If it weren't for the lies, distortions, and self-serving propaganda distributed by the Government,
the I.R.S., and the Bankers, you wouldn't cringe every time you hear the term "Offshore Banking."
Why? - Because most people haven't the foggiest idea of what Offshore Banking is, they simply
accept the distortions they read in the controlled media and ASSUME that Offshore Banking is
some form of criminal activity. Or, they ask their lawyer, accountant or financial planner and
he, being as uninformed as they are, advises that it is too risky, illegal, immoral, or unethical.
The fear and suspicion surrounding Offshore Banking is really only a matter of "Lack of
Knowledge & Information". Very few people, including both those who condemn it and those
who promote it, really KNOW what offshore banking is. BUT, the Government, the I.R.S., and
the Bankers do know that money held outside the U.S. is money they cannot legally control, tax,
or use for their purposes. That's why they are adamant in their defamation and condemnation.
They don't know what it is, but they know it takes money out of their hands.
Unfortunately, those who promote offshore banking have done little, or nothing, to alleviate or
satisfy the fears and suspicions of the public. As a matter of fact, because they themselves do
not know what offshore banking really is, these promoters have given the Government, the
I.R.S., and the Bankers the ammunition needed to keep the public in a state of fear and suspicion
regarding offshore banking, investments, and opportunities. Helping keep your money in U.S.
banks; paying you less and taxing what little you do earn.
So... before we go any further... lets define Offshore Banking. Then, unlike the politicians,
bureaucrats, bankers, and promoters, YOU will know what the term means.
What is offshore banking?
The term "offshore banking" actually has TWO (2) different and very distinct definitions; but, I
couldn't find either one of them in any of my dictionaries. One meaning is "MECHANICAL"
and the other is "FUNCTIONAL".
Only by knowing both definitions and understanding the relationship, yet distinct differences,
between the two, will you be able to make a decision based on KNOWLEDGE rather than
ASSUMPTION.
Since the "Mechanical" and the "Functional" definitions of offshore banking have been so
intermingled and confused by almost everyone, it will be necessary to, first define them
separately and distinctly, and then explain why the confusion exists.
Mechanical Definition
In the "legal" community (lawyers, governments, etc.) the term Offshore Banking is: A bank
"licensed" to do business only outside the jurisdiction in which it is chartered & licensed.
That means: A bank holding an offshore banking "license" may engage in most, some, or all
activities (including but not limited to checking, savings, loans, etc.) normally carried on by any
other bank -- but -- that bank CAN NOT offer or provide those services to the "residents" of the
jurisdiction in which the bank is chartered and licensed.
An example: A bank, "licensed offshore," in the Bahamas may offer its banking services to
anyone outside of the Bahamas -- but -- that bank CAN NOT offer or provide those services to
the residents of the Bahamas.
Some jurisdictions allow offshore "licensed" banks to provide any and all services normally
provided by any other bank. Other jurisdictions (such as the United States) limit an offshore
"licensed" bank to providing some few specified services.
YES -- the United States, through the Federal Reserve Board, does authorize offshore banking --
but -- so U.S. bankers can continue to defame and condemn offshore banking, the Federal
Reserve Board has decided to call the U.S. Offshore Banks by the officious title, "International
Banking Facilities (IBF)."
"International Banking Facility" or "IBF" means a set of asset and liability accounts segregated
on the books and records of a depository institution, United States branch or agency of a foreign
bank, or an Edge Act or Agreement Corporation that includes only international banking facility
time deposits and international bank facility extensions of credit. -- 12 C.F.R 204.8(a)(a)
published at Fed. Reg. 32429 (1981).
The U.S. law, although it does not call itself offshore banking, contains the very elements under
which offshore banks are licensed in other jurisdictions -- i.e. the IBF must be licensed as a
bank; maintain a set of asset and liability accounts on the books; and CAN NOT provide services
to residents of the United States.
As you can see from the U.S. law authorizing IBF's offshore "licensed" banks are most often (but
not always) A BOOKKEEPING SYSTEM ONLY.
