Bangkok Post, Thailand, Net Worth Column.

Byline: Andrew Leppard

Dec. 5--Sometimes it pays for expats to stop and reflect on how fortunate we all are working "offshore", while our cousins back home face the unfortunate and depressing symptoms of the winter doldrums. Cold weather, storms, snow, coughs and sneezes and -- dread upon dread -- the icy fingers and frozen glare of every onshore person's nightmare: the taxman.

While expats may be hardy and seasoned old buzzards, having flown south to escape the ravages of weather and depression, they often neglect to pay attention to their tax affairs and are complacent regarding the IRS, the Inland Revenue or whatever agency in your home country tries to part you from your earnings.

For this greedy individual has all the patience in the world when it comes to waiting for juicy migrants, plump on tax-free salaries, returning home to roost. This is where tax havens, offshore investments and managed trusts play their part in protecting fattened pigeons from predatory hawks.

Here I will try to answer some of the most commonly asked questions posed by clients when they first sit down to plan their tax-avoidance strategy.

QUESTION: How do all the offshore jurisdictions vary? What dangers are there in basing my funds here?

ANSWER: Without a doubt, the Channel Islands (Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man) are the best and safest areas in the world. That is why all the major insurance companies are based there, along with most major banking groups. The main reasons for investors contemplating Channel Islands corporations are: a) confidentiality, b) tax-free concessions, c) worldwide access, d) UK law and arbitration, e) full compensation cover, f) internationally recognised, g) global portability and, h) centuries-old trading history.