Most of the presentations at Fonds were in German, but I attended two that were in English.  One was presented by Jim Rogers, former partner to George Soros at the Quantum fund and the other was presented by Robin Batchelor from Blackrock.  I was especially interested in attending these presentations because they focused on the future of commodity investing.  Considering the world we currently live in, commodities may be something you should personally look at from an investment perspective.  I know I am.

Rogers focused on foodstuffs and metals while Batchelor focused on energy.  They both had essentially the same message; we have a growing population and a shrinking base of investment into production of necessary commodities.  From a long term perspective, we have nowhere to go but up with commodity prices.  Think about it, how many people do you know tell their kids, go to school, get a good education, and work on the farm?  People need to eat and we need famers to produce.  Right now we have a shrinking base of farming activity, but the population of the world is projected to triple in the next 30 years.  We have to feed them somehow and the law of supply and demand says commodity prices must rise. 

The same holds true for oil.  Oil is primarily a transportation fuel.  Most of your developed nations are near a peak or even in a decline with oil consumption.  But China and India alone have nearly half of the world’s population with a hugely growing middle class.  Right now they are consuming the same amount of oil per capita as the US was in the ‘20s.  Do you think China and India’s consumption will go down, or up?  My suggestion here is to look into portfolio diversification and take a long, hard look at commodities.  There are many ETF’s now that track various commodities so it is no more difficult than buying Wal-Mart stock.

I also had a great meeting with a guy named Raoul.  Raoul runs a family office for wealthy individuals and families.  This is not a common practice in the US, but it is quite intriguing.  His firm does not actually manage your money, but they provide you with the tools to assist with asset allocation and risk management.  He also selects and works with your money managers, banks, financial planners, tax planners and anyone else involved with your finances to make sure you are getting what you are paying for.  He can help you find the best money managers, place your money in Swiss banks (or anywhere else), and make sure you aren’t taking unnecessary risks.  His firm can provide you with online access to your portfolio whether it is in real estate, cash, securities, gold, or cattle.  He can even tell you if you have too much money tied up in cattle at any given moment.  It is quite a revolutionary service he offers and for a very reasonable fee.  He charges a small fee based on your asset holdings.  He gets no commission for advising you to buy X stock, or Y commodity.  The more your assets grow, the more he earns.  And most importantly, he is connected.  Very well connected.  He can still provide American citizens with Swiss private banking services and connect you with money managers you would never be able to have access to otherwise.  If anyone is interested in contacting Raoul, please let me know.  I will make the introduction.

I would really like to hear from my readers.  If you have some specific topic of interest, please let me know.  I would be happy to discuss it with you personally, or I can write about it on our blog or in the newsletter.  Feel free to contact me today for your free 30 minute consultation.  Until next week, live well.

One of the most interesting things from the visit was the complete lack of interest in dealing with American clients when talking to Swiss private banks and investment advisors. Certainly you have all watched the news sometime in the past year and have heard about the situation involving UBS. This has had a profound effect on the offshore banking industry in Switzerland as the US tax department has bullied their way into getting the Swiss to break their own laws in order to not anger the beast.

And of course you can’t help but notice Obama’s vendetta against wealthy Americans who bank and do business offshore. He is trying to create a criminal image for anyone unpatriotic American who chooses to bank and do business offshore as part of their asset protection planning. Not to mention his proposed $1.9T (yes, that’s a T) tax increase on the wealthy.

Have we now produced the modern day Robin Hood? What you need to be aware of is that it is neither illegal nor immoral to diversify your assets offshore. In truth, offshore banking is one of the most prudent things you can do as part of your asset protection planning.  And with the internet and communication technology what it is today, it isn’t even difficult.

But you need to tread carefully in this water. There are many pitfalls you must be aware of. In order to maintain complete transparency, there are several details that must be attended to in order to make sure you don’t run afoul of any government agency. Properly set up entities and proper tax planning can reap huge rewards in both tax savings, investment opportunities, and asset protection. It seems the perfect storm is brewing for you to not just want, but need to diversify your assets offshore.

As I wrote about previously, there are legal ways to defer (not evade) taxation on your business and investments. There are also ways for you to move some of your banking offshore. The benefits from the tax savings alone can more than pay for your proper advisors to help manage this process for you.

Imagine compounding your earnings tax free for 10 years. What is that worth? With the increased taxation and likely stricter restrictions on moving assets offshore, now is the time to make this move. While this may seem complicated and not beneficial to some, it is really just an irrational fear.

