Economic Substance Return Filing for SVG Companies — Simplified Compliance
Business Companies in St. Vincent and the Grenadines engaged in relevant activities must submit an annual Economic Substance Return to the Comptroller. We manage the full reporting cycle — from gathering the required data to filing your declaration within the prescribed deadline.
Economic Substance Reporting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
SVG's Economic Substance framework requires Business Companies that carry out any of nine designated activities to demonstrate genuine economic presence within the jurisdiction. An annual Economic Substance Return must be filed with the Comptroller of the Inland Revenue Department, detailing how the company meets prescribed substance thresholds.
The return captures information about the entity's direction and management, staffing levels, physical premises, operating expenditure within SVG, and the core income-generating activities conducted locally. Companies must show that their substance is commensurate with the scale and nature of their operations.
These requirements were enacted under the International Tax Co-operation (Economic Substance) Act as part of SVG's commitment to OECD and EU standards on tax governance and harmful tax practices.
What the Return Must Include
Activity Classification
Direction & Management
Personnel & Premises
Expenditure & CIGA
Pure equity holding entities have a reduced reporting threshold — they need only demonstrate adequate personnel and premises for managing equity interests.
Who Is Not Required to File?
Companies Outside the Nine Activities
Limited Liability Companies
Tax-Resident Elsewhere
Entities in Liquidation
Unlike some jurisdictions, SVG does not require a nil return from entities with no relevant activities. The obligation applies only to those engaged in at least one of the nine categories.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to submit the return
A fine of up to XCD $100,000, imprisonment for up to 2 years, or bothFailure to pay initial penalty
An additional fine of up to XCD $75,000, imprisonment for up to 1 year, or bothRepeated non-compliance
Escalated penalties of up to XCD $100,000, imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both for each subsequent periodStrike-off risk
Persistent failure to comply may result in the company being removed from the SVG registerSVG enforces economic substance obligations rigorously. The Comptroller has broad authority to investigate, penalise, and refer cases for prosecution.
Economic Substance Return Deadline
The return must be submitted to the Comptroller within 4 months following the last day of the company's basis period.
| Basis Period (Example) | Filing Window | Deadline | Recurring Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024 | 1st January 2025 to 30th April 2025 | 30th April 2025 | 30th April |
| 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024 | 1st July 2024 to 31st October 2024 | 31st October 2024 | 31st October |
Economic Substance Reporting, Without the Complexity
Navigating SVG's substance requirements can be involved. We simplify the entire process — assessing your activities, compiling the evidence, and delivering your return to the Comptroller.
No Separate Filing Fee
Economic Substance Return filing is included as standard within your annual compliance package — no extras on top.
Substance Framework Expertise
We are well-versed in SVG's nine relevant activity categories and the specific substance thresholds each one demands.
Assigned Relationship Manager
One dedicated contact manages your ES filing from start to finish, keeping the process organised and transparent.
Proactive Filing Reminders
You'll receive timely notifications ahead of the 4-month deadline, with clear guidance on what we need from you.
Swift Preparation & Submission
Once we have your details, the return is compiled and lodged with the Comptroller without delay.
Your ES Obligations, Fully Managed
From activity classification through to Comptroller submission, we take responsibility for every stage of your Economic Substance Return.
ES Return Filing — Included as Standard
There's no separate charge for your SVG Economic Substance Return. It's covered within your annual compliance engagement.
For Existing Customers
For Company Transfers
What You Receive
Relevant activity assessment and classification
Full Economic Substance Return preparation
Submission to the Comptroller via the IRD
Assigned relationship manager throughout
Proactive deadline alerts and follow-ups
How We File Your Economic Substance Return
From assessing your relevant activities to delivering the return to the Comptroller — here's how it works.
Initiate Your ES Filing
Get in touch to start the process. We review your company's profile, confirm the basis period, and identify which of the nine relevant activities apply to your operations.
Substance Documentation & Review
We share the required substance assessment forms and walk you through completing them. You provide details on direction and management, staffing, premises, and expenditure within SVG, then sign and return the documents.
Lodge with the Comptroller
With your signed documents in hand, we compile the Economic Substance Return in the prescribed format and submit it to the Comptroller through the Inland Revenue Department.
Filing Confirmation Delivered
After successful submission, you receive a confirmation of filing — your evidence that the company's Economic Substance Return has been lodged within the required timeframe.
Let Us Manage Your Economic Substance Return
From activity assessment to Comptroller submission — your ES obligations handled with precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key questions about SVG Economic Substance Return filing and compliance obligations.
Only Business Companies carrying out one or more of nine designated activities: banking, distribution and services, finance and leasing, fund management, headquarters, holding entity, insurance, intellectual property holding, and shipping. If your company does not engage in any of these, no ES return is required.
No. Unlike some other jurisdictions, SVG does not require a nil Economic Substance Return from entities that do not conduct any of the nine relevant activities. The filing obligation only applies to companies engaged in at least one qualifying category.
The return must be submitted to the Comptroller within 4 months following the last day of your company's basis period. For instance, if the basis period ends on 31st December, the filing deadline is 30th April.
Failure to submit the return can result in a fine of up to XCD $100,000, imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both. Non-payment of penalties leads to additional fines — up to XCD $75,000 initially, escalating to XCD $100,000 for subsequent periods. The Comptroller may also initiate strike-off proceedings.
The return covers your relevant activity classification, evidence of direction and management within SVG, number of qualified employees, details of physical premises, operating expenditure incurred locally, and a description of core income-generating activities performed in the jurisdiction.
Yes. Pure equity holding entities have a lighter substance threshold — they need only demonstrate adequate personnel and premises in SVG for managing their equity interests, rather than the full substance test that applies to other activity categories.
Entities that are tax resident in another jurisdiction — provided it is not on the EU or OECD non-cooperative lists — may claim exemption from the substance test. Supporting documentation of tax residency status will be required.
We track your basis period and send reminders well in advance of the 4-month deadline. Your relationship manager will reach out with clear instructions on what documentation we need to prepare the filing.
The ES return filing service is available for companies managed through Expanship. If your company is currently with another provider, you can transfer to us and we'll take care of any outstanding substance filings as part of the transition.
Need Guidance on SVG Economic Substance?
Have questions about relevant activities, substance thresholds, or the filing process? Get in touch and we'll walk you through it.
