Cayman Islands tax rates
Caribbean · headline statutory rates, 2025 · Very low tax
In Cayman Islands, the top statutory personal income tax rate is 0% (no personal income tax) (ranked #93 of 96 countries), the headline corporate income tax rate is 0%, and the standard VAT/GST rate is No income tax, corporate tax or VAT (import duties instead). Capital gains for individuals are treated as: No capital gains tax. Overall it reads as a very low tax jurisdiction on headline rates — no personal income tax and a low or zero corporate rate. These are statutory top rates, not the effective tax most people pay, and not tax advice — verify with Cayman Islands's official tax authority.
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Data as of June 2026.
Cayman Islands tax rates at a glance
| Tax | Cayman Islands |
|---|---|
| Top personal income tax rate | 0% (no personal income tax) |
| Corporate income tax rate | 0% |
| Standard VAT / GST | No income tax, corporate tax or VAT (import duties instead) |
| Capital gains (individuals) | No capital gains tax |
| Employee social security | Employer pension contribution |
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Data as of June 2026.
Headline statutory rates (2025), compiled from PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries and cross-checked against OECD / Tax Foundation data. Rates change — confirm with the official tax authority before relying on them. This is not tax advice.
What these Cayman Islands rates mean
The figures above are headline statutory rates: the top marginal personal income tax rate, the standard (not reduced) VAT/GST rate, and the main corporate rate. Cayman Islands stands out because it charges no personal income tax on salaries, which is why it appears on lists of low-tax destinations for expats and remote workers. There is no broad VAT/GST — no income tax, corporate tax or vat (import duties instead). Always layer in social security (Employer pension contribution) and any local taxes for a full picture.
How Cayman Islands ranks
| Measure | Cayman Islands | Rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| Top personal income tax | 0% (no personal income tax) | #93 of 96 |
| Corporate income tax | 0% | #94 of 96 |
| Standard VAT/GST | No income tax, corporate tax or VAT (import duties instead) | — |
Countries with a similar tax level to Cayman Islands
The five countries closest to Cayman Islands on overall headline tax level:
| Country | Top income tax | Corporate tax | VAT/GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cayman Islands (this country) | 0% (no personal income tax) | 0% | No income tax, corporate tax or VAT (import duties instead) |
| British Virgin Islands | 0% (no personal income tax) | 0% | No income tax, corporate tax or VAT; payroll tax up to 14% |
| Qatar | 0% (no personal income tax) | 10% | No personal income tax; no VAT yet |
| Bahrain | 0% (no personal income tax) | 0% | 10% |
| Bahamas | 0% (no personal income tax) | 0% | 10% |
| United Arab Emirates | 0% (no personal income tax) | 9% | 5% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the income tax rate in Cayman Islands?
Cayman Islands levies no personal income tax on salaries — the top rate is 0%. (Some local, payroll or social-security charges may still apply.) These are headline statutory rates as of 2025; verify with the official tax authority before relying on them.
What is the corporate tax rate in Cayman Islands?
Cayman Islands's headline corporate income tax rate is 0%, ranking #94 of 96 by headline corporate rate. Effective rates can differ with incentives, surcharges and local taxes. Verify with the official authority.
Does Cayman Islands have VAT or sales tax?
Cayman Islands has no standard VAT/GST in our dataset (No income tax, corporate tax or VAT (import duties instead)).
Is Cayman Islands a high-tax or low-tax country?
On headline statutory rates, Cayman Islands looks like a very low tax jurisdiction — no personal income tax and a low or zero corporate rate. This is a rough signal from top rates only, not the effective tax an average person or company pays. Tax residency, deductions and treaties change the real picture. Not tax advice.
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Sources & accuracy
Headline rates for Cayman Islands from PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries, cross-checked with the OECD and Tax Foundation. Data as of June 2026; reflects roughly the 2025 tax year. These are statutory headline rates, not effective rates, and this page is general information, not tax advice — verify with Cayman Islands's official tax authority and a qualified adviser before acting. See our methodology and disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-20