Offshore "licensed" banks, by and large, are BOOKKEEPING SYSTEMS ONLY. For that
reason, they have a very, very low overhead cost in doing their business. They do not spend their
depositors money on fancy buildings; redundant employee's wages; or the expensive, non-productive accoutrements found in most U.S. banks. Therefore, an offshore "licensed" bank is
in a position to pay higher interest to its depositors by virtue of the fact that less money is spent
on fancy and expensive non-productive frills.
Because offshore licensed banks are, by and large, Bookkeeping Systems Only, they keep and
maintain their operational cash accounts in "checking accounts" with other commercial banks.
Checks drawn on the account are used by the offshore licensed bank to pay its debts, make
loans, invest, pay interest, or any other normal business purpose.
The Bookkeeping System of an offshore licensed bank, which records the assets, liabilities,
income and expense of the bank, maintains the records of the bank's depositors and allows the
officers of the bank to make investments and loans from the public deposits held. The yield
from those investments and loans are the earnings of the bank, which are used to pay the
expenses of the bank and interest to the depositors and the net operating profit to the bank are
much, much higher than in a commercial bank with all of its expensive, non-productive costs.
Functional Definition
To the "depositor public" at large, an Offshore Bank is: ANY BANK OUTSIDE THE
COUNTRY IN WHICH THE DEPOSITOR LIVES.
That means: Any bank outside the United States is an offshore bank, if you are a resident of the
United States.
An example: If a U.S. resident maintains an account of any kind in a bank in Canada; that bank
is an offshore bank for that account holder/depositor. And, the same holds true for a Canadian
having an account in a U.S. bank.
Any time you have money deposited in, or invested with, a bank in a country outside of the
country in which you live and work, you are "Banking Offshore," even if that bank is just across
the imaginary borderline between the U.S. and Canada.
Throughout this report, the terms "Offshore Bank" and "Offshore Banking" shall be used for any
bank or banking service that qualifies under the FUNCTIONAL DEFINITION, -- at anytime we
refer to a bank under the MECHANICAL DEFINITION, it shall be referred to as an "Offshore
Licensed Bank." Of course, any bank situated in the country where you live and work shall be
referred to as a "Domestic Bank."
Why the confusion?
A Bank is a Bank is a Bank is a Bank -- whether that bank be a Domestic Bank, an Offshore
Bank, or an Offshore Licensed Bank.
No matter how a bank is structured, where it is licensed & chartered, or where it does business,
ALL BANKS use the same channels (exchanges, clearing houses, etc.) to facilitate the
movement of funds internationally and/or domestically. Therefore, since all of the banks in the
world are indirectly connected through their correspondent and inter-bank relationships, there is
no real confusion arising from the transacting of banking business.
The confusion regarding Offshore Banking is only a matter of "legal jurisdiction," arising from
the fact that no country may impose its laws in another country without the country's consent and
cooperation.
Because of the wide variety of laws around the world, what is illegal in one country may be
entirely legal in another country. Any country can, through its various policing agencies,
investigate any person residing in their country for a violation of their laws. That same country,
however, has no legal right to investigate the activities of any person in any other country
without first obtaining the consent and cooperation of the country in which the investigation is to
be conducted. Even then, the investigation must be conducted under the law of the country
in which the investigation is to take place, not under the laws of the country conducting the
investigation.
As an example: The U.S. can not investigate anything in Canada, without the consent and
cooperation of the Canadian government, and the Canadian Government is totally within its
international rights to refuse to consent or cooperate in the investigation,
Further, countries will not (usually), without a specific treaty or agreement, assist another
country in enforcing or investigating a crime that is not a crime in their country.
As an example: income tax evasion is a crime in the U.S., however, in countries that do not
impose an income tax, income tax evasion is not a crime. Therefore, those countries are not
obligated (and usually don't) assist the U.S., or any other country, in enforcing or investigation a
tax law which does not exist in their own jurisdiction.
