It is difficult to do a tax haven search on the Internet about investing offshore and not see the name of Adam Starchild appear on your screen. According to Starchild, he has written more than 20 books and hundreds of magazine articles over the past 20 years primarily on the subject of financial freedom and entrepreneurship. His articles have appeared in a wide range of publications around the world, including Business Credit, Euromoney, Finance, The Financial Planner, International Living, Offshore Financial Review, Reason, Tax Planning International and Trusts & Estates. Part Native American (that would explain his last name) and part Irish, he began writing about offshore opportunities in 1974. Too bad he became so closely associated with Marc Harris in Panama!

I have read a number of his books on offshore topics including Using Offshore Havens for Privacy and Profit, The Offshore Entrepreneur, Protect Your Assets, and Reviving the American Dream which are all relatively small, soft cover books. The Tax Haven Report although quite expensive compared to many of his other books, is a valuable introduction to anyone interested in learning the basic 'how to' offshore strategies and which tax havens to use except for one caveat; the information provided is often out of date at best. At worst it is wrong.

Sold by Scope International, The Tax Haven Report is a 174 page, hard cover book with leather type binding and packed full of useful information for the serious offshore investor. It begins with a discussion of the difference between tax avoidance and evasion.

Topics in the next chapter cover the types of tax havens with an introduction of the essential characteristics of a tax haven. Chapter three discusses the role of tax havens in tax planning, re-invoicing in an import-export business and tourism. Chapter four is entitled Putting Tax Havens to Work in which the different levels of offshore investing are explained from passive investment in an offshore bank account or mutual fund to incorporation and trust. He takes time to explain the workings of a corporation for those who are unfamiliar thus ensuring that he leaves no one behind.

Basic offshore structures are explained such as numbered bank accounts, limited liability companies, types of trusts, holding companies and their uses and financing subsidiaries. There are over 40 tax havens discussed along with particular specialties of each haven, from those with no-tax to limited tax havens for foreigners such as the United States. Switzerland, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg are giving extended coverage to their specific uses and how tax treaties and holding companies can be used to save withholding tax for high-tax investors.

The Tax Haven Report is updated annually. It is a broad overview of a very complicated and complex subject without subjecting the reader to an abundance confusing technical legal or accounting jargon. If you're relatively new to the subject and want a good overview, this book is a good investment. It is expensive at $100 U.S. if you buy it alone, but you might be better off ordering a number of books at the same time with some offshore investment-keen friends or acquaintances to get the price per book down.

Bear in mind that Starchild is selling his services and will refer the potential client to an offshore service provider for which he makes a fee.

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*RATING 4/10* Reading Level - Introductory to Intemediate.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed are independent and the sole opinion of Matt Blackman who has not and will not receive financial remuneration for this review. Although great care was taken in writing this review, the author cannot and does not gaurantee the accuracy of information contained herein due to its complex nature. Readers are advised to obtain legal councel before making any investment or estate planning decision. Review copy of this publication was supplied by publisher.

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Note: This column is dedicated to reviewing books on the subject of offshore investing and asset management. It is designed to provide an insight into the publications available to assist readers looking for the best information available for the money. If you have a comment or question about a review or have read written a publication of interest that you'd like to discuss, please:

Email: Matt Blackman

or FAX (604) 904-4283

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