When exploring the question to start or expand your business in Suriname, an important factor to take in consideration, is the tax laws and regulations, in order to make a compliant start.
Suriname has a relatively complex tax system and if companies are not compliant with tax laws, it can result in massive consequences that have a negative financial impact on the business. It is therefore important to have a good understanding of the fundamentals of Surinamese tax regulations when doing business in our country.
Azerra also provides assitance with tax registration and the filing of various taxes. In this short article we will give a general overview on taxes in Suriname.
Tax in Suriname can be divided in two main categories:
1. Direct tax
2. Indirect tax
The direct tax system regards all taxes that are “directly” paid form earned or cashed revenue. Some tax components of this category are:
• Income tax
• Payroll tax
• Dividend tax
Indirect taxes are not directly paid by businesses to the government but rather collected through an intermediary. Some of the indirect taxes are:
• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Excise Duty (on alcohol, tabacco, fuel etc.)
• Customs Duties (taxes on imported or exported goods)
The following article will focus on general information regarding the registration and filing of VAT and income tax. Before the VAT and income tax registration can take place, a general registration must first be completed with the tax office. This registration is done in person at the tax office in Suriname. There is no appointment required for this registration.
General registration process
To register your business with the Suriname tax office, you will need to submit the following documents:
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry extract (KKF) for your company.
• Copy of ID or passport of the company’s representative.
• Company statutes.
Once your registration is approved, you will receive a fixed number for your business within 2 to 3 working days. Please be aware that the documents are in Dutch. Azerra provides a step by step guide to assist you with this registration.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Suriname applies a 10% VAT on most goods and services. Businesses with annual revenues exceeding SRD 1.000.000 are required to register for VAT and collect taxes from their customers. Smaller businesses are covered by the Small Business Scheme, which means they do not have to charge or remit VAT if their turnover is below SRD 1.000.000.
VAT Registration process
You can register for VAT online through the tax office’s website. During this process, please note that documents must be uploaded, such as the KKF extract, ID of the representative, and company statutes. Upon approval, you will receive a Fiscal Identification Number (FIN). You will also need to create a password and username for your account. These credentials are extremely important because if lost, you will need to visit the tax office for assistance. From experience we can inform you that a personal visit to the tax office for lost information is a very unpleasant hassle.
Further more, it is important to note that the email address used for registration cannot be changed by yourself. Only the Tax Office can do this after you have submitted a request. Therefore, make sure to register with an email address linked to your company.
The portal of the tax office and the required documents must be uploaded are in Dutch. Currently, the website does not offer a translation option. Therefore, it is best to have this entire process handled by an expert in the field, such as AZERRA.
Income Tax
Income tax applies to both domestic and foreign taxpayers in Suriname. Domestic taxpayers include all everyone residing in Suriname and all entities established in Suriname. As foreign taxpayers, all individuals and all entities that receive domestic income in Suriname are subject to income tax. Income tax is a self-assessment tax, where taxpayers must declare their income using an online form. Taxpayers calculate their own tax liability based on this income and include it in the tax return.
Income tax rates
For natural persons, income tax rates range from 0%, 8%, 18%, 28%, and 38%, depending on the income levels. Entities are subject to a flat rate of 36% on their taxable income.
Income tax registration
As of 2025, the income tax registration process is similar to VAT registration and can be done online via the tax office’s portal.
How to File tax Returns?
VAT returns
VAT returns must be submitted monthly and by the 15th of the following month via the online portal, reporting sales made in the previous month. The declaration itself concerns the turnover you generated in the previous month and is submitted through the online portal.
Income tax returns
Income tax is declared quarterly. So, the tax return for this type of tax must be filed four times a year, where you declare the income and expenses of the previous quarter. As with the VAT return, this is done online through the tax portal. The tax can be paid in four equal installments and by April 15, July 15, October 15 and December 31 for the current year. It is important to do this on time to avoid penalties and interest.
Navigating Suriname’s tax system is complex and more so for foreign business and investors, who are not fully aware of the Surinamese Government culture. Especially the enforcement of tax laws can be complicated, because it is often accompanied by a lot of bureaucracy, long waiting times, uncertainties about the application of the regulations etc. To guarantee compliance and avoid complications, it is highly recommended to not go on a tax endeavor alone. Azerra can be your trusted partner, to not only guide you through the tax process, but also take the load of taxes from your plate, by assisting with the registration and all the tax filings. By partnering with us you can focus on the main thing, which is successfully running your business, while we handle all your taxes. We look forward to welcoming you to our team.