If your business offers customers the facility of paying by credit card, (especially over the internet), then you need to have a merchant account. This can be a costly affair as the fees and deposit to be paid to set up and maintain the account are high. You can overcome this problem however, by opening an account offshore. Not only will you save money, you will continue to get the same level of service.

Merchant accounts are accounts that are set up to process credit card transactions. These accounts are places where money you make from taking credit cards is deposited. You can transfer this money to your regular business account, or you can leave it in the account and use the account to purchase business supplies. While it would be nice to think that you could do business without accepting credit cards, the fact is that most people prefer to pay with credit or debit card. Accepting these methods of payment ensure that you will have a broader customer base.

When you think of an offshore account, you probably conjure up images of something dark and unlawful. The fact is that off shore merchant accounts in the Caribbean, Latin American and Europe are legal. They offer the same services as their counterparts onshore, but at a cheaper cost.

All merchant accounts, whether onshore or offshore, require some deposit to be paid before you can open an account. One of the attractions for going offshore is the lower deposit amount you have to pay as compared to onshore institutions. This frees up valuable capital for you to spend elsewhere.

Security amounts for charge backs provide another difference between on shore and off shore. Each account keeps a certain amount of money held back from your use just in case someone returns an item and there is a charge back. Off shore accounts generally hold back a smaller amount than in country accounts.

It is common practice to pay transaction-handling fees as a percentage of the transaction amount. But offshore merchant accounts charge more than on-shore ones. But offshore accounts still work out more cost-effective, due the savings you make in other areas.

The biggest reason that many business owners, including small business owners, choose off shore accounts involves the tax benefits. It is possible to claim a portion of the income as foreign income. You still have to pay taxes on it, but the taxes are lower than domestic income. Before using an off shore account for tax benefit, however, be sure to consult your accountant or a tax attorney. You do not want to do something illegal by mistake.

In today's world, technology is the driving force behind the way we do business. It lets you access your bank account, anytime, from anywhere. You can receive online payment for goods and services via credit card, 24x7, without ever having to leave your office. With an off shore merchant account added to your business arsenal, you are sure to reap even higher profits.