About Us
AN INTRODUCTION TO SCF LEGAL & CORPORATE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The SCF Group was originally established in 1989 by UK barrister Mr. B.M. Spencer-Higgins and his late Father John Spencer-Higgins. The aim has always been to advise wealthy expatriates currently living or intending to move to the UK, how to do so tax efficiently be it with respect to worldwide assets, investments or indeed business structures. With a wealth of experience spanning almost 30 years we believe that we are in a better position to advise and set up structures than perhaps anyone else in the UK and at far more competitive rates than the ‘Big’ accountancy firms. Apart from creating tax efficient structures, we can also help with asset protection through the use of trusts and private interest foundations ensuring that as much wealth is protected for future generations as possible. These type of structures can also be employed to separate assets before a marriage or reduce the future exposure of 3rd party litigation. Another area of expertise is advising on the de-enveloping properties owned by companies in as tax efficient way as possible often made necessary since the introduction of the Advanced Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED). However, whatever your international tax planning needs we are here to help or act as introducers to firms that may have the expertise you need.
PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED STAFF
SCF has access to a wide range of professionally qualified staff encompassing certified accountants, chartered accountants, and specialist international tax lawyers based throughout the world including countries such as Ireland, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Singapore and many more. In all cases, our associates have been carefully selected and have the benefit of indemnity insurance for safety of mind.
THE ABILITY TO DEAL WITH THE POST BREXIT WORLD
The decision by the United Kingdom to leave the EU is, without doubt, one of the most momentous decisions ever taken and one which will fundamentally change both tax planning advice and structures for both individuals and businesses alike. In the future, the reliance on EU directives and regulations (such as 90/435 for dividends and 03/49 for interest) will be replaced by having to consider individual tax treaties, which will in many cases create additional costs and bureaucracy for UK based businesses. By moving out of the UK, SCF can now provide UK businesses with advice and if required EU based business structures that will continue to allow its former UK clients to enjoy the benefits of EU membership. It is expected that the demand for managed companies in countries such as Cyprus and Ireland will increase dramatically due to their use of the common law system and continued EU membership.
THE DEMAND FOR MANAGED COMPANIES IN IRELAND, CYPRUS & MALTA HAS INCREASED
IRELAND
With the departure of the UK from the EU, it is expected that many UK businesses with significant trading within the EU will seek to establish a presence within the EU itself to avoid the inevitable tariffs and bureaucracy. In particular, the apparent stance of the EU as expressed by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, to exclude services from any future tax treaty will leave many in the UK service sector with no choice but to establish an EU presence. For this reason, the SCF Group has established a full range of managed company services, run by local chartered accountants, in the Republic of Ireland that will not only benefit from being in the EU but also from the local 12.5% corporate tax rate and of course the ability to register for VAT.
CYPRUS & MALTA
Cyprus offers the same 12.5% corporate tax rate as the Republic of Ireland and a more liberal and flexible corporate management system. However, it is not suitable for many businesses as it is vital that any EU base can be shown to have been selected for genuine business and not tax purposes. In the case of Malta, it offers a more sophisticated tax system which ostensibly has a 35% corporate tax rate but one that provides provisions for dividend rebates from offshore shareholding companies resulting in a potential tax rate to as low as 5.5%! Malta is particularly attractive for those in the insurance and gambling sectors.
PRIORITY ENQUIRY FORM
(Strictly Confidential No Obligation)
SCF Legal & Corporate Management Services Limited
Address: 250 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3 5UE
Telephone: 020 7731 2020 Email: enquiries@scfgroup.com
Registration number: 05462416
© SCF INTERNATIONAL 2023
A FULL RANGE OF LEGAL, ACCOUNTANCY & COMPANY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The SCF International specializes in providing accountancy and management services for UK and Irish limited companies, UK & Irish company management services including the provision of (where necessary) domestic directors, domestic company secretaries, registered office address services, trading offices, value added tax (VAT) registration and management, payroll (Pay as You Earn PAYE), opening up and managing UK or Irish bank account facilities, raising invoices and any and/or all other services required to establish a bone fide managed and controlled UK or Irish limited liability company.
Our in-house team of legally and accountancy qualified experts can also provide advice on current UK & Irish tax laws/provisions including anti-avoidance provisions, EU directives and regulations, the impact of BREXIT for both UK and EU based businesses and other relevant. In addition, where required the SCF Group can also set-up and arrange the management of companies in tax efficient EU based jurisdictions such as Cyprus, Luxembourg or Malta or indeed any jurisdiction in the world including those in the Middle and Far East.
Property de-enveloping services – In conjunction with leading UK firms of solicitors SCF can help transfer companies currently held by what were known as ‘offshore’ companies into either more tax efficient UK companies or directly back into the names of individual beneficial owners’ often without attracting stamp duty land tax (SDLT) but still avoiding the advance tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED).
Our fiscal migration and tax planning department is operated by qualified lawyers and accountants and can advise both domiciled and non-domiciled individuals on how to mitigate their individual and corporate tax exposure be it in the UK or abroad. Our legal & business department can provide specialized advice on all domestic and international tax planning issues but also upon ‘key’ issues such as asset protection be it in the form of trusts and private interest foundations (PIF’s). In particular, SCF can provide advice to those intending to relocate to the UK on how to do so in the most tax efficient way.