Domestic and Offshore Hedge Fund Structures

One of the initial considerations when structuring a hedge fund is whether to form the fund domestically, offshore, or both. A domestic entity is sufficient if a fund sponsor expects to have only U.S. investors. However, if a sponsor anticipates offshore investors or U.S. tax-exempt investors (IRAs, pension plans, endowments, etc.), an appropriate offshore fund will be needed to shield such investors from U.S. tax liability.

Domestic Fund Structures

A domestic-only hedge fund structure is typically comprised of the following entities:

(i) A limited partnership to act as the fund entity (although LLCs are becoming increasingly popular). The fund entity is formed in the state of Delaware.

(ii) An LLC to act as the investment manager and general partner (GP) of the fund (managing partner in the case of an LLC). The investment manager/GP entity is formed in the jurisdiction of the fund sponsor. In some cases, the general partner and the investment manager are formed as two separate entities, such as when multiple funds are contemplated.

Investors become limited partners of the fund, and all the fund's trading activity takes place within the fund entity. The management fees and performance compensation are paid to the investment manager/GP (see Hedge Fund Manager Compensation), owned by the fund sponsors.

Offshore Fund Structures

When properly structured, an offshore fund structure blocks offshore and tax-exempt U.S. investors from direct US tax liability. The most common offshore fund structures are the master-feeder and side-by-side structures. The Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are two of the most common offshore jurisdictions.

Master-Feeder Fund

A master-feeder structure consists of a domestic feeder fund and an offshore feeder fund (in a tax-free jurisdiction) that feed into a single offshore master fund, where all the fund's trading activity occurs.

Parallel Fund Structure

A side-by-side structure has a domestic fund and an offshore fund that parallel each other in trading and have the same investment manager but maintain separate investment portfolios.

INSTRUCTIVE RESOURCES

Capital Fund Law Group has authored numerous investment fund publications, including instructive eBooks, white papers, blog posts, and sample offering document excerpts with illustrative footnotes. These complimentary downloads are dedicated to helping fund managers understand the legal fundamentals of launching and operating an investment fund.

Forming and Operating a Hedge Fund | an eBook

Written by the managing partner of Capital Fund Law Group, Forming and Operating a Hedge Fund provides an in-depth guide to assist emerging hedge fund managers through the process of successfully structuring, launching, and raising capital for a domestic or offshore hedge fund. Throughout the eBook, it highlights pitfalls that fund sponsors should watch for and suggests best practices to safely and effectively navigate the process of forming and operating a hedge fund.

Read Now

ABOUT CAPITAL FUND LAW GROUP

Capital Fund Law Group is a boutique investment law firm focused on advising emerging and established investment funds on all aspects of formation and operation. We provide predictable flat-fee services for most of our engagements. Our legal team has extensive experience advising hedge funds, real estate funds and private equity funds throughout the United States and internationally in various structures and strategies. We also prepare debt and equity private placement offerings for companies in all major industry sectors.

Capital Fund Law Blog

Capital Fund Law Blog