THEREIN lies the confusion -- Offshore Banks, and Offshore Licensed Banks, located in
countries that do not have income tax laws do not (usually) assist the U.S. Internal Revenue
Service in enforcing, or investigation violations of U.S. tax laws. Therefore, without the consent
and cooperation of those countries, the I.R.S. cannot (in most cases) get information regarding
financial transactions conducted in those countries by Tax Evaders in the U.S.
Since the I.R.S. is the tax-collecting arm of the U.S. Government; upon which the Government
depends to collect moneys for its self-serving purposes, the Government readily and willingly
supports the I.R.S. in its condemnation of Offshore Banking. But, why do the Bankers join in
the condemnation?
The reason is simple. If you take your savings account out of a U.S. bank and place it, offshore,
in a bank in another country, the U.S. bank doesn't have your money to use any more. To keep
you from doing that, the Bankers jump on the bandwagon to condemn Offshore Banking; even
though a good many of them do have deposits from other countries and do, therefore, benefit
from Offshore Banking themselves. As long as they can keep YOU confused, fearful and
suspicious about Offshore Banking, they have YOUR MONEY in their banks to use for this
purpose.
Not Illegal
The U.S. DOES NOT and WILL NEVER have a law forbidding the taking of money out of this
country.
WHY? No country that depends upon international commerce for its existence can write such a
law without destroying its own economy. And, if you will notice, the U.S. has consistently and
continuously had an international trade deficit; which simply means we "buy" more
internationally than we "sell".
If the U.S. had a law forbidding or restricting the movement of U.S. Dollars outside this country,
we would have NO international trade. Companies overseas would not be able to buy U.S.
goods because they wouldn't have any U.S. dollars, and companies in the U.S. would not be able
to buy goods overseas, because the companies in those countries wouldn't be able to accept U.S.
dollars.
Therefore, you, as a resident of the U.S., may legally move your money anywhere in the world
you want. There is NO RESTRICTION on the amount you move, where you move it, or how
you move it.
The ONLY REQUIREMENT imposed upon you by the U.S. Government is that you must
"REPORT" any movement of cash or certain monetary instruments out of this country of $5,000
or more.
If you've ever been on an international flight of the U.S., you can probably remember being
given a form to complete that asked you if you were carrying cash or bearer form negotiable
instruments over $10,000 in value. If you read the complete form, it told you that it was NOT
ILLEGAL to have the money with you, or to take it out of the country, but it was illegal not to
report it.
Reporting Requirements
How many times have you been told that, if you send a deposit of more than $10,000 to an
offshore bank, you MUST report it to the Government?
THAT'S WRONG!
The law (P.L. 91-508, 31 USC 5316) requires ONLY the reporting of the transportation of
"currency or certain monetary instruments" in an amount exceeding $10,000. That means:
You may move as much money as you want offshore, at any time, WITHOUT REPORTING IT
TO ANYONE, as long as you don't send "currency or certain monetary instruments."
You probably know what "currency" is, but what are the "certain monetary instruments" referred
to in the law? Both "currency" and the "certain monetary instruments" are defined at law 1 CFR
103.11, as amended), and those definitions are repeated here:
CURRENCY:
The coin and currency of the United States or of any other country, which
circulate in and are customarily used and accepted as money in the country in which issued. It
includes U.S. silver certificates, U.S. notes and Federal Reserve notes, but does not include bank
checks or other negotiable instruments no customarily accepted as money.
MONETARY INSTRUMENTS:
Coin or currency of the United States or of any other country,
travelers' checks, money orders, investment securities in bearer form or otherwise in such form
that title thereto passes upon delivery, and negotiable instruments (except warehouse receipts or
bills of lading) in bearer form or otherwise in such form that title thereto passes upon delivery.
The term includes bank checks, travelers checks and money orders which are signed but on which
the name of the payee has been omitted, but does not include bank checks, travelers' check or
money orders made payable to the order of a named person which have not been endorsed or
which bear restrictive endorsements.
If you will notice, the last phrase of the definition of "Monetary Instruments" clearly states,
"does not include bank checks, travelers' checks or money orders made payable to the order of a
named person which have not been endorsed or which bear restrictive endorsements."
