If you are considering investing money overseas, you will very

likely have many questions to ask in order to assess whether it's

the right financial move for you. Here we've anticipated what

these might be,

We hope that the following information helps to answer some

of your golden investment questions, but if there's anything

else you want to know, don't hesitate to contact us at Guardian

Wealth Management.

Why are offshore or overseas investments beneficial?

Using overseas investment products in order to reduce your tax liability is completely legal. The savings that this wealth management strategy can represent can amount to many thousands of pounds during your life.

Is it against the law to manage my money in order to reduce my tax bill?

One of the main reasons that people choose to invest overseas is because of the tax advantages related to these types of investments. Your investment returns may be completely tax-free, or if they are liable for tax, it will be at a very low rate.

Another benefit of investing overseas is that you will have a much wider choice. There are many investment products that are difficult to access in the UK, so overseas investments give you much more flexibility.

Also, overseas investments can have the advantage of protecting you against fluctuations in currencies, which is great news for expats.

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You can opt to invest in jurisdictions that are well known for having low taxation brackets. Some examples of this include the Isle of Man and the Cayman Islands - your financial advisor can talk you through all of the options available. Don't worry if you don't live in any of these countries, as residency is not a prerequisite for investment.

By choosing wealth management products that don’t suffer from high taxation, you can improve your returns and enjoy greater financial security. Products such as portfolio bonds can be managed in such a way that they will attract almost no tax at all.

You can choose products that allow you to gather interest or capital without these funds being taxed. You need to be aware that sometimes, even on a low tax product, you may still face taxation when it comes to drawing down funds. Because of the potential complexities, it's important to seek advice from an independent financial advisor before making any decisions.

If I invest overseas, will my money be safe?

There is no definitive answer to this question unfortunately, but with the right advice and good planning, you can certainly reduce your risk significantly. By adhering to the following advisory points, you'll have a much better chance of ensuring that your money is completely safe:

• Don't invest in jurisdictions that are politically unstable

• If you don't want to risk big losses, invest in low risk options

• Always transfer the money you're investing directly to the product provider, rather than through an advisor

• Choose a jurisdiction for your investment that is well regulated by the relevant financial regulatory body - do your research

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There are several ways that you can benefit from tax mitigation, including:

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There are so many financial advisors around; how do I choose the right one?

As with any service, if you’ve received a recommendation from somebody you trust, then it’s worth following up their lead. If not, there are some other things that you can do in order to identify whether or not the financial advisor you're looking to work with is a good one.

When it comes to a good wealth management company, size really can matter - look at how many clients they've worked with, any testimonials that they can provide from customers past and present, and the number of transactions that they have carried out for their clients. A wealth management company that is very active can often obtain better rates.

Regulation and experience are other items that should be on your research agenda. If the advisor you're thinking of using has many years of experience, then they’re highly likely to be good at what they do and it also shows that they have continued to retain trust. Always make sure that your advisor is properly regulated – for example the FSA in the UK, the QFCRA in Qatar or the FSMA in Belgium, or any other relevant bodies in the jurisdiction from which they operate.

How much will professional financial advice cost me?

Finding a wealth management company that offers a comprehensive service and perhaps even has advisors in multiple jurisdictions can give you the double benefit of knowing that all of your needs can be met in one place, and that you can easily reach the support you require wherever in the world your life takes you.

Financial Advisors are remunerated in either one of the following ways:

Many financial advisors earn their money by recommending products to their clients, which in turn earns them commission from the financial institution should the client choose to go ahead.

Some financial advisors work on a fee based structure. This means they can either charge a one off consultation fee for their time or an ongoing fee for the management of a client’s portfolio. The ongoing fee is usually performance related so the Financial Advisor is paid according to how well they have managed your portfolio.

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Once I invest overseas, can I forget about it and just leave it to make money?

While overseas investments can offer a great opportunity to receive an additional stream of revenue, it's always a good idea to re-evaluate your products and position on a regular basis. Circumstances are ever-changing, so make sure that you undertake a review with your financial advisor every six months or once a year.

There's no comprehensive answer to this one; finding the right jurisdiction depends on your personal objectives. Some locations offer better tax benefits, while others will give you greater flexibility and other higher rate of investor protection. Our financial advisors at Guardian Wealth Management can show you the different options available and explain the specific benefits related to each jurisdiction.

Where are the best overseas investment jurisdictions?

Guardian Wealth Management are an independent advisory company; what does this mean?

Any reputable advisor will be regulated by the appropriate authority, but this doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get the best service. An independent advisor isn't affiliated to one particular provider, so they have access to a wide range of providers in order to give you more choice and better options. By choosing an independent advisor, you have the peace of mind that any products are recommended to you purely on the basis of the benefits to you, rather than financial incentives for the advisor themselves.

Should I choose an advisor who is based locally to me?

Building a relationship based on trust is important when seeking financial advice and consistency is also useful. Being able to speak to the same advisor every time will help to provide the consistency that you need. However, if you're a contract worker and you tend to move from country

to country, it’s good to know that you can receive the same

service regardless of your location. If you can find

a wealth management company that has a branch close to you, but also has advisors in other parts of the world, this could be the best option.

This entirely depends on your country of origin. Some countries, such as the United States, have bigger restrictions on repatriation and investments than others. The tax levels of your own country will also have an effect.

10. How will my investments be

affected if I want to move back to my country of

origin?

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When considering investing offshore, you need to talk to your advisor to find out how any potential future moves will affect your returns.

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