INTERNATIONAL TAX GEOGRAPHY

Personal taxation for capital owners — in the context of the whole family

We compare tax residence, income, capital gains, wealth, succession and ownership together with the family’s real life, business and assets in other countries.

THE SGC TAX APPROACH

A headline rate is never enough

A low or zero rate may fail if the family retains former residence, manages foreign companies from the new country or has not aligned succession. Each profile therefore begins with the capital owner’s personal position and includes official sources and a review date.

Gulf Cooperation Council / GCC

Choose a country tax profile

Each card gives a personal-tax starting point. The country page covers residence, tax base, capital, succession, wealth tax, family risks and source links.

01
GCC

United Arab Emirates

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

Dubai and Abu Dhabi connect family residence, international business, real estate and the common-law centres of DIFC and ADGM. Families should consider these elements as one system.

02
GCC

Sultanate of Oman

PERSONAL TAXNo general PIT through 31 December 2027; from 1 January 2028 a 5% rate is scheduled above OMR 42,000 of taxable income

Oman combines a stable business environment, special economic zones and a strategic regional position. SGC aligns Omani operating matters with the family’s wider GCC structure.

03
GCC

Saudi Arabia

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

The GCC’s largest market requires a clear presence model, local compliance and alignment of corporate decisions with the owner’s regional strategy.

04
GCC

Qatar

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

Qatar offers international families and businesses several regulatory environments, including the QFC. The right structure depends on activity, counterparties and banking needs.

05
GCC

Kuwait

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

Entering Kuwait requires close attention to licensing, local participation and the actual operating model. Each solution should be assessed in the context of the wider GCC structure.

06
GCC

Kingdom of Bahrain

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

Bahrain is an established GCC financial centre with a flexible corporate environment. It may support regional operations, subject to licensing, substance and banking feasibility.

Europe and key Asian centres

Choose a country tax profile

Each card gives a personal-tax starting point. The country page covers residence, tax base, capital, succession, wealth tax, family risks and source links.

01
Europe

Andorra

PERSONAL TAXProgressive rates with a 10% top rate

Families consider Andorra for European residence, private wealth and entrepreneurial activity. Any plan requires analysis of genuine relocation and connections with other countries.

02
Europe

Gibraltar

PERSONAL TAXTwo calculation systems; the maximum effective rate is generally capped at 25%

Gibraltar uses the English legal tradition and specialised regimes for international business. Commercial purpose, regulation and the relationship with the UK and EU are central.

03
Asia

Hong Kong

PERSONAL TAXTerritorial system; salaries tax is calculated under progressive or standard rates

Hong Kong remains an important centre for business, investment and family wealth in Greater China. We coordinate the corporate, banking and succession aspects of ownership.

04
Europe

Jersey and Guernsey

PERSONAL TAXThe basic PIT rate is generally 20% in Jersey and Guernsey; allowances and caps differ

The Channel Islands have mature trust, foundation and professional administration sectors. Trustee quality, governance and tax connectivity are critical for families.

05
Europe

Liechtenstein

PERSONAL TAXThe combined maximum PIT rate is approximately 22.4% including the municipal element

Liechtenstein is known for private foundations, trusts and long-term family wealth planning. Structures must address control, succession and cross-border reporting.

06
European Union

Malta

PERSONAL TAXProgressive rates up to 35%

Malta combines EU law, an English-speaking business environment and structures for funds, trusts and regulated business. Substance and the actual operating model require careful review.

07
Europe

Monaco

PERSONAL TAXNo general PIT for most residents; French nationals are generally subject to a special position

Monaco is a centre for private wealth and family residence. Relocation must be considered together with property, banking, succession and tax connections.

08
Asia

Singapore

PERSONAL TAXProgressive resident rates up to 24%

Singapore is one of Asia’s leading family wealth centres. Family offices, funds, companies, residence and investment oversight require a coordinated architecture and real substance.

09
Europe

Switzerland

PERSONAL TAXFederal, cantonal and communal rates; the total depends on canton and municipality

Switzerland remains an international centre for private banking, wealth management and family planning. SGC provides independent provider review and coordinated decision-making.

International financial centres

Choose a country tax profile

Each card gives a personal-tax starting point. The country page covers residence, tax base, capital, succession, wealth tax, family risks and source links.

01
Caribbean

Anguilla

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

Anguilla is used for selected international corporate purposes. Commercial rationale, economic substance, disclosure and banking access should be reviewed before use.

02
Caribbean

The Bahamas

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

The Bahamas has an established private wealth, trust and fund sector. Regulatory quality, administrator selection and alignment with family objectives are central.

03
Central America

Belize

PERSONAL TAXPIT applies to taxable income; employment income is generally taxed at 25% after allowances

Belize may be used in international structuring, but requires especially careful review of compliance, banking practice and reputational implications.

