In short
The Bahamas has no corporate or personal income tax and withholds nothing on dividends. An IBC run from abroad usually pays only the yearly government fee. You still report and pay tax where you live.
Facts checked November 2026
Bahamas company formation
A Bahamas International Business Company with a licensed registered agent and office, filed with the Registrar General in Nassau.
IBCfrom $1,799 one-time
- 3–7 days after KYC
- No income tax
- Not on the EU list
At a glance
- Company types
- International Business Company from $1,799
- People
- At least one shareholder and one director, of any nationality and living anywhere. No secretary is required.
- Directors
- Directors must act on their own judgement. Nominee directors are prohibited since 19 January 2026.
- Registered agent
- A licensed Bahamas registered agent and office are mandatory. Ours is included for year one.
- Shares
- Our standard setup authorises $50,000 of shares, which keeps the yearly government fee at $350.
- Owners register
- Your agent records beneficial owners (10% or more) in a secure government database for the authorities.
- EU status
- Not on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions as of 9 October 2026.
- Every year
- The government fee in January, an economic substance report and accounting records kept for your agent.
- Timeline
- 3–7 days after KYC
Taxes, explained simply
Your company pays
-
0%
Corporate income tax
The Bahamas has no general corporate income tax. A 15% minimum tax applies only to groups with €750m+ revenue.
-
10%
VAT
Only on supplies in The Bahamas, with registration from BSD 100,000 a year. Exports are zero-rated.
-
From 0%
Business licence tax
Only if the company does business in or from The Bahamas. Set by turnover, 0% below BSD 100,000.
-
$350
Yearly government fee
Every IBC pays it each January, or $1,000 above $50,000 of authorised capital.
You personally
-
0%
Tax withheld on dividends
Nothing is withheld on dividends, interest or royalties the company pays out.
-
None
Tax treaties
No double tax treaties, only agreements to exchange tax information with over 30 countries.
0% in The Bahamas isn’t 0% for you. Your home country may tax the company’s profit or treat it as managed from there. A company doing a relevant activity, such as holding, finance, IP or distribution, must show substance in The Bahamas.
How it works
-
Incorporate your IBC
We draft and file your memorandum and articles with the Registrar.
You get: Bahamas IBC
-
Get a registered agent
Licensed agent and office in The Bahamas, which every IBC must have.
You get: Registered office
-
Appoint your directors
One director is enough. Nominee directors are banned since 2026.
You get: Register of directors
-
Open bank or EMI
We introduce you to a bank or EMI and prepare your file.
You get: Bank-ready file
-
Stay compliant
Yearly government fee in January, substance report within 9 months.
You get: Deadline reminders
What’s included
Fixed one-time prices. Government fees are shown before you pay.
Explorer
$1,799one-time
Bahamas IBC, gov. fees included
- Memorandum and articles
- Year-one registered agent and office
- Register of directors and accounting declaration
- Compliance reminders
- Email support
Go
$2,299one-time
Bahamas IBC, gov. fees included
Everything in Explorer, plus:
- Bank or EMI introduction
- Certificate of incumbency
- Year-one economic substance report
- WhatsApp support
Pro
$2,999one-time
Bahamas IBC, gov. fees included
Everything in Go, plus:
- Multi-bank support until an account opens
- Apostilled document set
- Certificate of good standing
- Priority support, same-day replies
Then $1,299 a year from month 13.
What you’ll need
- Certified copy of the passport of every shareholder and director
- Certified proof of address for each of them. We send the wording for the notary or lawyer
- Source of funds, such as a statement or bank reference
- Two company name choices. We add Ltd., Inc., Corp. or LLC
- What the company will do, and whether it does a relevant activity
Banking
- Go includes a bank or EMI introduction. Pro adds multi-bank support until an account opens.
- Banks check Bahamas IBCs closely and may ask for a minimum balance. Approval is always the bank’s decision.
- On Explorer, add bank account help for $199.
Approval is always the bank’s or provider’s decision.
After formation: what’s due
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 1 January | Government fee ($350 up to $50,000 of authorised capital). 10% penalty from 1 April, 50% from 1 November |
| 90 days after formation | Accounting records declaration, filed by your agent |
| 9 months after year end | Economic substance report through your registered agent, even if the company is out of scope |
| 31 January / 31 March | Business licence renewal and tax, only if the company does business in or from The Bahamas |
| Every year | Registered agent renewal, in our $1,299 annual plan from month 13 |
Bahamas company formation FAQs
How long does it take to form a Bahamas IBC?
Usually 3–7 days after your identity checks are approved.
Do I need a local director?
No. One shareholder and one director, living anywhere, are enough. A licensed registered agent and office in The Bahamas are mandatory, and ours is included for year one.
Can I use a nominee director?
No. Since 19 January 2026, Bahamian law prohibits directors who act on someone else’s instructions.
How much tax does a Bahamas IBC pay?
The Bahamas has no corporate income tax and withholds no tax on dividends. A business licence tax applies only if the company does business in or from The Bahamas. You may still owe tax where you live.
What do I file every year?
The government fee each January and an economic substance report within 9 months of year end, both through your registered agent. No audit or annual return is required for a standard IBC.
Who records the beneficial owners?
Your registered agent records them in a secure government database that the authorities can search. Tell your agent about changes within 15 days.
Can you help me open a bank account?
Yes. Go includes a bank or EMI introduction, and Pro adds multi-bank support until an account opens. Approval is always the bank’s decision.
Can I move my existing Bahamas IBC to you?
Yes, for $350 plus the annual plan. Your current agent must confirm no fees are owed before the change is filed.
Sources (8)
Rates and fees from official and Big Four sources, with the date each was last reviewed.
- Deloitte: Bahamas Highlights 2026 Jan 2026
- PwC: The Bahamas corporate taxes 21 Jul 2026
- PwC: The Bahamas other taxes (VAT, business licence) 21 Jul 2026
- PwC: The Bahamas significant developments 21 Jul 2026
- Office of the Attorney-General: nominee transparency note 2 Dec 2025
- Multilaw: The Bahamas International Business Company 2025
- International Business Companies Act, 2000 (Ch. 309) In force
- KPMG: EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions 9 Oct 2026
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rates and fees change, and your own situation decides what applies. We are not a law firm; where a lawyer or licensed agent is needed, a local partner handles it.
