Tax Resident Companies with Stripe account	Hong Kong	Delaware	Ireland	UK LLP	Estonia	Malta
Summary at a glance
Legally tax-exempt structure?	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes, for re-invested	No
Must have a Stripe account in this country?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Can have a Stripe account in another country?	No	No	No	No	No	No
Must rent a local office?	No	No	No	No	No	No
Must hire local employees?	No	No	No	No	No	No
Multi-currency payments allowed?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Minimum charge amount per currency?	$4	50¢	€0.50	£0.30	€0.50	€0.50
3D secure payment authentication possible?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Chargeback protection possible?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Quickbooks/Xero/Expensify software integration possible?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
API software solution available?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
WeChat/AliPay billing available?	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
SEPA direct debit available?	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Instant Debit Card Payout facility available?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
International country-specific card charge fees?	3.4% + HK$2.35	2.9% + 30¢	2.9% + €0.25	2.9% + 20p	2.9% + €0.25	2.9% + €0.25
Double tax treaties access?	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Corporation tax?	0%	0%	12.5%	0%	0-20%	5-10%
VAT/GST/Sales tax rates	0%	0%	23%	20%	20%	18%
Type of company recommended?	LLC	Single person LLC	LLC	LLP	LLC	LLC
Personal travel required during the engagement?	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Preferred country for e-commerce trade?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
How soon can you have a certificate of incorporation?	1 week	1 week	3 weeks	1 week	3 weeks	3 weeks
How soon can you have corporate bank account numbers?	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks
Stripe account available?	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks
Total company engagement set up costs	US$8,600	US$9,000	€8,355	£8,090	€10,400	€11,675
Legal & accounting and tax considerations
Resident shareholder or director required?	No	No	No	No	No	No
Minimum number of directors?	1	1 member	1	1 partner	1	1
International e-commerce transactions subject to VAT?	No	No	No	No	No	No
Minimum number of shareholders?	1	1 member	1	1 partner	1	1
Lease agreement required before company incorporation?	No	No	No	No	No	No
Public register of shareholders and directors	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Paid-up share capital required?	No	No	No	No	No	No
Standard Corporate Tax Payable %	0%	0%	12.5%	0%	0-20%	5-10%
Access to Government grant/tax rebate programs	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Must prepare annual financial statements?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Independent statutory audit required?	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Annual tax return to be submitted	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Access to how many double tax treaties	37	68	74	130	52	76
Local substance requirements, including staffed office?	No	No	No	No	No	No
Withholding tax on dividends paid to individuals	0%	up to 30%	up to 25%	0%	0-7%	0%
VAT/GST/Sales tax rates	0%	0%	23%	20%	20%	18%
Banking considerations
Does our Client need to travel to visit Bank?	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Initial deposit for US$ corporate bank account	US$50,000	US$10,000	€500	€1M	€5,000	€10,000
Time taken to open corporate bank account	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks	8 weeks
Multi-currency visa debit cards issued	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dedicated bank officer with cell phone contact	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fees for incoming wire transfers	0.125%	0.1%	€12.5	£7.50	€25	Up to €100
Fees for outgoing wire transfers	$5	$10	€5	£7	0	€20
Multi-currency visa debit cards issued	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Logistics considerations
GDP per capita (US$, 2019)	48,713	60,745	68,090	30,625	18,686	24,628
Global Competitiveness Index Ranking	3	2	24	9	31	38
Ease of Doing Business Global Ranking	3	6	24	8	18	88
OECD member country?	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
CRS reporting obligations (click link)?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
FATF blacklisted country?	No	No	No	No	No	No
Country credit rating?	A+	AA+	AA-	AA	A+	A+
Estimate of engagement costs
Company formation fees?	2,350	1,590	1,935	1,150	3,250	3,200
Legal registered office fees?	1,100	1,200	1,200	1,200	1,200	2,200
Estimate Government fees?	200	310	270	40	250	375
Corporate bank account opening fees?	4,950	4,950	4,950	4,950	4,950	4,950
Tax and VAT/GST registration fees?	0	950	0	750	750	950
Estimate of total fees in Year 1?	US$8,600	US$9,000	€8,355	£8,090	€10,400	€11,675
View a detailed sales invoice with our latest notes!	Here	Here	Here	Here	Here	Here