“The World’s Largest Teton Mountain View Resort”

Benefits of having Global Events and Summits at Caesarea, and living in Wyoming U.S.A

CAESAREA YELLOWSTONE SUMMIT is situated in one of the most stunning locations on Earth, and Wyoming is a very tax-friendly state. Just ask any of your billionaire friends who have moved here—it’s a true hidden gem. Imagine living in your dream home, where you enjoy free food, electricity, and water, while making monthly club membership dues and tax-deductible payments, based on your selection of the dream home of your choice, all in the most breathtaking setting in the world!

Caesarea is a non-profit 508(c)(1)(a) organization, often called a 508 trust, is a specialized, tax-exempt entity under the IRS code specifically for churches, integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches.

It provides automatic tax-exempt status without requiring the formal, public filing of Form 1023, offering greater privacy and freedom from certain IRS reporting, such as Form 990.

Your monthly Club Membership dues to CAESAREA is tax deductable, due to the fact that you are paying a non-profit.

More about Wyoming Tax Laws

Yes, Wyoming has property tax, but it is among the lowest in the United States. Property in Wyoming is taxed at 9.5% of its fair market value, with an effective rate of approximately 0.55% on owner-occupied housing. Recent legislation (SF 69) provides a 25% property tax exemption on the first $1 million of a home’s value.

However, since you are “paying a monthly Club Membership”, the property taxes will not affect you!

Yes, Wyoming has a 4% sales tax, with additional local taxes typically bringing the total rate to between 4% and 6% (sometimes up to 7% in specific areas). The tax applies to the retail sale, lease, or rental of most goods, though non-prepared food (groceries) and prescription drugs are generally exempt.

Caesarea will be a licensed and registered city; it will be a 7% sales-tax city to support the local and national economy!

Wyoming does not have a state personal income tax. It is one of a handful of U.S. states that does not impose income taxes on individuals, including wages or retirement income.

Additionally, Wyoming does not have a corporate income tax, inheritance tax, or estate tax.

The State of Wyoming relies on other revenue sources, such as mineral, oil, and gas taxes, as well as sales and property taxes.

The Caesarea Yellowstone Summit is a U.S.A. nonprofit and the subordinate trust of the
THERON INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION (TIF).
Caesarea by Cornelius is the only private organization to manage a U.S.A mission-directed agenda at CAESAREA YELLOWSTONE SUMMIT locality, with the ultimate goal of attracting global commerce and enterprises from around the world to America. It receives a share of the Caesarea residents’ club membership and tax revenue, alongside its financial backers or investors.

CAESAREA YELLOWSTONE SUMMIT

Address: 1 King Salomons Way, Caesarea, Wyoming, 82327, U.S.A

Founded: 1965

Parent organization: THERON INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

HQ Phone: +1-307-222-8184

Operations Ph: +1-561-853-6892
Email: [email protected]

Establishing Corporate and Cityhood in Wyoming

Licensing a business in a Wyoming town requires registering with the Secretary of State and obtaining local, city-specific permits, as there is no single statewide business license. Businesses must apply through city offices (e.g., Cheyenne or Casper) and may need to file at Wyoming’s Internet Filing System for Business (WYIFS).

Steps to License a Business in a Wyoming Municipality:

Determine Local Requirements: Most cities, such as Cheyenne or Casper, require local business licenses for operating within their limits, with costs often ranging from $50 to $250+ annually.
Register the Business Structure: Register your business entity (e.g., LLC) with the Wyoming Secretary of State.
Obtain an EIN: Secure an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, which is necessary for tax purposes.
Apply for Licenses: Visit the specific town’s clerk’s office or website to apply for, renew, or check regulations for specific business types (e.g., snowplows).
Maintain Records: Licenses are generally renewed annually, with penalties for late renewals.

If you are incorporating, you can do so even as a non-resident, provided you designate a registered agent in Wyoming.

