OTHER TAX HAVENS IN THE UNITED STATES You should be aware that although the federal tax is the same everywhere, state income taxes vary considerably. Some states, such as Nevada and Wyoming, have no income tax at all, and for certain types of businesses, you may be able to base in one of those tax havens. State tax laws change frequently, and it is important to obtain current advice from a tax professional. Manufacturing businesses, and some service businesses, in Puerto Rico receive income tax exemptions for up to ten years, but are within the customs territory of the United States, so there is no duty on selling your goods on the mainland. Traveling between Puerto Rico and the mainland is just like traveling between states. Almost all of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies now have their factories for the American market in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is the only place in the United States that is exempt from federal income taxes -- it is not part of the U.S. for income tax purposes. Information on the use of Puerto Rico, and other tax havens around the world, is contained in The Tax Haven Report, available from Scope International Ltd., 62 Murray Road, Waterlooville, Hants., PO8 9JL, Great Britain. The price is $125, including airmail postage, ($100 by surface mail) or request their free catalog for more information. They accept Visa & MasterCard. Puerto Rico income tax law also exempts dividends and capital gains from the shares of companies that have been granted a tax holiday. A U.S. citizen who resides for the entire calendar year in Puerto Rico does not pay federal income tax, but normally pays Puerto Rican income tax on his worldwide income. But since the dividends and capital gains from these tax holiday companies are exempt because of the Puerto Rican tax incentive laws to attract business, you can accumulate your profits, and then spend a year in Puerto Rico. During that year you pay out a huge dividend or sell the company. The money will not be subject to either Puerto Rican or federal income taxes. But be sure you have established your legal residence in Puerto Rico -- well documented with a lease or house purchase -- by December 31st of the preceding year and maintain it until at least January 2nd of the following year.