MONTPELIER—Governor Phil Scott signed new legislation into law strengthening Vermont’s financial services industry in a variety of areas. The new law offers an onshore affiliated reinsurance alternative to insurance companies affected by the recent imposition of the Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT) on reinsurance ceded to offshore affiliates. Vermont’s new law provides a solution by creating a more favorable reinsurance alternative for U.S. companies conducting business in offshore jurisdictions that are now faced with a substantial new tax burden.

“I’m proud that we were able to work quickly and collaboratively to pass a bill that creates a viable alternative for companies conducting these types of transactions while also maintaining our high regulatory standards and providing a fiscal benefit to the state. This bill represents our state’s ability to adapt quickly to regulatory changes in support of this industry,” stated Governor Phil Scott. “Vermont’s financial services industry is highly sophisticated, and our team of captive insurance professionals is well-equipped to regulate these types of complex transactions.”

“The industry approached us with a need for an onshore alternative,” said David Provost, Deputy Commissioner of Captive Insurance. “It’s something we’ve been considering for some time, but the imposition of BEAT taxes on foreign reinsurance made the timing critical. These companies are akin to a hybrid between captives and traditional insurance. Like captives, they will be limited to reinsurance of affiliates, but they will be regulated in accordance with NAIC accreditation standards like a commercial reinsurer would be.”

“In the wake of recent federal tax changes, we quickly identified an opportunity for Vermont as it pertains to offshore reinsurance transactions. Because of Vermont’s scale and the close working relationship we have with our state legislature, we were able to capitalize on being the first state to provide this type of reinsurance alternative,” said Ian Davis, Director of Financial Services.

View the full captive insurance bill here. For more information on Vermont’s captive industry, visit www.vermontcaptive.com, call Ian Davis at 802-828-5232 or email ian.davis@vermont.gov.

The Department of Economic Development operates within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, whose mission is to help Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities.