A limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as LLC) is a commercial company with legal personality status. Typically, an LLC's equity consists of the total face value of its shares. One of the key features and benefits of an LLC is the fact that shareholders cannot be held personally responsible for the company's debts or liabilities - only the company's assets themselves are at risk. However, the issue of limited liability also depends on the national legislation of each jurisdiction. In general, an LLC is a corporate structure that combines the simplified taxation of a partnership with the principle of limited liability of a corporation. It can be the perfect solution for an international trading company, provided the jurisdiction is well chosen.

A key difference between a public company and an LLC is that the latter is always a closed corporation and its shares are not publicly traded. Another internationally used name for an LLC is a private liability company, or simply "Ltd". This term is widely used in the UK and some other common law countries.

Choosing the right legal form for your business can be crucial for tax planning, profit sharing and cost reduction purposes. There are some key differences between them, and each has its own pros and cons depending on the case. Therefore, effective business planning prior to incorporation is essential.

Functions of a limited liability company
There are no special circumstances in which you would be required to incorporate a limited liability company. An LLC is a type of legal entity that successfully blends the majority of the most desirable characteristics of other business types, which explains why most entrepreneurs choose an LLC when starting a business. Additionally, many offshore jurisdictions have simplified accounting and record-keeping requirements for LLCs.

Normally we would advise our clients to consider an LLC as a viable option if they wish to form a commercial corporation or small business within certain limits. LLCs are perfect for those looking for a way to run a business (locally or internationally) and distribute profits at minimal cost. However, you should always keep in mind that an LLC does not typically provide an effective mechanism to introduce a partner with limited voting power or numerous investors to your company. In these cases, we recommend that you consider a limited partnership or a public company, as they may offer more effective ways to achieve your goals. Forming an offshore company in a tax haven can be a great way to reduce maintenance costs.