Bearing in mind that within the European Union there are no withholding taxes on IP royalty payments between one member state and another, we can suggest a number of countries where royalty income taxes are particularly advantageous.

CYPRUS
The intellectual property royalty tax system in Cyprus changed as a consequence of the recommendations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s Action 5 report, as well as the conclusions of the Ecofin Council, published on 8 December 2015. The legislation was amended to limit the companies that can benefit from exemptions for research and development (R&D), but the tax rate in Cyprus is still one of the most favourable in the EU for foreign companies wishing to license the use of IP to a Cyprus-resident company (intermediary), where that right is then sub-licensed to the end user. Overall, the effective tax on income from IP royalties should be less than 2.5%.

IRELAND
In 2015, Ireland introduced an effective corporation tax rate of 6.25% on income derived from IP, based on an allowance for the research and development costs sustained by the company. By linking the two components in this way, Irish law encourages companies to conduct R&D directly, inside the EU — leading to the creation of IP — whereas it discourages them from buying licences without making a direct commitment to R&D.

BELGIUM
Belgium has established a tax regime that works in favour of those with income deriving from acquired copyrights. This fiscal regime can have many different applications, and can be used to protect artworks as well as providing a useful tax concession for IT developers. Revenues deriving from royalties on IP rights are taxed at 15%. These revenues are not taken into account when social security contributions are calculated. Moreover, for imports these taxes are reduced by 50% due to the application of standard entry costs. The first 15,000 euros earned by a copyright holder in a year is therefore taxed at 7.5%, and the following 15,000 at 11.25%. This tax system applies to those with a total annual income of up to 56,450 euros.

THE NETHERLANDS
Since 2010, IP revenues in the Netherlands have been taxed at just 5%. There is no income threshold, except with respect to patents. Patent holders can in fact have access to this tax system if their share of the expected income is between 30% and 70%, taking into account the total combined revenue from patents and other sources. These rates also apply to foreign companies that own intangible assets or companies that have obtained a research and development accreditation from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, if they are the holders of software IP or trade secrets. The only other limitation of this favourable tax regime is that it does not apply to marketing- and brand-related assets.

LUXEMBOURG
Generally, corporation tax in Luxembourg is 29.22%, but on revenues from IP licensing it can be as low as 5.8%. This is due to a corporate income tax exemption of 80%. Interestingly, this exemption also applies to companies that have registered a patent to be used in connection with their own activities, which then calculate a fictional net income, as if they had received the income from licensing it.

ITALY
Italy is a bigger market compared to the other countries discussed, and it can be a very attractive place for a company to invest in research and development, because since 2015 companies have been able to deduct income deriving from intellectual property from their taxable income base. The fiscal deduction was set at 30% in 2015, 40% in 2016 and 50% starting from 2017. Companies will therefore enjoy a substantial tax discount as a result of the reduction in their taxable income.

A serviced office space is an office that is provided and equipped by a facility management company. The services offered may vary by provider but generally include specialized office space (conference rooms, workspaces, etc.), utilities, IT infrastructure and various office equipment.

In general, serviced offices aim to provide all necessary business facilities in one bundle and in a ready-to-use state, eliminating the need for preparation and set-up procedures. Depending on the provider, a serviced office can be rented at different payment and equipment conditions:

Facilities and equipment can be rented together for a fixed payment that covers most of the facilities and services, or each item can be rented separately, giving more flexible pricing policy
All of the equipment can be leased to a single company for the exclusive use of the company's employees, or it can be used in a common space shared by other companies renting serviced office space in the same business center
Benefits of Serviced Offices

The advantages of Serviced Office are numerous and can be roughly divided into the following categories:

Convenience;
Business Presence
economic substance

Convenience
One of the most direct advantages of a serviced office space is its convenience. For a fixed payment a company is able to acquire a ready-to-use working space and often the equipment, which requires no special maintenance. This is an effective time-management measure, as no time for setting the office up is wasted. Besides that, it may significantly reduce maintenance costs for the business, as most of the time the price of renting a serviced office is lower than the price of buying all the equipment and setting one from scratch. It is also beneficial for companies with smaller budgets, which otherwise would not be able to afford both the space and the equipment.

