Bahamas as an Offshore Company Tax Haven

The Bahamas are one of the most popular of the Caribbean tax havens. The banking sector is huge and has acquired an excellent reputation as a location for offshore banking. The Bahamas has also agreed to implement the OECD exchange of information treaty and has now moved off the OECD grey list onto the white list as it has now signed over 12 tax information exchange agreements.

If you’re looking for a tax-free offshore company, a Bahamian International Business Company (IBC) may be just what you’re looking for. With traditionally good financial privacy, the Bahamas is a popular location for non-resident companies.

Bahamas Companies and their Tax liability

The Bahamas is one of the top Caribbean tax havens. It is a nil-tax haven. Where business is conducted by the Bahamas IBC outside of the Bahamas, there’s no income tax, no corporation tax, no capital gains tax or inheritance tax. Bahamas truly is a zero-tax jurisdiction and it doesn't even levy any sales taxes. And this favourable state of affairs applies to everyone, including companies and trusts.

Unlike most other jurisdictions, a Bahamas IBC may do business locally and may own local real estate. Any such local transactions however, are subject to exchange controls and stamp duty.

Bahamas Offshore Company Banking

Offshore Trade Services can incorporate Bahamas companies with a choice of offshore bank accounts at the time of company formation. We work closely with a number of banks. Combining the two saves time and couldn’t be simpler.

Bahamas Company Formation / Registration

Offshore Trade Services are able to incorporate a Bahamas offshore company. Company formation normally takes up to 5 to 8 working days to register, though Off The Shelf companies are available should your requirements be more immediate.

Bahamas Offshore Company Anonymity and Disclosure

The identity of the beneficial owners of a Bahamas offshore company are not made available on the public register. Directors details are however publicly available and so if anonymity is required, Offshore Trade Services can supply the use of Nominee Directors. Whilst there is no requirement to prepare and file annual accounts, a company is required to keep financial records, which reflect the financial position of the company.

Bahamas Offshore Company Shares

The normal authorised share capital is US$50,000; divided in to 50,000 shares of US$1, this being the maximum capital for the minimum duty payable at the time of incorporation and the maximum authorised share capital for the minimum licence fee payable annually. The share capital may be expressed in any currency. The minimum issued capital is either two shares of no par value or two shares of par value Registered shares, shares of no par value, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights are permitted.

Our Services – Offshore Company Formation, Nominee Director, Nominee Shareholder, Mail forwarding and Bank Accounts

Offshore Trade Services specialise in Bahamas company formations ranging from simple company registrations to complex structures including offshore Trusts and in providing a very comprehensive assortment of administrative services to Bahamas companies, including the provision of Nominee Director, Nominee Shareholder, Mail Forwarding and Bank Account services. We are also able to offer a 'transfer in' service whereby we can take over the management of your existing Bahamas Offshore Company, often for no cost at all.

Please read also about our Due Diligence Requirements.