Jurisdiction

Setting up your business in Belize
Most relevant features

The best advantages Belize can offer you

An excellent Latin America and the Caribbean option for international trade.

IBC free from any tax to the Government

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Meetings of Directors held anywhere

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Bookkeeping not mandatory

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Setting up your business in Belize

Belize became a British Crown Colony in 1862 and became independent in 1981. Belize is now a parliamentary democracy.

The government of Belize is fully committed to the ongoing development of Belize as a leading offshore jurisdiction. Through regular consultations with the private sector, the government ensures that its policies and legislation continue to meet the needs and interests of the international financial community in an environment which engenders trust and confidence.

The Belize International Business Company (IBC) is the most popular form of offshore corporate structure. An IBC is formed under the International Business Company Act 1990 and generally must conduct its trading and business outside Belize. However, Belize’s legislation also allows an IBC to carry on a number of activities within Belize. Belize offshore companies are used for a variety of tax planning and international investment purposes.

Business owners can enjoy complete anonymity when incorporating Belize offshore company. The names of all parties can remain private, and there are no requirements to prepare and file annual reports. While you must maintain financial records, the files and accounts of offshore Belize companies are not subject to an annual audit. IBCs formed in Belize enjoy a tax-free status. The country has become a popular tax haven for corporations. The structure of your Belize offshore corporation won’t be governed by the laws of your own country. You will be free to organize your business in a way that is most beneficial for the company as a whole.

Advantages to set up your business company in Belize

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Exemption from taxes on all income of an IBC

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Exemption from taxes on all dividends paid by an IBC

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Exemption from taxes on all interests, rent, royalties, compensations and other amounts paid by an IBC

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Exemption from taxes on capital gains on shares, debt obligations or other securities of an IBC by non-residents

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No currency restrictions

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Meetings of shareholders and/or directors may be held in any country and may be attended by proxy

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No citizenship or residency requirements for directors, officers or shareholders

Significant features of Belize IBC’s

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Liability is limited to the amount of the nominal value of the shares. Shareholders are not liable for any amount over the nominal value of their shares.

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An IBC is exempt from any tax to the Belizean Government.

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It is acceptable to have a low authorized and paid-in capital in relation to the value of the asset or the extent of the liabilities of the corporation.

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The requirement of at least one shareholder. Another company (or trust) can be the shareholder.

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Meetings of Directors can be held anywhere.

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There are no limitations or conditions on nationalities.

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Shares may be issued in bearer form, transferable by delivery (which adds to the confidentiality feature).

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There are no requirements for annual reports setting out the number of shares issued or the names of shareholder or directors.

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No information relative to the company will be disclosed by the Companies Registry except that it exists, the location of its registered office and the identity of the resident agent.

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Changes of shareholders or directors need not be filed with the Registrar of Companies.

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The company can conduct any business not expressly excluded by the Law or by the Company’s Charter.

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There is no requirement to maintain a register of shareholders or directors.

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Any company can buy back its own shares from shareholders. That is, there may be treasury stock.

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Flexible Structure.

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Bookkeeping and annual accounts are not mandatory.

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The nominal value of shares may be determined upon date of issue.

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Incorporation and shareholders need not be the same person or entities.

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Meetings of shareholders may be held anywhere in the world, provided the articles of incorporation make that possible.

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Minutes of shareholders meetings are not mandatory.

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There are easy procedures for liquidation of the corporation.

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Company files and records may be held anywhere in the world.

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No foreign exchange license is needed.

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No business and directors licenses are needed.

No other jurisdiction has proven that it will back up its privacy laws as strongly as Belize.

The only challenge to Belize’ sovereignty came in 1995 when the Supreme Court of Belize successfully kept the country’s privacy laws from being breached by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

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