Belize Offshore Companies – General Information
Belize is a Premier Offshore Jurisdiction. A Belize Offshore Company (Belize IBC) is used for International Trade, Investment and Tax Planning. This type of entity is popular for trading companies and investment companies.
A Belize Offshore Company cannot trade within Belize. Banking, insurance, assurance, reinsurance business, fund management, collective investment schemes, trust management, trusteeship business provision are not permitted.
A Belize Offshore Company does not pay any tax on its worldwide profits and there is no requirement to file accounts with the Belize authorities.
Belize is not party to any double tax treaties.
Principal Corporate Legislation
International Business Companies Act 1990 as amended.
Type of Law
Common.
Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents
English.
Type of Company for International Trade, Investment & Tax Planning
International Business Company (IBC)
Share Capital
Standard authorised share capital is US$50,000. Minimum paid up share capital is US$1.
Classes of Share Available
Registered shares, shares of no par value, bearer shares, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights.
Bearer Shares
Permitted.
Restrictions on Trading
Cannot trade within Belize. Banking, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, collective investment schemes, trust management, trusteeship business provision are not permitted.
Registered Office Required
Yes, must be maintained in Belize.
Directors
The minimum number of directors is one. Director can be of any nationality and need not be resident in Belize. Corporate directors are permitted.
Shareholders
The minimum number of shareholders is one.
Publicly Accessible Records
No.
Nominee Shareholders and Nominee Directors
Allowed.
Location of Meetings of Directors and Shareholders
Anywhere.
Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities
No.
Personal Presence Required
No.
Taxation
Nil.
Double Taxation Treaty Access
None.
Requirements to File Accounts
None.
Requirement to File Annual Return
None.
Audit Requirements
None.
Currency
Belize Dollar (BZD).
Exchange Control
None.
Language of Name
English.
Required Words
Words such as “Assurance”, “Bank”, “Building Society”, “Royal”, “Trust Company”, “Trustee Company” etc. will require justification.
Name of a Company
The words “Limited”, “Corporation”, “Incorporated”, “Societe Anonyme”, “Sociedad Anonima” or Ltd, Corp., Inc., S.A. must be part of the name of every company.
Time to Incorporate
Two days.