Glossary
Clear definitions for company formation, tax, and compliance — each term links to relevant country guides and tools.
10 terms
Entity types
Registered Agent
A designated individual or entity authorized to receive legal and official tax documents on behalf of a business.
Entity typesEIN (Employer Identification Number)
A unique nine-digit tax identification number issued by the IRS to identify a business entity in the United States.
Entity typesVirtual Office
A service that provides a business with a physical address and office-related services without the overhead of a long-term lease and administrative staff.
Tax & fees
Franchise Tax
A tax charged by some US states for the privilege of doing business or incorporating there.
Tax & feesVAT Registration Threshold
The specific level of taxable turnover at which a business must legally register for Value Added Tax (VAT).
Tax & feesDouble Taxation Treaty (DTT)
An agreement between two countries to prevent the same income from being taxed twice.
Tax & feesCorporate Income Tax
A direct tax imposed by a jurisdiction on the income or capital of corporations or analogous legal entities.
Compliance
Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report
A mandatory filing in the US under the Corporate Transparency Act detailing the individuals who ultimately own or control a company.
ComplianceNominee Director
A third-party director appointed to a company's board to meet local residency requirements or protect the privacy of the actual owners.
ComplianceApostille
An international certification that authenticates a public document for use in another country under the Hague Convention.