In short
Belize has no corporate income tax for companies. It charges business tax on gross receipts instead, unless the company is tax resident abroad, has no Belize presence and files the claim form.
Facts checked November 2026
Belize company formation
A Belize company limited by shares, filed with the Companies Registry by our licensed agent.
Ltd companyfrom $1,199 one-time
- 3–5 days after KYC
- One director is enough
- Off EU tax lists
At a glance
- Company types
- Belize company from $1,199
- People
- At least one director and one shareholder, from any country. A nominee director is available for year one ($490).
- Registered agent
- A licensed Belize agent and office are mandatory for foreign-owned companies. Ours is included for year one.
- Share capital
- Our setup stays below US$50,000, which keeps the government fees in the lowest band.
- Registers
- Members, directors and beneficial owners are filed with the Registry. The public extract doesn’t list them.
- Every year
- Annual return by 30 June, a business tax return and an economic substance form through your agent.
- EU status
- Not on either EU tax list as of 9 October 2026.
- Timeline
- 3–5 days after KYC
Taxes, explained simply
Your company pays
-
None
Corporate income tax
Repealed for companies from 2020, except petroleum.
-
1.75–15%
Business tax
On gross receipts: 1.75% trading, 6% professional services, 15% commissions and royalties.
-
5%
Foreign passive income
Foreign dividends, interest and royalties, with credit for tax paid abroad.
-
Exempt
If tax resident abroad
No business tax if resident in a country off the EU list, with no Belize presence and the claim form filed.
-
12.5%
GST
Only on supplies in Belize. Register at BZ$75,000 a year.
You personally
-
25% / 15%
Paid to non-residents
Belize withholds 25% on management and technical fees, 15% on loan interest.
You’re still taxed where you live. Your home country may tax the company’s profit or treat it as managed from there. Companies doing relevant activities, such as holding, finance or IP, must show substance in Belize.
How it works
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Incorporate in Belize
Ltd, Inc. or Corp., filed with the Belize Companies Registry.
You get: Belize company
-
Get a registered agent
Licensed agent in Belize, which every foreign-owned company needs.
You get: Belize office
-
Get your TIN
We apply for the company’s tax number with the Belize Tax Service.
You get: Tax number
-
Open bank or EMI
We introduce you to a bank or EMI and prepare your file.
You get: Bank-ready file
-
Stay compliant
Tax return by 31 March, annual return by 30 June, substance form.
You get: Deadline reminders
What’s included
Fixed one-time prices. Government fees are shown before you pay.
Explorer
$1,199one-time
Belize Ltd, gov. fees included
- Memorandum and articles
- Year-one registered agent and office
- Tax number (TIN) application
- Compliance reminders
- Email support
Go
$1,599one-time
Belize Ltd, gov. fees included
Everything in Explorer, plus:
- Bank or EMI introduction
- Year-one economic substance form
- Certificates of incumbency and good standing
- WhatsApp support
Pro
$2,199one-time
Belize Ltd, gov. fees included
Everything in Go, plus:
- Multi-bank support until an account opens
- Nominee director for year one
- Apostilled document set
- Priority support, same-day replies
Then $899 a year from month 13.
What you’ll need
- Certified copy of the passport of every shareholder and director
- Certified proof of address for each of them. We send the wording for the notary or lawyer
- Source of funds, such as a statement or bank reference
- Two company name choices. We add Ltd, Limited, Inc. or Corp.
- What the company will do, in plain words
Banking
- Go includes a bank or EMI introduction. Pro adds multi-bank support until an account opens.
- Belize’s international banks serve non-residents in foreign currencies. Approval is always the bank’s decision.
- On Explorer, add bank account help for $199.
Approval is always the bank’s or provider’s decision.
After formation: what’s due
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 31 March | Business tax return with financial statements, or the exemption claim |
| 30 June | Annual return to the Registry, made up to 31 December, with the US$250 fee |
| 9 months after year end | Economic substance form through your registered agent. Included in Go for year one |
| After any change | Updated registers of members, directors and beneficial owners |
| Every year | Registered agent renewal, in our $899 annual plan from month 13 |
Belize company formation FAQs
How long does it take to form a Belize company?
Usually 3–5 days after your identity checks are approved.
Do I need a local director?
No. One director and one shareholder from any country are enough. A licensed Belize registered agent and office are mandatory for foreign-owned companies, and ours is included for year one.
How is a Belize company taxed?
There is no corporate income tax. Business tax is charged on gross receipts, unless the company is tax resident in a country off the EU list, has no Belize presence and files the claim form.
What do I file every year?
A business tax return or exemption claim by 31 March, the annual return by 30 June and an economic substance form within 9 months of year end. We send reminders.
Does my company need an audit?
Only with receipts of US$6 million or more. Other companies send their own financial statements with the tax return.
Can you help me open a bank account?
Yes. Go includes a bank or EMI introduction, and Pro adds multi-bank support until an account opens. Approval is always the bank’s decision.
Can I move my existing Belize company to you?
Yes, for $290 plus the annual plan. Your current agent must confirm no fees are owed before the change is filed.
Sources (9)
Rates and fees from official and Big Four sources, with the date each was last reviewed.
- Belize Companies Act, 2022 In force
- Belize Companies (Amendment) Act, 2023 2023
- Belize Companies Regulations, 2022 (fees) In force
- BCCAR: Fees schedule 2026
- Income and Business Tax Act, Cap. 55 Rev. 2020
- Belize Tax Service: IBC returns and payments Sep 2021
- FSC: Economic substance filing timing Feb 2025
- Belize Tax Service: GST registration 2026
- KPMG: EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions 9 Oct 2026
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rates and fees change, and your own situation decides what applies. We are not a law firm; where a lawyer or licensed agent is needed, a local partner handles it.