(By the way, a "person" under the law includes any individual such as you or me, and any legal
entity such as a corporation or bank.)
So... if you make a check or money order payable to an offshore bank (which is a "person" under
the law), even if it is for over $10,000, you DO NOT have to "report" the transaction to anyone.
Or... if you have a check or money order which is payable to you, you can endorse it with a
restrictive endorsement -- i.e., "Pay To The Order Of: XYZ Bank" -- and you DO NOT have to
report the transaction to anyone.
By the way, the U.S. Customs Service has published a circular (Circular: ENF-4-$:E:P) for its
employees which clearly defines and illustrates (with drawings and pictures) exactly which
monetary instruments must be reported and which ones are "exempt" from reporting
requirements.
Although you DO NOT have to report your transactions to anyone -- no matter how much money
you send for deposit offshore unless you send "currency" or the "certain monetary instruments") -
- you will still have to file a "Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts". (Treasury Form
90.22.1) on or before June 30 each year -- but -- if you have 25 or more foreign accounts, you
won't have to report where those accounts are or how much money you have in each account;
unless the Department of Treasury specifically asks you for that information at a later date.
Using An Offshore Account Legally
Anyone who holds a Checking or Savings Account in a U.S. Bank may, legally, move that
account to any other bank, anywhere in the world (offshore).
If you have a Savings Account in a U.S. Bank, the odds are that you have already paid your
income tax on that money; before putting it in your Savings Account. Therefore, your only
further tax obligation on that money is to pay the income tax on the interest you earn.
As an example: If you are a tax-paying, law-abiding person, and have saved $100 from your
paycheck, you have already paid the taxes on your income. The $100 is your after-tax money,
therefore you don't pay taxes on it again. At the end of the year, when the bank sends you your
Savings Account statement, you add your interest earnings to your income tax statement and pay
your taxes on that earned income.
The same thing holds true if you have your savings account in an offshore bank. At the end of
the year, when you get your statement, you simply add the amount of interest earned to your
income tax and pay the taxes on that earned income.
Higher Earnings
Statistically, Eurodollar (offshore) accounts pay at least 20%more than domestic U.S. dollar
accounts. You can prove it for yourself by simply comparing the current U.S. T-Bill rate to the
Euro-Dollar Bond rate; as published in the financial section of your daily newspaper. The Euro-
Dollar Bond rate is ALWAYS higher by at least 20% or more.
Beyond that statistical difference, Offshore Banks can usually offer much higher interest rates
than their U.S. counterparts because one of the highest non-recoverable costs of doing business
in the U.S. is taxes (income, property, ad valorem, etc..), significantly reducing the earnings
available for distribution to their depositors and investors. Banks operating in, or from, tax
haven jurisdictions; not being burdened with those non-recoverable tax costs, can offer their
depositors a much higher return.
As a matter of fact, in some jurisdictions (outside the U.S.), banking establishments are tax
exempt on their earnings, or they are allowed certain exceptional write-downs of earnings, in
order to protect the bank's depositors.
With the huge drop in interest rates in the U.S., Offshore Banking opportunities have become
even more attractive. At this writing, interest rates offered in the Offshore Banking community
are as much as 2 to 4 times the interest rates available from U.S. Banks. (And, some offshore
investment opportunities are averaging as high as 6 to 8 times the interest earnings available
from U.S. Banks.)
MYTHS & FACTS
MYTH: Offshore Banks can't really pay the high interest rates they offer because, if banks could
really pay those rates, U.S. banks would try to meet the competition and do the same.
FACT: Take a closer look at the financial statements of any U.S. Bank. You will find that their
"gross" profits against public deposits can range from 25% to 40% -- but -- they have written
laws to limit the amount of interest they can pay you on your deposit. The U.S. banks put their
earnings into unnecessary and non-productive accouterments, while offshore banks do without
the fancy buildings and unnecessary frills and share their profits with their customers.
MYTH: Offshore Banks aren't regulated, so you run the risk of losing all your money.
