New Registration Requirement for Short-Term Rental Owners in The Bahamas: What You Need to Know

The Bahamas has introduced mandatory registration for all short-term vacation rental properties. Under recent amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (Section 19) and Business License Act (Section 16), the Department of Inland Revenue now requires all STR properties – whether Bahamian or foreign-owned – to be registered if rented for periods of 45 days or less.

Why This Matters for Property Owners

This is more than just paperwork. Non-compliance could impact your ability to legally operate your rental property and may result in penalties. For foreign owners in particular, the registration process intersects with existing requirements around the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA) permits and proper entity structuring.

How ParrisWhittaker Can Assist

Our Corporate and Real Estate teams regularly advise clients on:

• Ensuring your ownership structure is compliant before registration
• Reviewing BIA permit requirements for foreign-owned rental properties
• VAT registration and ongoing compliance obligations
• Business License applications and renewals
• Structuring new acquisitions with rental income in mind

If you own a short-term rental property in The Bahamas or are considering purchasing one, now is the time to ensure your affairs are in order. Contact our team to discuss how we can assist with your compliance obligations.