BAHAMAS

Bahamas Offshore Company Incorporation Overview

(Prices below do not include Nominee Director. Please refer to our Nominee Service Price List for fees.)

Prices in USD
Incorporation*USD 1,780
Bank AccountUSD 800
*includes first year Company Secretary

Nassau, the capital, is an important commercial centre. Over half of the population of the Bahamas live in Nassau on New Providence. The second largest town is Freeport, an important industrial centre, on Grand Bahama.

Freeport, on Grand Bahama, was developed in the 1950s by American business interests and is now home to a number of US commercial enterprises. (Wallace Groves, the American millionaire, founded the Grand Bahama Port Authority which was granted Crown Land and taxation concessions in return for developing the land, building schools, dredging the harbour and building an airport. The Port Authority, now run by British, Canadian and American investors has gone into partnership with Hutchison Whampoa, the Anglo-Chinese Container/Port company).

Banking and financial services are vital to the economy. Favourable tax laws have made the Bahamas an international banking centre. There is no income tax and no capital gains or inheritance taxes. The government raises revenue through selective taxes such as hotel occupancy tax, restaurant service charges, custom duties and departure tax.

Key Corporate Features
General
Type of EntityIBC
Type of lawCommon
Shelf Company AvailabilityNo
Minimum Government Fees (Excluding Taxation)USD 425
Corporate TaxationNone on Foreign Profits
Double Taxation Treaty AccessNo
Share Capital or Equivalent
Standard CurrencyUS$
Permitted CurrenciesAny
Usual AuthorizedUSD 50,000
Minimum Paid-up CapitalUSD 1.00
Directors or Managers
Minimum NumberOne
Local RequiredNo
Public Access to RecordsYes
Location of MeetingsAnywhere
Members
Minimum NumberOne
Public Access to RecordsNo
Location of MeetingsAnywhere
Company Secretary RequiredNo
Local or QualifiedNot Required
Accounts
Requirement to PrepareYes
Audit RequirementsNo
Requirement to File accountsNo
Public Access to AccountsNo
Other
Requirement to File Annual ReturnNo
Change of Domicile PermittedYes
General Information

The Bahamas extends in a 1,225 km arc from 78 km east of Palm Beach, Florida, to just north of Haiti. The Bahamas consists of an archipelago of nearly 700 islands and 2,000 cays.

Infrastructure & Economy

The economy of the Islands is strong, enjoying full employment with most of the revenue being derived from the financial services sector and tourism.

Miami is one hour away by air and the Island has direct air links with New York, Atlanta, Tampa, Houston and Jamaica. The Islands are a popular cruise-ship stop.

General Information
LanguageThe official and spoken language is English.
CurrencyBahamas Dollar (BSD).
Exchange ControlNone
Type of LawStatute Law and Common Law based on English Common Law
Principal Corporate LegislationInternational Business Companies Act 2000, as amended.
Company Information
Type of Company for International Trade and InvestmentInternational Business Company
Restrictions on TradingCannot trade within the Bahamas or own real estate there. Unless government permission is granted, cannot undertake the business of banking, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, ollective investment schemes, trust management, trusteeship, the rendering of investment advice or any other activity that would suggest an association with the banking or insurance industries. Cannot sell its own shares or solicit funds from the Public.
Powers of CompanyA company incorporated in the Bahamas has the same powers as a natural person.
Language of Legislation and Corporate DocumentsEnglish
Shelf Companies AvailableNo
Language of NameNames can be expressed in any language using the Latin alphabet, if the Registrar receives a translation thereof. The corporate documents will however be in English.
Registered Office RequiredYes, must be maintained in the Bahamas at the address of a licensed management company or law firm.
Name RestrictionsAny name that has already been incorporated, or a name that is so similar as to cause confusion. Names such as royal or imperial. Any name which, in the opinion of the Registrar, is considered undesirable, obscene or offensive, or any name, which suggests the patronage of the Bahamas Government.
Suffixes to Denote Limited LiabilityLimited, Corporation, Incorporated, Société Anonyme, Sociedad Anónima, Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung or the relevant abbreviations.
Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to AuthoritiesNo.
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