Corporate Income Tax in Guyana

General reference only. This skill is general tax/accounting reference material for AI-assisted workflows. It has not been reviewed for any specific person's facts, documents, elections, deadlines, residency, filing status, or local procedures. Do not rely on it to file, pay, amend, or take a tax position without review by a qualified professional in the relevant jurisdiction.

Which text of the law. The Corporation Tax Act, Chapter 81:03 (CTA), in the consolidation "revised April 1, 2026" published by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). It includes the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Act 2026 (Act No. 3 of 2026, Official Gazette (Extraordinary) of 17 February 2026), whose section 1(2) applies the Corporation Tax Act changes "with respect to and from the year of income commencing on the 1st January, 2026". The CTA applies many sections of the Income Tax Act, Cap. 81:01 (ITA), to companies, including the loss rules (s. 19), returns (s. 60 and 60B), payment of tax by companies (s. 68) and penalties (s. 99) (CTA s. 16 and its table). The ITA withholding tax in s. 39 binds every payer directly, companies included.

Year of income and year of assessment. Corporation tax for a year of assessment is charged on the profits of the preceding year, the year of income (CTA s. 2, s. 6(1)). Profits of 2026 are year of assessment 2027; the return is due on 30 April 2027.

Quick reference (year of income 2026).

Company	Rate on chargeable profits
Non-commercial company	25%
Commercial company (not a telephone company)	40%
Telephone company	45%
Commercial company: floor	2% of turnover, if higher than the tax above
Return and balance due	30 April 2027
Advance tax	15 March, 15 June, 15 September, 15 December 2026

Related skills: individuals and the self-employed in gy-income-tax; payroll in gy-payroll-social; VAT in gy-vat-gst; company set-up in gy-company-formation.

Who this applies to

• Resident companies: companies whose control and management are exercised in Guyana, the place where the mind or management is ordinarily situated (CTA s. 2(1), (4)). They are taxed on all profits wherever arising (s. 5(1)), "whether received in Guyana or not" (s. 4).
• Non-resident companies carrying on a trade or business in Guyana: taxed on income directly or indirectly accruing in or derived from Guyana (s. 5(2)). A company with an office, place of business, branch or agency in Guyana is treated as carrying on business there (s. 2(2)).
• Which rate applies depends on the company type (s. 2(1)):
  • a commercial company is one at least 75% of whose gross income comes from trading in goods it did not manufacture, and includes any commission agency, telecommunication company, licensed bank and insurer carrying on business other than long-term insurance;
  • a non-commercial company is every other company, such as manufacturers, service providers and long-term insurers;
  • a company with both commercial and non-commercial activities pays the dual rate (s. 10(2)).
• Exempt (s. 7), among others: distributions received from a resident company; the profits of an investment company meeting the s. 2 tests; private corporate education institutions and private corporate medical health care institutions (from 2020); and, from the 2026 year of income, income from agriculture and agro-processing (s. 7(v)) and income from child care services and elderly care services (s. 7(w)). The GRA notice of 16 March 2026 confirms that the 2026 exemptions apply to incorporated companies, not to individuals. (That notice labels them (u) and (w); the Act inserts them as (v) and (w).)
• Out of scope: petroleum agreements and other companies taxed under special agreements, gold and diamond mining companies (ITA s. 32, 33), capital gains on assets held more than 12 months (Capital Gains Tax Act), and the capital allowance tables of the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act, Cap. 81:02.

