 | Belize is an independent country within the Commonwealth. As from 1862 it was a British Crown Colony, and became independent in 1981. Belize is a parliamentary democracy. Enquiries:
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| It comprises an area of some 23,000 square kilometres, and is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. Belize has population of around 300,000. English is the official language.
Belize IBCs
Belize IBCs are companies incorporated under the Belize International Business Company Act, 1990. As with most "offshore" companies, Belize IBCs are primarily designed for use outside of their jurisdiction of incorporation and may not carry on business in Belize (subject to a number of statutory exceptions). Belize IBCs are commonly used for: - the holding / ownership of investments and assets, such as real estate or shares or other property
- commercial transactions and international trading operations
- asset protection vehicles
- consultancy and personal service companies
Fiscal advantages
- Belize taxation on foreign income: No
- Belize stamp duty on transfer of IBC shares: No
- Minimum annual Belize Government License fee: US$ 100
Directors
- Minimum number of directors: 1
- Corporate directors permissible: yes
- Local director requirement: no
- Publicly accessible records of directors: no
- Location of directors meetings: anywhere
Shareholder (Members)
- Minimum number of shareholders: 1
- Corporate shareholders permissible: yes
- Local shareholder requirement: no
- Location of shareholders meetings: anywhere
- Publicly accessible records of shareholders: no
Beneficial owners (clients)
- Publicly accessible records of beneficial owners: no
- Shares may be held by a nominee on behalf of beneficial owner client
Company Secretary
- Appointment of Company Secretary requirement: optional
Share Capital
- Standard Authorised Share Capital: Normally US$50,000, this being the maximum for the minimum annual Government licence fee (US$100)
- Standard Minimum Paid up Capital: US$1
- Standard currency: USD
- Permitted currencies: any
- Registered shares or Bearer shares permitted
Accounts and returns
- Requirement to file annual Accounts: no
- Audit requirement: no
- Publicly accessible Accounts: no
- Requirement to file annual company return: no
Other
- Migration/re-domiciliation of IBCs to or from Belize: yes
- Double taxation treaty access: no
- Confidentiality: no public register of directors or shareholders or beneficial owners / clients; and use of nominees permitted
- Time for us to incorporate new IBC: approx. 3 days (plus allow time for courier delivery)
- Requirement: registered office and licensed Registered Agent in Belize
- Trading restrictions: cannot carry on business in Belize (though it can maintain records and a bank account in BVI and engage local advisors, etc). A Belize IBC is prohibited from carrying on the business of banking, insurance, reinsurance, etc.
- A Belize IBC has the same powers as a natural person, including the right to sue and be sued. It is a separate legal entity with limited liability and has perpetual existence.
- Name restrictions: it is prohibited (or requires consent) for an IBC name to contain words such as "Bank", "Trust", "Building Society", "University", "Royal", "Imperial" or which suggests the patronage of any Government. It is prohibited to use a name already in use or any name deemed by the Registrar to be undesirable, obscene or offensive.
- Language of IBC name: while normally in English, an IBC name can be in any language, but must be accompanied by an approved translation in English.
- Mandatory suffix to denote limited liability: including "Limited", "Corporation", "Incorporated", "Société Anonyme" or their abbreviations, etc.
- An IBC is not a Belize resident for taxation purposes
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