Isle of Man Foundation
All the benefits and advantages to register your foundation in Europe.
Form a Foundation in the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man (simply called “Mann”) is a British crown dependency, but self-governed. Located between England and Ireland on the Irish Sea. English is its official language along with Manx.
An Isle of Man Foundation is a legal entity benefiting a natural person or a class of persons and/or to complete a specific purpose. While a foundation is similar to a trust and a limited company with limited liability. A foundation can hold assets, engage in trade, raise money, sue and be sued in a court of law. In addition, a foundation can have a perpetual duration available for generations of beneficiaries.
Historically, wealthy families in Europe have established Family Foundations incorporated in the Principality of Liechtenstein (a Neutral jurisdiction for purposes of wars, etc.) for the purpose of estate planning and succession, to ensure the safe transition of assets to the family’s beneficiaries.
A Foundation is often described as an incorporated trust. It is a legal entity which combines favourable attributes of both a company and a trust which are potentially advantageous for individuals in civil law jurisdictions as they do not recognise the autonomous legal status of a trust or follow the law of equity.
The Isle of Man Foundations Act of 2011 (the Act) became effective in 2012 and governs the formation, activities, and dissolution of foundations in the Isle of Man.
Benefits
Provides the ability to hold potentially riskier assets, which trustees may be unwilling to hold.
Removes the complications of trustee indemnities on retirement or distribution of assets.
The Founder can be a member of the Foundation Council and also the Enforcer and is thus able to retain an element of ‘control’ over the Foundation’s assets and activities.
Foreign Owner: A foundation can be owned by foreigners.
Estate Planning: An ideal estate planning tool as a foundation can provide for the settlor’s heirs and beneficiaries for unlimited generations without dealing with timely, costly probates.
Perpetuity: A Foundation does not have a perpetuity period, which trusts currently are required to include.
No Taxation: Completely tax-free income and profits.
Limited Liability: Foundations enjoy the same limited liability rights as a limited liability company (LLC).
Trading: Unlike most countries, an Isle of Man foundation can engage in trading and commercial activities.
Privacy: The names of the founder and beneficiaries are never included in the public records.
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