Tax residency in the Bahamas: the 2026 guide
Zero income tax, zero capital gains, and residency through property — a classic Caribbean tax home.
The Bahamas levies no personal income tax, no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax. Residency is obtained mainly through property ownership — a permanent residency programme fast-tracks significant property investors — and the Bahamian dollar is pegged to the US dollar. It's a straightforward zero-tax base close to the US.
How residency in the Bahamas works
Annual and permanent residency are available, most commonly via property purchase; buying qualifying real estate (with faster processing above a higher threshold) is the well-trodden route. There's no citizenship-by-investment, but permanent residency is durable.
How your income is taxed
There is no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax and no wealth tax. Government revenue comes largely from VAT, customs duties and property-related fees. For residents, personal earnings and investment gains are simply untaxed.
Requirements & cost at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Personal income tax | 0% |
| Capital gains tax | 0% |
| Inheritance tax | 0% |
| Main route | Property ownership / permanent residency |
| Currency | Bahamian dollar (USD-pegged) |
Who it suits
Best for investors and retirees who want a genuine zero-tax base near the US, with property ownership as the path to residency.
Making the move, step by step
Choosing the Bahamas is only half the job. To actually benefit you must become tax resident here and stop being tax resident where you are now — meeting the local day-count or ties test, obtaining a tax residency certificate, and formally cutting ties to your former country.
Watch for an exit tax on the way out, and the tie-breaker rules in any double tax treaty between the Bahamas and your current home. Our full walk-through: how to establish tax residency abroad.
Where it fits in a borderless plan
Residency is one flag of several. Most people pair a base like the Bahamas with offshore capital structuring and a self-custody plan for their Bitcoin. See the wider map in countries with no income tax in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Bahamas tax income?
No — there is no personal income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax. The state is funded mainly through VAT and duties.
How do I get Bahamas residency?
Primarily through property ownership. Significant real-estate investors can access accelerated permanent residency; annual residency is also available.
Is the Bahamas close to the US?
Yes — it's a short hop from Florida, with a US-dollar-pegged currency, which makes it convenient for those keeping ties to North America.
Official sources
Rules change — always confirm the current position with the primary authority:
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