Wyoming does not require a general state-level business license, making it highly business-friendly. Instead, licensing is determined by the specific industry, profession, and municipality (city/county) where operations occur. Key requirements include registering the business entity with the Secretary of State ($100 fee), obtaining local permits, and filing an annual report.

Key Steps and Requirements

No General License: No overarching state license exists, but local city (e.g., Cheyenne, Casper) permits are often needed for physical locations.
Entity Registration: Register LLCs or Corporations with the Secretary of State ($100 fee).
Local Licensing: Specific industries, such as food service or contracting, require local health or professional permits.
Sales Tax: If selling goods or services, you must register for a sales tax license with the Wyoming Department of Revenue.
Annual Report: All entities must file an annual report ($60+ fee).

Common Licenses

Professional Licenses: Required for specific occupations (e.g., accountants, doctors).
Local Business Licenses: Required in cities like Casper and Cheyenne, often costing between $50–$250+ annually.
Sales/Use Tax Permit: Necessary if selling products.

For most businesses, compliance is handled at the local level rather than the State level.

Licensing or forming a trust in Wyoming involves creating a legal entity, often a Private Family Trust Company (PFTC), which is largely unregulated by the state Division of Banking and requires no minimum capital contribution. The process includes appointing a Wyoming-based trustee or trust company, ensuring actual administration occurs within the state, and filing necessary organizational documents with the Secretary of State.

Key Aspects of Trust Formation in Wyoming:

Private Family Trust Company (PFTC): Wyoming allows for unregulated PFTCs, which are ideal for managing family assets without public regulatory oversight.
Requirements: A PFTC must serve a single family, not offer services to the general public, and provide a waiver to the Wyoming Division of Banking.
Situs Requirements: To benefit from Wyoming’s favorable laws (no income tax, up to 1,000-year dynasty trusts), the trust must be administered in Wyoming, meaning decisions, records, and meetings occur there.
Trustee Requirement: A Wyoming resident or a licensed professional trust company must act as trustee.
Costs: Forming a statutory trust involves a $100 filing fee and roughly $50-$60 for annual registered agent services.
Asset Protection: Wyoming is a top jurisdiction for Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (DAPTs), allowing self-settled spendthrift trusts to protect assets from creditors.

Steps to Establish:

Define Structure: Determine if a revocable or irrevocable trust, or a Private Family Trust Company, is appropriate.
Appoint Trustees: Choose a qualified Wyoming resident or entity.
Draft and Sign: Create the trust documents, signed in front of a notary.
Register: File necessary formation documents with the Secretary of State.
Fund the Trust: Transfer assets into the name of the trust.

For professional trust companies (not private family ones), new regulations require a $1,000,000 surety bond and compliance with specific record retention rules.

Licensing a city in Wyoming requires registering with the Secretary of State and obtaining local permits based on specific business activities, such as contracting, snowplowing, or retail. Cities like Cheyenne, Casper, and Laramie have distinct local, annual fees, while a state sales tax permit is needed for selling goods.

Key components of licensing in Wyoming cities:

Local Business Licenses: Most cities require a license for operating within city limits. For example, in the City of Wyoming, MI, this includes specific licenses for services like snowplowing, with penalties for operating without one.
Contractor Licensing: Specialized licenses are required for contractors, often issued by city-specific boards, such as in Cheyenne or Jackson.
Sales Tax Permits: A seller’s permit (sales and use tax license) is required for businesses selling, leasing, or renting tangible property, handled through the state.
State Registration: Before local licensing, businesses must register with the Wyoming Secretary of State, which can be done online.
Industry Specific Licenses: Specialized licenses are required for businesses involving, for example, transportation, junkyards, or vehicle sales.

It is recommended to contact the City Clerk’s office in the specific Wyoming city where you plan to operate for exact fee structures and requirements.

