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Launch Your Marshall Islands Holding Company

Fast, Low-Cost, Tax-Neutral

Set up your Marshall Islands holding company with Orbit. We manage incorporation through licensed registered agents, ensure Economic Substance (ES) compliance, and handle governance, bookkeeping, and renewal — giving you a lean, compliant offshore structure that’s ready to operate within 24–48 hours.

Set optimal prices and enhance your profit margin

Quick facts

Feature Value Why it matters
Best for SPVs, simple holding companies, joint ventures, shipping groups, family offices Low-cost and fast incorporation
Setup speed 24–48 hours Extremely quick turnaround
Minimum share capital None (typical: USD 1) Minimal entry barrier
Local director needed No 100% foreign ownership allowed
Company secretary Not mandatory (often bundled by agent) Low administrative burden
Registered office Required — via licensed registered agent Statutory requirement
Corporate income tax 0% Fully tax-neutral
Capital gains tax 0% Efficient exits
Withholding tax 0% Clean dividend distribution
Economic substance (ES) Light for pure equity holding companies Straightforward compliance
Audit Not required for standard companies Keeps annual cost low
Treaty network Minimal Neutral platform (not treaty-driven)
Banking ease Moderate Better with clear KYC and substance

Key Considerations

  • All incorporations must be done through a licensed registered agent.
  • No residency requirements for directors or shareholders — one of each is sufficient.
  • Economic Substance (ES) rules apply but are minimal for pure holding entities.
  • Annual renewal fees and ES notifications must be filed to remain in good standing.
  • Beneficial owner (UBO) details must be recorded with the registered agent (not public).
  • Audit not mandatory unless requested by investors or counterparties.

Cost snapshot (USD)

Cost item One-time setup Annual ongoing
Incorporation (via licensed agent) 800 – 1,200
Registered agent & office 500 – 1,000
Government renewal fee 450 – 800
Economic Substance filing 300 – 600
Accounting & recordkeeping 500 – 1,000
Estimated total 800 – 1,200 2,300 – 4,900 / year

Actual costs depend on service provider, corporate activity, and recordkeeping volume.

Why Marshall Islands works for holding companies

The Marshall Islands provides tax-neutral, low-cost incorporation under a U.S.-aligned legal framework — ideal for SPVs and simple holding structures:

It’s the go-to option where speed, neutrality, and cost control outweigh the need for tax treaties.

0 % tax on income, gains, and dividends.

Fast incorporation (typically 1–2 days).

No local director or office requirement beyond the registered agent.

Light compliance regime with straightforward Economic Substance filings.

Globally recognized for shipping, investment, and family-wealth vehicles.

Tax Regime for Holding Companies

  • Corporate income tax: 0 % — no income, profits, or corporate taxes.
  • Withholding tax on dividends: 0 % — none on dividends, interest, or royalties.
  • Capital gains tax: 0 % — no tax on share disposals.
  • Owner-level taxation: Determined by shareholder’s home country (CFC rules may apply).
  • Tax treaties: Minimal — not used for treaty optimization.

Economic Substance (ES) & Annual Requirements

For pure equity holding entities (PEHEs):

Maintain a registered office in the Marshall Islands.

File an annual ES notification and, if required, a short ES return.

Keep accounting and statutory records accessible within or through the agent.

If the entity carries out relevant activities (e.g., financing, distribution, HQ functions), enhanced ES standards apply — management presence, premises, and expenditure in the jurisdiction.

What you get with Orbit

One partner — from setup to compliance.

Pre-incorporation planning

Structure fit, investor expectations, and banking roadmap.

Incorporation

Name reservation, filings, and coordination with licensed agent.

Governance

Director appointments, share registers, minutes, and UBO maintenance.

Accounting & filings

Recordkeeping, annual summaries, ES notifications, and renewals.

Banking

Introductions to banks and fintechs supporting offshore entities (UAE, Singapore, UK, Switzerland).

Ongoing Support

Changes in officers, share transfers, or capital events.

How the process works

Orbit coordinates notary work through a local partner, secures a registered office, arranges director and board support for substance, and sets up bookkeeping and compliance.

1

Kickoff & KYC (Day 0)

Collect identification, ownership chart, and business purpose.

2

Notarial incorporation (24–48 hrs)

File through licensed agent; obtain incorporation documents.

3

Registered office setup

Confirm statutory address and agent appointment.

4

Go-live

Share certificates issued, registers created, and compliance calendar activated.

5

Annual compliance

Renewal, ES filings, and recordkeeping through Orbit.

What we need from you

Shareholder/director KYC (passport and proof of address).

Ownership chart and source-of-funds outline.

Intended activities and transaction flow.

Preferred banking jurisdiction (if banking support required).

Who this is ideal for

SPVs for joint ventures, financing, or asset ownership.

Family or private investment vehicles seeking low cost and privacy.

Shipping and maritime groups using the Marshall Islands corporate framework.

Simple holding entities where treaty benefits are not essential.

Quick Answers 

No.
None — 0 % corporate, capital gains, or withholding tax.
Yes, but minimal for pure holding entities.
No, unless requested.
Rarely — accounts typically opened in other jurisdictions.
No — beneficial owner data is kept privately with the agent.

Share your structure goals, and Orbit will guide you through a compliant Marshall Islands setup.

Licensed registered agent, economic substance filings, governance, bookkeeping, and banking support included.

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