Top Tax Havens: Panama & Switzerland

In today's world the burden of taxes for those who have accumulated great wealth can be overwhelming causing them to seek out relief through offshore tax havens. The most famous tax haven and still one of the best for investors is Switzerland with Panama gaining a lot of ground in recent years.

Panama and Switzerland have both become great at safeguarding your personal and financial data since their reputations rely on this. If they were to get bad press in this regard it could literally cost their economies billions of dollars in capital flight. Panama still allows for bearer share corporations which can own bank accounts in the name of the corporation which makes figuring out a companies real owner extremely difficult.

Panama does not have any tax treaties with other governments except for the the United States which is only enforced in extreme cases. Since Panama has bearer share corporations without necessarily the true owner's identity attached to the corporate documents proving a tax offense can be costly and difficult. Switzerland recently amended their tax treaties and with certain countries under foreign pressure to do so.

This should not deter you from choosing to bank in Switzerland though. Compared to the other offshore jurisdictions that you have to choose from, both Panama and Switzerland are still the best offshore companies for tax breaks. Most Swiss banks are long standing, well established facilities that provide a measure of protection for investors if for no other reason than the fact that they have a long business history of providing safe banking. With so many offshore scams popping up and stealing money from investors, the many people feel secure using Swiss banks because of the long history they provide.

Most people really underestimate Panama thinking it is a third world country in Central America as such should not be trusted as a tax haven. Many first time visitors to Panama City are surprised to see the 50 and 60 floor banking buildings that are located there. They are quite a site to behold and there are a lot of them. What you won't find is Panama mentioned at the heart of a tax investigation as a place that gives up people's names. I challenge any reader to find a story where a Panama bank official has turned over lists of people using their bank like has happened in so many other jurisdictions.

Panamanian banks do provide a higher level of asset protection, if only for the fact that they operate without any tax treaties from other countries and will not release an individuals information. The only case of bank secrecy being lifted in Panama is in the case of a severe criminal investigation, and even then the agency looking to lift the secrecy will have to make a strong case and go through the proper channels.

There are of course many other countries and jurisdictions available for you to establish an offshore banking account or an offshore incorporation. While many of these countries are also viewed as tax havens and top choices for investment, if you are looking for the best you should consider placing your investment into a facility that is located in a Switzerland or Panamanian jurisdiction. That way, you can rest assured that your money is in an established facility that will offer you the protection that your assets need.

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