Flexible renting schemes allow saving even more finances, as equipment may be rented irregularly or together with other companies, which in the long run makes its price-per-use lower, reducing maintenance costs. This also makes it feasible not worrying about possible emergencies, when a certain facility is urgently needed, but would not be immediately available without renting a serviced office.

To summarize, in general the convenience of a serviced office space comes from the fact that its maintenance is performed by a dedicated facility management company, reducing the costs and removing the need to follow the maintenance process.

Business presence
Business presence is an important part of corporate branding, and a serviced office space can enhance its capabilities. Often such offices are located in prestigious business centers, which gives additional credibility to companies that are quartered there. Besides that, a serviced office is a simple and fast way to establish business presence in a new location. It allows for a more rapid market entry, which may become crucial if competition is intense. Although indirectly, this benefit may prove especially useful at the initial stage of business development.

The development of telecommunications and economic globalization have made it possible for interested investors to set up companies all over the world. With proper research, financial investment and legal backing, business ventures can be safely incorporated in almost any country in the world. Building an international business used to be a complicated entrepreneurial venture, but today it is commonplace with the help of experienced legal and business advisors.

The advantages of founding a company abroad are as numerous as they are obvious. Many countries offer specific locational advantages, ranging from natural resources and well-established infrastructure to beneficial laws and regulations that encourage growth in a particular industry. Likewise, it can be difficult to start a business or an acquisition in your own country due to adverse situations: political or regulatory environment, lack of resources and more. In this situation, it makes sense to consider an overseas option that offers greater opportunities for growth, development, and success.

Company registration in Papua New Guinea
When starting a business in Papua New Guinea, an interested investor must conduct due diligence on legal procedures, international regulations and sufficient investment for success. It is crucial to understand cultural, social and political factors that influence starting and growing one's business. Failure to do so may result in unintended consequences. Poorly researched and toneless international launches often end in disaster as time, money and energy is wasted due to poor planning.

Legal Documents
Every country in the world presents its own intricate challenges when it comes to starting, developing and maintaining a business. Owners, financiers and investors must make these commitments with the support of a knowledgeable and experienced legal team. Only someone with in-depth knowledge of local and international corporate law will be able to set up an overseas business while avoiding the pitfalls that plague many new businesses.

Additionally, smart business people can consider ways to invest in foreign companies without actually starting their own businesses. In these situations, it is still beneficial for the investor to partner with a knowledgeable global economics and litigation advisor. International investments create a truly diverse portfolio that offers growth opportunities that were unthinkable decades ago.

Potential investors, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs should consider the existing infrastructure in Papua New Guinea when considering starting a new business. While extensive infrastructure and systems can help make the process of starting a business a smooth one, it could also represent market saturation and reduced growth potential. On the other hand, a lack of infrastructure is often a major obstacle to growth; However, the lack of infrastructure points to a clear market opening for a creative and efficient new business.

Opening a bank account in Papua New Guinea
In connection with the formation of a company, it is necessary to open one or more bank accounts in Papua New Guinea. Confidus Solutions offers the ability to open a bank account in over twenty jurisdictions, making it easy for you to avoid challenging language barriers or bureaucratic hassles.

Virtual Office in Papua New Guinea
Since a registered address is a necessity for international business, Confidus Solutions enables foreign investors to set up a virtual office in Papua New Guinea. This address allows international entrepreneurs to accept mail, arrange for shipping and set up a registered bank account in their country of business.

Tax regulations
If you are in the process of researching a business formation in Papua New Guinea, consult a lawyer or consultant with extensive experience in the area you are considering. This advisor can help you with everything from laws and tax structures to local helpers. You need to consider every aspect from the local office to your highest organizational structure; Make sure you recruit the best possible mentors as you embark on this exciting but challenging process.