Bahamas — Value-added tax (VAT)
General VAT Rate | Other Rates | Local Currency |
---|---|---|
8% | 0% | Dollar (BSD) |
Bahamas's general VAT rate is 8%, with other rates including 0% that can apply to certain transactions. The Value-added tax (VAT) is administered by the Central Revenue Agency (CRA) in Nassau.
Visitors to Bahamas can qualify for a VAT refund on all purchases made for export - learn more about Bahamas VAT refunds here.
The Bahamas exempts the following transactions from VAT: exports of goods or services, services or consumable goods for commercially scheduled foreign going vessels/aircraft, and others.
Bahamas is a member of the Member of CARICOM trading bloc, which may affect international VAT collection and regulations.
Bahamas's consumption tax is called the Value-added tax (VAT), which was introduced in January 2015.
Bahamas VAT rates for 2024
- Standard
- 7.5%
- Other
- Zero-rated (0%) and exempt
Bahamas VAT number format
Businesses in Bahamas that are required to collect tax will be issued an identification number. Tax identification numbers can be verified with the Central Revenue Agency (CRA), and will follow a certain format. The VAT number format is 123 4567-01-5.
Bahamas VAT return periods
Businesses in Bahamas that are required to collect tax from consumers must file regular tax returns with the Central Revenue Agency (CRA) in Nassau. Bahamas's VAT return periods are:
Monthly, quarterly and semi-annually
Bahamas Value-added tax (VAT) Thresholds
These are the revenue thresholds at which businesses in Bahamas are required to start collecting and remitting tax.
Recovery of VAT by non-established businesses
Non-established businesses are small, unincorporated businesses that sell taxable goods and may consist of a single individual, or several. Non-incorporated businesses in Bahamas are not required to collect taxes from the consumer.
Bahamas VAT Refunds
Bahamas has a VAT refund program that allows tourists and others to receive a refund of any Bahamas VAT paid on goods purchased in Bahamas that are being exported from the country.
The minimum purchase amount needed to claim a VAT refund is €25.00 Euros (which would yield a VAT refund of about €2). SalesTaxHandbook has detailed information about Bahamas's VAT refund program:
Learn More About Bahamas VAT RefundsBahamas Tax Sources & Citations
- EN: Bahamas Value Added Tax
- RU: НДС Багамские острова
- CN: 巴哈马 增值税
- Bahamas Central Revenue Agency (CRA) (1)
- Ernst & Young global VAT tax study, Bahamas (updated 2024)
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