Rates, bands and thresholds

Item	Rate or amount	Year	Source URL
Telephone company, CTA s. 10(1)(a)	45% of chargeable profits	YI 2026	https://www.gra.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Corporation-Tax-Revised-April-1.-2026.pdf (s. 10(1)(a))
Commercial company other than a telephone company, CTA s. 10(1)(b)	40% of chargeable profits	YI 2026	same, s. 10(1)(b)
Any other (non-commercial) company, CTA s. 10(1)(c)	25% of chargeable profits	YI 2026	same, s. 10(1)(c)
Small business in manufacturing and construction services, registered with the Small Business Bureau, CTA s. 10(1)(d)	25%	YI 2026	same, s. 10(1)(d)
Company with commercial and non-commercial activities, CTA s. 10(2)	40% on the commercial activity, 25% on the non-commercial activity	YI 2026	same, s. 10(2)(b)
Minimum tax on a commercial company, CTA s. 10A(1)	2% of turnover of the year of income, where corporation tax payable is less than that; insurers and exempt companies excluded (s. 10A(3))	YI 2026	same, s. 10A(1), (3)
Minimum tax carried forward, CTA s. 10A(5)	excess of minimum tax over corporation tax is set off against later corporation tax, but only to the extent that later tax exceeds 2% of that later year's turnover	YI 2026	same, s. 10A(5)
New exemptions from YI 2026, CTA s. 7(v), (w)	income from agriculture and agro-processing; income from child care and elderly care services	YI 2026	https://officialegazette.gov.gy/publications/a09dd6c2-5a8b-429d-9dd6-c25a8b429d53 (Act No. 3 of 2026, s. 3)
Withholding tax on payments to a non-resident company for a contract undertaking, CTA s. 10B	10% of the gross payment, paid over within 30 days; credited against the non-resident's corporation tax	YI 2026	https://www.gra.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Corporation-Tax-Revised-April-1.-2026.pdf (s. 10B(1), (2), (4))
Penalty for not paying over contractor withholding tax, CTA s. 10B(6)	an amount equal to the withholding tax in default	YI 2026	same, s. 10B(6)
Close company: fees of a director other than a whole-time service director, CTA s. 12(1)	deduction capped at 10% of chargeable profits (before that fee and initial allowances) and G$30,000 per director	YI 2026	same, s. 12(1)
Close company: fees of a whole-time service director, CTA s. 12(2)	deduction capped at G$120,000 (highest paid) or G$96,000 (others); G$60,000 where the director is also a salaried full-time employee	YI 2026	same, s. 12(2)
Withholding tax on distributions and on payments to non-residents, ITA s. 39(1)(a), (b), Third Schedule	20% of the gross amount; treaty rate only if the Commissioner-General accepts it (s. 39(3))	YI 2026	https://www.gra.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Income-Tax-Act-Revised-April-1-2026.pdf (s. 39, Third Schedule)
Branch profits of a non-resident company, ITA s. 39(7), (8)	treated as distributed and subject to the 20% withholding tax, except profits reinvested in Guyana to the Commissioner-General's satisfaction	YI 2026	same, s. 39(7), (8)
Loss relief, ITA s. 19(c) as applied	set-off cannot reduce the tax for a year below half of the tax without the set-off	YI 2026	same, s. 19 proviso (c)

Turnover for the minimum tax means gross receipts from the company's activities, in Guyana or not, including cash and credit sales, receipts for work done, commissions, fees and lump sum settlements, with no deduction for expenses, taxes or duties. VAT on sales is excluded, and so is income exempt under s. 7 (s. 10A(4), (7)(b)). A resident commercial company counts its whole turnover; a non-resident one only turnover from its operations in Guyana (s. 10A(2)).

A proviso to watch. Section 10A(1) adds that "when proven to the satisfaction of the Commissioner-General that the rate of two percent of the turnover ... exceeds the rate of tax under section 10(1)(b)", the tax is limited to the tax under s. 10(1)(b). How the GRA applies this was not found; see "Not yet confirmed".

The base

Chargeable profits are the profits from the sources in s. 4 after the deductions and exemptions the Act allows (s. 2(1)). They are computed on income tax principles (s. 8(1)).

1. Profits charged (s. 4): trade or business; professions, management charges and personal or technical services; capital gains on property disposed of within 12 months of acquisition (treated as income by s. 8 of the Capital Gains Tax Act); interest, discounts and annuities; premiums, commissions and fees; rents and royalties; dividends from non-resident companies paid out of profits not derived from Guyana; any other annual profits.
2. Not deductible: distributions and annuities or other annual payments (s. 8(2)).
3. Capital allowances under the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act are treated as trading expenses, and balancing charges as receipts (s. 9, s. 14).
4. Losses are carried forward against later profits from the same source until recouped (ITA s. 19, applied by CTA s. 16). The set-off cannot bring the tax below half of the tax before the set-off (s. 19(c)). This 50% limit does not apply to a company liable to the minimum tax (CTA s. 10A(6) proviso).
5. Close companies (five or fewer participators or controlled by directors, CTA Schedule para. 1) face the director fee limits above (s. 12) and can be directed to distribute profits (s. 11).
6. Tax and credits on the return (G0003): chargeable profits (line 70), tax by commercial and non-commercial column (lines 71 and 72), then credits: export credit (73), tourism credit (74), double tax relief (75), loss relief limit (76), minimum tax credit brought forward (77), tax deducted at source including s. 10B (78), advance tax paid (79). Line 83 is tax due; line 84 is a refund.

Deadlines and filing

What	When	Rule
Advance corporation tax for YI 2026	15 March, 15 June, 15 September and 15 December 2026, on chargeable profits or turnover or another basis agreed with the Commissioner-General	Corporation Tax (Payment) Regulations reg. 2; GRA return guide in the CTA consolidation
Withholding tax under ITA s. 39 on payments and distributions in a month	14th of the following month	ITA s. 39(2)
Withholding tax on payments to non-resident contractors	within 30 days of each payment	CTA s. 10B(2)
Corporation tax return (G0003) for YI 2026 (YA 2027) and balance of tax	30 April 2027	ITA s. 68(b) as applied; GRA, File Corporation Tax Return

A company subject to the s. 10B withholding tax is not required to pay advance tax (GRA return guide).

