Countries with the Highest Corporate Tax 2026
Jurisdictions whose headline corporate tax rate is 25% or more, sorted highest first. Countries with corporate tax under 15% have their own list; this is the other end, with the notes that change the effective rate, dividend withholding, personal dividend tax and VAT alongside.
18 countries in this list
Short answer: Tax Atlas tracks 18 of 53 jurisdictions that meet this list's criteria: Malta, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Canada, Germany, Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Italy and 10 more. The key figures for each are in the table below.
How This List Works
This page is generated from the TaxAtlas dataset. Rankings use the personal and business scores plus the underlying tax data (rates, foreign income treatment, and key notes). Always verify details using the sources listed on each country page.
Malta
EuropeSaint Kitts & Nevis
CaribbeanCanada
North AmericaGermany
EuropeAustralia
OceaniaCosta Rica
North AmericaMexico
North AmericaItaly
EuropeDominican Republic
CaribbeanNetherlands
EuropeAntigua & Barbuda
CaribbeanFrance
EuropeMonaco
EuropePanama
South AmericaPhilippines
AsiaSpain
EuropeUnited Kingdom
EuropeUruguay
South AmericaKey figures at a glance
The figures this list is built on, for every country in it. WHT is the standard withholding tax a company pays on outbound payments to non-residents, before any treaty reduction.
| Country | Corporate tax | Corporate tax notes | WHT dividends | Dividend tax | VAT / GST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MaltaEurope | 35% | 35% statutory rate with 6/7 refund = ~5% effective; new optional 15% final tax regime from 2025 | 0% | 0-35% | 18% |
| Saint Kitts & NevisCaribbean | 33% | 33% on resident companies' worldwide profits. Nevis-registered international business companies conducting business outside the federation are generally exempt. | 15% | 0% | 17% |
| CanadaNorth America | 26.2-31% | 15% federal + 8-16% provincial (varies by province); small business rate 9% on first $500k | 25% | 0-47.74% | 5% |
| GermanyEurope | 30.06% | 15% federal + 5.5% solidarity surcharge + municipal trade tax (7%-17%) | 26.375% | 26.375% | 19% |
| AustraliaOceania | 30% | 30% standard rate; 25% for base rate entities (turnover <$50M) | 30% | 0-45% | 10% |
| Costa RicaNorth America | 30% | Progressive rates 5-30% based on income level | 0-15% | 0-15% | 13% |
| MexicoNorth America | 30% | 30% corporate income tax. 10% additional tax on profit distributions. | 10% | 10% | 16% |
| ItalyEurope | 27.8% | 24% IRES + 3.9% IRAP regional tax | 26% | 26% | 22% |
| Dominican RepublicCaribbean | 27% | 27% on net taxable income; a 1% asset tax operates as a minimum tax where it exceeds income tax | 10% | 10% final | 18% |
| NetherlandsEurope | 25.8% | 19% on first €200,000; 25.8% above. Innovation box: 9% effective rate on qualifying IP income. | 15% | 24.5-31% | 21% |
| Antigua & BarbudaCaribbean | 25% | 25% on resident companies. International Business Corporations conducting business outside Antigua are exempt (regime being phased under OECD pressure). | 25% | 0% | 17% |
| FranceEurope | 25% | 25% standard rate; 15% on the first €42,500 for qualifying SMEs; 3.3% social contribution on corporate tax above €763,000; a temporary exceptional surcharge applies to very large companies | 30% | 12.8-34.5% | 20% |
| MonacoEurope | 25% | 25% only if >25% turnover from outside Monaco or IP-related income; 0% if ≥75% turnover in Monaco | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| PanamaSouth America | 25% | 25% on Panama-sourced income; foreign income exempt | 10% | 10% | 7% |
| PhilippinesAsia | 25% | 25% standard CIT. Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs) under the Enhanced Deductions Regime (EDR) can elect a reduced 20% rate on income from registered activities (CREATE MORE Act, RA 12066, signed 11 Nov 2024). Alternative: 5% Special Corporate Income Tax (SCIT) on gross income. SCIT/EDR incentive periods extended to 17 or 27 years depending on impact tier. | 0-15% | 10% | 12% |
| SpainEurope | 25% | 25% standard rate; 15% for new companies first 2 years; 30% for credit institutions | 19% | 19-30% | 21% |
| United KingdomEurope | 25% | 25% main rate; 19% small profits rate (profits ≤£50,000); marginal relief between £50k-£250k | 0% | 10.75-39.35% | 20% |
| UruguaySouth America | 25% | 25% corporate tax; lower rates for small businesses | 7% | 12% | 22% |
Figures come from each country profile in the Tax Atlas dataset; each country page lists its sources and last-updated date. Rates are headline rates for residents; special regimes, treaty rates and local taxes can change the result. Not tax advice: verify with a qualified adviser.
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FAQ
Which countries have the highest corporate tax?
Of the 53 jurisdictions Tax Atlas tracks, 18 have a headline corporate tax rate of 25% or more in the dataset. The highest are Malta (35%), Saint Kitts & Nevis (33%), Canada (26.2-31%), Germany (30.06%), Australia (30%). The key figures table shows dividend withholding, personal dividend tax and VAT for each.
Why do some countries show a range for the corporate rate?
For Canada, the rate depends on where the company is based or how much it earns, because local or municipal business taxes are added to the national rate, or a lower rate applies below a profit threshold. The dataset records the range, and this list ranks by the upper end of it.
Does a high headline rate mean companies pay that much?
Not always. In Malta, Monaco, Philippines the dataset records a refund, an optional regime or a condition that can bring the tax actually paid below the headline rate; the corporate tax notes column gives the detail. Deductions, incentives and loss relief also lower effective rates elsewhere. Verify your own position with a qualified adviser.
Which high corporate tax countries have no dividend withholding tax?
Malta, Costa Rica, Monaco, Philippines, United Kingdom charge 0% standard withholding on dividends paid to non-residents in the dataset, despite a corporate rate of 25% or more. The rest withhold at source, although tax treaties and EU rules often reduce the rate.
Which European countries have the highest corporate tax?
In Europe, Malta (35%), Germany (30.06%), Italy (27.8%), Netherlands (25.8%), France (25%), Monaco (25%), Spain (25%), United Kingdom (25%) have a headline corporate rate of 25% or more in the dataset; outside Europe, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Antigua & Barbuda, Panama, Philippines, Uruguay do too. Tax Atlas tracks 53 jurisdictions, so countries outside the dataset are not covered here.
How are these lists ranked?
Lists are generated from the country dataset using the criteria described on each country page (rates, foreign income treatment, and practical notes). Always confirm details with official sources.
Are these countries “tax free” for everyone?
Not necessarily. Residency rules, source rules, and special regimes vary by person. Use these lists as a starting point and verify your situation with local professionals.
How often is this updated?
We monitor listed sources periodically and update entries when changes are confirmed. Country pages show their last-updated date and citations.
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