🇲🇭 Marshall Islands
Non-resident domestic companies (NRDC) in the Marshall Islands are generally exempt from local taxes on foreign-sourced income, established quickly, and commonly used for ship registration and holding. Under the Economic Substance Rules (effective 2018, 2019), entities engaged in relevant activities must report economic substance annually. UBO and information exchange requirements also apply. Rules may be subject to adjustments; please refer to the latest announcements from the authorities (IRI Company Registry).
Marshall Islands Key conditions at a glance
| Common Company Types | Non-resident domestic company (NRDC)/LLC. |
|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | Foreign-sourced income is generally exempt from local tax (0%). |
| Estimated establishment costs | Approximately US$1,000–US$2,000 |
| Annual maintenance | Annual fee, registered agent; annual economic substance reporting required (if applicable). |
| Substance/Reporting Requirements | Economic substance (related activities), UBO, CRS; online submission of substance reports. |
| Suitable for purpose | Vessel registration, holding, asset ownership |
| Bank account opening | Offshore account opening is tightening, requiring comprehensive KYC. |
| Recent Changes | Implementation of economic substance rules, annual substance reporting obligations. |
| Standard share capital limit | Exempt from capital tax within 500 no-par-value shares (or aggregate par value not exceeding US$50,000); a one-time Capitalization Tax applies to any amount exceeding this threshold. |
Marshall Islands Key considerations
- Entities engaged in holding, financing, IP, shipping, and related activities must pass board management, adequacy, and CIGA tests and report accordingly.
- Failure to timely declare substance may result in fines or cancellation of registration.
- Home country CFC/substance taxation rules may still apply; should not be considered as overall tax exemption.
- If the authorized share capital exceeds 500 no-par-value shares or US$50,000 in par value, a one-time Capitalization Tax is payable upon incorporation or capital increase. It is advisable to confirm this threshold before planning the share structure.
Marshall Islands Application process
- Establish a NRDC or LLC through an IRI authorized agent.
- Register UBO and assess whether it falls within the economic substance scope.
- Annual declaration of economic substance via the IRI online system (if applicable).
- Pay the annual fee annually and maintain the registered agent.
Marshall Islands Frequently Asked Questions
Can Marshall Islands companies only be used for ship registration?
The Marshall Islands is known for ship registration, but NRDC is also widely used for holding and asset management; compliance and substance requirements vary by use and should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Do Marshall Islands companies need to report economic substance?
Entities engaged in related activities must submit an annual economic substance report; the scope of purely passive holdings must be confirmed by IRI rules, and failure to report may result in penalties.
Is there a tax ceiling on the share capital of a Marshall Islands company?
Yes. Standard share capital of 500 no-par-value shares (or par-value share capital not exceeding US$50,000 in aggregate) is exempt from capital tax; any excess is subject to a one-time Capitalization Tax. This threshold should be confirmed before planning the share capital structure.
How can I verify whether the company incorporation, tax, and compliance regulations for this jurisdiction are up to date?
Tax systems, annual fees, economic substance, and UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) rules in each jurisdiction are frequently amended. Recommendations: ① Check official company registry or tax authority announcements of the jurisdiction (official source links are provided at the bottom of this page); ② Verify the data date indicated on this page; ③ Understand post-incorporation annual filing, accounting, audit, and economic substance obligations—do not focus solely on incorporation fees; ④ Stay alert to agent claims that exaggerate tax savings or suggest no filing or compliance obligations after incorporation, and consult qualified tax/legal professionals for major decisions. This site provides a neutral compilation of public information; always refer to the latest official announcements.
Where can I look up the official company registry for Marshall Islands, and is it public?
| Official registry | RMI Registrar of Corporations (IRI) |
|---|---|
| Can the public search the register? | 🔒 No public online search (must go through agent or written application) |
| Notes | Non-resident company information is not publicly searchable; must be accessed through a registered agent. |
| Official search | Go to official registry search ↗ |
The above is a compilation of public information from official company registration authorities; public search rules and beneficial ownership disclosures are subject to change, so please refer to the latest official regulations. See the comparison table of registration transparency across jurisdictions →
Official sources: Republic of the Marshall Islands Registry (IRI) · Data date: 2026-08.This page is a neutral compilation of public data, for reference only, not tax/legal advice; options are subject to the latest official announcements.