Tax Residency & Special Tax Regimes

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Tax Residency Rules

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Saint Lucia does not impose global income tax on non-resident citizens. Individuals are considered Saint Lucian tax residents if they spend:

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• 183 or more days in a calendar year on the island;
  
• OR establish their center of vital interests (home, business, primary bank accounts, or family ties) in Saint Lucia.
  
  

Citizens by investment are not automatically deemed tax residents. This creates an advantageous structure for those seeking a second passport without triggering unwanted global tax reporting obligations.

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Income Taxation

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Saint Lucia taxes residents on a progressive scale, with rates ranging from 10% to 30%. However, most CIP investors are non-resident and therefore:

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• Not subject to local income tax on non-Saint Lucian income.
  
• Not required to file tax returns unless local income is generated (e.g., from real estate or business operations in Saint Lucia).
  
  

Strategic Tax Considerations

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There is no formal “non-domiciled” tax regime as found in Malta or the UK. However, Saint Lucia remains attractive due to:

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• Absence of capital gains tax, inheritance tax, and wealth tax.
  
• No restrictions on foreign exchange or repatriation of profits.
  
• No withholding taxes on dividends paid to non-residents (subject to structuring).

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For families structuring wealth via offshore trusts, Saint Lucia offers a robust international financial services framework. Entities like IBCs and trusts registered in Saint Lucia benefit from:

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• Anonymity (subject to FATF-compliant disclosures).
  
• Tax-neutral structures.
  
• Legislative stability and common law jurisdictional certainty.
  
  

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Treaty Networks

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Saint Lucia is party to double taxation treaties with the United Kingdom and CARICOM member states. While its treaty network is modest compared to EU jurisdictions, its standing as a non-blacklisted jurisdiction (as of July 2025) provides relative stability for cross-border planning.

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