Seychelles

Research notes

Seychelles — family-office tax dossier

Last reviewed: 2026-10-15 Tax year: 2026 Reviewer: research agent (Claude), unreviewed by a tax adviser

Summary

Seychelles levies personal income tax on employment emoluments and business tax on business income; there is no capital gains tax, and foreign-source dividends and investment income of a private individual are not taxed (territorial system). No wealth, inheritance or gift tax; foreigners owning residential property pay an annual immovable property tax of 0.25% of market value. Residence for foreigners needs a permit. Low-to-medium confidence: no Big-4 summary was available.

Residence and eligibility

Generally resident if present 183+ days in a year (not verified against the statute).

• Residence permit / Gainful Occupation Permit (EU, US, OTHER): Foreigners need a residence permit (e.g. for retirees, investors or dependants) or a Gainful Occupation Permit; foreign purchase of property requires government sanction. Terms not verified.

Capital gains

Capital gains are not subject to tax in Seychelles (Lloyds Bank Trade). Business tax applies only to Seychelles-sourced business income (territorial since 2019, Business Tax Act 2009 as amended).

• Rate basis: No CGT; all rates 0.
• Professional trader: Gains of a business (trading) could fall under business tax; private investors not affected.
• Confidence: medium (unverified), verified 2026-10-15.
• JSON numbers: headline 0.0; listed domestic 0.0, listed foreign 0.0, private business 0.0, local real estate 0.0, foreign real estate 0.0.

Dividends

Individuals' income tax is levied on employment emoluments (SRC). Foreign dividends of a private individual are not taxed. Seychelles-company dividends: 15% WHT to non-residents; 0% between resident entities.

• Rate basis: Foreign dividends 0 (outside both the employment-income tax and Seychelles-source business tax). Domestic rate unknown (null).
• Outbound WHT: 15% WHT on dividends, interest and royalties paid to non-residents; 0% between resident entities (Lloyds).
• Treaty network: Treaty network size not verified; no treaty with the United States.
• Confidence: low (unverified), verified 2026-10-15.
• JSON numbers: headline 0.0, domestic None, foreign gross 0.0, credit method not_applicable.

Inheritance and gifts to children

No inheritance, estate or gift tax was found.

• Gift tax: None found.
• Foreign assets: No tax found on any asset.
• Domicile rules: Not relevant.
• Confidence: medium (unverified), verified 2026-10-15.
• JSON numbers: basis none, children fully_exempt, exemption 0, brackets none, other transfer cost 0.0.

Wealth tax

No net wealth tax.

• Property taxes: Foreigners who own residential immovable property pay an annual immovable property tax of 0.25% of market value (Lloyds). Stamp duty 5% on purchases by residents; special rules for non-residents. Not a wealth tax.
• Confidence: medium (unverified), verified 2026-10-15.
• JSON: type none.

Special regimes

None modelled. No special tax regime for newly arriving wealthy residents was found.

Company taxation (kept separate from personal tax)

Business tax 25% on the first SCR 1M of taxable income and 33% above (Uniwide, 2019 figures; not verified for 2026). Companies with economic substance can be exempt on foreign passive income.

Cost of living notes

No cost-of-living items were sourced in this pass.

US citizens: US citizens remain US-taxed; no US-Seychelles tax treaty.

Open questions

• The Business Tax Act text was not read; gains that form part of a business (trading) could be business income.
• Whether a resident individual receiving dividends from a Seychelles company suffers 15% WHT was not verified.
• Stamp duty on transfers of immovable property on death or by gift not verified.

Sources

• Seychelles: Business environment - taxes
• Seychelles-sourced income: official guidance (updated Aug 2025)
• Seychelles Revenue Commission: Domestic taxation (Income and Non-Monetary Benefits Tax)

Change log

• 2026-10-15: initial research.