How to Move a Business to Ireland

Ireland is one of the world's best places to own a business. By moving your business from the United States to Ireland you can decrease your taxes by approximately 66 percent. Getting your business established in Ireland involves some legal paperwork that you can file yourself or with the help of a lawyer. Follow these steps and you will be on your way to moving your business to Ireland in no time.

Instructions

1. Notify the Revenue Commissioners office via your local tax office that you are moving your business to Ireland and give them the information they require in order to properly register your business for tax purposes.

2. Complete the applicable tax form. You'll need a different form depending on whether your business is considered a sole trader, a partnership or a limited liability company. After you have filed the form, a Revenue official will visit you to review your situation and make sure you have met all requirements.

3. File your registration forms online with the Companies Registration Office using the Companies Online Registration Environment website. You can also register your business name at the Registrar of Business Names, but this is not necessary.

4. Ensure that the business you move meets all applicable standards for quality. In Ireland, these standards include the Q-Mark, Hygiene Mark Certification, The Triple Hygiene Mark, ISO 9000 and the ISO 14000. Ask a lawyer in Ireland how to meet these standards and obtain certification.

5. Obtain the necessary licenses and permits applicable to your business. Review all regulatory compliance issues before you set up shop. If you have employees, you are required to meet all health and safety requirements.

6. Write to the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform to obtain written permission to conduct a business in Ireland if you are a Non-EEA national. This will allow you to conduct business for an established period. If approved, you will receive a letter authorizing you to conduct business in Ireland for at least one year. If you are an alien resident, you must provide a copy of this letter to the Business Permission Unit of the Immigration Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

7. Ask a lawyer about moving your business to Ireland so that she can file all the necessary paperwork on your behalf.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact state support services which can provide you with financial assistance, information on subsidies, workspace, grants, and employee recruitment and training incentives.

• Check the impact of your move with U.S. tax experts. You may move to Ireland but then learn that you owe full U.S. taxes on your business's income if you don't follow certain conditions.

Resources

• Visit the BASIS website for help
• Information on starting or expanding a business in Ireland
• For information on starting a small business
• To download tax and registration forms
• Registrar of Business Names