Clearing the Air on Wyoming Trusts, and other Asset Protection tools: What Clients in NY, NJ, and FL Need to Know

Mattiace Tetro LLC
May 27, 2025

Lately, we have had a surge of questions from clients who are hearing about “asset protection trusts” on social media or through well-meaning friends. The buzzwords are everywhere: “Wyoming Trust,” “Nevada DAPT,” “irrevocable trust for yourself.” And while the interest in asset protection is entirely valid, especially in today’s litigious and uncertain world, there is a lot of confusion about what is possible, what is advisable, and what is truly effective and beneficial to clients.

Let’s clear the air and walk through what asset protection looks like in the real world, particularly if you live in New York, New Jersey, or Florida.

What Is a Domestic Asset Protection Trust (DAPT)?

A Domestic Asset Protection Trust (DAPT) is a type of irrevocable trust that allows you to be the beneficiary of the trust you create, while still (theoretically) protecting the assets in that trust from creditors.

Several states, including Wyoming, Nevada, South Dakota, and Delaware, have laws that explicitly allow these types of trusts. In these jurisdictions, if the trust is properly set up and administered, a creditor generally cannot reach assets in the trust, even though you may still benefit from them.

Sounds great, right? Here’s the catch: not every state recognizes these protections, and implementing them also comes with complexity and cost.

NY, NJ, and FL: No Protection for Self-Settled Trusts

In New York, New Jersey, and Florida, the law is pretty clear: you cannot shield your own assets from your creditors by placing them in a trust for your own benefit. These states follow the traditional rule that what are known as self-settled spendthrift trusts are void since they are against public policy.

So this means that even if you set up a trust in, for example, Wyoming under Wyoming law, with a Wyoming trustee and follow all Wyoming’s rules, if you live in New York, New Jersey, or Florida (or any other of the majority of states that take the same position), your local courts may disregard that trust when a creditor comes for you. They can essentially say: “Sure, we understand Wyoming law, but here in New Jersey, we apply our own law , and under our law, you cannot protect assets from your own creditors this way.”

This risk is particularly high if the assets are physically located in your home state, say, a house in New Jersey or rental property in Brooklyn. This is because real property is governed by the law of the state in which it sits, and a New Jersey or New York court won’t need to defer to Wyoming law to decide whether that NYC brownstone is subject to your creditors’ claims.

Specific Considerations for New Yorkers: Beneficial Ownership Transparency

For clients in New York especially, it’s important to understand that beneficial ownership laws are tightening. In 2023, the New York LLC Transparency Act (NYLTA) was signed into law and, after some amendments, will take effect on January 1, 2026. Under the NYLTA, all LLCs formed or authorized to do business in New York will be required to disclose the identities of their beneficial owners to the New York Department of State.

This applies to both domestic and foreign LLCs and will affect many real estate ownership structures used by trusts and estate plans. While this information won’t be made public, it will be accessible to government and law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which took effect in 2024, already requires most small entities to report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN.

The enforceability and scope of these laws, particularly the CTA, are still evolving, especially in relation to trusts and layered ownership entities. We are closely tracking these developments and are happy to advise New Yorkers on how to comply with these rules while preserving your estate and asset planning goals.

In short, even if you place NYC property into a trust or LLC, your identity as the ultimate owner will likely need to be disclosed. Asset protection strategies that rely on anonymity are rapidly losing ground, at least in the Empire State.

Out-of-State Trusts Are Not Magic Bullets

Can you create a Wyoming trust if you live in New York, New Jersey, or Florida? Yes. But doing so comes with complexity:

You need a Wyoming trustee: This means naming either a Wyoming resident individual or a professional trust company licensed in Wyoming to serve as trustee. This isn’t just a box to check. The trustee must play an active role in administering the trust, which adds ongoing coordination and, in many cases, cost.
You must administer the trust from Wyoming: It is not enough to say your trust is governed by Wyoming law. For Wyoming’s protections to apply, real administration, such as decision-making, recordkeeping, and meetings, must happen in Wyoming. Any sign that control is actually exercised from another jurisdiction could work to undermine the entire structure.
It can be expensive: Costs include paying for a Wyoming trustee, potentially a Wyoming registered agent, annual compliance filings, and professional advisors both locally and in Wyoming. This is in addition to any fees to form and maintain related LLCs or investment entities so these costs may be justifiable for high-net-worth families, but not necessarily for those with more modest assets.
It’s risky: Even if you do everything right, a home state court may still refuse to honor the asset protection provisions of a Wyoming or other out-of-state trust. This is especially likely when the creditor, the assets, or the litigation at issue is based in your home state. Courts in NY, NJ, and FL have the discretion to apply their own public policy rules, which generally can invalidate self-settled spendthrift trusts.

