Panama vs United States: tax comparison for expats & nomads
A sourced head-to-head on Panama and United States: tax-residency rules, income tax rates, special regimes and nomad visas, side by side. Income tax only, not tax advice.
Effective income tax by income
An effective-rate comparison for this pair isn’t available yet (one country’s full bracket table is still being verified). The sourced fact comparison below still applies — and the interactive tool covers every modelled country.
Panama vs United States, side by side
| Panama | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Top income tax rate | 25%ⓘPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“Over 50,000 | Tax on column 1 (USD): 5,850 | Tax on excess (%): 25”View source · accessed 2026-09-18 | 37%ⓘPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“For individuals, the top federal income tax rate for 2025 is 37%, except for long-term capital gains and qualified dividends”View source · accessed 2026-08-20 |
| Tax-residency day threshold | 183 daysⓘPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“A resident is a person who is physically located and has been generating income in Panama for more than 183 days during the year.”View source · accessed 2026-09-18 | 183 daysⓘInternal Revenue Service (IRS)“You will be considered a United States resident for tax purposes if you meet the substantial presence test for the calendar year. To meet this test, you must be physically present in the United States (U.S.) on at least:”View source · accessed 2026-08-20 |
| Signature tax regime | NoneⓘPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries“There are no inheritance, estate, or gift taxes in Panama.”View source · accessed 2026-09-18 | Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: USD 132,900 / yearⓘInternal Revenue Service (IRS)“For tax year 2026, the foreign earned income exclusion is $132,900 up from $130,000 for tax year 2025.”View source · accessed 2026-08-20 |
| Digital nomad visa | Yes — Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto (Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers)ⓘServicio Nacional de Migración de Panamá“Decreto Ejecutivo No. 198 / Que crea la Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto, y se dictan otras disposiciones.”View source · accessed 2026-09-18 | No |
| Nomad-visa income requirement | [source]Galindo, Arias & López“un monto anual no menor a US$36,000.00 (US$3,000.00 mensuales), o su equivalente en moneda extranjera”View source · accessed 2026-09-18 | — |
Every figure links to its source and verification date. Full guides: Panama · United States.
Frequently asked questions
Is Panama or United States better for tax?
It depends on your income, residency status and which special regime you qualify for. Compare the residency rules, rates and regimes side by side below, and use the interactive tool for your own income.
Which has the lower tax-residency threshold, Panama or United States?
Panama treats you as tax resident after 183 days, and United States after 183 days. But ties like a home, family or economic centre can trigger residency on fewer days — never rely on a day count alone.
Does Panama or United States have a digital nomad visa?
Panama has a dedicated nomad/remote-work visa; United States has no dedicated digital-nomad visa. See the "Digital nomad visa" row below for the sourced detail.