International Business Corporation (Company limited by shares)
Antigua and Barbuda offers the traditional services of an Offshore Financial Center, including the formation of Antigua offshore companies, bank accounts and the provision of financial services.
Corporations incorporated under the International Business Company Act may be incorporated by either residents or non-residents and may invest in, trade with or provide services to persons within Antigua and Barbuda provided that they apply for a certificate and registration to do so. IBCs are currently taxed at a 25% corporate income tax rate.
There are no exchange controls on the monetary transactions of Antigua International Business Corporations and funds can be freely moved on and off the island.
As a former British colony, Antigua's legal system embodies the principle of English statutory and common law.
Antigua and Barbuda implemented the OECD's Automatic Exchange of Information for tax purposes (AEoI) and is conducting exchanges of information through Common Reporting Standard (CRS).
Legal
Country code – AG
Legal Basis – Common law
Legal framework – International Business Corporation Act (As amended 1995-2018)
Company form – International Business Corporation (IBC) (Company limited by shares)
Liability - The liability of a shareholder to the company is limited to any amount unpaid on a share held by the shareholder.
Business restrictions – IBCs may be incorporated by either residents or non-residents and may invest in, trade with or provide services to persons within Antigua and Barbuda provided that they apply for a certificate and registration to do so.
Share capital – There is no established minimum capital requirement. The authorized share capital is usually US$50,000. The minimum issued capital may be one share of no par value or one share of par value. Issued shares must be fully paid. Shares may be registered shares, shares of no par value, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights are permitted.
Shareholders – The company may be formed by a minimum of 1 shareholder, who can be an individual or a corporation and may be non-resident. Details of the shareholders are not disclosed on a public file.
Directors – At least one director is required, who may be a natural person or a legal entity and may be non-resident. Details of the directors are not disclosed on a public file.
Secretary – The appointment of officers is not mandatory although it is customary to appoint at least a Secretary. Officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and must be natural persons.
Registered Address – IBCs must have a registered office and registered agent who may be corporate body or individual, and must be resident in Antigua & Barbuda. Copies of the Articles of Association, Memorandum of Association, and Certificate of Incorporation must be kept at the Registered Office.
General Meeting – Annual general meetings are not mandatory and can be held anywhere. Meetings can be held by telephone or other electronic means; alternatively, directors, as well as shareholders, may vote by proxy.
Electronic Signature – Permitted.
Re-domiciliation – A foreign entity can continue as an Antigua and Barbuda IBC, and vice versa.
Compliance –A company is required to keep financial records, which should reflect the financial position of a company. A corporation must keep at its registered office a copy of the financial statements of each of its subsidiaries whose accounts are consolidated in the financial statements of the corporation.
There is no requirement to file audited accounts or annual returns with the authorities if the company is conducting business exclusively outside of Antigua.
- Shareholders not disclosed
- Directors not disclosed
- Corporate shareholders permitted
- Corporate directors permitted
- Local director required
- Secretary required
- Local secretary required
- Annual general meetings required
- Redomiciliation permitted
- Electronic signature
- Annual return
- Audited accounts
- Audited accounts exemption
- Exchange controls
- Common law Legal basis
- 1 Minimum shareholders
- 1 Minimum directors
- USD 1 Minimum issued capital
- - Minimum paid up capital
- USDAny Capital currency
- Anywhere Location of annual general meeting
- 2018 AEOI
Taxes
Corporate income tax – The Miscellaneous Amendments Act provides an amendment to the IBC Act by deleting articles 270-281 of the IBC Act which previously provided a tax exemption for IBCs. IBCs would now be taxed at the general tax rate of 25%. No grandfathering is provided.
Other taxes – Antigua and Barbuda does not levy direct personal taxes. Personal income, as well as, capital gains, net wealth and inheritances are not subject to taxation.
There is a real property tax from 0.1% up to 0.5% on the assessed market value of the property and a stamp tax on the sale of real property, which is 7.5% for the vendor and 2.5% for the purchaser. Non-residents sellers are subject to stamp tax of 5% on the appreciation in value of the real property.
Non-resident purchasers need to obtain an alien landholding license at 5% of the value of the property.
- Offshore Income Tax Exemption
- Offshore capital gains tax exemption
- Offshore dividends tax exemption
- CFC Rules
- Thin Capitalisation Rules
- Patent Box
- Tax Incentives & Credits
- Property Tax
- Wealth tax
- Estate inheritance tax
- Transfer tax
- Capital duties
- 25% Offshore Income Tax Rate
- 25% Corporate Tax Rate
- 0% Capital Gains Tax Rate
- 0% Dividends Received
- 0% Dividends Withholding Tax Rate
- 0% Interests Withholding Tax Rate
- 0% Royalties Withholding Tax Rate
- 0 Losses carryback (years)
- 0 Losses carryforward (years)
- 0% Personal Income Tax Rate
- 31 Tax Treaties
Country details
Antigua and Barbuda is a Central American country part of the Commonwealth. Formed by several islands to the east of the Caribbean Sea. The country is located on the Lesser Antilles and borders the island of Guadalupe to the south, Montserrat to the southwest, Saint Kitts and Nevis to the west and San Bartolome to the northwest. Saint John, located on the island of Antigua, is its capital, its most populated city, and its main port. Its official currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which is pegged to the US$ at a 2.7:1 ratio.
Antigua and Barbuda is a unitary, parliamentary, representative democratic monarchy, in which the Head of State is the Monarch who appoints the Governor General as vice-regal representative. Elizabeth II is the present Queen of Antigua and Barbuda, having served in that position since the islands' independence from the United Kingdom in 1981.
Antigua and Barbuda is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative that grants duty-free entry into the United States for many goods. It is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Antigua is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), WIPO, UNCTAD, among other international institutions.
Its main economic sector is tourism, which accounts for approximately 60 percent of the GDP and 40 percent of investments. The agricultural sector is domestic-oriented, mainly of sugar cane, cotton and fruits and considerably limited by its reduced water supply. Other important economic activities include oil refining, textile, carpentry, rum production, beer, cement, local crafts, and furniture.
The country enjoys a high standard of living, well-educated workforce and high average life expectancy.
Antigua is also an offshore financial center, with a legal and tax framework advantageous for the establishment of International Business Companies, which are fully tax exempt, provided that no business is done within the territory. Antigua also offers an Economic Citizenship Program, where it is possible to obtain a second passport through an investment.