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ESTONIAN JURISDICTION ADVANTAGES
1. Non-resident of Estonia and the EU can own 100% of the corporate rights of Estonian enterprise and to be a founderand a member of the Board of the Estonian company. So those could be citizens of CIS countries and other states.
2. While incorporating (company registration) there is no need to form charter capital. It can be just declared in the founding documents and shall be at least 2500 Euro. The moment of its formation by the owners of newly established enterprise emerges at the time defined by the company incorporation according to the foundation documents
3. Bank tariffs for company service in Estonia are rather different than tariffs in Latvian banks or other countries of EU. Payment for bank service of internet-banking and corporate bank credit card is only 2 Euro per month. To compare with, some banks in Latvia for the same service take from 100 Euro per month.
4. In the present time Estonia offers one of the most beneficial taxation systems. Estonian companies can be effectively applied in tax planning, in particular while supplying goods to / from the EU, as well as holdings. Let’s shortly have a look at the companies characteristics and Estonian taxation system.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEGAL FORMS OF COMPANIES

Joint-stock company (JSC) - a commercial association with a share capital divided into shares. This form is used for the establishment of large business companies with a large number of shareholders. General Meeting of Shareholders held once a year. The creation of the Board of Directors consisting of 3 persons. Shareholders may be members of the council. But board members can not simultaneously be members of the council. Contributions to share capital may be in cash and property. The order of evaluation of non-cash contributions provided by the charter.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) - This legal form of legal entity is intended for companies of leading small and medium businesses. The number of shareholders not more than 10 people.  The head of a partnership - a member of the Board. If the number of members of the Board for more than 3 persons, then the company form the Board members of the board. Member of the Board may hire Directors, concluding with the Director of the labor contract. Member of the Board itself may not be accrued and paid a salary, but has the same powers, as the director - the right to conclude contracts on behalf of the partnership to carry on business and open accounts in banks. On January 1, 2011 to the Commercial Code of Estonia had been amended with respect to the order of forming the share capital of the enterprise. During registration, the company is not required to form the authorized capital of the company. It may simply be declared at the constitutional documents and shall not be less than 2500 Euro. In the future, for 3 years from the founders of the company, there are obligations on the formation of capital.
Non-profit organization - this organizational-legal form is intended for non-profit activities. It is used in the creation and operation of public, charitable organizations, foundations, associations and unions. Non-profit organizations have the right to do business only to the extent necessary to fulfill its own statutory objectives.
Features of non-profit organizations. All money resources are accountable. The sums required for the maintenance of the union (salaries, rent, purchase inventory, equipment, and other target), are determined by the general meeting of the association. Number of founders must be at least 2 persons. The founders are both physical and legal persons. Non-profit organization does not have the right to pay devidends. Accountability similar to the LLC. At turnover of funds more than 16 000 must register with the tax department.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ESTONIAN COMPANIES

The statute (Põhikiri). The statute outlines the main directions of activity of the enterprise is determined by the procedure of forming the share capital, the order of the general meeting of founders ,conduct of voting, the decision-making by the general meeting, etc. The statute also contains information about the owners of the company and its board members, as well as data on the beginning and the end of financial year.
B-card (B-kaarti koopija) - an extract from the commercial register of companies registered in the territory of the Republic of Estonia and contains basic information about the company: name, date of establishment, the amount of capital and information about its formation, registration code, information about changes in the commercial Register of the Republic of Estonia, legal address, activities, information on board members.
The founders (shareholders) of the company: Any natural or legal persons, including non-residents of Estonia.
The authorized capital. Estonian company OÜ (partnership) should form a minimum authorized capital of not less than 2500 EUR; stock company (JSC) - 25 000 EUR. The capital Estonian company does not have to be paid before registration procedure. The capital can be paid by cash or by transfer to the current account of new company or by non-monetary contribution – assets.
The Managing Authority. The Managing Authority in the Estonian company is the Board. Member of the Board appointed by the owners (founders) and operates under the Commercial Code of the Republic of Estonia and the Charter of the company.
The Estonian company can exist without the director. Member of the Board shall have the right to open accounts in banks, and also has the right to enter into contracts and conduct business activities on behalf of and in the interests of the company. Director - a post, appointment to be approved by the decision of the board members. All legal relations with the Director of the Estonian Republic is regulated by "a contract of employment." The activities director is directly subordinate to and controlled by a member of the Board or the Board Members of the Board of the company.
Estonian commercial register is public and contains information about the date of incorporation, the company board members, the amount of authorized capital and its status.