Company Registration in Puerto Rico
Capital: San Juan.
Official languages: English and Spanish.
Currency: US dollar.
The most common form of company in this country is a limited liability company (LLC), as well as a corporation or foreign representative office (Corp).
Company registration provides the following benefits:
- Using American infrastructure when conducting international business.
- An option for obtaining an American EB-5 visa for investors when creating a business in Puerto Rico.
- No withholding tax on dividends and interest from sources outside Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean country, formerly part of the Spanish Empire, and currently Puerto Rico is an associated territory of the United States as a Commonwealth. This means a certain autonomy and self-government of the island while maintaining control by the US authorities.
Citizens of Puerto Rico have US citizenship, but the island is not a state and does not have full representation in the US Congress. Thus, this territory has a special status within the American statehood.
Taxation and Reporting Features
Corporate Income Tax:
- Standard rate: 4%
- Incentives for Export Services: 0%
- Tax exemptions for certain business activities
Sales and Use Tax:
- Standard rate: 11.5%
- Exemptions for certain goods and services
- Special rates for manufacturing and agriculture
Dividends:
- Subject to a 0% withholding tax for non-residents
- Residents may qualify for reduced rates
Company registration in Puerto Rico is managed through the Department of State. The proposed company name must be submitted and approved through their online system.
To register a company, the application must be signed by the incorporator and include basic company information. It should be accompanied by required documents such as the articles of incorporation, a declaration, copies of IDs, and tax identification numbers of the incorporators.
Once the company is incorporated, its registration details will appear in the Puerto Rico Business Registry. To finalize the registration, the company must register with the Department of Treasury and the Department of Labor and Human Resources.
At the time of registration, the company must have:
- A Tax ID Number obtained from the Department of Treasury — required for tax purposes and to open a bank account.
- Articles of Incorporation filed with the Department of State or notarized.
- A bank statement confirming sufficient capital to start the company, including the company name, incorporators, and their share of the capital.
- A receipt for the payment of applicable fees to the Department of State.
Company Registration in Puerto Rico
- Limited liability
- Minimum 1 director / 1 shareholder
- Simple business structure

Company Registration in Puerto Rico
Additional information
- Financial reporting: Mandatory annually (GAAP/IFRS)
- Audit: Required for all registered entities
- Annual Return: Due within 60 days after the anniversary
- Tax return: Corporate Income Tax Return submission
- Employer's Return: If employees are present
- Registers: Mandatory for shareholders and directors
- Directors' details Available to the public in the registry
- Shareholders' details Publicly accessible
- Financial reporting Kept confidential (not disclosed)
Timeline and Stages
- 01
Preparation of documents and selecting a company name
1-2 days - 02
Conducting a name search in the Puerto Rico Registry
1 day - 03
Submission of documents online or offline
1 day - 04
Acquiring Company Incorporation and Business Registration certificates
about 2 weeks - 05
Setting up a corporate bank account
2-4 weeks
The bottom line
Registering a company in Puerto Rico can be a complex process that requires understanding local laws and procedures. We recommend that you seek advice from qualified IT-OFFSHORE consulting specialists who have experience working with this jurisdiction and will be able to register your company in Puerto Rico in the shortest possible time.
We offer not only legal support for company registration, but also a wide range of services, which includes accounting services, nominee services, and full support of the company after its registration; Thus, we provide full year-round service to your company.
Cost calculation
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FAQ
Can you register a company remotely?
Yes, in most cases — you can.
Remote company registration is available in the vast majority of popular jurisdictions today. Modern corporate services, electronic document management and professional registered agents make it possible to complete the entire registration process without being physically present in the country.
The process typically works as follows: you provide the required documents electronically, sign them remotely — via a notary, apostille or electronic signature — and a local registered agent handles all communication with government authorities and document submission on your behalf.
This has been made possible by several factors: most countries allow foreign founders and directors, corporate service providers operate remotely across the globe, and the digitisation of government registries has significantly streamlined and accelerated the procedures.
The one step that may still require in-person presence is opening a corporate bank account — however, even here many banks and fintech platforms now offer remote identity verification.
What documents are needed for registration?
Registering a company in most jurisdictions requires a standard set of documents. For individuals — founders and directors — the typical requirements include: a certified copy of a passport, proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement no older than 3 months), and in some cases a bank reference letter or CV.
For corporate shareholders, the required documents include: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, register of directors and shareholders, and confirmation of the ownership structure.
Do I need to keep accounting records and submit reports?
Accounting and reporting requirements vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction. In most countries, companies are required to maintain proper bookkeeping, file annual financial statements and submit tax returns.
At the same time, there are a number of jurisdictions where reporting requirements are minimal or effectively non-existent for non-resident companies. These include, for example, the Marshall Islands, the Cook Islands, Panama, Belize, Seychelles and Vanuatu — in these countries, companies that do not conduct business within the territory of the registration state are generally exempt from mandatory financial reporting and audit requirements.
We provide full company administration services, including preparation and submission of annual reports, liaison with local authorities and ensuring full compliance with all corporate requirements of the jurisdiction.
Is it possible to open a bank account for a company?
Yes, opening a corporate bank account is possible for virtually any jurisdiction, however this process deserves careful attention. Today businesses have two main options: traditional banks and fintech platforms.
Traditional banks offer a full range of financial services, but account opening requirements have become increasingly stringent — KYC procedures, source of funds confirmation, business plans and in some cases in-person presence may be required. Fintech platforms — such as Wise, Airwallex, Revolut Business and others — open accounts significantly faster and remotely, making them a popular solution for international companies at an early stage.
Is it possible to use nominee directors?
Yes, the use of nominee directors and shareholders is a common and legitimate practice in international corporate structuring. A nominee director is formally listed in the company registry but acts exclusively in accordance with the instructions of the beneficial owner, providing an additional layer of privacy.
This service is particularly in demand in jurisdictions where information about directors and shareholders is entered into a public register — for example, in Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Malta and a number of other EU countries. In offshore jurisdictions, nominee services are also widely used to simplify corporate governance and protect ownership structures.
We provide nominee director and shareholder services for any jurisdiction we work with.