The dual-island country of St Kitts and Nevis is a Caribbean paradise. The country is famous for its stunning natural landscape, white sandy beaches, tropical climate, and warm and welcoming population. In addition to this, the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program is one of the most attractive programs in the world, offering tax residency status to foreign investors. In this article, you will learn about St Kitts Tax Residency, how to obtain a St Kitts passport, the benefits of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship, and more.

How to obtain St Kitts Tax Residency

obtain-tax-residency

To become a tax resident in St Kitts and Nevis, you must live there for at least two months during the tax year. Although, if you want to apply for permanent tax residency status in the country, you can obtain it through St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment program.

Apply for St Kitts Tax Identification Number

To ensure that there are no roadblocks after you obtain citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis, the country’s government now provides citizens with a TIN (Tax Identification Number). Here are the requirements that you need to meet to obtain a TIN in St Kitts and Nevis:

You need to travel to St Kitts and Nevis to get a driver’s license. Previously, this could be done remotely. But from 2020, the St Kitts and Nevis government has mandated that all candidates travel to the country to obtain a driver’s license.

Once you obtain the driver’s license, you will receive the TIN and the authentication letter from the St Kitts and Nevis government.

No Personal Income Tax in St Kitts and Nevis

After gaining independence in 1983, St Kitts and Nevis have never levied personal income taxes on its citizens or residents. This benefit applies to all personal income garnered from all local and international sources. Moreover, the country does not impose any wealth taxes, gift taxes, or capital gains tax.

Other Taxes Applicable in St Kitts and Nevis

Although St Kitts and Nevis is a tax haven for international investors, there are certain taxes that are imposed on citizens and residents in the country. These includes social security tax, withholding taxes on non-residents, corporate income tax, VAT, stamp duty, and real estate tax.

Social Security Tax

Locally employed residents of Saint Kitts and Nevis between the ages of 16 and 62 need to pay 5% of their wages to St Kitts and Nevis Social Security Board. In addition to this, the local business owners must also match 5% of their employees’ contribution. Employers must also contribute 1% for employee injury coverage.

Tax Rates for Corporations

St Kitts and Nevis government imposes a flat corporate income tax (CIT) rate of 33% on net profit before tax adjusted for non-deductible expenses and allowable deductions. Non-resident corporations are required to pay income tax on revenues that are received within St Kitts and Nevis. On the other hand, resident companies are required to pay income tax on global income.

A company is considered to be a resident company in St Kitts and Nevis if it has been incorporated in the country or has been registered as an external company in St Kitts and Nevis under the companies act. 

Corporations in St Kitts also need to pay taxes on capital gains at a rate of 16.5%. However, this tax only applies if the appreciating asset was sold within the first 12 months after acquisition. Otherwise, it is exempted. Here is an overview of the tax structure:

  • Corporate Tax Rate -33%
  • Branch Tax Rate -33%
  • Branch withholding tax – 15% on remittance of profits to head office
  • Corporate Capital Gains Tax Rate -16.5%

Property Tax Rates in St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis government charges tax on properties in the country based on its classification. There are five types of classified property in St Kitts and Nevis. They include residential, commercial, accommodation, institutional, and agricultural properties. Compared to St Kitt’s, the tax rate levied in Nevis is relatively lower. We are sharing the details of property taxes below:

  • Residential  land in St. Kitts   – 0.002
  • Residential land in Nevis – 0.00075
  • Residential  Building in St Kitts – 0.002  
  • Residential land in Nevis – 0.00156

Residential property owners in St Kitts and Nevis can avail of an exemption of 80,000. Here is the list of additional tax rates as per property classifications in St Kitts and Nevis:

  • Commercial land in  St. Kitts  – 0.003               
  • Commercial land in Nevis –  0.0020
  • Commercial building  in St Kitts   -0.003
  • Commercial building in Nevis – 0.0030
  • Accommodation land in St Kitts – 0.003
  • Accommodation land  in  Nevis – 0.0020
  • Accommodation building in St Kitts –  0.003   
  • Accommodation building in Nevis – 0.0030
  • Institutional land in  St Kitts – 0.00
  • Institutional land in  Nevis -0.0150
  • Institutional building in St Kitts – 0.00    
  • Institutional building in Nevis -0.0020
  • Agricultural  land in St. Kitts  – 0.0000
  • Agricultural  land  in Nevis – 0.0010
  • Agricultural building  in St Kitts – 0.0000  
  •  Agricultural building  in Nevis -0.0000

