Americas · Sociedad Anónima (SA)
Panama Company Formation 2026
Filing $1,100 · Annual $400 · Corp tax 25% · Banking 6/10
The numbers
| Entity type | Sociedad Anónima (SA) |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (one-off) | $1,100 |
| Annual government fee | $400 |
| Registered agent / corp. secretary | ~$600/yr |
| Headline corporate tax | 25% |
| Effective tax notes | Territorial: 0% on foreign-sourced income. 25% on Panama-sourced. |
| VAT / GST / sales tax | 7% |
| Minimum paid-up capital | Nominal |
| Processing time | 5 business days |
| Remote formation | Yes |
| UBO public | No (private register) |
| Banking accessibility | 6/10 |
| Privacy score | 7/10 |
| Stripe | ❌ Not supported |
| PayPal Business | ❌ |
| Wise Business | ❌ |
Why people choose Panama
- Territorial tax
- Long-established
Trade-offs to know
- Reputational concerns
- Stripe/PayPal not available
Who Panama is best for
- Asset holding
- Latin America trade
Annual franchise tax $300 + RUC $50 + agent.
Authoritative sources
Panama official business registry / authorityFees last verified against the source: 2026-05-15
Other commonly compared Americas jurisdictions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form a company in Panama?
The state/registry filing fee is approximately $1,100. A registered agent or local representative typically costs around $600/year. Annual maintenance is approximately $400.
What is the corporate tax rate in Panama?
Panama's headline corporate income tax rate is 25%. Territorial: 0% on foreign-sourced income. 25% on Panama-sourced.
Can a non-resident form a company in Panama?
Yes, remote formation is generally possible in Panama.
Is Stripe available for Panama companies?
Stripe is not officially supported for businesses incorporated in Panama. You may need to incorporate in a supported country (such as the US, UK, or Singapore) to access Stripe.
What is the minimum paid-up capital?
Effectively none — companies can be formed with a nominal $1 of share capital.