Cayman Islands
Cayman exempted company: fees, tax and annual filings, from official sources.
- Company type
- Exempted company limited by shares under the Companies Act (2025 Revision)
- Headline corporate tax
- 0%
- Registration fee
- Registration fee for an exempted company with authorised share capital up to CI$42,000: CI$700 (US$853.66). CI$42,001–820,000: CI$1,000 (US$1,219.51). CI$820,001–1,640,000: CI$1,984. Above that: CI$2,568. Fee schedule effective 1 January 2025.
- Region
- Offshore
A Cayman exempted company is registered with the General Registry, usually through a licensed firm, for CI$700 at the lowest capital band. There is no corporate tax; companies file an annual return and an economic substance notification.
The figures below come from the registry, tax authority and statutes linked under Sources, as they stood on 30 September 2026. Fees and thresholds change, so check the linked official page before you file. This is general information, not tax or legal advice for your situation.
Questions
How much does it cost to register a company in the Cayman Islands?
Registration fee for an exempted company with authorised share capital up to CI$42,000: CI$700 (US$853.66). CI$42,001–820,000: CI$1,000 (US$1,219.51). CI$820,001–1,640,000: CI$1,984. Above that: CI$2,568. Fee schedule effective 1 January 2025.
What is the corporate tax rate in the Cayman Islands?
The General Registry states there are no corporation, capital gains, payroll, property or withholding taxes on any type of company, domestic or foreign. Exempted companies may apply for a tax undertaking under the Tax Concessions Act.
Can a non-resident set up a company in the Cayman Islands?
The Registry says the most convenient way to incorporate an exempted company is through a licensed professional firm, which provides the registered office and other services. No in-person requirement is stated. Companies without a licensed CSP as registered office file through the Cayman Business Portal (CBP).
Annual deadlines for this and other jurisdictions are in the company filing deadlines calendar.
- Corporate tax
- The General Registry states there are no corporation, capital gains, payroll, property or withholding taxes on any type of company, domestic or foreign. Exempted companies may apply for a tax undertaking under the Tax Concessions Act.
- Minimum capital
- No minimum capitalisation requirement (General Registry). Shares may have nominal or no par value, and capital may be in any currency.
- Forming it from abroad
- The Registry says the most convenient way to incorporate an exempted company is through a licensed professional firm, which provides the registered office and other services. No in-person requirement is stated. Companies without a licensed CSP as registered office file through the Cayman Business Portal (CBP).
- Local requirements
- A registered office in the Cayman Islands (Companies Act s.50). An exempted company must also declare that its operations will be conducted mainly outside the Cayman Islands. Beneficial ownership registers are maintained through a corporate services provider under the Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act 2023.
- Annual filings
- (1) An annual return and annual fee, set by authorised-capital band, are due in January each year from the first January after registration. The Registry's deadline is the last business day of March; late filing costs 33.33%, 66.67% or 100% of the annual fee depending on the quarter filed, and after 12 months the company is deemed defunct. Beneficial ownership information must be filed before the annual return can be filed. (2) An Economic Substance Notification (ESN) is required from every company before its annual return, by 31 March. (3) An ES return is due within 12 months after financial year-end for relevant entities carrying on a relevant activity.
- Beneficial owners
- Companies must identify beneficial owners and keep a beneficial ownership register through their corporate services provider. The information sits on a competent-authority search platform, not a public register. Since 28 February 2025, members of the public with a legitimate interest (e.g. journalists, researchers, civil society) may apply for access, and beneficial owners may apply for protection from disclosure.
- Also know
- Under the International Tax Co-operation (Economic Substance) Act, every company files an annual economic substance notification. A 'relevant entity' carrying on a relevant activity (banking, distribution and service centre, financing and leasing, fund management, headquarters, holding company, insurance, intellectual property, shipping) must pass the economic substance test and file an ES return within 12 months of year end. The exempted company's register of members is not open to public inspection.
- Company registry
- Cayman Islands General Registry – Registrar of Companies
- Registry website
- ciregistry.ky
- Tax authority page
- ciregistry.ky
- Last reviewed
- Sources
Source Link General Registry – Fees (Companies Act, schedule effective 1 Jan 2025) https://www.ciregistry.ky/fees/ General Registry – Advantages of Registration https://www.ciregistry.ky/companies-register/advantages-of-registration/ General Registry – Exempted Company https://www.ciregistry.ky/companies-register/types-of-companies/exempted-company/ General Registry – FAQs https://www.ciregistry.ky/faqs/ General Registry – FAQ: consequences of failing to file annual returns https://www.ciregistry.ky/faq-items/are-there-consequences-for-failing-to-file-annual-returns-and-fees/ General Registry – FAQ: filing annual returns on CBP https://www.ciregistry.ky/faq-items/i-need-to-file-my-annual-returns-on-cbp-how-do-i-proceed/ Companies Act (2025 Revision), General Registry https://www.ciregistry.ky/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Companies-Act-2025-Revision.pdf DITC – Economic Substance Notification User Guide https://www.ditc.ky/wp-content/uploads/Economic-Substance-Notification-User-Guide.pdf DITC – Economic Substance Guidance https://www.ditc.ky/wp-content/uploads/Economic-Substance-Guidance.pdf Beneficial Ownership Transparency (Legitimate Interest Access) Regulations, 2024 https://legislation.gov.ky/cms/images/LEGISLATION/SUBORDINATE/2024/2024-0047/2024-0047_SL%2047%20of%202024.pdf General Registry – Beneficial Ownership Legitimate Interest Access https://www.ciregistry.ky/beneficial-ownership-legitimate-interest-access/ Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act, 2023 (CIMA copy) https://www.cima.ky/upimages/lawsregulations/BeneficialOwnershipTransparencyAct,2023_1705419742.pdf