Belize Company Formation

Introduction

Belize is known as a country with beautiful nature in Central America. It has ecologically clean waters which wash reefs untouched by civilization. It also has forests, rivers, waterfalls and jungle, as well as historical sites of Mayan civilization which attract many tourists from all over the world. In 1862, Belize was declared a British colony and was known as British Honduras. It became an independent nation in 1981. The country is ruled by a Prime Minister who is elected by a Senate.

Belize is practically the only country in region of Central America where the official language is English.

Frequent flights connect the country with such cities as Houston, Miami and New Orleans. The administrative capital of Belize is the city of Belmopan. However, the main commercial centre is Belize City which has a population of around 60,000.

Formation and management of IBC companies in this country is regulated under the International Business Companies Act 2000 which provides for full exemption of IBC companies from taxation.

Features and Advantages

  • Strict privacy laws. Belizean corporate and business legislation provides one of the highest level of client confidentiality.  Belize does not disclose its banking or fiscal information under information-exchange agreements to foreign parties on reason of suspected tax evasion. The jurisdiction has not signed the U.S. Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
  • Excellent communications. Belize can be easily accessed by sea and air from Central and North America.
  • Belize IBC’s are exempted from all local taxes including stamp duty provided income is not sourced within Belize
  • The shareholders and directors can be natural or legal person. There is no public filing of the information about shareholders, corporate directors, officers and beneficial owners. There are no restrictions as to the location and time of meetings of shareholders and/or directors. Also, they may attend meetings by proxy
  • It is not required to file accounts or to have accounts audited. The requirement for public record of information is limited to certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, registered office and name and address of registered agent
  • Due to modern and computerised IBC Registry, the process of formation of Belize offshore companies is very simple and takes very little time
  • Capital of the company may be expressed in any currency. Offshore activities are free from foreign exchange control
  • Easy procedure of transferring IBC’s to and from the jurisdiction of Belize

Formation Package and Fees

Formation Fee (including following services) – USD 1,100
  1. Provision of Registered Agent Services (1 year)
  2. Provision of Registered Office (Only receive mails from government authorities on your behalf)
  3. Formation Service Fee
  4. Certificate of Incorporation, M&A, First Director Resolution, Consent to Act as Director, Registers and Share Certificate
  5. Provision of Dedicated Professional Formation Representative
Maintenance Fee (Fee for subsequent year) – USD 1,000
  1. Provision of Registered Agent Services (1 year)
  2. Provision of Registered Office (Only receive mails from government authorities on your behalf)
  3. Government License Fee*
  4. Filing of Annual Return

* Fees vary based on the actual costs charged by the government

Belize IBC Corporate Details
General
Type of Entity Limited by Shares
Type of Law English Common Law
Governed by International Business Companies Act of 1990
Registered Office in Belize Yes
Shelf company availability Yes
Our time to establish a new company 2-3 Business Day on provision of all due diligence documents
Minimum government fees (excluding taxation) US $100
Corporate Taxation No
Share capital or equivalent
Standard currency US Dollar
Belize dollar (Official currency);
fixed to USD $1 = $2 Belize
Permitted currencies Any
Minimum paid up USD 1
Suggested authorised capital USD 50,000
No par value shares allowed Yes
Directors
Minimum number One
Local required No
Publicly accessible records No
Location of meetings Anywhere
Corporate directorship allowed Yes
Shareholders
Minimum number One (which can be the Director)
Publicly accessible records No
Corporate shareholder allowed Yes
Location of meetings Anywhere
Company Secretary
Required No
Local or qualified No
Accounts
Requirements to prepare No
Audit requirements No
Requirements to file accounts No
Publicly accessible accounts No
Recurring Government Costs
Minimum Annual Tax / License Fee USD 100
Annual Return Filing Fee USD 100 – USD 1000 depending on the amount of authorized capital
Other
Requirement to file annual return No

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