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Bahamas Tax Guide

Caribbean
Last verified June 2026
Sources & verification

Figures on this page were last verified against the cited sources in June 2026. Always check official sources before making a relocation or incorporation decision.

Best for

  • Zero personal tax

    0% on personal income — among the simplest tax outcomes globally.

  • Zero capital gains

    No CGT on investment, property, or crypto disposals (subject to "investor" classification).

  • Foreign income exempt

    Exempt system — overseas income generally outside the local tax net.

  • Corporate-friendly

    0% corporate tax — competitive for founders and holding structures.

  • No wealth tax

    No annual tax on net worth or assets.

Personal Tax Score
100/100
Extremely Tax Friendly
Business Tax Score
90/100
Extremely Tax Friendly

Personal Income Tax

Tax Residency

Day Threshold
183 days
Note
183 days required for tax residency; permanent residency available through investment

Income Tax Rates

Top Marginal Rate
0%
Structure
No personal income tax

Foreign Income Treatment

System
Exempt
Details
No tax on personal income of any kind

Investment Income

Capital Gains
0%
Dividends
0%
Interest
0%

No capital gains tax


Wealth & Inheritance

Wealth Tax
No - No wealth tax
Inheritance Tax
No - No inheritance tax

Practical Notes

12% VAT on goods and services. Property taxes on luxury homes. Residency available through real estate investment.

Business & Corporate Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Headline Rate
0%
Effective Rate Note
No corporate income tax; 15% QDMTT for large MNEs effective 2025
Free Zone / Incentives
No corporate tax regime applicable to all businesses

Withholding Taxes

Dividends
0%
Interest
0%
Royalties
0%

VAT / GST

Rate
12%
Note
12% VAT on most goods and services

Compliance & Substance

Substance Requirements
Moderate - business license requirements
Compliance Friction
Low - tourism-focused economy

Notable Regimes

  • Zero tax regime
  • QDMTT for large MNEs

OECD Pillar Two (15% global minimum tax)

No implementation

No Pillar Two legislation. Bahamas is exploring a domestic minimum top-up tax but nothing enacted as of mid-2026.

See full implementation tracker

Tax Treaty Network

US treatyNo
UK treatyNo
US totalizationNo
Total treaties—

No bilateral income-tax treaties (Bahamas has 0% domestic income tax). FATCA Model 1 IGA in force. TIEAs with most major economies.

See full treaty matrix

Data Sources

Last verified: June 2026. Always check official sources before making a decision.

FAQ

What is the personal income tax rate in Bahamas?

Bahamas has a top personal income tax rate of 0%. The tax structure is: No personal income tax. See the detailed breakdown above and verify with official sources.

Do I need to pay tax on foreign income in Bahamas?

Bahamas uses a exempt system for foreign income. No tax on personal income of any kind

What are the residency requirements for Bahamas?

Tax residency in Bahamas generally requires 183 days of physical presence. 183 days required for tax residency; permanent residency available through investment. Always verify current rules with official sources.

Is there a wealth tax in Bahamas?

No, Bahamas does not have a wealth tax. No wealth tax

What is the corporate tax rate in Bahamas?

The corporate tax rate in Bahamas is 0%. No corporate income tax; 15% QDMTT for large MNEs effective 2025

US citizen moving to Bahamas? Read this first.

Bahamas has 0% personal income tax, so the US-citizen math is dominated by FEIE plus self-employment tax.

  • •FEIE (Form 2555) shields ~$130k of earned income in 2026. Income above that has no Foreign Tax Credit to offset US tax (no foreign tax was paid), so it's taxed at regular US rates.
  • •Self-employment tax (15.3%) is owed in full — Bahamas has no totalization agreement with the US, so there is no SE-tax exemption.
  • •Investment income (dividends, capital gains, interest) is taxed at standard US rates. No FTC because no Bahamas tax was paid.
  • •Bahamas residency requires 183 days. State residency severance from a sticky state (CA, NY, VA, NM, SC) before international move is the highest-stakes practical step.
Read the full US-citizen moving-abroad guide

Need someone to actually plan Bahamas for you?

TaxAtlas covers the rates and rules. For the personal side — exit planning, residency strategy, business structure, or filings — request a response and we'll point you to relevant research or a specialist who handles Bahamas cases.

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