FACT: Nothing could be further from the truth. Every country in the free world has laws, rules
and regulations governing banks and financial institutions. Those laws, rules, and regulations,
however, are far less restrictive than the "protectionist" U.S. banking laws, rules, and
regulations, allowing those banks greater latitude in earning much greater profits for their
depositors and investors.
MYTH: Offshore Banks are not insured by the F.D.I.C.
FACT: Some of them are but, thank God, not that many. If they are, they must comply with the
same protectionist banking rules and regulations as any other F.D.I.C. insured bank. But, the
vast majority of offshore banks are insured; one way or another.
Some countries have established depositor insurance programs similar to the F.D.I.C. program,
by which the banks in those countries have their deposits insured. Other banks in other countries
have their deposits insured by independent insurance companies who, unlike the F.D.I.C., insure
100% of the banks deposits; not just those under $100,000. (By the way, many banks in the U.S.
are not F.D.I.C. insured, and some of them insure their deposits with independent insurance
companies.)
For the most part, offshore banks are "self-insured." That means those banks maintain a
liquidity factor equal to 100% (or more) of their public deposits. For every $1 held in public
deposits, those banks have $1 (or more) in liquid assets with which they can cover any depositor
demand.
Self-insured offshore banks are actually more secure than F.D.I.C. insured U.S. banks. The
reason being, F.D.I.C. insured U.S. banks are allowed to maintain a liquidity factor equal to
about 10% of their public deposits. (Ever wonder why they U.S. has more bank failures each
year than any other country?)
Which would you feel more secure dealing with? -- A. U.S. bank that has 10 cents in cash for
every dollar on deposit? Or, an offshore bank that has $1 in cash for every dollar on deposit?
MYTH: Offshore Banks aren't as big or strong as U.S. banks.
FACT: Of the largest and strongest leading banks in the world (in assets), ONLY one is located
in the U.S.
The leading banks in the world, according to a survey done by American Banker, were, in order:
- Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank - Tokyo
- Fuji Bank Ltd. - Tokyo
- Sumitomo Bank Ltd. - Osaka (Japan)
- Mitsubishi Bank Ltd. - Tokyo
- Citibank NA - New York, U.S.A.
- Banque National de Paris - France
- Credit Agricole Mutual - France
- Sanwa Bank Ltd. - Osaka (Japan)
- Credit Lyonnais - France
- Norinchukin Bank - Tokyo
MYTH: Offshore Banks can't be too good, or they would advertise their interest rates and
services in the U.S. publications.
FACT: Offshore Banks are restricted by law from advertising in U.S. publications; unless they
subject themselves to the very same protectionist rules and regulations imposed on U.S. banks.
For that reason, you should be wary of any offshore bank that publicly advertises in U.S.
publications. They have sold-out to the U.S. banking establishment and may subject you to their
sell-out.
MYTH: Offshore Banking is only for people with a lot of money.
FACT: Some 20 years ago, that may have been true. Today, an offshore savings or checking
account can be opened with a minimum deposit as low as $100. I know of one offshore bank
paying 9%, compounded daily, on regular quarterly-statement savings accounts with a minimum
deposit of $100.
MYTH: Opening an offshore account is complex, and you can't get your money back when you
need it.
FACT: Opening an offshore account is no more complex than opening an account with a money
market fund (or ordering from the Sear's catalog), by mail. Getting your money back is just as
simple.
Opening An Offshore Account
There are organizations in the U.S. that will assist you in opening an offshore bank account (in
Switzerland and other countries). Their "fees" for helping you open an account can range from a
few hundred dollars to a thousand dollars (and, in some cases, much more) -- BUT -- don't waste
your money. You don't need them.
To open an offshore bank account, all you need to do is write to an offshore bank and request
information about opening an account. The bank will send you all of the necessary forms; tell
you what their minimum deposit requirements are for various accounts; and their materials will
explain how to open an account and how to make your withdrawals.
