Panama Company Compliance Costs: What You'll Actually Pay
Exact breakdown of government fines, penalties, and professional fees. With real examples.
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Updated March 2026
Figures reflect current DGI rates and Law 254 enforcement.
The Real Cost of Panama Company Compliance
You opened a company for Friendly Nations residency. You have not touched it since. Now you are wondering what you actually owe.
Here is the honest answer: it depends on when you opened and how many years you missed. But we can show you exactly how it adds up.
Who This Affects
This is not just about companies created recently. The government's Phase 1 targets companies flagged by DGI in 2016 for non-payment. Those companies could have been created years or even decades earlier.
Phase 2 will cover companies that became suspended after 2016 under Law 52 of 2016 and Law 254 of 2021. If you opened a company for Friendly Nations residency (program started 2012), business, or any other reason and stopped paying, you are likely in this group.
The compliance math works the same regardless of when your company was created. What matters is how many years you have missed.
Government Fines (DGI)
These are automatic penalties applied by Panama's tax authority (Direccion General de Ingresos).
| Situation | Fine | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Late declaration, per year (company) | $500/year | DGI FAQ |
| Late declaration, special regime company | $1,000/year | DGI FAQ |
| Tasa Unica late penalty, per year | $50/year | Cuenti |
| Reactivation after suspension | $1,000 | Cuenti |
| Accounting records not filed (Law 254) | $5,000 to $1,000,000 | Lexology |
These fines are automatic. The DGI system applies them the moment you miss a deadline.
Annual Obligations (Every Year)
Even a dormant company owes money annually:
| Requirement | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tasa Unica (franchise tax) | $300 |
| Accounting filing to Resident Agent | ~$65 |
| Resident Agent fee | $150 to $500 |
| July tax declaration (required since 2024) | ~$65 |
Minimum annual cost for a dormant company: ~$580 to $930
What This Actually Costs: Example Scenarios
Disclaimer
The following examples are hypothetical scenarios based on current DGI fine structures (source) and typical professional fees from attorneys and accountants we work with. Actual costs vary depending on your specific situation, your service providers, and any amnesty programs that may apply. These are illustrative, not quotes.
Example: Company Opened in 2018, Never Filed
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tasa Unica (2018 to 2025) | 8 years x $300 | $2,400 |
| Late penalties on Tasa Unica | 8 years x $50 | $400 |
| Declaration fines (2022 to 2025) | 4 years x $500 | $2,000 |
| Accountant fees to file declarations | 1 current + 3 extemporaneous | ~$825 |
| Total to become compliant | ~$5,625 | |
If they want to dissolve instead:
| Lawyer fees (dissolution, estimated) | $450 to $600 |
| Gastos (notary, registry, newspaper) | $200 to $300 |
| Estimated dissolution | $650 to $900 |
Estimated grand total to exit cleanly: ~$6,500 to $7,000+
Dissolution costs vary by attorney. Always get written quotes.
Example: Company Opened in 2021, Never Filed
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tasa Unica (2021 to 2025) | 5 years x $300 | $1,500 |
| Late penalties on Tasa Unica | 5 years x $50 | $250 |
| Declaration fines (2022 to 2025) | 4 years x $500 | $2,000 |
| Accountant fees | 1 current + 3 extemporaneous | ~$825 |
| Total to become compliant | ~$4,575 | |
Plus ~$650 to $900 for dissolution if you want out.
Example: Company Opened in 2024, Only 1-2 Years Behind
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tasa Unica (2024 to 2025) | 2 years x $300 | $600 |
| Late penalties | 2 years x $50 | $100 |
| Declaration fines | 2 years x $500 | $1,000 |
| Accountant fees | 2 current-year filings | ~$300 |
| Total to become compliant | ~$2,000 | |
The earlier you act, the less you pay.
What Happens If You Are Already Suspended?
If your company missed 3+ years of Tasa Unica, it is already suspended. To reactivate:
| All back Tasa Unica owed | Varies |
| All late penalties ($50/year) | Varies |
| All declaration fines ($500/year) | Varies |
| Reactivation fee | $1,000 |
| Accountant/lawyer fees | Varies |
A company suspended since 2020 could easily owe $8,000+ to reactivate.
At that point, dissolution may be cheaper, but you still need to clear debts before dissolving.
The Math Gets Worse Every Year
Every year you ignore this:
| Tasa Unica | +$300 |
| Declaration fine | +$500 |
| Late penalty | +$50 |
| Total added per year | +$850 |
Waiting "one more year" costs $850. Waiting three more years costs $2,550, plus you hit suspension and the $1,000 reactivation fee.
Professional Service Fees (Market Estimates)
Important: Unlike the government fines above, these are not official rates. They are estimated ranges based on market research. Actual fees vary significantly by provider, complexity, and your specific situation. Always get written quotes from multiple professionals before committing.
| Service | Estimated Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RUC update | $100 to $150 | One-time |
| Current-year declaration filing | $150 to $250 | Per year |
| Extemporaneous declaration (3+ years late) | $250 to $350/year | Includes notarization, memorial |
| Company dissolution (lawyer) | $450 to $600 + ITBMS | Plus $200 to $300 gastos |
Gastos = notary fees, Public Registry fees, newspaper publication. Request itemized quotes.
Next Steps
You have two options:
- Get compliant: Pay what you owe, file declarations, keep the company active
- Dissolve properly: Pay what you owe, then close the company through legal channels
Either way, you need to know exactly where you stand first.
Get Free Compliance Assessment
We will look up your company, tell you what you owe, and give you a clear path forward.
Start Free Assessment