Bahamas International Business Companies (IBC)
Comprehensive Guide to Incorporation & Compliance
Incorporate in the Bahamas and leverage one of the Caribbean’s most business-friendly jurisdictions for tax-neutral, confidential and lightning-fast company formation. A Bahamas International Business Company (IBC) can be registered in as little as 24 hours, enjoys zero corporate, capital-gains and withholding taxes, and operates under a 300-year common-law framework that investors worldwide recognise and trust. Our Bahamas company-formation service delivers everything—name reservation, bespoke Memorandum & Articles, registered office, Commercial Entities Substance Act filings, and turnkey banking introductions—so you secure a fully compliant vehicle that safeguards assets, enhances privacy and positions your enterprise for global expansion.
1 | Why Choose the Bahamas?
- Zero direct taxes – no corporate income, capital‑gains or withholding taxes on IBC profits.
- Rapid formation – same‑day electronic registration and digital certificates of incorporation.
- Robust legal framework – common‑law jurisdiction; International Business Companies Act 2000 with 2023 amendments for modern M&A provisions.
- Confidentiality – shareholder registers remain non‑public; only beneficial‑ownership data is held on a secure, non‑public government database.
- Gateway to fintech & digital assets – aligned with the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges Act (“DARE”) for blockchain ventures.
- Economic & political stability – parliamentary democracy since 1729; investment‑friendly banking sector with 250+ licensed institutions.
2 | Governing Legislation & 2023‑24 Updates
Statute / Regulation | Key Points |
|---|---|
International Business Companies Act 2000 (as amended 2023) | Expanded merger & consolidation rules; clarified definitions in § 75. |
Commercial Entities (Substance Requirements) Act 2023 – CESRA | Mandatory annual economic‑substance reporting for “relevant activities”; guidelines issued 8 Sep 2023. |
Beneficial Ownership (Amendment) Act 2023 | Tightened filing deadlines; register remains non‑public but accessible to competent authorities. |
AML/CFT Guidelines 2023 – Central Bank | Enhanced KYC and source‑of‑wealth verification for all IBCs opening Bahamian bank accounts. |
3 | IBC Features at a Glance
Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
Share Capital | No minimum; shares may be par or no‑par, issued in any currency. |
Directors / Officers | Minimum one director; corporate directors permitted; details private. |
Shareholders | Minimum one; meetings can be held anywhere or electronically. |
Registered Office / Agent | Mandatory in Nassau or Freeport. |
Annual Reporting | Simple annual return & licence fee (US $350); no public financial statements. |
Economic Substance | Required only if the IBC conducts “relevant activities” (e.g., headquarters, distribution, financing). |
Redomiciliation | Two‑way continuance permitted—IBC can migrate in or out of the Bahamas. |
4 | Incorporation Process
Name Reservation & KYC – Same‑day name approval; we collect passport, proof of address and CV for each UBO.
Draft Constitutional Documents – Memorandum & Articles adapted to your business model.
Electronic Filing – Submission to the Registrar General’s Department; digital Certificate of Incorporation issued within 24 hours.
Post‑Incorporation Setup – First board meeting, share issuance, registers, tax‑residency opinion (if needed).
Bank Account Introduction – Coordination with Bahamas‑licensed or international banks; preparation of compliance pack.
Economic‑Substance Assessment – Determine CESRA classification and first‑year reporting obligations.
Average timeline: 24–48 hours from receipt of complete KYC.
5 | Annual Maintenance Obligations
Obligation | Timeline |
|---|---|
Government annual fee | 1 January (grace to 31 March) |
Registered office & agent renewal | Annually alongside licence fee |
Economic‑substance report (if relevant) | Within 9 months of fiscal year‑end |
Beneficial‑ownership register update | Within 15 days of any change |
Accounting record retention | 5 years in or outside Bahamas (location notice required) |
6 | Our Fixed‑Fee Incorporation Package
- Name reservation & government incorporation fee
- Drafting of bespoke Memorandum & Articles
- Appointment of registered office & agent (Year 1)
- Digital corporate kit: Certificate, Registers, Resolutions
- CESRA classification memo & first substance filing
- Ongoing email support for 12 months
Renewal from Year 2 includes government fee + registered office/agent fee.
7 | Complementary Services
- Redomiciliation to/from Bahamas
- IBC Conversion to Segregated Accounts Company (SAC)
- Virtual‑Asset Business Registration under DARE
- Independent Directors & Compliance Officers
- Book‑Keeping & VAT advisory (if local operations develop)
Ready to Incorporate in the Bahamas?
Book a 20‑minute strategy call and receive a personalised incorporation roadmap.