Stamp duty on transfers of real property in St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts government levies stamp duty on numerous transactions, including transfers of real property, transfer of shares, mortgages, contracts, leases, and bank loans. Moreover, the vendor is responsible for the payment of all stamp duty on property transfers on the tax rates mentioned below:

Type of Transfer Tax Rate

  • Real Property Transfer in exchange for money 12%*
  • Real Property Transfer w/o Consideration 6%
  • Transfer between Husband and Wife $100 flat fee
  • Transfer between Parents and Children $100 flat fee
  • Transfer of Land by Will $100 flat fee
  • Transfer of Registered Condominium Units 5%*
  • Transfer of Shares or Debentures 2%*
  • Transfer of Mortgages 1%
  • Transfer of Bank Loans to aliens 2.5%

Withholding Tax for Non Residents

A withholding tax of 15% will be withheld when a resident company or individual is making payment to a non-resident that is overseas in respect of the following things:

  • Dividends
  • Interest, annuities, premiums, and discounts
  • Rent, leases, royalties, and contract payments 
  • Natural resources
  • Commissions, remuneration, fees, and licenses
  • Charges for personal services, commercial advice, and managerial skills
  • Administration, management, or head office expenses
  • Profits
  • Technical, vocational, or other service fees
  • Accounting, actuarial, legal, and audit expenses
  • Any other annual or periodic payments or distributions

Value Added Tax Rates in St Kitts and Nevis

Be it businesses, individuals, or government entities, all are required to pay VAT for goods and services received on St Kitts and Nevis. You need to pay a standard 17% which is reduced to 10% for hotel accommodations and restaurants. Moreover, most food, medicine, and funeral expenses are exempted from VAT in the country.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment

St-Kitts-CBI-Program

The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Program offers foreign investors to apply for citizenship in the country in return for a financial contribution.

Advantages of St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

  • St Kitts and Nevis have a steadily growing economy
  • Attractive real estate market
  • Tax-friendly structure for foreign investors
  • No stay requirements when applying for citizenship
  • You can include your family members in the application for obtaining citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis
  • Visa-free access to more than 140 countries across the country
  • The application process is easy, and it takes only a few months to obtain the citizenship

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship – Investment Options

St-Kitts-investment-options

You can obtain St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship through three investment routes:

Investment in Sustainable Island State Contribution – You need to make a financial contribution of $250,000 to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC). Additional fees may also apply. The SISC has replaced the St Kitts and Nevis Sustainable Growth Fund.

Investment in Real Estate – You need to make a minimum investment of $400,000 in shares of an Approved Development, purchase a condominium unit worth at least $400,000, or purchase a private house worth $800,000 or more. Please note that the properties can be resold after seven years.

Public Benefit Investment- Make a minimum investment of $250,000 to support a project previously approved by the government that benefits the population of St Kitts and Nevis.

St Kitts and Nevis Passport Visa Free Countries

With a St Kitts and Nevis passport, you can have visa-free access to more than 140 countries across the world.