Actually, many banks outside of the US are much safer than US banks. Many European banks keep 30% in reserves versus 10% reserves for US banks. And they are all guaranteed deposits by the ECB. And there are Asian banking options that are even more attractive.  If there is a run on the bank, who do you think is most able to weather the storm? If you wish to discuss your personal situation, I can advise you to your options. Contact me today for your free 30 minute consultation.

Joe runs a custom t-shirt company from California and sells his products all over the world through his website.  Joe has a very successful business and sells $2m per year in t-shirts with a 30% net profit margin earning $600k per year after his $100k per year salary.  After Joe takes advantage of his tax benefits, he pays 30% in tax or $180k.  That is a rather large check to write each year.

Today, Joe runs his business from Nevis.  He formed a Nevis LLC, rented a small office in Nevis to hire an administrative staff there to handle bookkeeping and customer service.  He sold his computer servers and has outsourced his server space to a firm in India.  He does all of his banking through Denmark and uses Paypal for website payments.  He has essentially severed all physical business ties in the US.  Granted, Joe still lives in California and still earns his $100k per year salary, for which he still pays his personal income tax. 

However, Joe no longer pays income tax on his $600k in net profit, saving his company $180k per year in taxes.  Joe now has reinvested his earnings into his business and expanded into a web based golf shop.  The golf shop operates on the same premise as the t-shirt shop and allows him to grow his business and his profits.

When Joe decides to repatriate some of his income from his offshore business he will certainly pay income tax on that amount.  But until that time, Joe can defer the taxation and invest his money as he sees fit in order to continue to grow his wealth. 

I understand this program doesn’t work for all of you.  In reality, it can only work for a few.  But for those few, it is a tremendous advantage.  For those of you that cannot take advantage of this, maybe it can’t be an option for your next business venture.  Certainly there are many variables to this situation and each must be individually evaluated. 

If you think this may work for you or if you have any other questions regarding your asset protection plan, contact me via email or at the number listed on our contact page.   Until next week, live well.

The $11 beer and $50 pizza was a good starter.  And I don’t mean some exotic beer and pizza.  I’m talking Pizza Hut quality.  As I found out, Norway has a 200% alcohol tax because they determined citizens drank too much and wanted to eliminate this scourge of modern society, completely disregarding the concept of personal choice.  A basic Porsche 911 costs about $250,000.  A 700 square foot apartment in the city costs about $2500 per month.  Gasoline is about $9 per gallon.  And this is all created by taxation.  On top of that Norwegians pay between 35-50% income tax.  But they do have “free” healthcare.

This “free” healthcare system consists of wait times for basic procedures that can take from just a few weeks to several months before you can get an appointment.  Of course emergency care is quick, but what about an MRI?  Sure, we’ll see you in July.  They also have a great public transportation system.  But a one-way subway ticket costs about $5. 

Unfortunately this is the path I see for the US.  There are many similarities.  Norway even considers their system an improved American government.  Is this really the way we want to go in the US?  I have no interest in living in a place like Norway.  Sure their income is much higher.  A McDonald’s employee earns about $20 per hour, but a Big Mac meal costs $12.  How do they intend to attract competitive companies when the cost of doing business is so high?  Do we want to follow in those footsteps?

For one of my Norwegian friends, we were discussing a program that allows him to ‘escape’ Norway.  He sold his company a few years ago to a large tech firm in Norway.  This firm just recently sold out to a large US company and my friend’s job is now able to be done remotely.  We are looking at ways for him to invest offshore and defer his gains as well as structuring his life around a multi-flag lifestyle.  He will likely continue to work for his company in Norway earning a ridiculously high wage in Norwegian kroners, but he will move to warmer and cheaper climate where his income goes much further.  By doing this he can structure his own investment firm in one country, do his banking and investing in another, continue to earn an income in Norway, and live in another place.  There are also huge tax savings to be gained from this.  He is very interested in intelligent asset protection planning.

Now is the time for you to consider how you want to structure your life.  Maybe you won’t make such a drastic change, but you can too form your own offshore investment company and defer taxation.  You can restructure your business for maximum asset protection.  Or you can find a new country to live in.  But don’t wait until you cannot leave or you are paying $12 per gallon for gas and waiting 6 months for an MRI.  Live well.

Real estate and precious metals are the exception here. By holding real estate or precious metals outside of the US, this gives you significant asset protection from creditors and government intervention.   To be clear though, for US citizens or residents, all worldwide income must be reported and is taxable regardless of where you live.  So if you own a beach house on the coast of Spain and rent it out for holiday, you must report the income. 

