Starting a business in
🇲🇦Morocco
Checked November 9, 2026 · How we score
Corporate tax
20%
Top income tax
37%
Setup from
$1,000
all-in, first year
Time to form
10 days
visit usually needed
What is the corporate tax rate in Morocco?
The headline corporate tax rate in Morocco is 20% in 2026, and individuals pay up to 37%. 20% on companies with profit below MAD 100 million and 35% above that level from 2026, after the phased reform that unified rates. Credit institutions and insurers have a separate higher scale. Minimum contribution rules apply to loss-making companies.
| Corporate income tax | 20% 20% on companies with profit below MAD 100 million and 35% above that level from 2026, after the phased reform that unified rates. Credit institutions and insurers have a separate higher scale. Minimum contribution rules apply to loss-making companies. |
|---|---|
| Personal income tax (top) | 37% Progressive rates from 0% to 37% on annual income above MAD 180,000, with family deductions. Professional-expense deductions apply to salaries. |
| Tax system | Worldwide income |
| Capital gains tax | 20%20% on gains from shares and other securities (15% on listed shares), and 20% on real-estate gains, with a primary-residence exemption after five years. |
| Dividend withholding (non-residents) | 15% |
| VAT / GST | 20% |
| Social security | Employers pay about 21% (CNSS and family allowances, health) and employees about 6–7% of capped salary. VAT is 20% with reduced rates of 7%, 10% and 14%. |
Forming a company in Morocco
| Usual entity | SARL (private limited company) |
|---|---|
| Minimum capital | None |
| Setup cost (all-in) | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Annual running cost | $2,500–$6,000 |
| Time to incorporate | 10 days |
| Form remotely as a foreigner | No |
| Local director required | No |
| Local address required | Yes |
| Owners on public register | Yes |
| Statutory audit for small companies | No |
| Business banking for non-residents | Hard |
Residency and visas
Foreign founders can get a residence card (carte de séjour) after incorporation and employment of a local team. Casablanca Finance City status offers streamlined residence and work-permit processing for qualifying staff.
| Digital nomad visa | No |
|---|---|
| Golden visa | No |
| Ease of residency for founders | 3/5 (1 = easiest) |
Taxes for individuals living in Morocco
Residents are taxed on worldwide income. Returning Moroccan residents and some expatriates get partial relief on foreign pensions.
| Foreign income of residents | Taxed |
|---|---|
| Income tax structure | Progressive rates |
| Inheritance / estate tax | 0%Morocco has no inheritance or gift tax between family members; inheritance follows Islamic law and registration fees apply on real estate transfers. |
| Wealth tax | No |
| Annual property tax on your home | Yes |
| Exit tax when you leave | No |
| When you become tax resident | Resident if you have a permanent home in Morocco, spend more than 183 days there in a year, or have your centre of economic interests in Morocco. |
Special tax regimes
Casablanca Finance City (CFC)
Approved companies pay 0% corporate tax for five years and 15% afterwards, with a 0% dividend withholding tax and customs advantages.
Tangier Med and export free zones
0% corporate tax for five years then 8.75% for qualifying export companies.
Unified 20%/35% CIT scale
From 2026 a single reform scale of 20% below MAD 100 million of profit and 35% above.
Pros and cons
Why founders pick Morocco
- 20% corporate rate for most companies
- Free-zone and CFC regimes with 0% tax for years
- Gateway to Europe and Africa with strong treaty network
- No inheritance tax
Watch out for
- 35% rate on very large profits
- Bureaucracy and French-language paperwork
- Exchange-control rules on the dirham
- Banking difficulties for non-resident-owned entities
Best for: Companies selling into Africa and Europe · Manufacturers using Tangier Med free zones · Financial services firms using Casablanca Finance City
Morocco: common questions
Is Morocco a tax haven?
No. Morocco is a normal-tax country: companies pay 20% corporate tax and the top personal income tax rate is 37%. It does offer special regimes for some newcomers, such as Casablanca Finance City (CFC).
What is the corporate tax rate in Morocco?
The corporate tax rate in Morocco is 20% for companies with profit below MAD 100 million and 35% above that level, following the reform that reached its final rates in 2026. Free zones and Casablanca Finance City offer 0–15% rates.
How much does it cost to register a company in Morocco?
Expect USD 1,000–2,500 in the first year for a SARL, including the Regional Investment Centre (CRI) fees, notary or lawyer costs and a registered address. Registration takes about 1–2 weeks. A Moroccan bank account is needed to deposit capital.
What is the income tax rate in Morocco?
Moroccan personal income tax is progressive up to 37% on income above MAD 180,000 a year. Capital gains on shares are taxed at 15–20%.
What is Casablanca Finance City?
CFC is a financial and business hub offering approved companies 0% corporate tax for five years and 15% afterwards, plus simplified residency and work-permit processes for staff.
Can foreigners own 100% of a company in Morocco?
Yes. Foreigners can own 100% of most companies, and the CRI provides a one-stop registration process, although foreign ownership of agricultural land is restricted.
Sources
- Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI) Morocco
- Casablanca Finance City Authority
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries – Morocco
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Not tax or legal advice. Rates and rules change; we check official sources and update every page, but verify with a licensed adviser in the country before acting. Spotted something out of date? Use the correction form below.