  • Albania – visa-free/90 days
  • Andorra- visa-free/90 days
  • Angola – pre-visa on arrival
  • Antigua and Barbuda – visa-free
  • Argentina – visa-free/90 days
  • Armenia eVisa/120 days
  • Austria – visa-free/90 days
  • Bahamas visa-free/90 days
  • Bangladesh visa-free/90 days
  • Barbados – visa-free/180 days
  • Belarus – visa-free/30 days
  • Belgium – visa-free/90 days
  • Belize – visa-free
  • Bolivia – visa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina – visa-free/90 days
  • Botswana – visa-free/90 days
  • Brazil – visa-free/90 days
  • Bulgaria – visa-free/90 days
  • Burundi – visa on arrival/30 days
  • Cambodia visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
  • Cape Verde – visa on arrival (EASE)
  • Chile – visa-free/90 days
  • Colombia – visa-free/90 days
  • Comoros – visa on arrival/45 days
  • Congo (Dem. Rep.) – eVisa/90 days
  • Costa Rica – visa-free/90 days
  • Croatia – visa-free/90 days
  • Cuba – visa-free/30 days
  • Cyprus – visa-free/90 days
  • Czech Republic – visa-free/90 days
  • Denmark – visa-free/90 days
  • Djibouti – eVisa
  • Dominica – visa-free
  • Dominican Republic – visa-free
  • Ecuador – visa-free/90 days
  • El Salvador visa-free/90 days
  • Estonia – visa-free/90 days
  • Ethiopia – eVisa/90 days
  • Fiji – visa-free/120 days
  • Finland – visa-free/90 days
  • France – visa-free/90 days
  • Gabon – eVisa/90 days
  • Gambia – visa-free/90 days
  • Germany – visa-free/90 days
  • Greece – visa-free/90 days
  • Grenada – visa-free
  • Guatemala – visa-free/90 days
  • Guinea – eVisa/90 days
  • Guyana – visa-free/90 days
  • Haiti  – visa-free/90 days
  • Honduras – visa-free/90 days
  • Hong Kong – visa-free/90 days
  • Hungary –  visa-free/90 days
  • Iceland – visa-free/90 days
  • India – eVisa/30 days
  • Iran – eVisa/30 days
  • Ireland – visa-free/90 days
  • Israel – visa-free/90 days
  • Italy – visa-free/90 days
  • Jamaica visa-free
  • Jordan – visa on arrival
  • Kenya – visa-free/90 days
  • Kiribati – visa-free/120 days
  • Kosovo – visa-free/90 days
  • Laos – visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
  • Latvia visa-free/90 days
  • Lebanon – visa on arrival/30 days
  • Lesotho – visa-free/90 days
  • Liechtenstein – visa-free/90 days
  • Lithuania – visa-free/90 days
  • Luxembourg visa-free/90 days
  • Macao – visa on arrival/30 days
  • Madagascar – visa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
  • Malawi – visa-free/90 days
  • Malaysia – visa-free/30 days
  • Maldives visa on arrival/30 days
  • Malta – visa-free/90 days
  • Mauritania visa on arrival
  • Mauritius – visa-free/90 days
  • Micronesia – visa-free/30 days
  • Moldova – visa-free/90 days
  • Monaco – visa-free/90 days
  • Montenegro – visa-free/90 days
  • Mozambique – visa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
  • Nepal – visa on arrival/150 days
  • Netherlands – visa-free/90 days
  • Nicaragua – visa-free/90 days
  • Nigeria – pre-visa on arrival
  • North Macedonia – visa-free/90 days
  • Norway – visa-free/90 days
  • Palau –  visa on arrival/30 days
  • Palestinian Territories – visa-free
  • Panama – visa-free/90 days
  • Papua New Guinea – eVisa/30 days
  • Peru – visa-free/180 days
  • Philippines – visa-free/30 days
  • Poland – visa-free/90 days
  • Portugal – visa-free/90 days
  • Romania – visa-free/90 days
  • Russian Federation – visa-free/90 days
  • Rwanda – visa-free/90 days
  • Saint Lucia – visa-free
  • Samoa – visa on arrival/90 days
  • San Marino – visa-free/90 days
  • Senegal – visa on arrival/30 days
  • Serbia- visa-free/90 days
  • Seychelles – tourist registration/90 days
  • Sierra Leone – visa on arrival/30 days
  • Singapore – visa-free/30 days
  • Slovakia – visa-free/90 days
  • Slovenia – visa-free/90 days
  • Solomon Islands – visa on arrival/90 days
  • Somalia – visa on arrival/30 days
  • South Sudan – eVisa
  • Spain –  visa-free/90 days
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines – visa-free
  • Suriname – visa-free/180 days
  • Sweden – visa-free/90 days
  • Switzerland – visa-free/90 days
  • Taiwan – visa-free/30 days
  • Tanzania – visa-free/90 days
  • Timor-Leste visa on arrival/30 days
  • Togo – visa on arrival/15 days
  • Tonga – visa on arrival/31 days
  • Trinidad and Tobago – visa-free
  • Tunisia – visa-free/90 days
  • Tuvalu –visa on arrival/30 days
  • Türkiye – visa-free/90 days
  • Uganda – eVisa
  • Ukraine – visa-free/90 days
  • United Kingdom – visa-free/180 days
  • Uruguay – visa-free/90 days
  • Uzbekistan – visa-free/30 days
  • Vanuatu – visa-free/30 days
  • Vatican City – visa-free/90 days
  • Venezuela – visa-free/90 days
  • Zambia – visa-free/90 days
  • Zimbabwe – visa-free/90 days

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