I have been recently acquainted with a man in Costa Rica who is developing a very interesting wellness resort and spa on 83 acres of forest surrounded by protected areas and a national park.  He has already built several residences, a wellness spa, a bed and breakfast, and will soon be opening several restaurants and a medical facility.  This is a great opportunity for someone looking to retire, have a second home, go on a vacation, or take advantage of investment opportunities.  Hugo, the owner, is looking for business partners to develop additional amenities like a hotel and restaurants.  With certain qualifications, Hugo has even offered to pay for your trip to check the place out.

At this point I have not visited Hugo’s place in Costa Rica.  I have read though his investment offering and I have looked extensively at his business plan.  It is very appealing.  I will be making a trip there later this year to put my boots on the ground.  I would encourage any of you that may have some interest to at least check it out.  Do your due diligence.  Hugo is even willing to pay for your  plane ticket.

Buying real estate outside of the US is a great way to hold assets and minimize your US holdings while diversifying at the same time.  As stated in previous newsletters, this is not for everyone.  If you are a small investor or business owner and uncomfortable with offshore holdings, you should just disregard this.  But for many of you reading this, you already have a vacation house, or are considering buying one, liquid investments like securities, business holdings, and are interested in ways to diversify your holdings while giving you options.  You are the ones who would benefit.

If you want to contact Hugo, please send me an email and I will forward you his contact details.  If you have further questions or would like to schedule a free 30 minute consultation, you can contact me by phone or email.  Live well.

There is nothing illegal or immoral about offshore asset protection.  In reality, it is not even difficult or complex as many would have you believe.  In many cases it is as simple as establishing an offshore entity to own assets you already own like stocks, bonds, gold or private company stock.  In some cases it involves the use of trusts.

I have touched on the tax benefits and how that can be a significant benefit, so I won’t dive into that too deep here.  But if your business meets certain requirements, it is possible to move it offshore and defer taxation…indefinitely.  One of the biggest threats to your wealth is destruction through taxation and this tool can offer you the ultimate in offshore asset protection.

Aside from tax benefits, what are the other benefits?  The ‘what’s in it for me?’ question.  Another major threat to your wealth is litigation.  Litigation poses a huge threat and takes up an enormous amount of resources in the modern age.  In recent reports, litigation amounted to 2.3% of our GDP.  Think about that for a minute.  In 2009, the US GDP was approximately $14T, which means litigation cost US citizens and businesses about $322B.  To put that in perspective, Norway’s 2007 GDP was 391B. 

My point is, litigation is a very real threat to your wealth and a very large cost.  As your wealth grows, so does the size of the bulls-eye on your back.  This is why proper asset protection planning is critically important.  And an offshore strategy is not just for the super wealthy and criminals.  It can be for you as well.

Let me illustrate a simple example.  Fred owns a small business in rural Kansas.  Fred has owned it for many, many years and has accumulated about $2m that he has begun investing in the stock market.  Fred also owns a home with land in Kansas.  Fred has a nice life, a good income, and a fair amount of investments. 

If Fred is in a car accident and the other driver is injured, the plaintiff attorney, Lucifer, will want to find out what Fred is worth in order to determine if he is to pursue Fred beyond his insurance limits or just drop it there.  Lucifer finds out Fred owns a house, a business, and a $2m investment portfolio, all in Kansas.  Easy pickings.  Lucifer takes Fred to court, court issues judgment, and Fred is cleaned out.

Fred’s neighbor, Jacob, also owns a small business in Kansas.  Jacob also has amassed a $2m investment portfolio and a nice house in Kansas.  But Jacob has moved ownership of the shares of his business to his offshore entity.  His offshore entity also owns his investment account, which is held in a bank in Luxembourg.  Jacob’s house is owned by a NV LLC, and the NV LLC and the offshore entity are wrapped up into an Integrated Asset Protection Trust (IAPT). 

While Fred and Jacob are in similar positions, assuming Jacob also has a similar traffic accident, they are in much different situations after the accident.  First of all the plaintiff attorney, Lucifer, will likely find too many roadblocks in front of Jacob’s wealth to attempt to pursue.  Where does Lucifer file a lawsuit?  Kansas, where Jacob lives?  NV, where his LLC that owns his home is registered?  Belize, where his offshore entity is registered?  Luxembourg, where his investment portfolio is held?  or Cook Islands, where his trustee office is?  As you can see this is quite a dilemma and the roadblocks are many for poor Lucifer.  Meanwhile, Jacob is safe and sound at home, sleeping peacefully knowing his assets are well protected.

Don’t be Fred.

Asset protection, simply put, involves legally protecting your assets from the threats that prevail in today’s society. There are two main threats to your wealth; litigation and government interference.