Unless you have a substantial amount of wealth, and you are dealing with sophisticated estate planning or litigation exposure, it often makes more sense to plan within your home state using a suite of irrevocable trusts, LLCs, and other tools that are easier to administer and more likely to be respected by local courts.

Realistic Alternatives for Clients in NY, NJ, and FL

So what can you do instead?

Use Irrevocable Trusts Strategically: While it is generally difficult to protect your own assets from creditors by creating a trust for your own benefit, you can transfer assets to a properly structured trust that benefits your spouse, children, or other loved ones. These trusts, when correctly drafted and funded, can remove assets from your personal ownership and estate, providing insulation from future claims while also achieving long-term estate planning goals such as tax efficiency, legacy planning, and control over distributions. Depending on the structure, these trusts can also allow for professional management of assets, oversight provisions, and flexibility in dealing with changing family circumstances. However, they must be established before a creditor problem arises. Transfers made in anticipation of litigation or debt may be challenged as fraudulent conveyances.
Marital Agreements: For married individuals, consider pre- or post-nuptial agreements that separate certain assets from marital claims. While our firm does not practice in the area of family law at the moment, we work with several excellent attorneys and would be happy to recommend someone for you to speak to if you are considering these types of arrangements.
Homestead Exemptions: Florida offers one of the most powerful homestead exemptions in the country, providing protection for a primary residence against most creditor claims, subject to certain acreage and residency requirements. In contrast, New Jersey has no state-level homestead exemption for creditor protection, although federal bankruptcy exemptions may apply in certain cases. New York provides a limited homestead exemption that protects a certain amount of equity in your primary residence, which varies by county—ranging from $89,975 to $179,950 as of 2025. While these exemptions are valuable tools in planning, they are not a substitute for comprehensive asset protection and must be considered in light of your full financial and legal picture.
Business Entity Structuring: Holding assets through LLCs or limited partnerships can reduce liability exposure. For many clients concerned about personal liability or creditor claims, transferring interests into LLCs can achieve most of the protection they’re seeking, so long as the LLC is properly formed, adequately capitalized, and run according to standard business formalities. Courts may disregard the LLC structure if it’s treated as a personal bank account or if records are incomplete, but when managed correctly, LLCs can offer strong protection against personal claims that do not arise from the LLC’s own operations.
Umbrella Insurance: Although we don’t advise clients on specific types of amounts of insurance to consider, we do emphasize that liability insurance, including umbrella policies, can be a valuable part of a comprehensive asset protection strategy. When paired with proper entity structuring and estate planning, insurance may help address certain risks more efficiently than complex trust setups. That said, we always recommend reviewing your coverage needs with a qualified insurance advisor as part of your broader planning discussions.

Final Thought: Substance Over Hype

Asset protection is a legitimate goal, and we work with clients every day to create real, durable plans tailored to their needs. But the trend of chasing a “Wyoming trust” because of something seen on TikTok or YouTube can backfire. The law is nuanced, and the best strategies are those that account for the jurisdiction you actually live in, the assets you actually own, and the legal environment that governs them.

Out-of-state trusts may have their place, but only where the facts, the funding, and the follow-through make them worthwhile. For most clients in New York, New Jersey, or Florida, the better path is a home-grown solution that’s legally sound, cost-effective, and easier to administer.

If you have assets, you should be interested in these issues, so let’s talk. Click here to schedule a 15-minute call to learn more.