How to file.

1. Log in to GRA eServices at https://eservices.gra.gov.gy with the company's TIN. The company needs an eServices account first: TIN, a scan of its certificate of incorporation or articles, and ID of the representative.
2. Choose "Create eServices Form", then "Corporation Tax Return" (G0003).
3. Complete the return in its commercial and non-commercial columns, and attach the financial statements (forms G0017 balance sheet summary and G0018 profit and loss summary are available on the GRA site), capital allowance schedules and the A.01 schedule of contractor payments.
4. Submit. The GRA emails a confirmation. An electronic return counts as filed on the day the Commissioner-General acknowledges receipt (ITA s. 60B(2), (3)). No paper copy is needed.
5. Pay the balance on line 83 by 30 April 2027. A paper G0003, signed, can still be left at a GRA office.

Penalties and interest

The ITA penalty section applies to corporation tax (CTA s. 16 table lists ITA s. 99).

• Late payment: 2% a month, or part of a month, on tax outstanding; 1% a month under an instalment arrangement (ITA s. 99(1)).
• Late return showing tax: 10% of the tax assessed (s. 99(2)).
• Late nil or loss return: G$50,000 (s. 99(2A)).
• Contractor withholding tax not paid over: a penalty equal to the tax in default, on top of the tax (CTA s. 10B(6)).
• The Commissioner-General may reduce or waive penalties (ITA s. 99(4), s. 108). Unpaid tax leads to a demand note and enforcement after 30 days (s. 97(5)).

Cross-border points

• Dividends and other distributions paid to non-residents: 20% withholding (ITA s. 39(1)(a)). Distributions received by one resident company from another are exempt from corporation tax (CTA s. 7(a)).
• Interest, rent, royalties, management charges, personal and technical services, commissions and fees paid to a non-resident not engaged in trade or business in Guyana: 20% withholding on the gross amount (ITA s. 39(1)(b), s. 40). The payer withholds 20% even under a treaty unless the Commissioner-General accepts the reduced rate (s. 39(3)).
• Non-resident contractors: 10% of each gross payment under a contract for goods, services or work (CTA s. 10B), creditable against the contractor's corporation tax.
• Branches: profits remitted or deemed remitted by a branch of a non-resident company bear the 20% withholding tax (ITA s. 39(7) to (9)).
• Double taxation relief: ITA s. 89 and 90, applied by CTA s. 15; return line 75.

Two worked examples that recompute

Example 1: service company and a dual-rate company

Case A. BlueByte Inc. is a resident IT services company, a non-commercial company. Its 2026 chargeable profits are G$50,000,000. Tax at 25% is G$12,500,000. The minimum tax does not apply because it is not a commercial company. Return G0003 for YA 2027 is due by 30 April 2027.

Case B. Harbour Ltd both manufactures furniture and resells imported goods. Its 2026 chargeable profits are G$20,000,000 from the resale (commercial activity) and G$10,000,000 from manufacturing (non-commercial activity). Under the dual rate (s. 10(2)): 40% of 20,000,000 is 8,000,000 and 25% of 10,000,000 is 2,500,000, total G$10,500,000. With advance tax of G$9,000,000 paid in four instalments, G$1,500,000 is due on 30 April 2027.

name: GY YI 2026, non-commercial 25% and dual-rate company
inputs:
  profits_a: 50000000
  commercial_profits_b: 20000000
  non_commercial_profits_b: 10000000
  advance_paid_b: 9000000
steps:
  - tax_a: profits_a * 0.25
  - tax_b: commercial_profits_b * 0.40 + non_commercial_profits_b * 0.25
  - balance_b: tax_b - advance_paid_b
expected:
  tax_a: 12500000
  tax_b: 10500000
  balance_b: 1500000

Example 2: a trading company, 40% or the 2% minimum tax

Shopwise Inc. is a resident commercial company that resells imported goods. In 2026 its turnover, net of VAT, is G$500,000,000 and its chargeable profits G$20,000,000.

• Regular tax: 40% of 20,000,000 = G$8,000,000.
• Minimum tax: 2% of 500,000,000 = G$10,000,000.
• The regular tax is less than 2% of turnover, so the minimum tax of G$10,000,000 is payable (s. 10A(1)), unless the company proves the proviso described above applies.
• The excess, 10,000,000 - 8,000,000 = G$2,000,000, is carried forward (s. 10A(5)).

The next year. In 2027 turnover is again G$500,000,000 and profits G$40,000,000. Regular tax is G$16,000,000; 2% of turnover is G$10,000,000. The carried-forward G$2,000,000 can be set off only against tax above the 2% level, so up to 16,000,000 - 10,000,000 = 6,000,000. All G$2,000,000 is used and the company pays G$14,000,000 for 2027.

