Business in Dominica

A business name must be registered with CIPO when it differs from the operator's true name. Individual applicants use form BN1, firms or partnerships use BN2, and companies use BN3. E-filing is possible, but the forms must be printed, signed and submitted to CIPO. Operating under an unregistered business name is an offence. A business name must not be identical or confusingly similar to an existing registered name, and it must not create a misleading association with the state, a political party, university or professional association. Company names must include Limited, Corporation, Incorporated, Ltd., Corp. or Inc.; these terms do not belong in a business name registration. The Companies Act 1994 provides for private limited, public limited, non-profit and external companies. An external company is a foreign company carrying on business in Dominica. An International Business Company, or IBC, has specific restrictions: it may not conduct business with persons domiciled or resident in Dominica, hold local real estate or take banking deposits or insurance contracts. An incorporation applicant must be at least 18, of sound mind and not bankrupt. Incorporation uses Form 1 and Form 9A for each director. CIPO registration creates a separate legal entity, and a limited-liability structure can protect owners from some company obligations. CIPO fees include EC$70 for a business-name application, EC$20 for a statement of particulars and EC$10 for each statutory declaration. A business-name annual fee is EC$50 and is due on 2 April; the annual return fee is EC$10. Company incorporation costs EC$750, while non-profit incorporation costs EC$150. Company annual fees are EC$200 for share capital up to EC$49,999, EC$500 for EC$50,000 to EC$100,000, EC$700 for EC$100,001 to EC$200,000 and EC$100 for each additional EC$100,000 above EC$200,000. An external-company certificate costs EC$3,000 and its annual return costs EC$100. Every business, regardless of size or type, must register with IRD before operating and report its commencement date in writing. Businesses must keep complete and accurate trading records and file annual returns under the Income Tax Act. CIPO sends incorporated-company information to IRD for taxpayer registration. A self-employed operator reports and pays personal income tax. Individual chargeable income is taxed at 0% from EC$0 to EC$30,000, 15% from EC$30,001 to EC$50,000, 25% from EC$50,001 to EC$80,000 and 35% above EC$80,000. A company pays 25% of net profit. Company instalments are 25%, 35% and 40%, and the income-tax return is due within three months after the financial year ends. VAT registration applies when taxable supplies exceed EC$250,000. The standard VAT rate is 15%; accommodation and diving use a 10% rate, and certain supplies are zero-rated. VAT returns and payments are due by the 20th of the following month, and prices must be shown as VAT-inclusive. A late return attracts EC$100 per month or part of a month, late payment attracts 10%, and interest is 1% per month. Licences depend on the activity and premises. A Parlour or Store Licence may be required for business premises, with the fee based on the value of trading stock. An IRD statement can replace that licence for livestock or goods made in Dominica. Professional practice, liquor sales, fishing and regulated sectors can require separate approvals, including a professional licence, liquor or sector licence, or a Fisheries Division licence. Construction or changes to premises can require planning permission. Other approvals depend on the activity. Dominica Social Security (DSS) registration covers self-employed people ordinarily resident in Dominica who are engaged in employment and are aged 16 to 65. The application can require an original birth certificate, a marriage certificate where relevant and evidence of income. An employer must register within seven days after hiring an employee. Company registration requires the certificate of incorporation, articles and registered-office notice. A business-name application identifies the name, business activity, principal place and operators; all partners sign a partnership application. A practical start-up sequence is CIPO registration or incorporation, IRD registration, VAT registration where required, DSS registration, and then any land, work, planning, fisheries or sector approvals. Dominica does not impose a general restriction on foreign business ownership, but non-national work and land access have separate conditions. An Alien Land Holding Licence is required before acquiring commercial land over three acres or residential land over one acre. Its fee is 10% of the property value, and the licence is not transferable. The Small Business Support Unit (SBSU) offers the Government Small Business Assistance Program for micro, small and medium-sized businesses. Its support can include financial-management, marketing, customer-service, business-management, legalities, time-management, continuity and fiduciary-responsibility training, as well as advice, advocacy and practical assistance. Grants, training places and financing depend on each programme's eligibility rules and availability. Invest Dominica Authority (IDA) supports new and expanding businesses in areas such as organic agribusiness, aquaculture, tourism, knowledge services, renewable energy, manufacturing, agro-processing, information and communications technology and other services. Qualifying domestic or foreign enterprises may receive incentives such as tax holidays of up to 15 or 20 years, full profit repatriation and exemption from capital gains tax. The applicant submits an application and supporting documents; IDA reviews it, makes a recommendation and the Cabinet decides. Approval depends on the project, sector and conditions. During operation, a company must report changes such as directors or registered office and maintain annual returns, annual accounts or a certificate of solvency, tax records, VAT records and DSS obligations. CIPO can also provide functional protection for an intellectual-property or brand matter, although intellectual property is separate from business registration. A company can continue through a share transfer. Closure through liquidation requires a liquidator's accounts and a final audited account. IBC dissolution uses a CIPO filing and may have restoration procedures. The reviewed official material does not establish one uniform business-name deregistration process, so the current procedure should be verified with the responsible bodies. Closing a business name does not automatically prove that tax or DSS obligations have ended. Formal fees and statutory deadlines are documented, but sector-licence processing times, grant amounts, financing terms and business-name closure timing require confirmation for the specific case.