Territorial, not exempt
Business Tax Registration & Compliance in Seychelles
Seychelles taxes on a territorial basis. That is not the same as tax free, and your home country still has a view.
GCC business setup specialists
The reform changed the pitch
Seychelles replaced the old ring-fenced exemption with a territorial system: income sourced in Seychelles is taxed, foreign-source income generally is not. Domestic companies pay business tax with withholding taxes and sector levies on top. Anyone describing a Seychelles company as simply tax free is working from a superseded regime.
- Your actual source position assessed, not assumed
- Domestic rates, withholding and levies set out together
- Home-country exposure flagged, not ignored
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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What applies
The Seychelles tax picture
Source and vehicle decide the charge.
| Element | Position |
|---|---|
| Basis of charge | Territorial — Seychelles-source income. |
| International Business Company | Foreign-source income outside the charge. |
| Domestic company | Business tax on Seychelles-source income. |
| Special Licence Company | Resident, taxed at a low fixed rate. |
| Withholding taxes | Apply to certain payments. |
| Sector levies | Apply to certain businesses in addition. |
Rates, the source rules, withholding taxes and levies are set by statute and revised. Your position is assessed against current law, and home-country treatment is for your own advisers.
How it works
Getting tax right
Source analysis before any assumption.
01
Assess the position
Which vehicle you have, where income is sourced and which levies and withholding taxes apply.
02
Register
Registrations completed with the revenue commission where required, and the filing calendar established.
03
File and pay
Returns prepared from proper records, payments made on time and the position kept documented.
- Which vehicle you use
- Where customers are located
- Where services are performed
- Whether any activity occurs in Seychelles
- Income types received
- Payments made to non-residents
- Whether you employ in Seychelles
- Expected turnover
- Whether sector levies could apply
- Financial year end
- Prior filings and any arrears
- Tax residence of the owners
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Assessment of the source position
- Tax registrations where required
- Return preparation from proper records
- Withholding tax guidance
- Sector levy assessment
- Filing calendar and reminders
- Correspondence with the revenue commission
- Guidance where prior years are outstanding
Not included, quoted separately
- Taxes, levies and penalties, paid at cost
- Tax advice on non-Seychelles law
- Formal rulings and opinions
- Audit, quoted separately
- Transfer pricing studies
- Representation in litigation
- Accounts preparation unless included
- Regulated filings, made by the licensed registered agent
Verify independently
Official Seychelles authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Financial Services AuthorityRegistrar of CompaniesSeychelles Revenue CommissionSeychelles Licensing AuthorityMinistry of InvestmentSeychelles Pension Fund
Questions
Seychelles business tax — FAQs
Is a Seychelles IBC tax free?
No. It is taxed on a territorial basis, so foreign-source income falls outside the charge. Your home country may still tax the income or the owner.
What changed with the reform?
The old exemption for international companies was replaced by a territorial system. Some income now falls within the charge that previously did not.
How is a domestic company taxed?
Business tax on Seychelles-source income, with withholding taxes on certain payments and sector levies for some businesses.
Are there sector levies?
Yes, certain businesses face additional levies alongside business tax. We assess whether yours does.
Will my home country tax this?
Possibly, and that is a question for your own advisers in that country. We flag it rather than pretending the question does not exist.
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At Black Swan Business Setup Services, our mission is simple: to empower entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes to establish and expand their presence in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and beyond.
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