Making a withdrawal from your offshore account is just as simple. Depending upon the type of
account you open, you write a check or draft to deposit in your U.S. bank account; send a
withdrawal form direct to the offshore bank; or send your certificate to the offshore bank for
redemption. The time it will take for you to get your money probably won't be much longer than
the 10 to 15 days hold most U.S. banks are now placing on your deposits.
Today, with instantaneous international communications, the world is getting smaller every day.
Now, you can enjoy the exceptional interest earnings available from offshore banks as easily as
you deal with your local bank, stock broker, money market fund, or Sears Roebuck -- by mail,
telephone, or telex.
Check It Out -- First
Before dealing with ANY banking facility, check it out first.
When dealing with an internationally known and recognized banking institution, such as
Barclays or Citibank, you can forego much of your investigation. However, I would still
recommend that for your complete peace of mind, you request and receive a copy of their annual
report before opening your account. (It is a matter of good, sound practice to ALWAYS keep
yourself informed about he banks you deal with.)
If the offshore banking institution you are anticipating dealing with is lesser known, you should
ALWAYS request, and receive, a copy of their annual report before making any deposits. Any
"reputable" bank will ALWAYS be able to provide you with adequate information upon which
to base your investigation.
"Private" offshore, and offshore licensed, banks are a completely different animal.
Before dealing with a "private" banking operation you should request from them their latest
financial statements (preferably audited) -- AND -- the names and addresses of their principals
and promoters.
Inevitably, when I speak on offshore banking and investments, I am asked, "How can I go about
investigating these companies?"
My answer is, "Don't investigate the company; investigate the principals and promoters. Know
the principals and you will know the company.
You should be extremely wary of any "private" banking operation that cannot, or will not,
provide you with the information you need to satisfy yourself as to the credentials and credibility
of its principals and promoters.
The wise investor must deny the separateness of business and come to the realization that behind
each business entity there are real, flesh-and-blood people who pull the strings and control the
works.
By the way -- when was the last time you looked at the financial statements of your local bank,
or spent the time to learn who the principals (people) are who are controlling your money?
Borrowing Offshore
The internationally accepted definition of a "bank" is an institution specifically established and
licensed for the purpose of "accepting deposits and making loans." If it does one, or the other,
but not both, it is usually referred to as a "non-bank bank."
That being the case, any "bank" that accepts deposits ALSO makes loans.
Having published Offshore Banking News from January 1983 until the early 1990's, I have been
asked countless times, "Why don't you publish the names and addresses of offshore lenders?"
We did; every month. The problem is, their ads go around disguised as ads seeking depositors.
Remember this: If a "bank" accepts deposits, it ALSO makes loans.
Therefore, to borrow offshore all you need do is follow the same procedure you would follow in
seeking a lending source in the U.S. Simply write a "short" (not more than 1 page) letter of
inquiry to the offshore bank of your choice. Explain your funding requirements, and ask the
bank if they would be interested in seeing a full financing package on your project. (Have your
"package" ready to go should one or more of the banks indicate an interest.)
But -- don't think because the banks are offshore they are "easy" or "stupid". Just like any bank
in the U.S., an offshore bank will require all of the documentation, background, and financial
information normally required. As a poorly presented project will be rejected in the U.S., it will
also be rejected offshore.
The major advantage to borrowing offshore is the same advantage in banking offshore -- the
interest rates. As there are jurisdictions where you can get the highest interest rates for your
deposits, there are other jurisdictions where you can borrow at the lowest possible interest rates.
As an example: Switzerland is well known for its banking secrecy, but it is notorious for its low
interest rates.
Borrowing offshore should only be considered when you have a good, solid, bankable funding
situation -- but -- you are looking for the very lowest interest rate possible. If your funding
requirement will not meet the standards of the U.S. banking community, the chances are it will
not meet the standards in the offshore banking community either.
Personal Privacy
Without a doubt, the greatest violator of the privacy of U.S. residents is the U.S. government
itself. The various and many U.S. government agencies maintain a staggering total of over 3.5
billion files on U.S. citizens.
