the tourist trade than as a place in which to invest. Whilst tourism is indeed an important part of the nation's economy, a notable offshore financial industry has in fact been developed by government over the last two decades, helped along by some generous business and personal tax incentives, the major aspects of which we will attempt to cover here.

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Buying Property In Cyprus: A Guide For The Inexperienced
by Stuart Gray

Situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean and lying approximately 100 miles off the southern Turkish coast, the island of Cyprus has in recent times expertly combined business with pleasure by carving out a niche as a popular location for offshore business whilst taking advantage of its natural beauty and climate to become a busy tourist hot spot. Its long history has seen the country absorb an eclectic mix of influences from Ancient Greece through to the modern era when it became an important military and strategic base within the British Empire at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

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Barbados: Still Sugary For The US
by Stuart Gray

More famous for its beaches and as a destination for millions of tourists than as a location for offshore business, Barbados has nonetheless developed a well regulated financial services industry offering a surprisingly wide array of offshore products from banking to trusts to insurance, and offers economic and political stability along with a number of tax and investment incentives, and close economic ties with the United States.

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St Vincent And The Grenadines
by Stuart Gray

Whilst the Caribbean state of St Vincent and the Grenadines is probably best known as a tourist destination and hideaway for the well-heeled (Princess Margaret had a holiday home on Mustique for many years and Mick Jagger, who still has a home there, is a regular visitor), the former British colony is also emerging as a well governed and regulated financial jurisdiction to rival the more prominent offshore finance centres in the region.

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Panama: Not Just A Pretty Canal?
by Stuart Gray

Ask most people around the world their thoughts on Panama and you would probably be met with the same one word reply: canal. However, this country at the gateway of Central and South America certainly isn't as one dimensional as that. Aided by more stable, pro-business governments using the invaluable canal as a catalyst, Panama's friendly tax and regulation system has helped to established the country as one of the most modern and respectable business and financial centres outside the established 'onshore' countries, and ranks as probably the most important trading and business hub in the region.

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International Offshore Banking
by The Lowtax Editorial Team

In this special feature, we look at the advantages and disadvantages of investing in the huge spectrum of different offshore banking services available to expats, international investors, globetrotters, international consultants and corporations, offering varying degrees of return, protection, and privacy. Before we look into the different sorts of offshore bank account available, however, a brief rundown of the background of this ever-growing industry is necessary, in order to understand the present situation.

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Alternative Investment: Not Just For Expats...
by Caroline Maxwell

Alternative investment doesn't just mean offshore any more. In this special feature, we examine various alternatives to traditional investments, from hedge funds to fine wines, spread betting to forestry, and look at how they could benefit you.

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International Pensions
by Jeremy Hetherington-Gore

In this article we look at the ins and outs of international pension investment, with special attention paid to the needs of travelling executives and expatriates.

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Hedge Funds: If You Aren't George Soros
by Caroline Maxwell

In this special feature, we look at hedge funds from the perspective of the individual investor who has some free cash to invest but is not in the mega-rich category. Hedge funds often make better returns than plain vanilla mutual funds, but are perceived as being more risky. Also the regulators make it difficult to invest in them. We look at whether these popular perceptions are true, and show you how you can approach hedge fund investment in a way that minimises the undoubted risks.

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Choosing Your Jurisdiction
by Caroline Maxwell

This Article focuses on 20 of the Major Jurisdictions, and tells you everything (well almost everything!) you ever wanted to know about offshore investment, banking, and relocation, but were too afraid to ask...

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On-Line Trading For Expats
by Philip Morton

For the expat, whose somewhat unusual situation allows for a greater flexibility of investment choice and possible advantages in terms of taxation, the choice of broker is becoming broader, as onshore brokerages recognise the potential of the expanding 'globetrotting' mass affluent market, and offshore brokers recognise the need to provide their clients with up-to-the-minute facilities.

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International Retirement Planning
by Caroline Maxwell

In this article we look at the ins and outs of international retirement planning for expatriates and globetrotters, examining the advantages and disadvantages of DIY retirement investing vs. ‘all in’ pension plans, and what you should look for in each case. We also look at due diligence issues involved in choosing a provider or broker, and the various ways in which you can receive your benefits on retirement.

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Health and Life Insurance Worldwide
by Caroline Maxwell

We look at the pros and cons of world-wide cover for globetrotters, the issues and due diligence involved, what online facilities are available, and (most importantly!) exactly what you can expect to get for your money.

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