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Seychelles tax guide 2026

Seychelles tax for companies: territorial since 2019, and who substance reaches

Updated 10 November 2026Lists as at November 2026About 9 minutes to read
The short answer

A Seychelles IBC pays tax only on income from the Seychelles. Income from clients and work abroad is outside the tax, and with no Seychelles income there's no return to file.

The substance rules reach only IBCs in multinational groups. The yearly government fee is a flat US$140.

Is my income taxed? Fees and records
Territorial US$140 a year: the Seychelles IBC government fee, flat No tax on income from abroad, no return without Seychelles income. Substance only for group companies.

A Seychelles IBC is taxed only on income from the Seychelles, and that has been true since 2019. The substance rules many guides warn about reach only companies in multinational groups. Here's what applies to an ordinary IBC run from abroad, from the Business Tax Act and the Financial Services Authority.

Key takeaways

Chapter 1

Seychelles IBC tax: Seychelles income only

US$100,000 fees from abroadIBC
Seychelles business taxUS$0
Withheld on dividends to youUS$0
Tax returnNone needed
Yearly government feeUS$140
Your own country may tax what you take out. Where you live: pick it

Since 1 January 2019 IBCs sit in the ordinary territorial system. Pick your income.

The company earns
SCR

Where Seychelles income is taxed, the rate is 15% on the first SCR 1 million and 25% above, since 2022; banks, telecoms, insurers, alcohol and tobacco pay more.

1
Key takeaway

Income from outside the Seychelles is outside the tax. No return needed.

Chapter 2

Seychelles economic substance: who it reaches

An ordinary IBC
  • Owned by you, not part of a group with companies abroad
  • No substance test, no substance report
  • Foreign income simply outside the tax
An IBC in a multinational group
2
Key takeaway

Substance rules are for group companies with foreign passive income.

Chapter 3

Seychelles withholding tax and treaties

0%On payments made out of foreign income, on the usual reading
15%Final withholding on Seychelles-source dividends, interest and royalties to non-residents
15%VAT, compulsory above SCR 2 million of Seychelles sales
29Tax treaties on the Revenue Commission's list, none with the UK, US, Germany or France

3
Key takeaway

Payments out of foreign income leave untaxed on the usual reading.

Chapter 4

Seychelles IBC annual fee and records

Annual fee paid
  1. At least twice a yearLodge accounting recordsCopies of records kept outside the Seychelles go to the registered office; electronic is fine. Breach: up to US$10,000.
  2. Within 6 months of year endFinancial summaryKept at the registered office. Not needed for a holding company that isn't large.
  3. Each anniversaryAnnual government feeUS$140, flat, whatever the share capital. Every renewal date and late step: Seychelles annual fees and filings.
4
Key takeaway

Records to the registered office twice a year; US$140 every year.

Chapter 5

Is the Seychelles a tax haven?

It doesn't tax foreign income, but it's on neither EU list: blacklisted from February 2020 to October 2021 and again from October 2023, grey listed from February 2024, cleared on 17 February 2026 and still clear on 9 October 2026. The OECD rated it largely compliant in January 2026. What that means when you open an account: Seychelles IBC bank account.

5
Key takeaway

Off both EU lists since 17 February 2026.

Chapter 6

Seychelles tax questions, answered

?!
Does a Seychelles IBC pay tax?
Only on income from the Seychelles, at 15% on the first SCR 1 million and 25% above. Income from business abroad is outside the tax.
Did the Seychelles change IBC tax in 2024?
No. The territorial system for IBCs dates from 1 January 2019, and the substance rules for group companies from September 2021.
Does a Seychelles IBC file a tax return?
Not if it has no Seychelles income, according to the Revenue Commission.
Does an IBC need economic substance in the Seychelles?
Only if it belongs to a multinational group and earns foreign passive income.
How much is the Seychelles IBC annual fee?
US$140 a year, flat. Late payment adds 10% within 90 days and 50% after.
Is the Seychelles on the EU blacklist?
No. It left the EU lists on 17 February 2026.
What does your Seychelles IBC include?
Our Seychelles IBC includes the government fee, registered agent and records reminders every year.

Changelog

  • 10 November 2026: first published.
  • 13 November 2026: official sources linked in the text.
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US$580 a year with the government fee inside.

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