Considering the country's population, of 230 million people, the U.S. government agencies
maintain an average of 15 files on every man, woman, and child in this country. When you
consider that children, and other dependents probably don't have separate files of their own, the
average number of files on adults rises even higher. Is it any wonder Americans worry about
their personal privacy?
Files and information maintained outside the U.S. are neither part of, nor subject to, the scrutiny
of the U.S. government agencies. The U.S. government can (under normal circumstances) only
gain knowledge about your offshore activities if you tell them about it -- or -- if you are involved
in some form of criminal activity in the U.S., and their investigation in this country reveals to
them evidence of your offshore activities.
Beyond the prying eyes of the government, your nosey neighbors, business competitors, ex-
spouses, and other snoopy people may well attempt to keep track of your financial activities for
their own purpose. In this country, even some of the more inept private detectives can easily
gain access to your most personal records. However, records and files on your activities outside
the U.S. are impossible for these snoops to get their hands (or eyes) on.
Banking offshore and maintaining your financial records and files outside the U.S. allows you
the maximum Personal Privacy available.
Tax Advantages
As you are well aware, in the U.S., there are a multitude of totally legitimate, and legal, "tax
shelter" opportunities available. The same kinds of "tax shelter" opportunities are also available
in almost every country in the free world.
Since the various I.R.S., Treasury, and Securities Regulators governing "tax shelter"
opportunities are constantly changing, I will not attempt to give you specific advice regarding
such opportunities. But, by realizing that legitimate and legal "tax shelters" exist both in the
U.S. and in other countries, you can better understand that you can legally and legitimately
shelter your income from taxes; either here in this country or through a tax-shelter opportunity in
another country.
When you find a "tax shelter" opportunity, whether in the U.S. or offshore, have your accountant
or other tax professional check it out to see if it conforms with governing regulations. Those
professionals are in a position to keep on top of the governing regulations in effect at that time
and advise you as to the legality and tax advantage to be gained.
Scoff-Law Applications
As the government (any government) writes more and more laws regulating the personal
activities of the citizenry (especially if those laws infringe the citizen's earning capacity), more
and more of the citizens will violate those laws without compunction, guilt or remorse. As an
example: How many people do you know who have driven faster than 55-miles-per-hour on a
Federally funded highway?
Scoff-laws are, by definition, people who scoff at, or flout, the law. They have no compunction
about violating those petty laws, rules or regulations that they feel are unreasonable, unrealistic,
or infringe their personal right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
These people know that a government that writes that many laws can't possibly expect to catch
the vast majority of people who violate them. Besides, even if they get caught, unless they are a
major offender, the penalties aren't that severe or the powers-that-be may simply choose to
overlook the offense. As an example: Most police officers simply overlook people driving
faster than 55 m.p.h., but do stop those people driving recklessly at any speed.
Because of the multitude of federal, state, county, city and township tax laws in this country, the
vast majority of people in the U.S. have become tax scoff-laws. It is physically impossible for
any one person to know (or understand) all of the various and many tax laws, rules, and
regulations. And, the people all know that it is impossible to be in 100% compliance with all of
those laws and, it is just as impossible, for the government at its many levels to know who is, or
who isn't, paying which taxes under which laws, rules and regulations. So... most people just
report the earnings, and pay the taxes, they absolutely have to, and feel no remorse if they don't
report some of the income they know they should. If they do get caught, the penalties aren't that
severe (usually just a fine) and the odds are they won't be caught.
In the article entitled, "Offshore Tax Havens Lure Main Street Money," which appeared in the
August 1, 1983, issue of U.S. News & World Report, Robert Mirshberger, an assistant regional
commissioner for the I.R.S. in New York was asked about the risk involved in tax cheating. His
answer was, "It would be an unfortunate happenstance if you were caught. You would be a very
unlucky person."
The article continued with some examples of the ways modern-day scoff-laws use offshore bank
accounts to cheat the U.S. tax collectors:
A doctor received a payment from a patient and deposited the check in his offshore bank
account. Since the deposit doesn't appear in his business records, the chances are it would never
be found, even if the doctor is audited.
