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As your offshore incorporation professionals in Panama, INTERTRUST can register your Panamanian corporation through competent local attorneys at rates that are generally lower than most other offshore centers. We also maintain relations with reputable and efficient professionals in most other advantageous offshore centers.
If you are still deciding on a location for incorporation of your offshore company, our Panama and Resources sections offer a host of information to help you. If you’ve decided on Panama as the location for your offshore company, you will need to consider the following information about incorporation in Panama:
The following commercial entities exist for incorporation under the Panamanian Commercial Code:
However, most business enterprises are conducted in the Republic of Panama in the form of corporations. Almost without exception, foreign-based operations are also conducted through corporations.
Panamanian corporations may be organized by two or more persons of legal age (who may be Panamanian or foreigners) as well as juridical entities, for any lawful purpose (or purposes) whereby the incorporators subscribe to at least one share each of the capital stock of the corporation under formation. In practice, two persons or juridical entities from the incorporating attorney’s office act as incorporators and immediately upon incorporation they endorse (in blank) their subscription rights, thus the total authorized capital remains intact and may be issued to the beneficial owner(s) in full. The authorized capital of a Panama corporation does not have to be fully subscribed or paid up at the time of incorporation.
The incorporating attorney, or his law firm, generally acts as the statutory Resident Agent of the corporation, a legal requirement in Panama.
Traditionally a yearly fee of US$150.00 to $250.00 is charged for a resident agent. The Resident Agent does not have to file any reports to the Panama Government; he is the liaison between the corporation and the Panama Government.
The following details are required to incorporate a Panama company:
The formation of a Panama company takes from 3 to 5 working days and it costs about US$550.00. If a Panama company does not operate locally (having an office in Panama through which international operations are directed does not constitute «doing business in Panama» under Panamanian income tax law), such company can maintain its books of accounts in any manner desired and anywhere in the world. Companies operating locally must maintain here all records and books; which may be kept manually, mechanically or electronically. A company not physically engaged in business locally (although it might have an office in Panama to direct international business activities) does not require a commercial license.
Panama’s corporation law allows natural persons or juridical entities of any nationality and place of residency to act as directors and officers of Panama corporations. There are no restrictions imposed by law or local regulations which would not permit Panama companies to do business in or with any particular country. It follows that Panama corporations, whatever their capital, pay no Panama income tax on net earnings, if the income is earned from foreign sources or consists of interest earned on local time deposits or savings accounts.
The use of a corporate seal is not a requirement by Law in Panama; its use is optional.
A Certificate of Good Standing may be obtained from the Public Registry at the time that the incorporation of a company is registered or at any time thereafter, if desired, at an additional fee. A Certificate of Incorporation is not available in Panama.
The memorandum «FORMING YOUR PANAMA COMPANY» is available upon request.
There is an annual franchise tax levied by the government to maintain a company in good standing, amounting to US$300.00. Late payment is subject to a US$50.00 surcharge. After a second consecutive overdue payment is missed, a fine of US$300.00 is imposed. Payment of the tax will be due on June 30th if the date of anniversary of incorporation falls in the first half of the year, and on December 31st if the date of anniversary of incorporation falls in the second half of the year.
Annual fees of the Statutory Resident Agent mentioned previously are usually between US$150.00 and US$250.00.
Annual fees for providing nominee directors and/or officers are usually US$200.00 each. Therefore, annual maintenance charges for a Panama corporation, may range between US$450.00 and US$1,050.00, depending on the number of nominee directors and/or officers.
Shareholders’ meetings, Board of Directors’ meetings, or meetings of liquidators for offshore corporations may be held by telephone, telefax or other electronic media.
Written minutes detailing how the communication was made and of the resolutions adopted must be drawn and signed by all involved.
Resolutions of shareholders, directors or liquidators adopted by consent are also allowed, even though the document may show signatures at different places and dates.
Redomiciliation to Panama of foreign corporations is allowed, regardless of provisions in this respect in the country of origin.
Redomiciliation of Panamanian corporations to other jurisdictions accepting such redomiciliation, is also allowed, if it is so stipulated in the articles of incorporation.
A formal voluntary dissolution of the company is allowed at any time. It requires the approval of the shareholders at a meeting duly convened for such purpose. Cost for this procedure is US$550.00, including all fees and expenses.
In this case, a certificate of dissolution must be obtained and subsequently published in a local newspaper and the Official Gazette.
Specific liquidators may be appointed for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the corporation during the three years liquidation period stipulated by Law, which is desirable for companies with offshore operations. Otherwise, the directors on record will act as fiduciaries for liquidation purposes.
Postal Box 0816-03012 Panama, Republic of Panama.