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Section 137 Non-EEA Resident Director Bond

Learn all about Section 137 Non-EEA Resident Director Bonds in Ireland. The Bond acts like an insurance policy for unpaid taxes or fines

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Section 137 bond

In the event where a company does not have an EEA resident director, they can use a Non-resident Director bond. This is often referred to as a Surety Bond or Insurance bond. You are not required to have an EEA resident director if you have a Non-resident Director bond. The bond must be in place for a two-year period. It must be to the value of €25,000. The requirement concerns residency rather than nationality or citizenship, for example, a company director holding an Irish passport but residing outside of the EEA would not satisfy the requirement.

This bond provides that in the event of a failure by the Irish company to pay:

  1. a fine levied on the company in respect of an offence committed by it under the Companies Act 2014
  2. a penalty imposed on the company in respect of an offence committed by it under section 1078 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 and which consists of a failure by the company to deliver a statement under section 882 of that Act or to comply with a notice served on it under section 884 of that Act,
  3. a penalty which it has been held liable to pay under section 1071 or 1073 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997,

A sum of money becomes payable under the bond to cover the whole or part of the company’s liability in respect to this fine or penalty.

Does this apply to a UK resident Director?

In the Companies Act 2014 under section 137, it states that there is a requirement for at least one Director of an Irish company to be resident in a Member State of the EEA. If this condition is not fulfilled, then a bond must be required. 

While the UK has been treated as a member of the EEA during the period of transition, this will cease on 1 January 2021. This will affect UK companies and individuals that have a registered company in Ireland using a UK resident director. As of 1 January 2021, they will be without an EEA resident director.

 

Criminal Offence

If you do not have a Section 137 Bond in place it is a criminal offence not to have at least one EEA-resident director of an Irish-registered company.

The company and every officer of the company who is in default may be prosecuted in this regard.

The Registrar of Companies is empowered to bring proceedings before the Dublin Metropolitan District Court for breach of the requirement to have an EEA-resident director

New Companies - When should you apply for the Section 137 Bond

For new companies, the bond must be effective from the date of incorporation. The CRO will require the Bond number before they complete the incorporation. 

The effective date of the bond may not exceed four working days prior to the date of the
company’s incorporation, exclusive of the incorporation date.

The words “Bond Enclosed” must be written on the accompanying envelope and the relevant box on the cover page of Form A1 must be ticked.

Existing Companies - Directors resign or Brexit

When a bond is being filed for an existing company:

  • The prescribed execution requirements must be adhered to.
  • The original bond must be submitted with form B10. 
  • The bond should be valid effect from the date of resignation of the EEA-resident director (or when the Director no longer becomes an EEA Resident).

What is 'real and continuous link'?

 

In some situations, the Irish company may be able to show it has a real and continuous link with activities being carried out in the state. The company may not require an EEA resident Director or a Section 137 Bond

To get this certificate, the company will need to show Revenue (Irish tax authority) that:

  1. the affairs of the company are managed by one or more persons from a place of business
    established in the State and that person or those persons is or are authorised by the company to act on its behalf;
  2. the company carries on a trade in the State;
  3. the company is a subsidiary or a holding company of a company or another body corporate
    that satisfies either or both of the conditions specified in paragraphs (a) and (b);
  4. the company is a subsidiary of a company, another subsidiary of which satisfies either or both of the conditions specified in paragraphs (a) and (b).

An example could be a company that is a shop, restaurant or even a creche. Even if these companies have only Non-EEA resident Directors, a strong case can be made that these businesses have a real and continuous link in Ireland. 

Appoint an Irish Nominee Director

A nominee Director has the very same responsibilities as any other Director in the company. They are still legally required to act in the best interest of the company.

This service can be attractive to companies who need to fulfil the criteria of having an EEA-resident Director in order to incorporate or maintain a company in Ireland. 

A nominee Director is more expensive then a Section 137 Bond. In most cases, the Section 137 Bond is a better option for the company shareholders. 

How long does it take for the bond?

A S.137 bond generally takes up to 10 working days to process from the date we receive the signed proposal form by a company director and secretary.

It is important to note that the S.137 Bond proposal form states that the company understands and accepts its obligations to both the Revenue Commissioners and the Registrar of Companies. It also contains a statement that the company will indemnify the Bond provider in the event of any claim.

How Nathan Trust can help

As a specialist Corporate services provider in Ireland, Nathan Trust can help you with any of the below services:

  • Apply for a Section 137 Bond
  • Apply for a certificate of Real and Continuous link
  • Source an Irish resident Nominee Director

Please Note: In certain circumstances, International Companies setting up in Ireland may want to employ the services of an Irish Resident Director in a non-executive capacity. To discuss this requirement in more detail, get in touch with our team.

Do you get back the bond fees if the company closes and we do not have any outstanding fees with the government of Ireland?

The €25000 you pay for the S.137 Bond is valid for 2 years.

It is basically the insured money of €25000 to the government. But it does not cover all the late filing penalties. For example, if you are late in filing your annual returns to the CRO, you will lose your audit exemption on your accounts and you may end up paying additional fines of up to €1200. These amounts are not covered in bond insurance. SO, it is advisable to file your annual returns on time. Contact us to take care of your Annual Returns and tax services.

Typically, in the 2 years, the company has the chance to find an EU resident director. The bond fees are not refundable.

How do you pay a non-resident director?

Non-resident directors can either take salary or dividends from an Irish limited company. Basically, there are two options for Directors to pay themselves and the one you choose can depend on your personal situation. There are different tax rules for each type and speaking to our accountants who can understand your company can help you decide how you should pay non-resident Directors.

Customer Testimonial

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LEE JONES, FLUOROCHEM
"Working with Nathan Trust for our Irish company setup has been a positive experience. They helped us with everything, company setup, VAT registration and help with opening a Bank of Ireland bank account. Very responsive and great to deal with and they will continue to help us with accounting and bookkeeping in Ireland. Nathan Trust and Ireland are great options for any UK company looking to continue trading in the EU."


Get in Contact with us!

We can help you register for a Section 137 bond in Ireland.

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