In 2008, there were nearly 1.2 million lawsuits filed in the US. If you consider there are approximately 300 million people, half of them in the workforce, this leaves about 1.2 million lawsuits for every 150 million people. But from 150 million people, less than 20% of them are really at risk to lose something in a lawsuit. That leaves 30 million people at risk. In this simplified example, 1 in every 25 at risk people were sued in 2008. 1 in 25. Not very good odds…

Are you a real estate investor? You can count on that number going much, much higher. You just never know when your next tenant opens a meth lab in the basement and blows the house up and kills someone. Are your remaining assets at risk in this case? Are you willing to risk your entire future on an event of which you have no control?

Asset protection involves anything from simple domestic LLC, up to a complex strategy involving offshore trusts and IBC’s. The strategy varies widely and is very specific to each situation. This is where proper counsel is crucial. You don’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of the law with the government. But a properly developed asset protection strategy will protect your wealth for future generations and give you that much needed ’sleep at night’ insurance.

I will discuss government interference at another date as that is too deep of a topic for one reading. Until next time, live well.

I have many clients inquire about trusts, but the number one question is “what happens if the trustee runs off with my money?”  This is a legitimate question, however the way our trusts are structured using LLC’s or IBC’s, it is impossible for the trustee to make decisions about your assets without your consent.  Let me illustrate a simple example;

Your stock trading account is owned by an LLC.  You are the manager of the LLC giving you full control of the use and allocation of these funds.  However, the trust is the legal owner of the LLC, thus eliminating your ownership of the funds held by the LLC.  The trustee is unable to make decsions without the settlor’s approval and you are the settlor.  In this scenario, you are the LLC manager and the settlor of the trust, but not the owner.  The trustee maintains title to the property until your demise, which at that point, your beneficiaries become the legal owners of the property.

As John D. Rockefeller said “own nothing and control everything”.  This is the ultimate goal and can easily be accomplished using an offshore trust.  By using an offshore trust, it keeps the trust assets outside the reach of US courts.  Unless there is a major crime or terrorism at play, countries like Belize and Cook Islands won’t recognize a US court ruling and thereby fully protecting your assets held within the trust.

Offshore trusts aren’t for everyone.  You must report ownership of any offshore trust to the IRS or risk severe legal penalties.  This reporting is not difficult, but it does create additional administration and for some, it isn’t worth the effort.  But if your assets have significant value and you want the ultimate in asset protection, offshore trusts are the ultimate tool.

Hugo is an interesting guy.  He holds a BS in Computer Science, a JD in General Law, an LLM in International Taxation, a Doctorate in Taxation, a Doctorate in Naturopathy, former CFP, and has traveled to over 100 countries.  Needless to say, he is experienced in international business. 

Recently I heard from Hugo.  Hugo is developing a Wellness Resort and Spa in Costa Rica near the Pan American Highway.  It is surrounded by huge national park and a wildlife refuge.  It is a very interesting concept with medical facilities, spa, hotel, bed and breakfast, and several restaurants.  And right now, Hugo is selling ten of these beautiful lakefront houses for $40,000.

To put the icing on the cake, Hugo has arranged easy, low cost financing for those able to put 30% down.  There will also be property management available for those interested in using this as an income property.  For the entrepreneurs, Hugo is looking for partners for the medical ventures and additional restaurants.  For anyone interested in an absolute bargain in a beautiful location, this deserves serious consideration. 

If you are interested, please send me an email and I will connect you directly with Hugo.  Live well.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) intends to purchase sixty Remington Model 870 Police RAMAC #24587 12 gauge pump-action shotguns for the Criminal Investigation Division. The Remington parkerized shotguns, with fourteen inch barrel, modified choke, Wilson Combat Ghost Ring rear sight and XS4 Contour Bead front sight, Knoxx Reduced Recoil Adjustable Stock, and Speedfeed ribbed black forend, are designated as the only shotguns authorized for IRS duty based on compatibility with IRS existing shotgun inventory, certified armorer and combat training and protocol, maintenance, and parts.

You really have to wonder why they are buying more guns for their officers.  Or I guess I should say, why WE are buying more guns for IRS enforcement officers.  Are they concerned with their ability to collect all their proposed tax increases?  Do they really intend to show up in your office with an armed officer at your next audit?

With Obama’s $1.9T tax increase for the wealthy, maybe they plan on doing raids of your office before you flee the country with a suitcase of cash.  Who knows what they are thinking, but I seriously question my governments decision to force me to pay tax at the end of a gun.

If asset protection is important to you, now is the time to diversify.  Whether you pursue a domestic or an offshore asset protection structure, now is the time to act.  When your government is arming itself to collect your money, you should really take steps to protect your assets.  Live well.