Bahamas is part of the British Commonwealth a politically stable country where income, capital gains, inheritance and transaction tax is not imposed for a period of 20 years from the date of incorporation.
A Bahamas IBC affords a high degree of confidentiality due to limited filing requirements.
Bahamas Incorporation Fees
- Company Formation – £1800
- Government License Fee – US$350
- Tax Exemption Certificate – US$175
- Provision of Registered Office and Resident Agent – £800
- Company Secretary if required – £550
Bahamas Annual Renewal Fees
- Registry Renewals due 31st December
- Provision of Registered Office and Resident Agent – £800
- Government License Fee due 31st Dec – US$350
- Tax Exemption Certificate – US$175
- Company Secretary if required – £550
- Directors Register Maintenance – £175
Company Director
There is no requirement for a local resident director and the names of directors do not appear in public records.
Company Shareholders
Only one shareholder is necessary corporate or individual.
Company Secretary
The International Companies Act 2000 makes no specific reference to a company secretary, but one is normally appointed to facilitate signing obligations. We can provide this service.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
The company must maintain a registered agent and registered office in the Bahamas. The registered office is the address for legal service of documents.
Authorised and Issued Share Capital
- The standard authorised share capital is US$5,000; divided into 5,000 shares x US$1.
- The share capital may be expressed in any currency.
- Minimum issued capital is two shares of no par value or two shares of par value.
The US$5,000 capital is the minimum duty payable at the time of incorporation and the maximum authorised share capital for the minimum licence fee payable annually.
Taxation
Companies in the Bahamas are totally tax exempt, guaranteed by law for 20 years from the date of incorporation. This includes no taxes on dividends, interest, royalties, rent, compensation, income, inheritance, etc . The Bahamas has no double taxation treaties.
Bahamas Ready Made Company
It only takes 5 days to incorporate a new company in the Bahamas, for that reason we no longer offer ready made companies in this country
Features of a Bahamas International Business Company (IBC)
- Fast incorporation procedures and simple on going administration
- The sole director can also act as a shareholder
- Directors and shareholders can be either corporations or individuals
- Directors, shareholders details remain confidential
- No limitations as to nationality or residence of company officers
- Full exemption from taxation on any business activity or transaction carried out outside the Bahamas
- All dividends, interest, royalties, rents and compensations are exempt from the payments of income tax
- Tax efficiency – exemption from capital gains tax, inheritance tax and death duties
- Shares may be denominated in any currency
- No issued share capital requirement
- No foreign exchange control
- No requirements for preparing and submitting accounts or filing an annual return
International Business Company (IBC) Registration
- Reserving your Company Name
- Liaising with the registrar and relevant authorities
- Structuring the company as per your requirements
- Prepare your Company Registration Forms
- Drafting the Articles of Association / Statutes
- File the documents with the Registrar General’s Department
- Appoint the Directors
- Initial Government licence fee payable on incorporation
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Issue of shares and production of Share Certificates
- All documents and certificates supplied in a professional folder
- Delivery of documents by FedEx / DHL courier
Incorporation Documentation
- Incorporation documents will be provided electronically, with electronic certification and signatures of the Registrar.
- Registered Agents are able to provide their clients the electronic files via email
Company Name Reservation
Reserving a company name costs $25 and is reserved for 14 days.
A Bahamas IBC’s name must end with: Ltd, LLC, Corp, Inc, GmbH or SA.
Bahamas IBC Share Register
IBCs are obligated to maintain a Share Register at its Registered Office. The register is private and no public filing of its contents is required
Bahamas IBC Confidentiality
The Bahamas ensures privacy for offshore corporations. It gives anonymity to its shareholders and directors remain private.
Financial Statements
In the Bahamas, the fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. There are no requirements to file company financial statements.
Annual Return
There is no legal requirement to produce or file an annual return.
Annual Government License
All Bahamas companies become due for renewal at the registry on the 31st December of the year following the year of incorporation.
