Tax Shelters Must Recover More Than US$ 1 In Tax For Every US$ 1 Spent, Within 4 Years

"Tax shelters are any method of reducing taxable income resulting in a reduction of the payments to tax collecting bodies, including state and central governments. The methodology can vary depending on local and international tax laws." - Wikipedia

Watch this video describe tax saving instruments in plain English:

Types

Some methods are quasi legal:

* Offshore companies

By transferring funds to a company in another country, one may claim the transfer as an expense, and so lowering the taxable income. International tax treaties often make the income not legally taxable. e.g. Double tax treaties between Mauritius and China and India let resident Mauritius  companies invest into those countries with negligible taxes.

* Financing arrangements.

By paying unreasonably high interest rates to a related party, one can severely reduce the income of an investment, or even create a loss, but create a massive capital gain when one withdraws the investment. The tax benefit derives from the fact that capital gains are taxed at a lower rate than the normal investment income such as interest or dividend.

Other widely used tax shelters:

* Stock Market Trading

Using certain stock trading strategies like spread betting and spread trading, all trading profits are tax free under United Kingdom law.

* Limited Partnerships

Certain companies, such as mining or oil drilling often take several years before they can generate positive income, while many of them will go under. This normally deters common investors who demand quick, or at least safe, returns.

To encourage the investment, the US government allows the exploration costs of the company to be distributed to shareholders as tax deductions which are not to be confused with tax credits. Investors are rewarded by

1) the near instant tax savings

2) the potential massive gains if the company discovers gold or oil. In US terminology, these entities are given the generic title of "limited partnership" and function as tax shelters.

* Retirement plans

In order to reduce burden of the government funded pension systems, governments allow individuals to invest in their own pension and deduct some or all of its income for tax calculations. e.g. 401 [k] in the USA. These vary by country and very often are linked to governments trying to influence people behavior during the period the  tax saving plan is introduced.

* Owning your own business

The surest way to reduce your taxes is to convert personal expenditures into allowable deductions. Turn even a  hobby into a business and you'll cut your tax bill.

You can incorporate yourself, as an Type S or a limited partnership or a sole proprietorship, or even show that there was a profit motive that drove the expenditure. Most governments tax corporate income at lower rates than individual earnings. And your expenses are deductible even if you do not make a profit!

Even if you're employed full time elsewhere, that doesn't prevent you from having another activity on the side, subject to no objections from your current employer, of course. But the expenses you want to deduct must be reasonable since they will be scrutinized thoroughly by the tax man.

* Real estate is a widely used tax shelter

Real estate provides leverage, an inflation hedge, cash flow and equity buildup. As your property appreciates in value, you are allowed a paper deduction for depreciation. If structured correctly, you buy the property with your down payment.

Hopefully, your rents cover your mortgage interest, taxes and operating expenses.

Incorporation offshore to save your investments and even do business is always an attractive option. Dubai with its zero capital gains, rent or income taxes is a good place to look for property investments!

Retire Early - Offshore Investments, Banking & Money. I Retired At 43 With The Standard 401k, Annuity And Some Stock From A Corporation. Then I Found Out Where I Could Make Some Real Money And Went Back To Work. Now I Am Retired And Working! Life Could Not Get Better!

Do you want to know, when or even if, you should incorporate your business? Straight talk about business entities - how to make the right choice. What's involved and what are the benefits? Learn the answers quickly and in easy-to-understand language with this multi-media program designed specifically for entrepreneurs.

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