Deciding which applies. A commercial company pays the minimum tax whenever its profit margin is below 5% of turnover, because 40% of profit equals 2% of turnover at a 5% margin. Shopwise's 2026 margin is 4% (20,000,000 / 500,000,000), so the minimum tax bites; in 2027 the margin is 8%, so the regular tax applies.

name: GY YI 2026, commercial company, 2% minimum tax and carry-forward
inputs:
  turnover: 500000000
  profits_2026: 20000000
  profits_2027: 40000000
steps:
  - regular_2026: profits_2026 * 0.40
  - mct: turnover * 0.02
  - payable_2026: max(regular_2026, mct)
  - carried_forward: payable_2026 - regular_2026
  - regular_2027: profits_2027 * 0.40
  - room_2027: max(0, regular_2027 - mct)
  - used_2027: min(carried_forward, room_2027)
  - payable_2027: max(regular_2027 - used_2027, mct)
  - margin_2026: profits_2026 / turnover
  - breakeven_margin: 0.02 / 0.40
expected:
  regular_2026: 8000000
  mct: 10000000
  payable_2026: 10000000
  carried_forward: 2000000
  regular_2027: 16000000
  room_2027: 6000000
  used_2027: 2000000
  payable_2027: 14000000
  margin_2026: 0.04
  breakeven_margin: 0.05

Ask the client first

1. Where is the company controlled and managed? If outside Guyana, does it have an office, branch or agency in Guyana?
2. What share of gross income comes from trading in goods it did not make (the 75% commercial company test)? Is it a telephone company, bank or insurer? Does it have both commercial and non-commercial activities?
3. Turnover for 2026, net of VAT and exempt income (minimum tax), and chargeable profits by activity.
4. Any income from agriculture, agro-processing, child care or elderly care (exempt from 2026), or other exempt status (investment company, education or health institution, small business registration)?
5. Losses brought forward, minimum tax carried forward, advance tax paid and tax deducted at source in 2026.
6. Payments to non-residents in 2026 (contractors, dividends, interest, royalties, management fees) and whether the withholding tax was paid over on time.

Sources

Source	URL	Read on
Corporation Tax Act, Cap. 81:03, GRA consolidation revised 1 April 2026: s. 2, 4 to 10B, 11, 12, 14 to 16 and the table of applied ITA sections, Schedule para. 1, Corporation Tax (Payment) Regulations reg. 2, return guide lines 63 to 84 and "Payment of Taxes"	https://www.gra.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Corporation-Tax-Revised-April-1.-2026.pdf	2026-11-11
Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Act 2026, Act No. 3 of 2026, Official Gazette (Extraordinary) 17 February 2026: s. 1(2) commencement and s. 3 (CTA s. 7(v), (w)); scanned PDF read in full by OCR	https://officialegazette.gov.gy/publications/a09dd6c2-5a8b-429d-9dd6-c25a8b429d53	2026-11-11
Income Tax Act, Cap. 81:01, GRA consolidation revised 1 April 2026: s. 19, 39, 40, 60B, 68, 97, 99 and Third Schedule	https://www.gra.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Income-Tax-Act-Revised-April-1-2026.pdf	2026-11-11
GRA, Corporation Tax Act page, read for the list of revisions (2026 is current)	https://gra.gov.gy/corporation-tax-act/	2026-11-11
GRA, File Corporation Tax Return, read for the eServices steps, form G0003, 30 April due date and the 15 March, June, September, December advance tax dates	https://gra.gov.gy/quick-links-2/file-corporation-tax-return/	2026-11-11
GRA, Income Tax Rates and Calculations page, read for the corporation tax rates and the 2% minimum tax summary	https://gra.gov.gy/quick-links-2/rates-calculations/	2026-11-11
GRA, Legislative Changes notice of 16 March 2026, read for the corporation tax part (CTA s. 7 exemptions from 1 January 2026)	https://gra.gov.gy/press-release-gra-drops-all-tax-charges-against-nazar-mohamed-and-azruddin-mohamed-cloned-16268/	2026-11-11

Not yet confirmed: how the GRA applies the proviso to CTA s. 10A(1) that limits the minimum tax to the s. 10(1)(b) tax; the Income Tax (Payment of Tax by Companies) Regulations 1974 themselves (the advance tax dates come from the GRA return guide and the GRA filing page, not the regulation text); the scope of "agriculture and agro-processing" and "child care and elderly care services" in s. 7(v), (w) (no GRA guidance found); capital gains tax rates under the Capital Gains Tax Act, Cap. 81:20 (the old version of this file stated 20% from a secondary source); the treatment of interest paid to resident banks under ITA s. 39(1)(c), (d) and (11)(c); the capital allowance rates under Cap. 81:02.