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Tax Newsletter - Book 2 Civil Code of Aruba
12 Jan 2021On November 17th, 2020, the National Decree regarding the introduction of Book 2 Civil Code of Aruba (in Dutch: “Boek 2 Burgerlijk Wetboek van Aruba”, hereafter “Book 2”) was published in the National Gazette 2020 no. 172. Book 2 came into effect on January 1st, 2021 through this National Decree.
In this newsletter, we will provide a brief summary of the contents of Book 2. In the upcoming weeks we will inform you more in depth about some specific aspects of Book 2.
Background
On June 13th, 2019, the State Ordinance regarding Book 2 was published in the National Gazette 2019 no. 38. Book 2 contains all the laws pertaining to various forms of legal entities in Aruba.
Content
Book 2 is composed as follows:
Title 1: General provisions (in Dutch: “algemene bepalingen”), regulated in article 1 through 39.
Title 2: Foundations (in Dutch: “de stichting”), regulated in article 50 through 58.
Title 3: Associations (in Dutch: “de vereniging”), regulated in article 70 through 89.
Title 4: Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Company (in Dutch: “de coöperatie en de onderlinge waarborgmaatschappij”), regulated in article 90 through 99.
Title 5: Corporation (in Dutch: “de naamloze vennootschap”), regulated in article 100 through 144.
Title 6: Limited Liability Company (in Dutch: “de vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid”), regulated in article 150 through 187.
Title 7: Buy-out and surrender (in Dutch: “uitkoop en uittreding”), regulated in article 250 through 256.
Title 8: The right of inquiry (in Dutch: “het recht van enquête”), regulated in article 270 through 287.
Title 9: Conversion, merger and demergers (in Dutch: “omzetting, fusie en splitsing”), regulated in article 300 through 363.
Revoked National Ordinances
Most of the laws and regulations pertaining to the legal entities in Book 2 are regulated in various other State Ordinances and Decrees which have been revoked in order for Book 2 to come into effect.
The following State Ordinances that have been revoked are:
− National Ordinance on Cooperative Associations (AB 1987 no. GT 8).
− National Ordinance on Foundations (AB 1999 no. GT 3).
− National Ordinance Limited Liability Company (AB 2008 no. 62).
− National Ordinance Transfer of Seat of Legal Entities (AB 1996 no. 64).
Notable changes
There are multiple notable aspects and changes to legal entities which will be elaborated on more in depth in upcoming newsletters. Below is a summary of these notable changes.
Phase out of Aruba Exempt Companies (“AVV”)
As of January 1st, 2021, the incorporation of AVV’s or the conversion into an AVV is no longer possible. An AVV must be converted into a limited liability company (“VBA”) or another legal form within three years after Book 2 came into effect (ultimately January 1st, 2024). Existing AVV’s must bring their articles of incorporation into conformity with the law if the articles of incorporation are amended for another purpose, for example a statutory change of the name of the entity. Meaning the AVV will have to be converted into a VBA or other permitted legal form.
Changes to the NV & VBA
Before the introduction of Book 2, multiple differences existed between the NV and the VBA. Now that Book 2 is in effect, there are little to no differences anymore between the NV and the VBA. We will elaborate more in depth on what these changes are in a subsequent newsletter.
New authority of the Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce has also received the authority to dissolve inactive legal entities when certain conditions are met.
Buy-out and Surrender
Book 2 includes regulations relating to the buy-out of shares from shareholders by other shareholders and the surrendering of shares of the shareholders to a company through the selling of shares.
Bankruptcy
Book 2 includes regulations relating to Bankruptcy.
Possibility of a Turbo Liquidation
“Turbo liquidation” (a simplified and expedited liquidation) is possible for legal entities if the liquidator determines that there are no assets or sources of income in that legal entity. The legal entity will cease to exist as of the moment when the abovementioned, stipulated in a statement, is filed by the liquidator with the trade register and has been published in the Official Gazette of Aruba. We will elaborate more in depth on the possibility of a turbo liquidation in a subsequent newsletter.
Financial statement regulations, optional audit and (supervisory) directors’ liability
The regulations with respect to the compilation of financial statements will be modernized and brought in line with international standards.
Contrary to earlier drafts of the legislation of Book 2, an audit of the financial statements will not become mandatory by law through the enactment of Book 2 but instead will remain optional. The shareholders can decide to mandate an audit through the bylaws of the company.
Directors and supervisory directors may become liable towards third parties for damages suffered as a consequence of misleading information in the financial statements.
We will elaborate more in depth on this topic in a subsequent newsletter.