04
Caribbean

British Virgin Islands

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

The BVI remains a widely used corporate jurisdiction for holdings and transactions. Structures require a documented purpose and compliance with substance and disclosure rules.

05
Atlantic

Bermuda

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

Bermuda has established regulation for insurance, funds and international companies. Selection requires specialist licensed advice and a review of administration cost.

06
Pacific

Vanuatu

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

Vanuatu is considered for selected international and residence matters, but requires heightened attention to compliance, banking acceptance and long-term resilience.

07
Africa

Djibouti

PERSONAL TAXEmployment and professional income are taxed under specific schedules; a local calculation is required

Djibouti has a strategic East African position and may support regional operating projects. The appropriate structure is driven by actual activity and licensing.

08
Atlantic Africa

Cabo Verde

PERSONAL TAXProgressive rates up to 27.5%

Cabo Verde may be relevant to projects connected with Africa and Portuguese-speaking markets. Local regime verification and a realistic banking model are required.

09
Caribbean

Cayman Islands

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

The Cayman Islands is an established centre for investment funds, private equity and family structures. Regulation, administration and cross-border reporting should be assessed together.

10
Central America

Costa Rica

PERSONAL TAXProgressive rates up to 25%

Costa Rica may suit families for residence, property and regional activity. Residence, asset ownership and local administration need to be aligned.

11
Caribbean

Curaçao

PERSONAL TAXProgressive system; the effective rate depends on income and surcharges

Curaçao combines a Dutch legal tradition with specialised international regimes. Current regulatory classification and banking feasibility are important.

12
Asia

Labuan, Malaysia

PERSONAL TAXIndividuals are primarily subject to Malaysian rules; the top resident rate is 30%

Labuan is Malaysia’s international financial centre for holding, insurance and other regulated activities. Substance and licensing requirements are decisive.

13
Africa / Indian Ocean

Mauritius

PERSONAL TAX0% / 10% / 20%; a temporary Fair Share Contribution applies to high income

Mauritius is used as an international financial centre for Africa- and Asia-related projects. Treaty access must be considered together with substance and commercial purpose.

14
Pacific

Marshall Islands

PERSONAL TAXWages are taxed under a specific schedule; business is also subject to gross revenue tax

The Marshall Islands is known for corporate and maritime registries. Technical management, insurance, compliance and banking are especially important for private assets.

15
Caribbean

Montserrat

PERSONAL TAXProgressive personal income tax; a calculation under the current schedule is required

Montserrat offers selected corporate regimes within the British legal tradition. Practical suitability depends on administration and banking access.

16
Pacific

Nauru

PERSONAL TAXEmployment and services tax applies to specified income; there is no broad conventional PIT

Nauru is rarely used in modern family structures. Any proposal requires heightened review of reputational, banking and compliance risks.

17
Europe

Isle of Man

PERSONAL TAXStandard and higher rates up to 21%

The Isle of Man has established private wealth, aviation and maritime sectors. Ownership, operation, tax and professional administration need to be coordinated.

18
Pacific

Cook Islands

PERSONAL TAXProgressive PIT, generally up to 30%

The Cook Islands is known for asset-protection structures. Applicable law, control, disclosure and recognition in the family’s home jurisdictions require careful analysis.

19
Central America

Panama

PERSONAL TAXTerritorial PIT up to 25%

Panama combines international trade, maritime activity and private foundations. Structures must reflect actual activity, reporting and evolving international compliance.

20
Pacific

Samoa

PERSONAL TAXProgressive PIT, generally up to 27%

Samoa offers international corporate tools whose practical suitability depends on compliance, administrator quality and banking acceptance.

21
Indian Ocean

Seychelles

PERSONAL TAXIndividual tax depends on income type; employment income is generally taxed through withholding

Seychelles is used for selected corporate and private matters. Modern use requires a transparent commercial purpose, current administration and full disclosure.

22
Caribbean

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

PERSONAL TAXProgressive PIT, top rate approximately 30%

The jurisdiction is used for selected international structures and maritime assets. Regulation, reputation, banking and recognition require review before use.

23
Caribbean

Saint Kitts and Nevis

PERSONAL TAXNo general personal income tax

Nevis is known for LLC and trust structures, while the federation also offers residence-related programmes. These matters must be considered separately and within the family’s wider context.

24
Caribbean

Saint Lucia

PERSONAL TAXProgressive PIT up to 30%

Saint Lucia may be considered for residence and corporate matters. Independent review of the programme, source of wealth and long-term consequences is required.

CONFIDENTIAL CONVERSATION

Discuss your matter without unnecessary formalities

Describe the situation in broad terms. A senior adviser will contact you to identify a practical next step.

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