Belize IBCs Overview

A Belize International Business Company (IBC) is an offshore company which conducts its trading and business outside Belize. Belize’s legislation also allows an IBC to carry on a number of activities within Belize. Additionally, Belize’s modern and up to date offshore legislation provides for maximum flexibility in tax and investment planning. An investor can realize infinite possibilities with a Belize IBC.

A Belize IBC can carry on the following activities within Belize:

• make or maintain deposits with local banks in Belize;
• prepare or maintain books and records within Belize;
• hold meetings of its directors or members within Belize;
• lease property for use as an office in Belize;
• own a vessel(s) registered in Belize in accordance with the Registration of Merchant Ships Act, 1989;
• hold shares in another Belize IBC;
• and under special license conduct banking, insurance or reinsurance business, act as an insurance agent or broker, or carry on collective investment schemes.

Competitive Advantages of having a Belize IBC

Taxation

A Belize IBC is exempt from…

• the payment of all forms of local taxation, including income tax, taxes on dividends or other distributions, interest, rent, royalties, compensations or capital gains when payments are remitted to non-residents;
• the payment of stamp duties for transactions in respect of its shares, debt obligations or other securities;
• the payment of stamp duties with respect to all instruments relating in any way to its assets or activities;
• the payment of stamp duties in respect of any property transfers.

 Exchange Control

A Belize IBC is not subject to exchange control regulations.

Security and Confidentiality

With a Belize IBC…

• disclosure of the beneficial owner(s) is not required;
• share register may be inspected only by a shareholder;
• assets are protected from confiscation or expropriation orders or similar actions by foreign governments.

Filing Requirements

With a Belize IBC…

• only the Memorandum and Articles are required for public records;
• the registration and de-registration of Registers of Directors, Members, and Mortgages and Charges are optional.

Cost Savings

With a Belize IBC…

• no minimum capital is required;
• no audit of accounts is required;
• no filing of annual returns is required;
• only one shareholder and one director are required, who may be corporate;
• no company secretary is required;
• no annual general meeting is required;
• meetings may be held outside of Belize and may be by telephone or other electronic means;
• shares may be issued in any currency.

Incorporation

With a Belize IBC…

• redomiciliation into and out of Belize is permitted;
• registration in any foreign language is permitted.
• In addition, Belize’s legislation facilitates speedy and simple incorporation, and its modern and computerized IBC Registry is capable of incorporating a company within a day.