Confidence has returned to real estate markets in Europe, and London is still a firm favourite with investors, offering vast tax-efficient opportunities for Qatari investors, according to Aqua Group, the first offshore trust company to receive licence from the Qatar Financial Center (QFC).
In view of the need for better knowledge in investing in the UK realty, the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA), in cooperation with Al-Faisal International for Investment, Al Sawari Group, and Aqua recently organised a private seminar on tax-efficient real estate investment opportunities in the UK.
“The session is aimed at Qatari audiences to ensure they are familiar with the latest tax implications associated with UK real estate investment and receive the best advice they need for secure succession. We believe such seminars are of interest to local families and family-led businesses who are investing abroad so they receive the tax planning advice they may need,” Joanne Luce, managing director of Aqua Group, said.
Aqua Group was created in Jersey to provide family-led businesses with a unique and very personal service offering families tax-efficient offshore solutions before it became the first offshore trust company to achieve license status in Qatar.
Aqua GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) was set up to help existing clients in the region and drive in value to the families Aqua serves either through improving their return on investment or by adding value to help family businesses grow and develop.
Aqua’s offices in Malta and Jersey give it access to offshore and onshore structuring.
The seminar ‘Achieving Value in the UK Real Estate Market’ was led by Jersey and Qatar-based offshore practitioners and tax planners, UK legal experts and estate agents.
Luce and Peter Burnside, senior tax counsel at BDO UK led the first panel discussion revealing how tax planning can add value by interpreting the latest tax changes from a practical perspective.
Aqua’s presentation ‘Tax Efficient Investment into UK Real Estate’ compared the tax liabilities of basic investment structures in the UK with more favourable investments via Jersey companies.
The optimum solution presented was a tax-exempt real estate structure through Jersey private wealth trusts and UK unit trusts. The tax-exempt structure was said to be relevant for both commercial and residential rental property as secure succession options.
The presentation concluded by presenting the ideal private residential property solution for families using private trusts in Jersey limited partnerships.