One couple sold a piece of art work and had the buyer send the payment direct to their offshore
bank account. Later, the couple used that money to enjoy a vacation outside the U.S. Mr.
Mirshberger with the I.R.S. said, "There's no way we would ever discover that."
Another example told of a bank customer who got his "unscrupulous" banker to transfer large
amounts of cash to an offshore bank account without reporting the transaction to the I.R.S.
Then, the customer borrowed the money back from the offshore bank. Since loan proceeds are
not taxable, no taxes were paid.
But these examples are only the tip of the iceberg. It is no longer just the wealthy with art works
to sell or the professionals and businessmen with extra income to hide. There are hundreds of
thousands (maybe even millions) of blue collar and middle-management white collar workers
using offshore bank accounts to reduce the unbearable tax load imposed by the federal, state,
and local governments.
To assist these tax scoff laws, literally hundreds of professional advisors in the U.S. and offshore
are busy teaching tax scoff-law techniques; organizing methods and techniques to make
discovery impossible (or, at least, highly improbable), and actually providing the services
necessary to implement those methods and techniques. Some are purely tax evasion. Others
tread the fine line between tax evasion and tax avoidance. While others are legal and legitimate
tax shelter opportunities.
Americans have simply never liked being taxed. In 1776, the tax scoff-laws of that time revolted
against unreasonable taxation. In the 1980's, the modern-day tax scoff-laws, with instantaneous
communications and high-speed international mobility, have chosen to avoid and evade rather
than take up arms against the tax oppressor.
How long this trend will last, before the modern-day tax scoff-laws choose to follow the
example set by their forebears and take up arms to defend against tax tyranny, is a question that
should be in the mind of every government official.
Offshore Banking Is Not Evil
As you have now learned, Offshore Banking, in and of itself, IS NOT evil, illegal, immoral or
unethical.
The scandalous defamation and condemnations of Offshore Banking is only another ruse foisted
upon the gullible American public by the U.S. government and the U.S. banking establishment.
Their purposes, not offshore banking, are evil in that the intent is to maintain control over
YOUR MONEY for their own self-serving uses.
No matter what the government and bankers tell you, their purposes are not intended to restrain
the criminal element. They know, as well as you do, that criminals will do their evil deeds no
matter what laws they have to violate; it is the nature of their endeavors. The true purpose of the
government is to keep YOUR MONEY within their jurisdiction. The true purpose of the
bankers is to keep YOUR MONEY in their banks.
Using an offshore bank account legally; paying your taxes and reporting your transactions, you
can legally enjoy passive income 2, 3 or even 4 times greater than what you can earn in the U.S.
If you choose to use your offshore bank account for tax scoff-law purposes, the matter will be
between you and your conscience. But, remember, your illegal use of an offshore bank account
does not make offshore banking illegal. If you get caught, you, not the offshore bank, will be at
fault.
For many years, moneyed people have known about and used offshore banking opportunities in
order to increase their earnings, protect their assets, legally avoid taxation, and gain personal
privacy for their financial affairs. Now, anyone with a good income, or modest savings, can
enjoy the same exceptional advantages and free themselves from the negative forces active in
this country,
Conclusion
Don't pass up the exceptional interest earnings available to you simply because you have blindly
accepted, without question, the myths regarding offshore banking.
The fears and suspicions you may have held regarding offshore banking are nothing more than
the protectionist scare-tactics used by the Government, the I.R.S., and the Bankers to keep your
money within their grasp; limiting your earnings, by law (allowing them to keep the lion's share
for themselves), while taxing the paltry earnings they do allow.
Why settle for the paltry earnings available to you through the restrictive, protectionist Federal
Reserve System?
The offshore banking community is available to you for your use. NO matter how small your
savings ability may be, there is a place for you to earn maximum returns... all you need do, now
that you know how Offshore Banking really works, is find the offshore situation that will work
for you.
About the Author
J. F. (Jim) Straw is the editor and publisher of World Wide Business Exchange.
For more information on offshore banking and investing see The Offshore Entrepreneur.