Joint Stock Company 

Number of partners: Minimum 3 partners / shareholders.
Capital (max/min): Minimum capital of LBP 30,000,000 with 25% to be paid at time of registration.
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the extent of the share capital
Board of directors  : Minimum 3 members up to maximum 12

A joint stock company must appoint an auditor and a lawyer .

Joint Stock companies are subject to:

• 17% tax on corporate profit
• 15% tax on profits received from the sale of fixed assets including financial assets (shares)
• A withholding tax at a rate of 10% on all proceeds derived from movable capital assets (fixed assets) generated in Lebanon. This Tax essentially concerns:
  • Distributed dividends, interest and income on shares
  • Directors’ representations as well as amount payable to them from profits
  • Distribution of reserve or profits in the form of additional shares or under any form

HOLDING COMAPNY

The holding company,is a special type of joint stock company, subject to Decree Law No. 45/83 and to law no 772 dated of 11-11-2006.

Number of partners: Minimum 3 partners.
Capital (max/min): Minimum capital of LBP 30,000,000.
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the extent of the share capital
The chairman can be a non-Lebanese , provided he is resident abroad and he can practice without a work permit.

GA & BOD can be held outside Lebanon Members of the board and shareholders can be non-Lebanese as well.

Holding companies are subject to:

• A Gradual tax on capital and reserves ranging from LBP 1.8 Million up to LBP 5 million maximum.
• 10% on the interest on loans issued to companies operating in Lebanon, if the loan maturity is less than three years
• 10% tax on capital gains received from the sale of shares or its participation in Lebanese companies it has owned for less than 2 years
• in Lebanese companies it has owned for less than two years
• 10% on amounts collected from renting patents and on the reserved rights it possesses on a Lebanese company
• 5% on amounts collected from Management fees

Holding companies are exempt from paying:

• Income tax on profits
• Income tax on profit distribution

Offshore Company

The offshore company is a special type of joint stock company, subject to Decree Law no.46 of June, 24 1983

 Number of partners: Minimum 3 partners.
Capital (max/min): Minimum capital of LBP 30,000,000.
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the extent of the share capital 

Offshore companies are subject to:

• LBP 1 million (USD 663) fixed annual tax
• 15% tax on profit received from the sale of the fixed assets in Lebanon
• Payroll tax on the salaries of company employees working in Lebanon

Offshore companies are exempt from paying:

• Income tax on profits
• Income tax on profit distribution
• Stamp duties on overseas business contracts signed in Lebanon
• Payroll tax on 30% of foreign employees’ basic salary

OTHERS

General Partnership (SNC)

Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: Unlimited liability

Partnership limited by actions (SCA)

Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: Unlimited liability for General Partners. Liability limited to their investments for Limited Partners.

Partnership limited by shares (SCS)

Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital.
Shareholders and liability: Unlimited liability for General Partners. Liability limited to their investments for Limited Partners.