Key Information |
Basic Facts |
Type of law |
English Common Law |
Type of entity |
International Business Companies |
Company legislation |
International Business Companies Act, 2000 |
Taxation on Offshore Profits |
Nil |
Double taxation treaty network |
No |
Exchange controls |
No |
Corporate Requirements |
Minimum no. of shareholders |
1 |
Minimum no. of directors |
1 |
Bearer shares common |
No |
Corporate directors permitted |
Yes |
Company secretary required |
No |
Standard authorised capital |
US$50,000 |
Local Requirements |
Registered office / Registered agent |
Yes |
Company secretary |
No |
Local directors |
No |
Local meetings |
No |
Filing of register of directors |
Yes |
Filing of register of shareholders |
No |
Filing of annual return |
No |
Filing of audited accounts |
No |
Public access to records |
Yes (for Directors & Officers) |
Other features |
Change in domicile permitted |
Yes |
Disclosure of beneficial owner to authorities |
No (except to registered agent) |
Shelf company availability |
No |
Foreign language company name allowed |
No |
The Bahamas are an archipelago made up of about 700 islands in the Caribbean Sea close to the United States. The Bahamas gained independence from Britain in 1973 and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It has established itself as a major international finance centre. The Bahamas is a popular tourist destination although its economy depends heavily on the offshore financial sector, with over 400 banks present and strong professional infrastructure. Accordingly, the government has over recent years installed legislation to deter money laundering and other illegal activities.
