Bahamas Government

The Bahamas is a member of the British Commonwealth and has a parliamentary democracy, or a constitutional multi-party parliamentary democracy to be precise.

The Bahamas achieved independence from Great Britain on July 10, 1973. The Government is headed by the Prime Minister and there is an upper house, the Senate (a 16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and a lower House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms). Queen Elizabeth II is the nominal Head of State and is represented in The Bahamas by an appointed Governor General.

Presently there is no direct taxation, i.e. on capital gains, corporate earnings, personal income, sales, inheritance or dividends. Though their now is a stamp tax of 7% on goods imported for business use. The absence of income, corporate, and inheritance taxes means that import duties are the main source of Bahamas government revenue. As a result, tariff rates are very high; the Bahamas raises some 65 percent of its revenues from import tariffs. The general rate of duty charges on imports is 32 percent, though there are numerous exemptions (for example the duty rate on computer equipment is 0%). There are no other significant barriers to trade. This duty can be considered a tax. There is also licensing fee for businesses which can also be considered a "tax" as this license fee can vary with earnings ("gross receipts").

Private property is easy to acquire and protect in the Bahamas, which has an advanced and efficient legal system based on English common law. The judiciary is independent, and the likelihood of expropriation is low. The Bahamas has increasingly adopted a more socialistic "hands-on" approach to "regulating" businesses and licensing.

For further reading:

• Bahamas Government at a Glance (Chart)
• Political Figures of Interest
• Structure of the Bahamas Government
• Bahamas Political Party History
• International Relations

Discover the Islands of the Bahamas

According to the Bahamas Tourism office the Islands of the Bahamas is unique with their individual character and charm--and there is some truth to this.

Visit the main islands like beautiful Grand Bahama Island (Freeport/Lucaya) and bustling New Providence (Nassau and Paradise Island). 

Or, if you really want to get away from the crowds, visit one of the many out islands like Abaco, Andros, Acklins and Crooked Island, Biminis, Berry Islands, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exumas, Inaguas, Mayaguana, and San Salvador.

Bahamas Facts & Figures

Whether you need information on alcohol, camping, and our wonderful climate, or want to know about our currency, and education system, our rich history and immigration policies. The Bahamas Guide Facts and Figures section should have what you are looking for.