Progressive PIT, generally up to 30%
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is known for asset-protection structures. Applicable law, control, disclosure and recognition in the family’s home jurisdictions require careful analysis.
What matters to a capital owner and family
Reviewed by SGC29.07.2026
No general CGT, while profit-making schemes and business dealing may be taxed as income.
No general inheritance or gift tax; trust distributions and foreign rules require separate review.
No net wealth tax
A headline rate is only a starting point. The outcome depends on residence, income source, asset type, ownership structure and the rules of the family’s other countries.
Residence and scope of taxation
Residents are generally taxed on worldwide income; residence and absence tests depend on days and permanent home.
Employment, business and investment income follow separate source and deduction rules.
What to review before relocation or restructuring
We connect the owner’s personal tax position with companies, banking, investments, property and succession.
- 01
Do not assume an asset-protection trust is tax-neutral for settlor or beneficiaries.
- 02
Review control, distributions, CFC and reporting.
- 03
Assess recognition by courts and tax authorities in family countries.
A decision in the context of the whole family
- 01Personal tax residence separately from citizenship and immigration status
- 02Income source, remittance basis and capital gains
- 03Companies, trusts, foundations, CFC, substance and disclosure
- 04Succession, asset situs, banking and recognition of the structure
When this jurisdiction may be relevant
A jurisdiction is assessed together with the family’s countries of residence, asset locations and business structure.
The structure requires a clear commercial purpose connected to the family’s real assets
Substance, administration and disclosure requirements need advance review
Banking access, recognition of the structure and a future exit scenario should be tested
Independent review
We compare the jurisdiction with alternatives and identify consequences for the family, not only incorporation advantages.
Local expertise
We engage licensed local counsel, tax advisers, administrators and other specialists.
One coordination layer
We retain the whole picture and ensure that a local solution does not conflict with arrangements elsewhere.
Discuss how this jurisdiction may fit your objectives
We first identify the family’s objectives, connected countries and constraints. We then develop options and engage the required licensed specialists.
This material is general information. Tax regimes and requirements for companies, residence and disclosure change over time. Before any decision, SGC arranges a current review by licensed advisers in each connected jurisdiction.
Primary references for further review
The SGC tax profile was reviewed on 29.07.2026. Links lead to tax authorities, regulators and the territory reference profile.
