General Information
Belize is located in the Caribbean coast of Central America. Belize City is the major commercial city and the population is about 61,460. Agriculture traditionally constitutes the major driver of Belize economy with such export product as sugar, citrus and banana.
Belize is a sovereign country, and also a member of the United Nations and WTO. In order to maintain its good image, Belize government not only revised its Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2023, but also added Belize Economic Substance Act, 2019. One of the advantages of Belize is the government does not disclose INFORMATION of shareholders / directors of Belize companies, thus use a Belize company to invest in China, Taiwan, India and Vietnam...etc., enjoys better confidentiality.
Although the Belize government has cancelled the tax exemptions, if the Belize company is tax resident in another jurisdiction other than a blacklisted country, complies with the Economic Substance Act, and has no central management and control in Belize, still can apply for tax exemption.
Key Features
A Belize company is incorporated under the Belize Companies Act, 2022. The features are as below:
| 1. |
Belize Companies can apply TIN. |
| 2. |
Company name can be in any language (should provide English translation). |
| 3. |
Annual License Fee is US$250 for company with registered capital of US$50,000 or less, and US$1,000 with capital exceeds US$50,000. |
| 4. |
At least 1 director/shareholder is required, any nationality is accepted. |
| 5. |
Individual/corporate director/shareholder is accepted. |
| 6. |
Director/shareholder Information is not in public. |
| 7. |
The accounting records are required to be kept in the registered office. |
| 8. |
Economic substance and annual tax returns need to be declared. |
| 9. |
Annual General Meeting is not required. |
| 10. |
A Belize company can't acquire, hold, own, or deal in any intellectual assets. |